31 new ‘culinary hotspots’ are celebrated on Air Canada’s annual best restaurants list
Published: September 19, 2025 at 6:08AM EDT
Dozens of eateries have landed on Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list, which celebrates the country’s latest “culinary hotspots.”
This year’s ranking was released earlier this week and features 31 of the country’s “most exciting” new restaurants, spanning 10 cities from coast to coast.
The top 10 finalists will be revealed on Nov. 17 in Toronto. (Air Canada graphic) 
A news release says the “trailblazing establishments” — from St. John’s, NL, to Victoria, B.C. — are shaping Canada’s dining culture, with the list reflecting “the talent, diversity and creativity fuelling the country’s culinary scene.”
It says finalists are also recognized for the quality of their food and level of service, along with their commitment to culture.
“Each finalist tells its own story, blending personal vision with local ingredients and diverse cultural influences to deliver unique and unforgettable dining experiences,” according to Air Canada in the release.
The 2025 finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
(SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg) 
aKin, Toronto (Air Canada photo) 
Baby Baby, Winnipeg (Air Canada photo) 
Bona Fide, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
Claire Jacques, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
DOPO + Bar Rocca, Calgary (Air Canada photo) 
ELEM, Vancouver (Air Canada photo) 
General Public, Toronto (Air Canada photo) 
Janevca, Victoria (Air Canada photo) 
June, Vancouver (Air Canada photo) 
Le Violon, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
Linny’s, Toronto (Air Canada photo) 
Maven, Toronto (Air Canada photo) 
Molenne, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
Mystic, Halifax (Air Canada photo) 
Nero Tondo, Vancouver (Air Canada photo) 
Niwa, Vancouver (Air Canada photo) 
No. 8, Burlington (Air Canada photo) 
Olia, Edmonton (Air Canada photo) 
Panacée, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
Pasta Pooks, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
Rabbit Rabbit, Victoria (Air Canada photo) 
Rabble, St. John’s (Air Canada photo) 
Restaurant Limbo, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
Rotisserie La Lune, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
Selene, Vancouver (Air Canada photo) 
Shirley’s, Winnipeg (Air Canada photo) 
Sumibiyaki Arashi, Vancouver (Air Canada photo) 
Sushi Hyun Omakase, Vancouver (Air Canada photo) 
Sushi Nishinokaze, Montreal (Air Canada photo) 
Tribute, Halifax (Air Canada photo) 
Yan Dining Room, Toronto (Air Canada photo) 
The airline says restaurants selected were new openings between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, “nominated independently by Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants national panel of trusted culinary voices.”
It says an anonymous “culinary expert” visited the shortlisted restaurants “as any guest would.” A framework, in collaboration with DINR — a Montreal-based restaurant reservation app — was then used to determine the finalists.
Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list launched in 2002, with the company lauding it as the country’s longest-running such ranking — adding that the program continues to showcase the best “Food Worth Flying For” and provide “a career-changing platform for chefs…”
Andrew Shibata, vice-president of Brand at Air Canada, says the company is proud to showcase new restaurants “year after year,” especially because “food connects us to our roots, our communities, and to one another.” (Enrique/Pexels). 
Last year, Montreal’s Sabayon took the top spot, while Osteria Giulia and Edulis – both in Toronto and recognized in 2022 and 2012, respectively – “remain two of the city’s most coveted reservations,” according to Air Canada. (Air Canada photos)