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MONTRÉAL, Nov. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Canada unveiled its 2025 Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada today at a Toronto celebration, with Halifax restaurant Mystic earning first-place honours. Led by Chef Malcolm Campbell and his team, Mystic’s immersive tasting menus marry local Maritime terroir with global technique in a beautiful waterfront setting.

In second, Montreal’s Le Violon, led by chef Danny Smiles, pays homage to the city’s French culinary heritage with a hyper-seasonal menu fusing bold flavours and refined plating. Taking third place, Toronto’s aKin celebrates the city’s multicultural identity with globally inspired dishes pushing the boundaries of modern Canadian dining.
“This year’s winners remind us of the bold creativity shaping the Canadian culinary scene today,” said Andy Shibata, Vice President, Brand at Air Canada. “Whether it is the reinvention of Canadian classics or a chef pouring their heart into an omakase experience, each restaurant reflects its community in a different way. And together they show the incredible range of flavour and culture across the country. We are proud to shine a spotlight on their work and inspire more people to explore Canada through its food.”
The Top 10 Air Canada Best New Restaurants of 2025 are:
Celebrating Canadian Culinary Excellence
This year’s Top 10 restaurants were revealed at a special event held in Toronto on November 17, 2025. Chefs and teams from the Top 10 restaurants were invited to receive their awards and share dishes from their winning menus with industry professionals, Air Canada guests and invited members of the public.
The Air Canada's Best New Restaurants Top 10 event is generously presented by Amex, a multi-year National Partner of the program. Air Canada thanks Amex for their ongoing commitment to enriching Canada's culinary landscape.
“Our collaboration with Air Canada continues to champion the creativity and innovation that define Canada’s culinary landscape,” said Kim Kuzmak, Vice President of Lifestyle Benefits, Partnerships and Brand at American Express Canada. “At American Express, we’re passionate about connecting Cardmembers with experiences that highlight Canada’s culinary talent. We’re proud to support Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants program and the chefs who make Canada a world-class dining destination.”
Culinary Tourism and Beyond
Now in its 24th year, Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants program continues to inspire Canadians to explore through food. From Mystic in Halifax’s flourishing dining scene to the artistry of Sushi Hyun Omakase in Vancouver, the list highlights destinations worth visiting as much for their unforgettable meals as for the journeys themselves.
For more details about the 2025 Best New Restaurants program and the Top 10 winners, visit https://enroute.aircanada.com/best-new-restaurants.