Air Canada has officially revealed its highly anticipated 2025 Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada, with Halifax's waterfront establishment Mystic claiming the prestigious first-place position. The announcement was made during a celebratory event in Toronto on November 17, 2025, marking the 24th year of this distinguished culinary recognition program.
Canada's Culinary Excellence Takes Center Stage
The competition featured rigorous evaluation of more than 30 restaurants across the country by anonymous culinary experts. Each establishment underwent comprehensive assessment of every aspect of the dining experience, from food quality and service to atmosphere and innovation.
Mystic, led by Chef Malcolm Campbell and his team, impressed judges with its immersive tasting menus that beautifully combine local Maritime terroir with global culinary techniques. The restaurant's stunning waterfront location adds to the exceptional dining experience that showcases Nova Scotia's rich coastal flavors.
Top Three Restaurants Showcase Regional Diversity
Montreal's Le Violon secured second place under the leadership of chef Danny Smiles. The restaurant pays tribute to the city's French culinary heritage while presenting a hyper-seasonal menu featuring bold flavors and artfully refined plating.
Toronto's aKin earned third place by celebrating the city's multicultural identity through globally inspired dishes that push the boundaries of modern Canadian dining. The restaurant creates vibrant, chef-driven experiences that reflect Toronto's diverse culinary landscape.
Andy Shibata, Vice President of Brand at Air Canada, emphasized the significance of this year's winners. "This year's winners remind us of the bold creativity shaping the Canadian culinary scene today," Shibata stated. "Each restaurant reflects its community in a different way, showing the incredible range of flavor and culture across the country."
Complete List of 2025's Best New Restaurants
The full Top 10 Air Canada Best New Restaurants of 2025 represents the breadth of Canadian culinary innovation:
Mystic (Halifax, NS) - This waterfront establishment blends coastal warmth with refined elegance, delivering seafood-forward menus rooted in Nova Scotia's sustainable local ingredients.
Le Violon (Montreal, QC) - A master of Quebec's culinary traditions, this intimate fine dining destination presents hyper-seasonal menus built on locally sourced ingredients with artful plating.
aKin (Toronto, ON) - Celebrating Toronto's multicultural identity with globally inspired dishes featuring bold, unexpected flavor combinations that redefine modern Canadian dining.
Sushi Hyun Omakase (Vancouver, BC) - Offering a masterful omakase experience featuring sustainable Pacific Northwest seafood with Japanese craftsmanship and West Coast influences.
Maven (Toronto, ON) - Blending nostalgia and modernity through traditional Jewish and Eastern European dishes with sophisticated twists and comforting flavors.
Nero Tondo (Vancouver, BC) - Contemporary Italian cuisine featuring handmade pastas, bold sauces, and curated wine pairings with innovative flavor profiles.
Yan Dining Room (Toronto, ON) - An exclusive eight-course dining experience creating neo-Chinese cuisine through elevated reinterpretations of traditional techniques.
Sumibiyaki Arashi (Vancouver, BC) - A 14-seat omakase spot elevating yakitori art with binchotan charcoal cooking and seasonal ingredients.
Pasta Pooks (Montreal, QC) - Counter-service eatery combining handmade pastas with creative twists, bold flavors, and playful presentation.
Niwa (Vancouver, BC) - Merging nature's elegance with culinary sophistication through Pacific Northwest ingredients and Asian techniques.
Now in its 24th year, Air Canada's Best New Restaurants program remains the longest-running new restaurant ranking in Canada, continuing to spotlight the country's most exciting culinary talent and inspiring food enthusiasts to explore Canada through its diverse dining scene.
