For a quarter-century, ‘Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants’ has traversed coast to coast, mapping Canada’s culinary hotspots to uncover what’s new and next, establishing its place as a leading voice in food worth flying for.
To celebrate 25 years as one of the nation’s longest-running national new restaurant rankings, the airline is honouring the culinary legends who shaped modern Canadian food culture while investing directly in the industry’s next generation.
The Next Great Plates
Air Canada says this year’s finalists reflect the diversity, breadth and creative energy of Canada’s dining scene. Selected independently by a panel of culinary tastemakers with eyes and appetites across the country, and in collaboration with DINR, the nominated restaurants opened between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, and were recognized for the quality of their food and service, as well as their contribution to Canada’s evolving culinary culture.
The top 30 are:
- 3 Pierres 1 Feu, Montréal, QC
- Alfred’s, Revelstoke, BC
- Angela Pastificio, Vancouver, BC
- Antheia, Ottawa, ON
- Antylia, Toronto, ON
- Bar Eugenie, Toronto, ON
- Bar Les Incompetents, St. Catharines, ON
- Bistrot Fortune, Montréal, QC
- Coquette, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (Quebec City), QC
- Hana Korean Steakhouse, Montréal, QC
- Kavita, Vancouver, BC
- Liliana, Toronto, ON
- LORE, Collingwood, ON
- Lumache, Victoria, BC
- MacTaverne, Val-David, QC
- N.L. Ginzburg, Toronto, ON
- Nui, Vancouver, BC
- OLDESEOUL TAVERN, Toronto, ON
- Penny Crown, Calgary, AB
- Radici Project, Toronto, ON
- Restaurant Capelin, Niagara Region, ON
- Revé, Niagara Region, ON
- Rita Trattoria, Edmonton, AB
- SAMMARCO, Toronto, ON
- Seahorse, Toronto, ON
- Snack Haüs, Winnipeg, MB
- Sushi Jun, Calgary, AB
- Touk, Vancouver, BC
- Yakitori Hibahihi, Montréal, QC
- Zia’s Place, Toronto, ON
The restaurants have been invited to join DINR, where they will be featured as Air Canada Best New Restaurant finalists. A collaborator of the program, DINR showcases Canada’s top culinary destinations and offers guests exclusive reservation access, original editorial content, and entry to sought-after culinary events.
“For 25 years, Air Canada has celebrated the people and plates defining Canadian dining,” said Andy Shibata, VP, Brand at Air Canada. “This year isn’t just about looking back at the icons who transformed our food culture; it’s about fuelling the future. From the 30 standout finalists on this year’s list to the young aspiring chefs entering the kitchen for the first time, we’re proud to back the talent, diversity, and creativity driving Canadian dining forward.”
The 2026 program reaches its final course on Nov. 16 in downtown Toronto, where Air Canada will reveal this year’s Top 10 Best New Restaurants.
The full list of 2026 finalists is available here.
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