Windsor Arms Hotel Turns TIFF History Into a Star-Studded Afternoon Tea Experience
Cinema fans can now enjoy TIFF through more than the big screen.
The Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood is partnering with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to launch “The Icons of TIFF,” a limited-time Afternoon Tea and Cocktail Experience inspired by films, famous talent, and moments that have shaped the festival’s legacy.
Running from August 4 to September 20, 2026, the experience brings movie-inspired food and drinks to one of Toronto’s best-known luxury hotels.
A Film-Inspired Afternoon Tea
“The Icons of TIFF” builds on the Windsor Arms Hotel’s long-running Afternoon Tea service. The menu includes freshly baked scones, seasonal savouries, decadent sweets, and a selection of loose-leaf teas.
The hotel has created several special bites for the experience. Guests can expect options such as tataki seared sushi-grade tuna served on mochi bread and Yorkshire pudding with halal sliced roast beef.
The selection also includes TIFF-inspired petit fours, giving the traditional tea service a cinema-focused twist.
The overall experience aims to connect food and drinks with stories that audiences may already know.
Cocktails Take the Spotlight
The movie theme continues with a dedicated cocktail menu featuring drinks inspired by recognizable film titles.
The selection includes the Black Swan Martini, the Silver Linings Playbook Silver Tequila Cocktail, and the La La Land Shirley Temple. Each drink is another way for guests to connect the experience with cinema.
The Windsor Arms says the goal is to turn familiar stories and memorable screen moments into food and beverage creations. This makes the experience suited to both TIFF followers and guests looking for a different afternoon activity during the summer festival season.
A Hotel With Hollywood History
The partnership fits naturally with the Windsor Arms Hotel’s own history. For nearly a century, the Yorkville hotel has hosted royalty, aristocracy, heads of state, industry leaders, and stars from film and television.
Among its past guests are Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Clooney, Michael Douglas, Julia Roberts, and Harrison Ford.
The history strengthens the hotel’s connection to the world of entertainment, making Yorkville the setting for an experience focused on cinema and culture.
George Friedmann, President of Windsor Arms Hotel, shared that the team wanted to offer guests a fresh way to connect with well-known films through food and drinks.
“We wanted to create an experience that gives guests a new way to engage with some of cinema’s most memorable stories through thoughtfully curated food and beverage offerings,” said Friedmann.
“We’re excited to be an official hospitality partner of TIFF to celebrate the films, talent and moments that have shaped the festival’s legacy and bring this experience to life at the Windsor Arms Hotel, where afternoon tea continues to be served every day,” he added.
Reservations and additional details are available through the Windsor Arms Hotel website or by calling (416) 971-9666.
Which film-inspired treat or cocktail would you try first? Share your pick in the comments.
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