Air Canada has announced the 30 finalists for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2026.
The national restaurant program is marking their 25th anniversary with regional dining events, a new hall of fame for Canadian chefs and added support for emerging culinary talent.
Restaurants from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec appear on this year’s list. Air Canada will reveal the 2026 Top 10 Best New Restaurants at an event in downtown Toronto on November 16.
How the 2026 restaurants were selected
A national panel of culinary experts selected the finalists in collaboration with DINR.
Eligible restaurants opened between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. The selection process considered the quality of the food and service, along with the contribution each restaurant makes to Canada’s changing dining culture.
The finalists cover a broad range of formats and cuisines. The list includes tasting-menu restaurants, neighbourhood bistros, taverns, steakhouses, pasta counters and restaurants drawing from Indian, Korean, Cambodian, Latin American, Caribbean and other culinary traditions.
Each finalist has been invited to join DINR. The reservation platform provides access to selected restaurant bookings, culinary events and editorial content.
Air Canada Best New Restaurants 2026 finalists
British Columbia
- Alfred’s, Revelstoke
- Angela Pastificio, Vancouver
- Kavita, Vancouver
- Lumache, Victoria
- Nui, Vancouver
- Touk, Vancouver
Alberta
- Penny Crown, Calgary
- Rita Trattoria, Edmonton
- Sushi Jun, Calgary
Manitoba
- Snack Haüs, Winnipeg
Ontario
- Antheia, Ottawa
- Antylia, Toronto
- Bar Eugenie, Toronto
- Bar Les Incompetents, St. Catharines
- Liliana, Toronto
- LORE, Collingwood
- N.L. Ginzburg, Toronto
- OLDESEOUL TAVERN, Toronto
- Radici Project, Toronto
- Restaurant Capelin, Niagara Region
- Revé, Niagara Region
- SAMMARCO, Toronto
- Seahorse, Toronto
- Zia’s Place, Toronto
Quebec
- 3 Pierres 1 Feu, Montréal
- Bistrot Fortune, Montréal
- Coquette, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
- Hana Korean Steakhouse, Montréal
- MacTaverne, Val-David
- Yakitori Hibahibi, Montréal
New hall of fame will recognize Canadian chefs
Air Canada is introducing the Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Icons program as part of the 25th anniversary.
The hall of fame will recognize influential chefs who gained national attention through the restaurant program. The inaugural group will be announced during the Top 10 event in November.
The anniversary programming will include regional events and partnerships with culinary festivals. Participating chefs will appear at selected events with custom menus created for the program.
Cross-country restaurant collaborations planned
The Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Dining Series, presented by DINR, will bring program alumni together for one-night restaurant collaborations.
Chefs from different Canadian cities will work together on menus available only during each dinner. Details about the participating chefs, restaurants and dates will be released through the program.
The dining series expands the annual ranking beyond the finalist announcement and gives diners an opportunity to attend collaborative meals in several regions.
Funding for emerging culinary talent
The Air Canada Foundation is contributing $25,000 to the national Kitchen Brigades program from La Tablée des Chefs.
Kitchen Brigades provides high school students with culinary education and exposure to the restaurant industry. Participants develop cooking, teamwork, leadership and creative skills through hands-on programming.
The contribution brings combined support from Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation for La Tablée des Chefs to more than $500,000.
When will the 2026 Top 10 be announced?
Air Canada will announce the Top 10 Best New Restaurants of 2026 on November 16 in downtown Toronto.
The event will bring together chefs from the nominated restaurants, media, food industry guests and diners. The inaugural Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Icons honourees will be named during the same celebration.