Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison

View Original

Best Toronto Restaurants for Celebrity Spotting

Donnie Wahlberg and wife Jenny McCarthy at the grand opening of Wahlburgers first Canadian location in Toronto. Photo by Stephanie Dickison | Toronto Restaurants.

We are so fortunate in Toronto that we don’t have to wait for TIFF to arrive to get a sneak peek of Hollywood elite, supermodels and their ilk.

If you want to star-gaze and get up close to celebs, head to these top 5 eateries in the city for VIPs and superstars:

Grand Electric Restaurant
1330 Queen St. W.

Grand Electric is on fire. Long the cool kid on the Parkdale block , boasting lineups out the door for their tacos, PBRs and cocktails, now the stars – and supermodels - are getting in on the action.

World-famous stunner, Canadian Coco Rocha’s (born in Toronto, raised in B.C.) guide to Toronto for Conde Nast Traveler published on Friday includes the Toronto location. She said, "I’ve found my new taco spot in Toronto." (Note: she also praised Korean Village Restaraurant in Koreatown).

Also on Friday, supermodel Cindy Crawford, her husband Rande Gerber (who makes award-winning tequila with Mr. George Clooney and Mike Meldman) and their daughter, were spotted at GE's place up north in Port Carling - Grand Electric Muskoka.

So whether you’re in the city or up north getting away from it all, keep your eyes peeled – chances are you’re going to see someone uber famous - and probably insanely gorgeous at this rate.

Sotto Sotto Ristorante
120 Avenue Rd.

After the Christmas fire that destroyed Sotto Sotto, Toronto rapper Drake posted "My second home. Gone but not forgotten. #SottoSotto" on Instagram.

He even gives them a shoutout on his 2013 track "Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2" featuring Jay-Z

After hours at Il Mulino
Or Sotto Sotto, just talkin' women and vino

For decades, Sotto Sotto saw celebs like Brad Pitt, Susan Sarandon, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon but Sotto Sotto’s "dear friend" Drake as they called him on Twitter, ensures that the restaurant will continue to be a mecca for stars, young and old alike.

One Restaurant
Hazelton Hotel
116 Yorkville Ave.

Ahh, One. It truly has one of the best patios in the city. And not just because of its swanky location at the corner of Yorkville and Hazelton Avenues. It happens to be where the stars stay and hang out.

Back in May, supermodel Kate Moss made headlines across the globe over the Victoria Day weekend when she was photographed on the patio spreading cream cheese on her own bagel and topping it with salmon (gasp).

Then she was snapped again on the patio, this time in a bathrobe, with another bagel (what?!) and fellow beauty Cara Delevingne.

Lessons here: 1. One Restaurant continues to be a magnet for the stars and 2. Get the Bagel and Lox ($18 – available on the brunch menu with capers, red onions and cream cheese) next time.  Apparently, it’s so good, you’ll need more than one.

Cafe Boulud
60 Yorkville Ave.

Now closed for renovations, expect the new Cafe Boulud (and d Bar) to be even more of a draw when it opens just in time for TIFF.

Most recently, Taylor Schilling - better known as Piper Chapman on Netflix hit series "Orange is the New Black" - was interviewed for the June issue of Elle Canada at a table at The Four Seasons Café Boulud overlooking Yorkville wearing skinny jeans and a cashmere sweater. She exclaimed, "This is so nice!"

The Four Seasons has long been a preferred spot for celebs to stay. (J. Lo likes it enough to call home while in the t-dot and reportedly, Mark Wahlberg has a penthouse suite for when he’s in the city) and party.

Wahlburgers

46 Blue Jays Way
Toronto, ON

Speaking of Mark Wahlberg, Wahlburgers grand opening last November brought out the stars, including brothers Donnie and Paul and celebs including Jenny McCarthy (now Donnie’s wife), Maestro Fresh Wes and NHL legend Mats Sundin, to name just a few.

And when the Boston boys are in town (sometimes with Mom Alma in tow), you’d better believe they are stopping by.

That, combined with with their Emmy-nominated A&E Series Wahlburgers already with four seasons in the can (you have to agree to be filmed when you enter the restaurant), stars will no doubt check out the burger joint/sports bar on their layovers.


Please support local businesses whenever possible

Life moves fast. Catch up with the OPEN/CLOSED.   

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch

Need help promoting your business? Get started now

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below. #supportlocal