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MONTREAL- Air Canada (AC) announces 31 finalists for its 2025 Best New Restaurants list on September 16, 2025. These venues showcase family driven innovation from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia.
The program highlights Canada’s evolving food scene through rigorous evaluations. It emphasizes heritage, local ingredients, and creative visions that connect diners to communities.
Photo: Air Canada2025 Best New Restaurants Finalists in Canada
Air Canada (AC) honors these restaurants for superior food quality, exceptional service, and bold cultural creativity. Each opened between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, as brand new concepts in Canada.
They offer dine-in seating for at least two, operate independently, welcome the public, and avoid conflicts of interest. A national panel of journalists, chefs, and culinary storytellers nominates candidates without bias.
One anonymous expert then tours cross-country, dining incognito to assess authenticity. DINR partners in this process, applying a strict framework to select finalists and the eventual top 10.
The 2025 finalists are:
| 1. | aKin | Toronto | Ontario |
| 2. | Baby Baby | Winnipeg | Manitoba |
| 3. | Bona Fide | Montreal | Quebec |
| 4. | Claire Jacques | Montreal | Quebec |
| 5. | DOPO + Bar Rocca | Calgary | Alberta |
| 6. | ELEM | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 7. | General Public | Toronto | Ontario |
| 8. | Janevca | Victoria | British Columbia |
| 9. | June | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 10. | Le Violon | Montreal | Quebec |
| 11. | Linny’s | Toronto | Ontario |
| 12. | Maven | Toronto | Ontario |
| 13. | Molenne | Montreal | Quebec |
| 14. | Mystic | Halifax | Nova Scotia |
| 15. | Nero Tondo | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 16. | Niwa | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 17. | No. 8 | Burlington | Ontario |
| 18. | Olia | Edmonton | Alberta |
| 19. | Panacée | Montreal | Quebec |
| 20. | Pasta Pooks | Montreal | Quebec |
| 21. | Rabbit Rabbit | Victoria | British Columbia |
| 22. | Rabble | St. John’s | Newfoundland |
| 23. | Restaurant Limbo | Montreal | Quebec |
| 24. | Rotisserie La Lune | Montreal | Quebec |
| 25. | Selene | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 26. | Shirley’s | Winnipeg | Manitoba |
| 27. | Sumibiyaki Arashi | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 28. | Sushi Hyun Omakase | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 29. | Sushi Nishinokaze | Montreal | Quebec |
| 30. | Tribute | Halifax | Nova Scotia |
| 31. | Yan Dining Room | Toronto | Ontario |
These spots fuse personal stories with regional produce and global influences. The emphasis on family and heritage shapes this year’s selections, revealing deep passions behind each menu.
Finalists gain DINR membership for priority bookings, custom content, and elite events, boosting visibility nationwide.
Photo: aKinGeographic Reach and City Breakdown
The list covers 10 cities, distributing talent evenly across provinces. This setup encourages coast-to-coast exploration via Air Canada flights.
| Montreal | Quebec (YUL) | 7 | Bona Fide, Panacée, Sushi Nishinokaze |
| Vancouver | British Columbia (YVR) | 6 | ELEM, June, Selene |
| Toronto | Ontario (YYZ) | 4 | aKin, Linny’s, Yan Dining Room |
| Victoria | British Columbia (YYJ) | 2 | Janevca, Rabbit Rabbit |
| Winnipeg | Manitoba (YWG) | 2 | Baby Baby, Shirley’s |
| Halifax | Nova Scotia (YHZ) | 2 | Mystic, Tribute |
| Calgary | Alberta (YYC) | 1 | DOPO + Bar Rocca |
| Edmonton | Alberta (YEG) | 1 | Olia |
| Burlington | Ontario (near YYZ) | 1 | No. 8 |
| St. John’s | Newfoundland (YYT) | 1 | Rabble |
This table illustrates balanced representation, with Quebec and British Columbia leading in volume.
Photo: Caribb | FlickrTrends and Standout Restaurants
Family ties and cultural heritage dominate the 2025 theme, linking chefs’ backgrounds to innovative dishes. Trends include farm-to-table focus, omakase experiences, and fusion of global techniques with local sourcing. Examples from key cities highlight this diversity.
In Vancouver, British Columbia (YVR), ELEM delivers modern global fare with a strong cocktail lineup, led by Top Chef Canada alum Vish Mayekar.
June offers French-inspired comfort in Cambie, while Nero Tondo and Niwa on Powell Street champion BC produce, Nero Tondo through farm to table plates and Niwa via Japanese accents.
Selene in East Van presents elegant Aegean Greek Mediterranean dishes, approachable yet refined.
Sumibiyaki Arashi specializes in charcoal-grilled yakitori omakase by Chef Pete Ho, and Sushi Hyun Omakase provides intimate West End sushi sessions.
Toronto, Ontario (YYZ), features Linny’s bar centric vibe tied to family legacy. In Montreal, Quebec (YUL), spots like Panacée and Sushi Nishinokaze blend heritage with precise techniques, though full profiles await further releases. These profiles underscore unforgettable, story rich meals.
Photo: Clément AlloingLegacy and Lasting Influence
Air Canada (AC) started this initiative in 2002, establishing it as Canada’s premier annual guide to emerging eateries and chefs. It spotlights “Food Worth Flying For,” elevating talents to international notice and sparking career advancements.
Past honorees demonstrate endurance: Montreal’s Sabayon claimed the top prize in 2024, drawing crowds. Toronto’s Osteria Giulia (2022 winner) and Edulis (2012 finalist) hold reservation status symbols.
Sunnys Chinese (2021) energizes Kensington Market, and Vancouver’s AnnaLena (2015 top 10) persists as a landmark.
The program fosters global appreciation of Canadian cuisine through website features at enroute.aircanada.com/best-new-restaurants.
Andrew Shibata, Vice President of Brand at Air Canada (AC), notes that food binds roots, communities, and people. This effort spotlights narratives and tastes that capture Canada’s culinary mosaic, urging trips built on remarkable repasts.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrRigorous Evaluation Framework
Panelists are nominated based on firsthand knowledge, ensuring impartiality. The anonymous expert’s tour replicates everyday visits, evaluating ambiance, innovation, and ingredient integrity alongside core criteria.
DINR refines selections, prioritizing impact and vision. This multi-step approach guarantees finalists exemplify excellence.
The top 10 unveil on November 17, 2025, during a Toronto, Ontario (YYZ) gala hosted by chef Chuck Hughes.
Attendees celebrate via tastings and announcements, with winners profiled online. This event caps the journey, honoring pioneers.
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