- Air Canada’s celebrated annual list of new restaurants spotlights 30 culinary standouts ahead of the Top 10 reveal in Toronto this November.
- Program marks silver anniversary with an expanded platform featuring regional events, a new Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Icons hall of fame, and a cross-country dining series.
- This year’s program invests in the future of the industry with support for emerging culinary talent
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. That journey begins today with the reveal of the 30 finalists for 2026.
The Next Great Plates: The 2026 Best New Restaurants
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 full list of 2026 finalists is available here.
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, Vice President, 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.”
Celebrating the Chefs Defining Canadian Cuisine
Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants has served as a celebrated national launchpad, bringing now-legendary dining destinations to the forefront of Canadian culture. To celebrate this rich heritage, the Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Icons will be named — a prestigious hall of fame honouring influential chefs that first gained national recognition through the program. The inaugural class of honourees will be announced at the Top 10 celebration in November. Earlier this year, Air Canada also launched its searchable guide to every finalist since 2002, helping diners discover restaurants that remain at the heart of Canadian communities.
Setting the Table for Coast-to-Coast Culinary Collaborations
Beyond the annual ranking, the program brings these culinary stories directly to tables across the country through experiences designed for Canadian diners. First, the Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Dining Series, Presented by DINR, will feature exclusive, one-night-only collaborations between celebrated program alumni, connecting chefs from across the country to create never-before-seen menus and unique experiences. Second, Air Canada is partnering with leading culinary festivals, to feature honoured culinary talent in exclusive curated events and custom menus.
On the Menu: Supporting the Next Gen of Canadian Culinary Talent
In partnership with the Air Canada Foundation, the Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants program is investing in the industry’s future with a $25,000 contribution to La Tablée des Chefs’ national Kitchen Brigades program. Through culinary education and industry exposure, the program helps high school students build cooking skills, teamwork, leadership, and creativity while discovering new foods and developing healthy eating habits, while supporting the continued strength of Canada’s restaurant industry. With this new additional funding, the combined support of Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation for La Tablée des Chefs now exceeds $500,000, helping young people develop food literacy and culinary skills while supporting a strong and sustainable future for Canada’s culinary sector.
The 2026 program reaches its final course on November 16 in downtown Toronto, where Air Canada will reveal this year’s Top 10 Best New Restaurants. The marquee event will bring together the restaurants named to the 2026 longlist, media, food lovers, VIPs and the chefs behind some of Canada’s leading dining destinations. Together, they will toast this year’s top new restaurants and celebrate 25 years of culinary excellence.
For more information on the 2026 program, please visit enroute.aircanada.com.
