Air Canada Announces Finalists for 2025 Best New Restaurants in Canada
Air Canada has revealed the finalists for its highly anticipated 2025 Best New Restaurants list, spotlighting 31 trailblazing establishments shaping Canada’s dining culture today. From St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, BC, the finalists reflect the talent, diversity, and creativity driving the country’s vibrant culinary scene.
Celebrating Culinary Talent Across Canada
“Food connects us to our roots, our communities, and to one another. Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants celebrates the stories and flavours that define Canada’s diverse culinary scene,” said Andrew Shibata, Vice President, Brand at Air Canada. “Year after year, we are proud to showcase the people and places shaping Canada’s culinary identity – inspiring Canadians to discover new destinations and create unforgettable trips around the country’s most exciting dining experiences.”
Each finalist was recognized for excellence in food quality, service, culture, and creativity. Restaurants represent unique dining experiences that blend personal vision with local ingredients and global inspiration.
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How the Finalists Were Selected
Restaurants eligible for the 2025 list were new openings between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. Nominations were made independently by Air Canada’s national panel of culinary voices. To ensure authenticity, an anonymous expert diner visited the shortlisted restaurants before the final selection.
Working in collaboration with DINR, and using a rigorous evaluation framework, the panel selected the 31 finalists and determined the Top 10 list, which will be revealed later this year.
Finalists for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2025
aKin, Toronto
Baby Baby, Winnipeg
Bona Fide, Montreal
Claire Jacques, Montreal
DOPO + Bar Rocca, Calgary
ELEM, Vancouver
General Public, Toronto
Janevca, Victoria
June, Vancouver
Le Violon, Montreal
Linny’s, Toronto
Maven, Toronto
Molenne, Montreal
Mystic, Halifax
Nero Tondo, Vancouver
Niwa, Vancouver
No. 8, Burlington
Olia, Edmonton
Panacée, Montreal
Pasta Pooks, Montreal
Rabbit Rabbit, Victoria
Rabble, St. John’s
Restaurant Limbo, Montreal
Rotisserie La Lune, Montreal
Selene, Vancouver
Shirley’s, Winnipeg
Sumibiyaki Arashi, Vancouver
Sushi Hyun Omakase, Vancouver
Sushi Nishinokaze, Montreal
Tribute, Halifax
Yan Dining Room, Toronto
About Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants
Launched in 2002, Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants is the country’s longest-running restaurant ranking. The program has become a career-changing platform for chefs and restaurateurs, showcasing “Food Worth Flying For” while promoting Canada’s culinary identity to the world.
Past winners include:
Sabayon (Montreal), crowned in 2024. Osteria Giulia (Toronto), winner in 2022. Edulis (Toronto), honoured in 2012. Sunnys Chinese (Toronto), recognized in 2021. AnnaLena (Vancouver), featured in the 2015 Top 10.
When Will the Top 10 Be Revealed?
The Top 10 restaurants of 2025 will be revealed on November 17, 2025, at Air Canada’s Best New Restaurant celebration in Toronto, hosted by chef Chuck Hughes. The winning restaurants will also be showcased on Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants website.
Why This Matters
For food lovers and travelers, Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list is more than just recognition—it’s an invitation to explore Canada’s most innovative kitchens. Whether you’re planning a trip or searching for the best restaurants in Canada, this list is a guide to unforgettable dining experiences from coast to coast.
