After months of speculation, Air Canada enRoute has revealed the 10 spots deemed Canada’s Best New Restaurants of 2022. Each is considered one of the top 10 restaurants to have opened in Canada between spring 2021 and May 31, 2022. Among the winners, are a number of Ontario spots, along with two Quebec eateries and a few places from out west.
Since 2002, Air Canada has galvanized the country’s hospitality industry by lauding the talents of its finest back- and front-of-house teams. Over the years, Canada’s Best New Restaurants lists have celebrated more than 500 novel spaces, chosen for the way their vision, service, approach to food and quality of offerings seamlessly blend into one exceptional experience.
For this year’s list, writer Nancy Matsumoto embarked on a month-long culinary odyssey, guided by the advice of a national food panel. Touring incognito across eight provinces and through 17 cities, she narrowed the list of contenders down to 30. Revealed in August, the long list covered the full spectrum, from casual eateries dishing out superlative tacos and noodle bowls, to standouts with a seasonal focus, and glitzy restaurants buoyed by meticulous technique and opulent ingredients. "Air Canada is proud to take off with this tradition once again and to put the Top 10 best new restaurants on Canada’s culinary map,” said Andy Shibata, Vice President, Brand, Air Canada, in a press release. “It's inspiring to see these restaurants make their mark with world-class cuisine while also leading the way on industry trends such as sustainability and workplace wellness. We wish them all luck and success."
Revealed at a ceremony in Toronto last night, Canada’s Best New Restaurants of 2022 are: Restaurant Alentours, Fox & Monocle, Major Tom, Fonda Balam, Heart's Tavern and Bar, Một Tô, Perch, Mimi Chinese, Restaurant Mastard, and Restaurant 20 Victoria, which claimed the top spot.
All told, the top 10 list represents a fascinating glimpse into the state of Canada's restaurant industry at this moment in time. It’s a time of renewal, change, and burgeoning, unrestrained creativity. It's a time when we're just as thrilled to eat daintily from china plates as we are to grasp our food with two hands and let the juices drip down to our elbows. As we applaud the teams giving it their all — despite the harrowing times — we're also crossing our fingers, hoping to snag a spot at one of Canada's hottest tables.
To read more, visit Air Canada enroute.
