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Midnight parties and dim sum towers: 9 high teas in Toronto that are actually cool

By
Nisean Lorde
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High tea in Toronto is trending right now
Lai Wah Heen

High tea isn’t just for the holidays. These posh afternoon ceremonies featuring tiered trays filled with warm scones and pots that keep getting topped up are trending in Toronto right now. The current mix includes everything from heritage-hotel tea rooms and rooftop rituals to a cinematic Chinese high tea experience downtown and even a one-night Filipino-fusion after-hours event in Scarborough, with a few road-trip-worthy options in Caledon, Waterdown, Elora and Collingwood.

1. Afternoon tea at Lai Wah Heen

 

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Lai Wah Heen offers a more refined, Cantonese-leaning take on high tea, served weekdays from 2 to 5 p.m. Instead of the usual scones-and-sandwiches format, the high tea menu focuses on dim sum-style platters ranging from Five Delights ($42) to Nine Delights ($68), with each one including the restaurant’s signature swan pastry filled with sweet lotus paste! Guests can munch on bites like roasted duck spring rolls, lychee shrimp balls, chicken mushroom dumplings, charcoal lava buns and fresh milk tarts, then pair them with teas like shou pu-erh, special grade jasmine, Tieguanyin, jin jun mei, black goji berry tea, snow Tibetan chrysanthemum tea, Ontario-grown organic fig leaf tea or Da Hong Pao. It’s one of the most distinctive high tea experiences in Toronto right now and perfect if you’re looking for a more elegant downtown tasting menu rather than a traditional tearoom. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown, 108 Chestnut St.

2. Midnight Merienda: High Tea after dark at LAKAY Kusina

 

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Scarborough has one of the most playful concepts on this list with Midnight Merienda, a late-night tea event at LAKAY Kusina that swaps the usual afternoon ritual for something moodier (but still fun). The one-night experience transforms the classic tea tradition into a vibrant evening of Filipino fusion, nostalgic desserts and bold tea-inspired drinks. Runs April 24 from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tickets: $65.68+. LAKAY Kusina, 80 Ellesmere Road, #4.

3. Afternoon tea at Butter & Cup Café & Tea House, Caledon

Butter & Cup is a small Caledon café with a sort of countryside feel for anyone who wants a more intimate tea date rather than the big-city hotel scene! The café offers two distinct high tea experiences: Its weekday Spill The Tea service is $42 per person and includes a choice of tea (or coffee) from the house collection, as well as mini scones with jams and butter, along with petite cucumber sandwiches, caramelized onion sandwiches, brownies and tarts! On weekends, the café offers a more elaborate Anytime Is Tea Time set at $75 per person, which starts with tea and a coffee or an espresso-based drink, then moves through mini scones with jam, butter and clotted cream, the café’s London Tower Quiche, petite cucumber and roasted pepper sandwiches, spinach rolls, chicken-stuffed petite croissants and a warm brownie kissed by vanilla gelato. It’s a perfect hidden gem to visit on your next vacation. 218 Dougall Ave, Caledon.

4. Sunday afternoon tea at the Concord Café

 

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Elevate your Sunday afternoon with a visit to the Concord Café. Concord’s Sunday tea service is hosted at its North York Presentation Centre as part of a sales appointment for King’s Landing; so perhaps it’s part high tea–part lifestyle pitch! Still, it’s an elegant ritual with curated premium teas served in Tiffany & Co. teaware, and it’s all designed to help you slow down and savour the moment. Concord North York Presentation Centre, 1001 Sheppard Ave E.

5. Afternoon high tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel

 

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Windsor Arms remains one of Toronto’s classic afternoon tea addresses for a reason. Its afternoon tea service includes hand-crafted pastries, traditional tea sandwiches, English scones and house preserves, with gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian menus available (just give 24 hours notice). Guests can graze on plain and blueberry scones with lemon glaze, salmon blinis with crème fraîche and black herring caviar, roast beef and brie with red onion jam, and a tea list that stretches from Magnolia Oolong and Milk Oolong to Yuzu Grey, Cream of Earl Grey, Jasmine Green and Gen Mai Cha. The experience is such a tea-room fantasy that influencers have called it the “most romantic afternoon tea in Toronto.”

Tea is served Monday to Thursday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., while Friday to Sunday seatings are offered at 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Prices starts at $70 per person from Monday to Thursday and $85 per person from Friday to Sunday, although rates can change on holidays and at certain times of the year. 18 St Thomas St.

6. Afternoon tea at The Writers Room Bar

 

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This elevated afternoon tea experience is more intimate and ritual-driven! It’s priced at $65 per person and includes hot towel service, a welcome beverage, sweet and savoury bites and a selection of delicious loose-leaf Sloane teas, with black teas like Park Hyatt #4, Darjeeling, Earl Grey and Masala Chai, green teas like Jasmine Snow Dragon, Sencha and Oolong Crème, as well as herbal options like Marrakesh Mint, Citron Calm and Ginger Twist. The First Steep involves a bright mix of hibiscus tea, yuzu and berry shrub, followed by savoury bites like cucumber rosettes with labneh, pickled onion and mint, tea sausage rolls with fennel and thyme, and tasty scones like buttermilk and zucchini-feta. On the sweet side, there’s a black sesame parfait with matcha, white chocolate and yuzu, Bailey’s cheesecake, and a pecan tartelette with maple, caramel and pear. Guests can enhance their experience with tea-infused cocktail pairings inspired by the Writers Room Bar. The Writers Room Bar, 18th floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel, 4 Avenue Rd.

7. World-class afternoon tea at The Wild Tart, Elora

 

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8. Afternoon tea at The White House, Waterdown

This may not be the big house in Washington, but it makes for a more charming alternative! Expect traditional tearoom elegance in The White House tearoom, with over 250 varieties of loose-leaf tea, as well as sweet scones with English cream and house-made jam. The experience runs Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The standout order is the White House Tea experience, which bundles sandwiches, scones, sweets and a pot of tea for $47 per person, although there are lighter options too, like the $17 Cream Tea, and extras like the cheese plate, British cheese bake and takeaway scones. 35 Main St N #1, Waterdown.

9. Afternoon tea at Katherine’s Chateau, Collingwood

Afternoon tea at Katherine’s Chateau is a popular Collingwood ritual. The tea lineup runs through Sloane blends like Heavenly Cream, Masala Chai, Signature Black, Classic Green, Jasmine Mist, Peaches & Cream and Celebration Medley, alongside a classic spread of finger sandwiches, deviled eggs, lobster puffs, chicken salad crostini, raspberry chocolate tarts, chocolate éclairs, macarons, madeleines and more! Before you head out, check their website for updated pricing. 243 Ste Marie St, Collingwood.

Here’s when Toronto can expect to see the cherry blossoms bloom in 2026

By
Keena Al-Wahaidi
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cherry blossoms Toronto

Springtime in Toronto means warmer weather, outside hangs and the joy of watching snow melt off the sidewalks. But perhaps the biggest milestone of the season for most Torontonians is finally seeing the cherry blossom trees all over the city. And you have to get the timing just right to see the sakura trees in peak bloom! 

Cherry Blossom expert Steve Joniak, otherwise known as Sakura Steve, made an update on everyone’s favourite pink and white spectacle shortly after the first day of spring. 

On his blog, Sakura in High Park, he details that the trees are still in “early stages” of blooming, so it might be hard to tell exactly when they come out. 

As usual though, it’s likely they’ll begin to really show their colours starting closer to mid-spring, he said. 

However, it’s important to note that if the weather starts to get warmer than usual, we can expect to see them closer to April. If temperatures stay cooler, Torontonians can expect to view the cherry blossoms sometime in May. 

“The weather forecast, along with historical data from past years with similar weather and growth patterns, helps determine dates, but at this early stage, I always look to the typical blooming time, which is later April to early May,” said the cherry blossom expert. 

From his visits to High Park so far, though, Joniak said he’s happy to report that the trees are generally growing well. 

“I was happy to see and report that the cherry blossom buds continue to look great in the current first stage of development,” he said. “They have maintained their brilliant bronze colour, with light colour tips, and may have even swelled ever so slightly more than last week.”

According to the High Park Nature Centre website, the buds are still firmly closed but the report agrees that the bloom is dependent on the weather.

Toronto’s cherry blossom history is rich. In fact, some of the first trees were gifted by the Japanese Ambassador to Canada Tori-Hagiwara when he presented 2000 of them to the city on behalf of citizens of Tokyo. 

While cherry blossoms are a sight to behold at any point on the flowering cycle, peak bloom is when they’re at their most open and beautiful. That happens when 70 per cent of the blossoms are open; at that point, the peak bloom will last anywhere from a few days to 10 days. 

Toronto has an abundance of cherry blossoms scattered through the city. Some of the best areas to see them are around the High Park Trail near the Grenadier Pond, as well as various spots in Trinity Bellwoods Park.

‘Virgin River’ star Benjamin Hollingsworth spills on Brady’s Season 7 storyline

By
Julia Mastroianni
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Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady in season 7 of 'Virgin River,' courtesy Netflix.

Virgin River is back on our screens, breaking records and, in Benjamin Hollingsworth‘s character Dan Brady’s case, breaking hearts. With the seventh season currently airing on Netflix, the show has already been renewed for an eighth season, officially making it the longest-running live-action English-language drama in Netflix history. We caught up with Hollingsworth to have a (spoiler-free) chat about season seven, the appeal of the not-so-sleepy town of Virgin River and what’s next for Brady. 

Brady’s had a rough couple of seasons and most recently, a love triangle. What can we expect for this next season?

I think the love triangle will have fewer right angles this season. There might be some other love triangles on the show, but I have a feeling there’s going to be a bit of character growth this season for everyone who was involved in this one. I can’t tell you who she ends up with or if she ends up with anyone, but it’s something that I think is earned throughout the season.

virgin river brady love triangle
L–R: Marco Grazzini as Mike, Benjamin Hollingsworth as Brady and Zibby Allen as Brie in ‘Virgin River,’ courtesy Netflix.

Obviously Brady starts out as a bit of a villain, but a complicated one, with lots of depth. What has it been like playing his character arc over these past few years? 

That’s one of the reasons that I signed on for this role; it has some depth to it, he wasn’t a surface character. That’s one thing I try and look for whenever an offer comes in: is there room for me to grow the character into something that people relate to? I think the reason why people gravitate towards Brady, the reason why he’s a character that people love on the show, is he is always battling to be the better version of himself. I think that’s something we all kind of struggle with; it’s a very universal feeling. All of us have something we’re working on, and so it’s that internal struggle of success and failure. Of course, we all fail, and we all have moments we’re not proud of. And I think when we see a character go through that it’s very relatable.

Did you anticipate Virgin River becoming the hit it is now when you originally signed on? 

To be honest, I thought it was going to be a one [season] and done; a lot of people did on the show. I didn’t realize that it was going to have the connection with audiences that it did. We shot it before the pandemic and and then the pandemic hit, and it was released kind of at the perfect time, because a lot of people at home were looking for an escape from the craziness that was happening in the world at the time. And this little quaint show that was about community and people sticking together and knowing your neighbours, and it was the perfect medicine that I think society needed at the time. Luckily, we’ve been able to retain our audience, and people kept coming back, I think, for that same reason; that it’s about community. Unfortunately, because of social media and because we’re all glued to our phones all the time, that has become more and more scarce.

FAST FACTS

Name: Benjamin Hollingsworth

Acting chops: Attended National Theatre School in Montreal

Toronto lore: Lived in a house on Mutual Street that was built on the foundation of the original Maple Leafs arena

Biggest weakness: Huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan (“An unhealthy amount.”)

And the show’s popularity meant that you got to come back to Canada from L.A. and live here for a while. 

That was a big reason why I took the job, to be honest. I had just finished Code Black, and I was screen testing for a lot of big TV series, and this offer came in, and it’s for this small show shooting in Vancouver. At the time, I had two little boys, and I loved the idea of raising them for what I thought would at least be one year up in Canada. My mom lives up and here and my sister, so they’d be around family, and I thought that would be awesome.   I’m a proud Canadian, and I love bringing my kids up here and having the same ideals and strong morals, and a safe place to raise them. And then it turned into this eight-year thing that I’m just so grateful for. Because consistency is one of the trickiest things as an actor, and to give consistency to your children is probably the greatest gift.

How did you originally make your way down to L.A.?

I had done a few guest stars on the quintessential Canadian shows, like Degrassi and Heartland, and then I did a horrible movie that was shot in Montreal and I took the money from that and booked a trip down to L.A. I was very fortunate; I met with my entertainment lawyer, who I still have today, Howard Fishman — he reps Julia Roberts and people much cooler than me. Then I signed with Shelley Browning, who is Rachel McAdams‘ manager, so I was really fortunate to get good representation. That was three weeks, then I came back to Canada and started doing self-tapes. I sent one away for a movie with David Duchovny and Amber Heard called The Joneses, and I got the part and suddenly had five days to figure out all my immigration stuff.

There was a moment there, where like it looked like the whole thing was not going to happen because the visa was going to take too long. I feel like that’s a very common struggle for a lot of young actors.They’ll catch a break in the U.S., but they also need to catch a break with the immigration system. I can only imagine it’s even trickier now.

Was that when you felt you could really make a career out of this?

I was actually 17 when I felt that; I was touring a theatre production all over Ontario called Frozen Dreams, around this whole idea of Ed Mirvish giving out frozen turkeys around Christmas to homeless people, and really how helpful is a frozen turkey to someone on the street? My character had Down syndrome and he gets this turkey while he’s being kind of looked after on the streets by these two other guys, and it was actually a funny play. I did over 100 performances of it, and it was one of the things that helped get me into the National Theatre School. They get 1,600 applicants globally every year, and they take 12 actors.

It was about a year and a half out of theatre school that I started to see success, and then I’ve been very fortunate between Code Black and Virgin River and a number of movies along the way, that I’ve been able to stay working.

Before we go, three words to describe the new season of Virgin River?

Growth, reflection and new beginnings.

From a Yorkville yellow house to an A-list empire: Janet Zuccarini on 30 years of Nervosa

By
Megan Gallant
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@nervosato/Instagram

Through Gusto 54, Janet Zuccarini has built an empire of restaurants across Toronto — we’re talking King West, Young & Eglinton, Ossington, Corktown and beyond. But it all started three decades ago with a little yellow house in Yorkville.  

A timeless institution celebrating 30 years, Trattoria Nervosa has become synonymous with the upscale district, boasting a beloved rooftop patio and serving up classic Italian dishes and drinks. It’s hard to believe it all began with Zuccarini taking a chance on herself.

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“I never had the notion that I would ever go into the restaurant business,” she says. “But sometimes you just have to be open to opportunities that are presented to you and that’s what happened to me.”

After spending eight years living in Rome for university and earning a master’s degree, Zuccarini moved back to Toronto with just one notion in her mind: she wanted to work for herself. When the opportunity came up to be a partner for what would become Trattoria Nervosa (originally called Café Nervosa) she couldn’t say no.

“I had never worked in a restaurant business before, but I saw that corner of Yorkville and Bellair as just location, location, location. I said there could be no better location in Toronto in my mind,” she says, noting the patio to be especially enticing. “Nervosa was one of the few better-value neighbourhood restaurants in a high-end neighbourhood, so I just thought this is going to be a good business. This has legs, this will have longevity.”

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While 30 years later, that prediction has proven true, it isn’t just the ideal location that has gained Zuccarini success.  Instead, it was about knowing when to play it safe and when to take a leap of faith. That’s why she saved money for ten years so she could buy the building and “secure the corner of Yorkville and Bellair.”

“Once I had the building, I felt that I had a secure foundation, and I just thought I can take more risks. I don’t mind rolling the dice, but I also like security,” she says.

Since then, she has left her footprint across the city, opening restaurants in neighbourhoods that were only just up-and-coming at the time with Gusto 101, Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen, Gusto 501, Azhar Kitchen & Bar, and more. She is also in partnership with Jeff and Nuit Regular to open five different Pai restaurants—including the Michelin-recommended original in the Entertainment District—with a sixth on the way.

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Zuccarini

When that one comes to life, Gusto 54 will have 13 restaurants across the city, as well as one in Los Angeles, where Zuccarini currently lives. That Italian trattoria has attracted celeb diners like Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Al Pacino (to name a few). And, of course, Zuccarini’s own late husband, Robbie Robertson, a Toronto native Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who was in the Band and once a lead guitarist for Bob Dylan.

Though much has changed in 30 years, hospitality is still a largely male-dominated industry, with women accounting for a small percentage of ownership and executive chefs positions globally. And yet, Zuccarini has never let this get in her way.

“The prize of an Italian family is having sons, and my father, much to his chagrin, had three daughters, so he raised us like the sons he never had, and I really personally have a lot of male energy and I own it. I never walk into a room and feel different than any man,” she says, noting her father always told them she could do anything, even physically, a man can do. “That’s how we were raised. And I’m grateful for that. So, I never feel different in a room. Sometimes I see people have a little bit of an issue with a woman being a leader, but I feel it’s their problem, not mine.”

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Capellini

As for the secret ingredient that has makes Trattoria Nervosa still just as busy and loved as it was back in 1996, Zuccarini suggests it’s all in the people behind the scenes.  

“I believe that people go back to restaurants that have soul and we have a lot of people that have been there many, many years. Our GM Christian Alfarone has been there 15 years and he knows everybody’s name and they come back to see him,” she says. “We’ve always maintained the food at a high-level and offered good value. Nervosa offers good value and I think, even more so now, people are looking for that. When you go out, you don’t mind spending, but did you get the value? We try to price as aggressively as we can and we’re in a high-end neighbourhood, but we want it to be a neighbourhood restaurant that people can come to two days a week.”

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Jamie Foxx repping Nervosa

In honour of their 30th anniversary year, Zuccarelli says Trattoria Nervosa will be bringing back an updated version of the warm chicken salad they took off the menu about ten years ago and have not stopped hearing customers ask for since.

“Year after year, everyone’s like ‘I love your chicken salad.’ One day we took it off the menu. I’ve never had more ruckus than having people stopping me in the street and saying, ‘I can’t believe you took that chicken salad off,’” she says. “That’s what the people are asking for. I promised the people.”

You can probably guess which steamy hockey show scored 18 Canadian Screen Awards noms

By
Nisean Lorde
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Heated Rivalry Episode 104 20
L–R: Connor Storrie as Ilya and Hudson Williams as Shane. Courtesy Bell Media

The obsession continues: Heated Rivalry picked up 18 Canadian Screen Awards nominations when the 2026 nominees were unveiled Wednesday morning, officially making it one of the year’s biggest TV hits. Then again, anyone who watched its breakout run probably doesn’t need an awards show to confirm that. The six-episode romance drama (which filmed in Toronto and Ontario) follows two fresh-faced NHL rookies as their secret fling evolves into a powerful love story. It was a huge hit for Crave, becoming the streamer’s most-watched original series debut ever, while the show’s HBO Max rollout helped turn the leads into mainstream pop culture fixtures across the globe!

Not to be outdone, comedy series North of North led the TV categories overall with 20 nominations. Together, the two series became the headline-makers of this year’s awards rollout, with Heated Rivalry landing a nomination in Best Drama Series and North of North contending for Best Comedy Series.

 

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Beyond Best Drama Series, Heated Rivalry earned nominations for Jacob Tierney in both direction and writing; lead performer nods for François Arnaud (who plays supporting character Scott Hunter) and Hudson Williams (Shane Hollander), who recently made headlines for a playful red-carpet moment with Prime Minister Mark Carney; supporting nominations for Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova (Svetlana Vetrova) and Sophie Nélisse (Rose Landry); a guest performance nod for Nadine Bhabha (Elena Rygg); and a long list of craft mentions including photography, editing, sound, production design, costume design, visual effects, original music and original song.

In case you’re wondering where the nomination is for Connor Storrie — Williams’ co-star who plays Shane’s rival-turned-lover Ilya Rozanov — the Texas-born actor unfortunately doesn’t qualify for the Canadian Screen Awards!

North of North received noms for performances by Canadian Inuk actress Anna Lambe (who plays the lead character, Siaja), Braeden Clarke and Maika Harper, as well as nods for ensemble, direction and writing.

On the film side, 40 Acres led the field with 10 nominations, including Best Motion Picture and directing recognition for R.T. Thorne. Right behind it were Follies, Honey Bunch and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, with eight nominations each, while Blue Heron and Mile End Kicks each picked up seven noms.

The digital categories also delivered some standout contenders. Settle Down earned the most digital media nominations (nine), including Alexander Nunez for Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series, followed by 18 to 35 with five noms, and Coming Home, Cows Come Home and Dying Seconds with four each.

“Canada’s creative community has experienced an extraordinary year, with bold storytelling and world-class talent capturing attention at home and around the globe,” Tammy Frick, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, said in a statement. “The momentum we’re seeing across film, television, and digital media speaks to the power of our industry, and we’re proud to celebrate the innovation and diverse voices that carry Canada’s screen sector to new heights.”

Nominees are chosen by voting members of the Canadian Academy and by nominating juries, with the process conducted virtually by representatives from the film, television and digital media industries. Next up: Members will cast their votes between March 26 and April 13, 2026, to determine the winners.

This year’s awards will take place during Canadian Screen Week in Toronto from May 27 to May 31, with the main ceremony set for Sunday, May 31 at 8 p.m. Kim’s Convenience alum Andrew Phung is hosting, and the show will be simulcast across CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global and STACKTV.

Visit academy.ca/nominees for a complete list of 2026 Canadian Screen Award nominees!

Documentary on Toronto music icon Carole Pope to kick off Hot Docs film festival

By
Nistha Chaudhary
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Carole Pope
Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions

The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival has released its full lineup for this year’s event, marking the 33rd edition of North America’s largest documentary festival. Running April 23 to May 3, the festival will screen 115 films from 51 countries, selected from 2,800 submissions. This year features 52 world and international premieres, a new program focused on technology and surveillance as well as a $50,000 prize for the best Canadian documentary.

Opening night, on Thursday, April 23 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, will feature the world premiere of Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions. Directed by Michelle Mama, the film follows Carole Pope, pioneering singer of Toronto band Rough Trade, as she reflects on her career and celebrated her impact on Canadian Music.

The festival program includes 80 feature-length films and 35 shorts, spread across nine curated strands. Thirty Canadian titles are part of the lineup, with 14 supported through Hot Doc’s own funding programs such as the Hot Docs Forum and Deal Maker. This selection highlights the festival’s commitment to Canadian filmmakers while offering audiences a diverse mix of international stories.

“Documentary filmmaking offers a way to engage more deeply with the world around us—through stories that are thoughtful, complex and deeply human,” said Diana Sanchez, Executive Director of Hot Docs. “This year’s Hot Docs Festival celebrates documentary filmmaking through 115 globe-spanning films, connecting this important work to audiences and bringing us together in ways that deepen our understanding of the world we share.”

Hot Docs 2026 includes several major programs: Special Presentations, featuring high profile premieres; the Canadian Spectrum Competition, highlighting domestic stories from emerging and established filmmakers; the International Spectrum Competition, showcasing global perspectives; and the World Showcase, presenting unique stories from around the world.

Standout features to watch out for include Canadian Oscar-nominated director Kim Nguyen’s Saigon Story: Two Shootings in the Forest Kingdom. As well as, the world premiere of director Sébastien Trahan’s Code of Misconduct, where an investigative journalist’s commitment to uncovering the truth sparks the trial of five Canadian professional hockey players accused of sexual assault.

A scene from the documentary film 'Code of Misconduct'
A scene from the documentary film ‘Code of Misconduct’

A new addition this year is the Digital Witnesses program, dedicated to films exploring technology, surveillance, artificial intelligence, digital privacy and online intimacy. Other strands include Persister, spotlighting Brazilian culture and creativity; and Artscapes, highlighting artistic expression and cultural heritage. Together, these programs reflect the festival’s dedication to storytelling that is human, creative and socially relevant.

Audiences can also attend the Big Ideas series, where filmmakers discuss the issues and inspiration behind their work, offering insight into both the creative process and the social topics their films explore.

The festival will close with a free encore screening, where the winner of the Rogers Audience Award for Best Canadian Documentary will be announced. The $50,000 cash prize is provided by Rogers, the festival’s Founding Partner, with support from Telefilm Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Canada Media Fund.

For the full list of the film, visit https://hotdocs.ca/news/media. Tickets are available at hotdocs.ca or at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema box office, 506 Bloor Street West, Toronto. 

This charming lakeside town near Toronto was just named one of Canada’s best places to live

By
Nisean Lorde
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Visit Oakville
Instagram: @visitoakville

A new ranking of the best places to live in Canada in 2026 has placed six Ontario cities in the top 10! While Toronto didn’t make the list, Oakville, which is part of the GTA, ranked eighth on the list.

This lakeside town is filled with walkable shopping districts, delicious restaurants, waterfront parks and tons of green space. The town sits between Toronto and Niagara and is about an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto, making it the perfect spot to live or visit for a day trip or a weekend getaway. If you’re coming from Toronto and would rather skip the drive, GO Transit’s Lakeshore West line offers two-way, all-day service seven days a week.

Start your visit in downtown Oakville. The district stretches across six blocks along Lakeshore Rd E and is home to more than 400 businesses, making it a great place to shop and support locals! The area is also packed with heritage homes and offers easy access to Lakeside Park, so you can watch boats drift by and, on a clear day, even catch views of the Toronto skyline (this is especially pretty at twilight).

 

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 Tribeca Coffee Co. is a great stop for an artisanal drink by the lakeshore (try the toffee crunch cold foam latte), while Café de Madrid is a local hangout for authentic Spanish eats (the churros con chocolate are served warm and rich, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside).

From there, explore Bronte Village. It’s one of Ontario’s oldest communities and carries classic marina-town charm, with harbour views and the scenic Bronte Beach. For lunch, head to nearby Stoney’s Bread Company for a sandwich on house-baked bread or stop by Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican for a midday cocktail and all-you-can-eat tacos on Wednesdays.

Another essential stop is Gairloch Gardens. You’ll get picturesque views of Lake Ontario and can explore the extensive gardens. Oakville Galleries also operates a free-admission contemporary art space right on-site! The space spans two locations and includes an 11-acre garden fronting the lake.

 For history buffs, make time to visit the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate. It was once home to the town’s founding family and now hosts a huge collection of artifacts reflecting the history of Oakville! Then explore Kerr Village: this eclectic neighbourhood is super trendy and has shops and restaurants representing 39 different cultures. Kerr also has the beautiful Tannery Park. This scenic spot is perfect for a stroll, with lots of benches by the lake where you can stop for a picnic.

For a night out, the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts is one of the town’s standout evening spots, supporting the local arts community while hosting more than 70 professional performances a year.

Afterward, grab some dinner at 7 Enoteca. The restaurant serves fresh, savoury Italian dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients (Michelin recognized it with a Bib Gourmand in the 2025 guide), while XII – Old Fashioned Restaurant offers a chic departure from the traditional steakhouse, with everything from classic crab cakes to dry-aged Canadian prime cuts.

If you’re looking for the world’s best fried chicken experience, check out BTRMLK! The London-based fried chicken brand has gained a cult following on social media and is now set to open a permanent location in Oakville.

The dining scene is just one part of what makes Oakville (and the GTA at large) such an amazing place to call home! The study in question was conducted by the dNOVO Group, a Toronto-based digital marketing agency. It placed Barrie, Ontario, second behind Kelowna, B.C., and ranked Sudbury fifth, Burlington sixth, Oshawa seventh and Windsor 10th. You can read more about the study here.

We finally know what’s taking over the iconic Pusateri’s corner in Yorkville

By
Nisean Lorde
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Stock T.C.

Yorkville’s luxury-food scene is getting a new name. Stock T.C, the upscale Toronto food concept from Cumbrae’s founder Stephen Alexander and Terroni Group owner Cosimo Mammoliti, is expanding from its original Yonge and Eglinton home into Yorkville, where it’ll take over the former Pusateri’s corner at Bay and Yorkville.

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Stock T.C’s flagship location

Stock’s original 20,000-square-foot Montgomery Square location occupies a historic former postal station, bringing together several experiences under one roof, including a specialty grocer, coffee bar, fresh pasta lab, butcher counter, deli, a French-Italian-inspired bistro and event spaces. It launched in 2020 as a fully integrated food space in Midtown, focusing on quality ingredients and thoughtful cooking.

Now, the brand is heading into one of Toronto’s most polished neighbourhoods with something a little different. The Yorkville location will be smaller, at just under 11,000 square feet, but it’s meant to be a more intimate expression of the company’s original concept, designed to feel more personal across both the restaurant and grocer.

“With our first location, we had the freedom of scale and knew exactly what we wanted. This time, the space and the neighbourhood called for a different approach, one that’s more focused, more intentional, but still true to who we are,” Alexander said in a press statement.

Still, the company says Yorkville’s “pace, personality and style” align with this next phase of the business, giving the team room to carry over the same philosophy that guided the original location: fresh, authentic ingredients and a balance of tradition and modernity.

So, what exactly can customers expect? On the grocery side, the location will include pastries, a quick-service kitchen, prepared foods, a carving station, a butcher counter and a curated selection of charcuterie and cheeses, along with a retail assortment spotlighting some of the brand’s signature products. Upstairs, Stock Grille will offer a focused bistro-style menu with house faves, select crudos, steaks, pasta and seasonal dishes, as well as a curated wine and cocktail program.

The new location will also include a second-floor private dining room for smaller gatherings and special occasions.

The opening is expected in spring 2027. But, as with any project of this scale, the timeline could still change (follow @stock.tc for updates)!

The leather jacket + band tee trend is back in Toronto — here’s 10 ways to wear it

By
Julia Mastroianni
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fash march feature

The biggest night in Canadian music is here — the Juno Awards, happening on March 29! Jeanne Beker has paired leather jackets with T-shirts from top nominees. Everyone’s a rockstar with this backstage-ready spring style uniform! 

fash march1A + B. Leather anorak + ringer tee

“This Toronto brand is doing the coolest stuff; I love that big funnel collar.” Smythe, $995, 1116 Yonge St. + Mother Mother, $29.99, store.mothermothersite.com

C + D. Peter Pan jacket + tie-dye shirt

“There’s something feminine and unusual about this spring jacket.” Ba&sh, SALE $489, 118 Yorkville Ave. + Peach Pit, $34.99, store.peachpitmusic.com

fash march2E + F. Bomber jacket + cherry T-shirt

“What a gorgeous chestnut colour!  I love the stand-up collar, too.” Rudsak, SALE $499.99, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr. + The Beaches, $49.99, shop.thebeachesband.com

G + H. Men’s goatskin funnel neck + racer shirt

“This is an interesting colour if you want a little relief from black leather. It’s got great pockets and a cool almost shirt-like look to it.” Massimo Dutti, $629, 3401 Dufferin St. + James Barker Band, $50, shop.jamesbarkerband.com

fash march3I + J. Corduroy detail coat + graphic tee

“I love the corduroy collar, distressed look and those big patch pockets.” Massimo Dutti, SALE $399, 3401 Dufferin St. + Pup, $49, store.puptheband.com

K + L. Men’s grained leather zipper jacket + fireball shirt

“This has got modern styling with a worn, almost vintage look to it.” Simons, $950, 3401 Dufferin St. + The OBGMs, $35, collingwoodmerchco.com

fash march4

M + N: Men’s leather moto + graphic font T-shirt

“I love this; it’s modern & clean without too much detailing.” Rudsak, SALE $599.99, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr. + Three Days Grace, $49, threedaysgrace.store

O + P. Men’s taupe biker jacket + vintage-style shirt

“This is a beautiful alternative to the black moto that most people have.” Mackage, $1,390, 220 Yonge St. + The Blue Stones, $49, shop.thebluestonesmusic.com

fash march5

Q + R: Green faux leather + psychedelic T-shirt 

“I love the slight crop and sleeve details, plus it’s a great green colour.” Desigual, $209, desigual.com + The Damn Truth, $39, thedamntruth.bigcartel.com

S +T. Short biker jacket + blue tie-dye shirt

“The gold hardware makes this look luxe! Very rock and roll.” Good Neighbour, SALE $394.50, 1212 Yonge St. + Arcade Fire, $62.99, shop.sonymusic.ca

For Jeanne Beker’s top fashion picks on the red colour trend, click here.

This Ontario provincial park is a hidden gem with a breathtaking nature lookout

By
Keena Al-Wahaidi
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devils glen provincial park
Courtesy @theeinstagreg/@explore.ontario, Instagram

On the Niagara Escarpment lies one of Ontario’s best kept parks. Contrary to its name, Devil’s Glen Provincial Park is a heavenly slice of nature that offers up great activities rain or shine, no matter the season you visit. 

Located in Glen Huron, a roughly two-hour drive from downtown Toronto, Devil’s Glen Provincial Park is a hiker’s paradise, a place with carved out trails that are appealing to any kind of hiker. 

Visitors can choose to hike one of two of its famous hiking trails. The Bruce Trail, a good option for more experienced hikers, offers over 900 kilometres of ground to walk and to see views of the hilly landscape and gorge. It’s considered the oldest and longest marked footpath in the province, a tranquil albeit intense course that winds its way through the natural beauties of the escarpment. 

The Bruce Trail is a historic pathway that leads to all kinds of meadows, beaches and even enchanting forests. And should you choose to take this path, it features an additional 450 kilometers of side trails, for a little extra excitement in the journey. 

For those looking for a simpler, less vigorous hike, the Mad River Side Trail runs around 6 kilometres around the forest, following the course of the Mad River itself. According to the Ontario Parks Council, this trail does have a scarped descent. This steep gorge was originally carved out during the last retreating glacier, now leaving the Mad River’s obscure route. 

 

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If you’re just in it for the views though, you can also have the chance to peek at it from the park’s lookout spot at 500 metres above sea level. It features a rugged, wooden boardwalk and views that rival those of some of the province’s largest, well-known parks.

You can also choose to just walk the Concession 10 to Devil’s Glen Connector Trail, a trail that’s around 5 kilometres and considered a much easier walking option for those looking for a serene walk. 

Although hiking is one of the most popular activities here, it’s not the only way to explore rugged footpaths and diverse geology. While other provincial parks allow for overnight camping stays, the Devil’s Glen Provincial Park doesn’t include campgrounds but it is close by to other destinations to stay at like Blue Mountain and Wasaga Beach. 

It’s also closely situated by the charming towns of Collingwood and Thornbury, where you can find good bites, walks by Lake Huron and the promise of cottage country. 

Entry to Devil’s Glen Provincial Park is free and accessible all year round.

Toronto just got a bougie boutique hotel that doubles as a secret fusion pasta bar

By
Erica Commisso
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Bellis recently opened in the Annex
Bellis

The city’s newest ‘home away from home’ has arrived at 561 Bloor Street West. Nomas Hotel is a boutique experience courtesy of Toronto heavyweights Jeffrey Chu and chef Attila Baksa. While the hotel offers a warm retreat upstairs, the main floor belongs to Bellis — an ambitious concept where Chu and Baksa blend diverse cuisines and experiences into a single, seamless landing spot.

The menu features a unique fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisines —  style known as Itameshi that is currently taking the global culinary scene by storm. This is a concept Baksa has carried in his heart for years, rooted deeply in his background in Japanese culinary arts.

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Torched duck tataki

“Over the years, I’ve always felt that Japanese and Italian flavours would complement each other beautifully,” he says. “The idea of merging these flavours first came to me in 2020 while I was working on a project with a few friends. Unfortunately, that project didn’t move forward due to the pandemic, but I didn’t want those ideas to fade away. I continued to refine them over time and eventually brought them into this project.”

Among Baksa’s favorite dishes on the Bellis menu is the rigatoni, born from his authentic love for a spicy pasta dish. He elevates the classic profile by incorporating Hatcho miso as a hidden layer of depth.

“It’s not immediately obvious on the palate,” he says, “but when you compare the sauce with and without the miso, you can really notice the added depth and umami.”

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@sayyzon/Instagram

Another standout is the Toma-Toast, the kitchen’s signature take on bruschetta. It features Campari tomatoes marinated in ginger and soy with a touch of honey, served over a yuzu-whipped ricotta spread. The dish is finished with shiso, an aromatic Japanese herb that Baksa notes “pairs beautifully” with the Italian-inspired flavours.

The cocktail program follows this same ethos, born from Baksa’s love for “clean, crushable” drinks. The space is uniquely versatile, serving coffee throughout the day before transforming into a cocktail bar at night. As the official lobby for Nomas Hotel, the design acts as a visual through-line for the entire boutique experience.

Bellis Drink

“The vibe is chic but still very approachable. It works well for after-work cocktails, date nights, quick solo dinners, and even standing-room bar events,” Baksa says.

Since Bellis is the first thing guests encounter, much of the decor mirrors the aesthetic of the hotel rooms above. “The terracotta red walls, exposed brick and forest green chairs all tie the spaces together seamlessly,” he explains. “I really wanted to create a friendly, welcoming space with bright staff, great drinks, and memorable food. Ultimately, I want the experience to reflect what I personally enjoy about dining out — somewhere guests feel comfortable coming back to again and again, and where anyone could easily become a regular.”

Is Badiali making more from its side hustles than its slices?

By
Jennifer Schembri
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Shake Shack and Badiali
Photo: Daniel Neuhaus

If there’s one thing Ryan Baddeley’s Dovercourt slice shop, Badiali’s, does best, it’s get people lining up around the block. But these days, the real action isn’t just in the shop — it’s in the side hustles. Shake Shack has tapped the cult-favourite pizzeria for a limited-time collab, bringing Badiali’s most popular pizza flavours to the burger menu from April 6 to 19.

The star of the menu is the Spicy Vodka Chicken Parm. Shake Shack’s crispy chicken gets slathered in Badiali’s signature spicy vodka rosé — the same sauce that made their vodka pizza a cult favourite. Topped with a custom hot pepper mix, aged parm and fresh basil on a potato bun, it keeps that classic pizzeria vibe.

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Photo: Daniel Neuhaus

The collab also features crinkle-cut fries tossed in Badiali’s pizza seasoning, served with a side of house-made pepperoncini dip. The most Toronto item might be the Brio Chinotto Shake, which blends the slightly bitter Italian soda into vanilla frozen custard — a nod to the old-school delis and pizza spots that paved the way for places like Badiali.

This partnership comes at a big moment for Baddeley and his team. While people have been guessing when Pizzeria Badiali’s second location in Mirvish Village would open, the ovens at 581 Markham St. are almost ready. The new spot, designed by Future Studios, leaves behind the cramped, standing-room-only vibe of the original and goes for a European café feel, with tile, wood accents and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

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Ryan Baddeley, Photo: Daniel Neuhaus

It’s been a wild ride for a shop that just opened in 2021. From a viral Miss Vickie’s chip collab  to this Shake Shack takeover, Badiali has managed to grow without losing what makes it… well, Badiali.

You can try it at Union Station, Yonge & Dundas, Yorkdale or Yonge & Eglinton — but only from April 6 to 19.

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