The Quebec and Toronto Finalists for Air Canada's Best New Restaurants 2026

The finalists for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2026 have just been announced. Thirty restaurants from coast to coast made the cut this year, six of them in Quebec and nine in Toronto, which becomes the most represented city on the list. All of them are in the running for a spot in the Top 10, revealed on November 16.

The list is blowing out 25 candles. For a quarter of a century, it has served as a marker for how the country eats, from one province to the next. To mark the anniversary, Air Canada is launching the Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants Icons, a distinction honouring influential chefs whose restaurants first earned national recognition through the program. In the same breath, the airline is announcing its support for La Tablée des Chefs’ Culinary Brigades, which introduces high school students to cooking.

Six Finalists in Quebec, from Montreal to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

On the Quebec side, the selection spills beyond Montreal: it stretches all the way to Val-David and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

3 Pierres, 1 Feu, Montreal – Chef Paul Toussaint’s barbecue has set up in the heart of Jean-Talon Market. The smoked meats are sold by weight, somewhere between Caribbean and Texan influences.
Bistrot Fortune, Montreal – Opened on April 4, 2026 on Jean-Talon Street East, in Villeray, Phong Thach and Carlos Ortiz’s bistro seats 30 and puts Southeast Asia and Latin America in conversation.
Hana Korean Steakhouse, Montreal – In Old Montreal, Hanhak Kim and David McMillan’s project puts beef front and centre, on grills built into the tables. À la carte or as a nine-course tasting menu signed by chef Wongoo Jeon.
Yakitori Hibahihi, Montreal – On Plaza St-Hubert, chef Hiroshi Kitano grills his skewers over charcoal with very few ingredients. Yakitori run without compromise.
MacTaverne, Val-David – A family-run inn and pub led by Tim Robertson, with his brother Mike in the kitchen. Fish and chips, tavern burger and classics executed with care, in the heart of the Laurentians.
Coquette, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré – Launched in the summer of 2025 by the team behind Kébec Club Privé and Torii Izakaya, this neighbourhood wine bar leans on small shareable plates, with seafood in the spotlight.

Nine Finalists in Toronto, from Harbord Village to the Beaches

The Queen City places nine addresses on the list, spread from one end of town to the other.

Bar Eugenie, Harbord Village – Opened in September 2025 by three Alo alumni, chef Rebekah Bruce, Ronnie Fishman and bartender Lee Bonds. Wood-fired plates built around a single ingredient, in a tiny room.
Liliana, Queen West – Marvin Palomo opened his 30 seats in September 2025, with nearly his entire former Vela brigade. Italian classics run through with Asian influences.
N.L. Ginzburg, Little Italy – Zachary Kolomeir and Carmelina Imola’s Italo-Jewish trattoria, opened in November 2025 on College Street. Pasta rolled every morning and charcoal-grilled proteins.
Antylia, Bloorcourt – Aldo Camarena and Ashley McKay’s table, between Mexico and Ecuador.
Oldeseoul Tavern, the Beaches – Leemo Han’s Korean tavern, on the east end of Queen Street.
Radici Project, Little Italy – Emiliano Del Frate and Kayo Ito serve a tasting menu that crosses Italy and Japan.
Sammarco, St. Lawrence – Rob Rossi and David Minicucci’s bisteccheria, on Front Street East.
Seahorse, Summerhill – A seafood bistro on Yonge Street.
Zia’s Place, Brockton Village – Southern Italian cooking according to Jess Maiorano.