24 hours to eat like a celeb in Toronto: 6 meals that each cost under $26
Delicious, and they won't break the bank!
Simu Liu at Pai. Right: A bagel with lox.
Whether they're in the city for TIFF, filming movies or shows, or just generally hanging out, celebrities certainly love Toronto restaurants.
In recent years, A-listers like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elton John, Simu Liu, DJ Khaled, Michelle Yeoh and so many others have dined at spots throughout the city, and while some of them are on the pricey end, there are actually quite a few where you can grab a delicious meal at for a fairly decent price.
So, if you only have 24 hours in Toronto and want to eat at celeb-endorsed restaurants, we've plotted out the perfect itinerary for you — and each meal costs under $26!
Breakfast at Schmaltz Appetizing
Address: 414 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 1V9
What you should get: The Chutzpuh
Price: $16.00
In 2023, Drew Barrymore visited Fat Pasha and Schmaltz Appetizing, the latter of which sells delicious bagel sandwiches with toppings like lox, smoked whitefish, smoked sturgeon, pastrami gravlax and salmon caviar.
Start your day off right with the Chutzpuh sandwich which is scallion cream cheese, lox, a latke, tomato and dill cukes served on your choice of bagel.
Lunch at The Senator
Address: 249 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1V8
What you should get: A burger
Price: $26.00
For lunch, you can stop by The Senator and grab a burger, which Elton John has spoken of very highly.
"Every time we come to Toronto, David and I pop into the Senator Diner for the best burger in the world," wrote John on his Instagram. "Thanks for the warm hospitality Allen!"
The burger comes with aged cheddar, bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and a side of fries.
Afternoon snack at Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen
Address: 104 Portland St, Toronto, ON M5V 2N2
What you should get: Saltfish Fritters
Price: $16.00
Next up, it's time for a snack, and given Toronto's and DJ Khaled's love of Caribbean food, a quick bite at Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen is in order.
In 2020, Chubby's told Narcity that the musician ordered Saltfish Fritters while dining there, and he also shared some love for the restaurant on his Instagram, saying that he loves their energy and food.
"I love Toronto I love the Toronto people and I love yard man food in Toronto I feel like I’m at home," he wrote. "Toronto always show me love Grateful for dat. BLESS UP!"
Dinner at PAI
Address: 18 Duncan St, Toronto, ON M5H 3G8
What you should get: Pad Gra Prow
Price: $22.25+
If you want to dine like a celebrity in Toronto, then you must visit Pai.
In an interview with Narcity, Pai shared that James Harden always orders the Khao Soi, and that Jason Momoa loves the Pad Gra Prow ($22.25 to $24.25), which J. Cole also enjoys.
Celebs like Jacob Elordi, Finn Wolfhard, Alexander Skarsgard, Oscar Issac and more have all dined at the Northern Thai establishment as well as a bunch of the city's professional athletes, so it's truly one you have to hit up.
Late night snack at Golden Patty
Address: 187 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON M5T 1L8
What you should get: A spicy beef patty
Price: $2.48
And what better way to end your night than with a deliciously cheap Jamaican beef patty?
According to Simu Liu, the best spicy patty in Toronto comes from Golden Patty, saying "If you haven't been before, it's going to change your life."
Liu truly knows his patties; in 2022, he posted a whole essay about the food on his Instagram story.
"Trying to explain to all you ignorant ass west coasters the f**king perfection that is a perfectly baked Jamaican beef patty," he wrote.
"There is truly nothing like it and served with a jerk chicken or goat curry on a bed of Jamaican rice oh my GOD ARE YOU KIDDING ME. ITS OVER," he continued, adding, "I really missed Toronto you guys. "You have no idea the deliciousness that lurks just beneath the surface of this perfectly flaky pastry."
Impact Kitchen
Address: Various locations
What you should get: A Poke Bowl
Price: $21.99
And for your last celeb-endorsed restaurant before you leave the city, you'll want to check out Impact Kitchen for some healthy breakfast eats before you get on the road.
Shawn Mendes has been seen dining at the chain, and while we don't know for sure what he ate, everything on the menu looks delicious, particularly the boke Bowl that's made with marinated tuna, brown rice, edamame, red peppers, cucumbers, carrots, avocado, pickled ginger, green onion, sesame seeds and spicy aioli.
In total, without tax or tip, your 24 hours of food in Toronto for brunch, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, late night snack and breakfast will cost you about $105, which isn't a bad number considering that celebs can afford to spend way more on food but choose these humbler prices.
Of course, if you are looking for something a bit fancier, there are options that cater to more expensive budgets.
In 2022, Arnold Schwarzenegger was spotted at Akira Back Restaurant located in Bisha Hotel where main entrees start at $32 and go up to $78.
While he was there, the actor dined on Yellowtail Serrano, Salmon Tataki and Show Me The Roll, the latter of which costs $28.
"Our other guests didn't seem to notice Arnold until he was leaving, at which point everyone in the restaurant was buzzing with excitement," the restaurant's General Manager, Attilio Di Donato, told Narcity.
If you're looking to dine like Jessica Alba, in 2023, the actress and her friend Lizzy Mathis visited Adrak, a swanky Indian restaurant located in Yorkville.
They dined on Prawn Tandoori, saying "The spice on this shrimp was amazing," and also ordered the Patrani Macchi, which they said was "the most delicate white fish flavoured to absolute perfection." Mathis said the Pista Lamb Chops are the best she's ever had.
Those dishes range in price from $45 to $80, which is definitely on the pricier end, but they do sound delicious!
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.