From coast to coast Air Canada highlights 31 trailblazing restaurants shaping Canada’s dining scene in 2025

(NEWS) MONTRÉAL, 2025-Sep-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Air Canada has announced the 31 finalists for its 2025 Best New Restaurants list, highlighting a diverse mix of culinary talent and fresh dining concepts across 10 Canadian cities. Stretching from St. John’s to Victoria, the list captures the creativity, diversity, and innovation that define Canada’s dining scene today. The program, which began in 2002, is Canada’s longest-running ranking dedicated to new restaurants and rising culinary leaders.

The selected finalists represent openings between May 2024 and April 2025, chosen through nominations by Air Canada’s national culinary panel and confirmed by anonymous visits from expert reviewers. Each restaurant was evaluated on food quality, service, cultural influence, and originality, ultimately earning a place in the prestigious list. In collaboration with DINR, the recognized establishments will also be featured as culinary destinations with special editorial coverage and exclusive guest access.

Past winners like Montreal’s Sabayon in 2024, Toronto’s Osteria Giulia in 2022, and Vancouver’s AnnaLena in 2015 have gone on to become celebrated staples, underscoring the program’s reputation for spotlighting influential dining experiences. The Top 10 ranking for 2025 will be revealed at a gala event in Toronto on November 17, hosted by chef Chuck Hughes, cementing another milestone in celebrating Canadian gastronomy.

As travel continues to shape how people experience food, airlines and hotels alike are stepping into the role of cultural curators. Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list celebrates the country’s most exciting new dining destinations, inspiring travelers to explore Canadian cities through their culinary scenes. Similarly, Mercure Hotels’ 2024 Bucket List highlights 50 authentic local food and drink experiences around the world, while Marriott International’s Luxury Group Future of Food 2025 report points to Asia Pacific as a global culinary powerhouse. Together, these initiatives reflect a growing trend across the travel and hospitality industries: helping guests and passengers discover new places through the lens of food, and turning every journey into a gateway to local culture.