Air Canada Unveils Top 30 Contenders for 2026 Best New Restaurants and marks 25 Years of Food Worth Flying For

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Air Canada Unveils Top 30 Contenders for 2026 Best New Restaurants and marks 25 Years of Food Worth Flying ForAuthor of the article:Air Canada's celebrated annual list of new restaurants spotlights 30 culinary standouts ahead of the Top 10 reveal in Toronto this November. GNWAir 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 talentTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountMONTRÉAL, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 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.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe 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 top 30 are:3 Pierres 1 Feu, Montréal, QCAlfred’s, Revelstoke, BCAngela Pastificio, Vancouver, BCAntheia, Ottawa, ONAntylia, Toronto, ONBar Eugenie, Toronto, ONBar Les Incompetents, St. Catharines, ONBistrot Fortune, Montréal, QCCoquette, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (Quebec City), QCHana Korean Steakhouse, Montréal, QCKavita, Vancouver, BCLiliana, Toronto, ONLORE, Collingwood, ONLumache, Victoria, BCMacTaverne, Val-David, QCN.L. Ginzburg, Toronto, ONNui, Vancouver, BCOLDESEOUL TAVERN, Toronto, ONPenny Crown, Calgary, ABRadici Project, Toronto, ONRestaurant Capelin, Niagara Region, ONRevé, Niagara Region, ONRita Trattoria, Edmonton, ABSAMMARCO, Toronto, ONSeahorse, Toronto, ONSnack Haüs, Winnipeg, MBSushi Jun, Calgary, ABTouk, Vancouver, BCYakitori Hibahihi, Montréal, QCZia’s Place, Toronto, ONThe 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.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“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 CuisineAir 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 CollaborationsBeyond 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 TalentIn 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.Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada’s TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC).Read our annual report HereSign up for Air Canada news: aircanada.comNotice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.