The Air Canada Best New Restaurant Top 10 List Is Here, Spotlighting the Country's Fresh and Innovative Culinary Talent

• Halifax restaurant Mystic takes top spot, with Montreal's Le Violon and aKin from Toronto in second and third place
• More than 30 restaurants were visited by an anonymous culinary expert and the top 10 were determined based on a rigorous assessment of every aspect of the dining experience
• Celebrating 24 years, Air Canada's Best New Restaurants is the longest-running new restaurant ranking in Canada
  

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:

1. Mystic (Halifax, NS): This waterfront gem blends coastal warmth with refined elegance, delivering a seafood-forward menu rooted in Nova Scotia’s rich waters. Signature dishes highlight sustainable, locally sourced ingredients and maritime-inspired flavours, marrying inventive technique with timeless tradition.
   
   
2. Le Violon (Montreal, QC): A maestro of Quebec’s culinary traditions, Le Violon pays homage to Montreal’s French influence while carving out its own bold identity. This intimate fine dining destination presents a hyper-seasonal menu built on locally sourced ingredients, with artful plating and bold flavour combinations that reflect the province’s rich gastronomic heritage.