As August progresses, major Toronto venues such as the Windsor Arms Hotel are preparing for TIFF 2026. This year, the Windsor Arms has created The Icons of TIFF Cocktails and Afternoon Tea, which celebrates several films that premiered at TIFF. I was invited to the media preview to sample The Icons of TIFF cocktails and afternoon tea.
The Windsor Arms Hotel is a major hub for TIFF events and for celebrities visiting the Toronto International Film Festival. This boutique hotel, nestled just south of Bloor Street West in Yorkville, has hosted A-listers such as Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Elizabeth Olsen, and Jessica Chastain. This is because the luxury hotel is known for its timeless elegance.
First, we gathered at the sumptuous Gatsby Bar to sample cocktails created for The Icons of TIFF. These drinks are inspired by past premieres at TIFF and include:
- Black Swan Martini, $25
- ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ Tea Martini, $25
- Silver Linings Playbook Sour, $24
- Dallas Buyers Club G & T, $23
- Argo Canadian Whisky Cocktail, $22
- La La Land Shirley Temple (Mocktail), $13
- Golden Grey Sparkler (Mocktail), $13
We then moved to the Tea Rooms to try the Icons of TIFF Afternoon Tea. The Tea Rooms truly exude old world charm with a majestic fireplace, dazzling chandelier, sconce lighting and upholstered seating.
The tea tray included:
- a selection of loose leaf teas including Black Tea, Earl Grey, Green Tea, Oolong, White Tea, Tisane;
- Quiche with spinach and feta cheese;
- Classic Cucumber Sandwich with dill cream cheese;
- Mini Bagel with salmon, cream cheese, capers & red onion;
- Tataki Seared Sushi-Grade Tuna served over mochi bread;
- Egg Salad Croissant;
- Yorkshire Pudding with Halal sliced roast beef, pesto and goat cheese;
- Freshly baked plain and lemon ricotta scones with house-made seasonal preserves and clotted cream;
- Petit Fours Assortment that includes a chocolate petit four shaped like an old school film reel, a red petit four representing the red carpet, a sweet white chocolate petit four and a small box of popcorn.
The tea sandwiches were delicious! I particularly loved the roast beef with Yorkshire Pudding and the egg salad croissant. The artistry and imagination put into the petit fours was outstanding.
Icons of TIFF Afternoon Tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel is being served during the month of August 2026 and throughout TIFF 2026 (September 10-20, 2026). The cost is $85 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reserve online. Get $15 off if you visit Monday to Thursday.
The Windsor Arms Hotel, 18 St. Thomas St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E7
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