- Halifax's Mystic restaurant takes first place, with Montreal's Le Violon and Toronto's aKin close behind in second and third.
- The anonymous food writer visited more than 30 restaurants, and the top 10 were determined based on a thorough assessment of every aspect of the dining experience.
- Celebrating its 24th anniversary, Air Canada's Best New Restaurants is the oldest new restaurant ranking in Canada.
MONTREAL, Nov. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada today unveiled Canada's 10 Best New Restaurants of 2025 with Halifax Restaurant at a celebration in Toronto. Mystic deserve first place. Led by Chef Malcolm Campbell and his team, Mystic's exciting tasting menus combine local maritime terroir with global techniques in a beautiful waterfront setting.
Secondly, Montreal Violinhelmed by chef Danny Smiles, pays homage to the city's French culinary heritage with a hyper-seasonal menu that combines bold flavors and sophisticated presentation. Toronto ranks third. akin celebrates the city's multicultural identity with globally inspired dishes that push the boundaries of modern Canadian cuisine.
“This year’s winners remind us of the bold creativity shaping the Canadian culinary scene today,” said Andy Shibata, vice president of brand at Air Canada. “Whether it's a reinterpretation of a Canadian classic or a chef putting his heart and soul into making omakase, each restaurant reflects its community in its own way. And together, they showcase the incredible range of tastes and culture across the country. We're proud to highlight their work and inspire more people to explore Canada through its food.”
Air Canada's top 10 new restaurants for 2025 include:
- Mystic (Halifax, NC): This waterfront gem combines coastal warmth with sophisticated elegance and offers a seafood menu inspired by Nova Scotia's rich waters. Signature dishes feature sustainable, local ingredients and seafood flavors, combining inventive techniques with timeless traditions.
- Le Violon (Montreal, Quebec): A master of Quebec's culinary traditions, Le Violon pays homage to Montreal's French influence while creating its own bold identity. This intimate fine dining establishment offers a hyper-seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients, artful presentation and bold flavor combinations that reflect the province's rich gastronomic heritage.
- aKin (Toronto, Ontario): Celebrating Toronto's multicultural identity, aKin presents globally inspired dishes with bold, unexpected flavor combinations. From the vibrant atmosphere to the chef-prepared dishes, aKin creates experiences that redefine modern Canadian cuisine.
- Sushi Hyun Omakase (Vancouver, BC): Known for its meticulous preparation, Sushi Hyun Omakase offers masterful omakase dishes using sustainably sourced seafood from the Pacific Northwest. Each dish pays homage to Japanese culinary excellence with a special West Coast twist.
- Maven (Toronto, Ontario): Maven combines nostalgia and modernity, drawing inspiration from traditional Jewish and Eastern European dishes. Chef Shauna Godfrey's recipes create a warm neighborhood atmosphere with a sophisticated twist, inviting diners to feel right at home while enjoying her soothing flavors.
- Nero Tondo (Vancouver, British Columbia): Handmade pasta, bold sauces and carefully chosen wine pairings define Nero Tondo's modern take on Italian cuisine. Infused with regional influences, the restaurant's menu offers an impeccable balance of traditional techniques and innovative flavor profiles.
- Yan Dining (Toronto, ON): Yan, which means banquet in Chinese, inspires this exclusive eight-course dinner created by Chef Eva Chin. Neo-Chinese cuisine comes alive with local, seasonal ingredients and new interpretations of traditional cooking techniques.
- Sumibiyaki Arashi (Vancouver, British Columbia): This 14-seat omakase spot elevates the art of yakitori cooking, where every skewer is cooked Binchotan charcoal for a precise and clean taste. Seasonal fish, vegetable plates and innovative textures give the menu depth while maintaining balance and restraint.
- Pasta Pooks (Montreal, Quebec): Teen-friendly eatery Pasta Pooks combines the comfort of handmade pasta with a creative twist. The vibrant flavors and playful presentation make this Montreal spot a must-visit for food lovers.
- Niwa (Vancouver, British Columbia): Niwa combines the elegance of nature with culinary sophistication, offering dishes inspired by Pacific Northwest ingredients and Asian techniques. From relaxed presentation to sophisticated flavor combinations, Niwa creates an unforgettable dining experience that combines simplicity and artistry.
Celebrating Canadian culinary excellence
This year's top ten restaurants were presented at a special event held in Toronto on November 17, 2025. Chefs and teams from the top ten restaurants were invited to receive awards and share dishes from their winning menus with industry professionals, Air Canada guests and invited members of the public.
The Air Canada 10 Best New Restaurants event is generously presented by Amex, a long-time national partner of the program. Air Canada thanks Amex for their ongoing commitment to enriching Canada's culinary landscape.
“Our partnership with Air Canada continues to fuel the creativity and innovation that defines Canada’s culinary landscape,” said Kim Kuzmak, vice president, lifestyle benefits, partnerships and brand, American Express Canada. “At American Express, we are committed to providing cardholders with experiences that highlight Canada's culinary talent. We are proud to support Air Canada's Best New Restaurants program and the chefs who make Canada a world-class dining destination.”
Culinary tourism and more
Now in its 24th year, Air Canada's Best New Restaurants program continues to inspire Canadians to explore food through food. From Mystic in Halifax's thriving food scene to Vancouver's artistic Sushi Hyun Omakase, the list highlights places worth visiting for both the food and the travel itself.
More information about the 2025 Best New Restaurants program and the top 10 winners can be found at https://enroute.aircanada.com/best-new-restaurants.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's largest air travel network. Air Canada provides scheduled flights directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and other countries on six continents. It has a four star rating from Skytrax. The Air Canada Aeroplan program is Canada's leading travel loyalty program where members can earn or redeem points across the world's largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, as well as through a wide range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, the company offers more travel options than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations around the world, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours and car rentals. Its cargo division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air cargo and service to hundreds of destinations on six continents using Air Canada passenger and cargo aircraft. Air Canada's climate ambitions include a long-term, ambitious goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For more information, see Air Canada TCFD Disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada and the OTCQX in the United States.
About American Express
American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Our colleagues around the world support our customers with a variety of products, services and experiences that improve lives and drive business success.
Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York City, the American Express brand is built on trust, security and service, with a rich history of innovation and membership value for our customers. With more than one hundred million retail locations across our global network, we strive to provide the world's best customer service to a broad range of consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and large corporations every day.
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