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4 Vancouver restaurants were just named among the best new eateries in Canada

Marco Ovies
Marco Ovies
|
Nov 18 2025, 7:53 pm
4 Vancouver restaurants were just named among the best new eateries in Canada
The team behind Nero Tondo (Air Canada)

Air Canada has revealed its top 10 list for the best new restaurants in Canada, and Vancouver eateries dominated, with four making the final cut (the most out of any city on the list).

The airline’s highly anticipated annual Top 10 list was announced Monday evening, approximately two months after the company shared the longlist of Canadian restaurants in the running for a coveted spot on that ranking.

“For 24 years, ACBNR has championed the culinary talent industry, redefining what Canadian cuisine can be, celebrating culinary excellence and reflecting the airline’s commitment to share the best of Canada and inspire travellers to discover new destinations around Canada’s most exciting dining experiences,” said Air Canada. 

Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants is the longest-running Canadian restaurant ranking.

It’s also the only one to use a single, anonymous reviewer who travels the country ranking the top restaurants that opened in Canada between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025.

The reviewer ranks restaurants recommended by a panel of food experts.

Among the Vancouver restaurants that made the list, the highest ranking was Sushi Hyun Omakase, which landed at number 4 on the list.

At Sushi Hyun, owner and chef Juhyun Lee is serving a selection of seafood imported from Japan’s Toyosu Market, served on a counter made of 200-year-old unblemished Hinoki.

It comes as no surprise that Sushi Hyun has made the list, considering it has recently been awarded a Michelin Star at the latest Michelin Guide award ceremony, in addition to Lee receiving the Michelin Young Chef Award.

“At Sushi Hyun, chef-owner Jy Hyun Lee transforms the precision of omakase into something deeply personal, meticulous in craft yet disarmingly warm, where ceremony meets genuine joy,” wrote Air Canada

Next for Vancouver, coming in at number 6 is Nero Tondo, a restaurant so hyper local that when Dished spoke with them, owners and chefs Devon Latte and Lucas Johnston said the menu could change in the middle of service.

“At Nero Tondo there is no set script, no repetition. Just seasonal creativity, fresh on your plate,” said Air Canada.

Nero Tondo is another restaurant that has received high praise, having been listed as a Michelin-recommended restaurant at the 2025 Michelin Guide award ceremony.

And speaking of Michelin-approved spots, Michelin-starred Sumibiyaki Arashi landed eighth on the Best New Restaurants list. Here, chef Peter Ho operates an intimate 14-seat restaurant specializing in yakitori. Ho displays his mastery over fire by flame-grilling each course on a charcoal grill in front of guests.

“At Sumibiyaki Arashi, chef Peter Ho brings together Japanese precision and Taiwanese roots in a lively omakase experience centred on yakitori and binchĹŤtan charcoal,” wrote Air Canada.

And finally, last but not least, Niwa was named tenth on the list, joining the likes of its neighbouring restaurant on Powell Street, Nero Tondo.

Niwa is brought to us by the same team behind Ugly Dumpling and offers a farm-to-table omakase-style dining experience as well.

“At Niwa, the team has built a serene, ingredient-focused restaurant that values balance, community, and care, creating a dining experience rooted in respect for both people and place,” wrote Air Canada.

Here’s the full list of Air Canada’s Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada:

  1. Mystic (Halifax, N.S.): Coastal warmth meets elegant, seafood-focused dining.
  2. Le Violon (Montreal, Que.): French-inspired, bold Quebec culinary traditions.
  3. aKin (Toronto, Ont.): Multicultural dishes with unexpected, bold flavours.
  4. Sushi Hyun Omakase (Vancouver, B.C.): Sustainable Omakase showcasing Pacific Northwest seafood.
  5. Maven (Toronto, Ont.): Nostalgic and modern Jewish-European food.
  6. Nero Tondo (Vancouver, B.C.): Fresh pastas, bold sauces, curated wine pairings.
  7. Yan Dining Room (Toronto, Ont.): Exclusive eight-course banquet by Eva Chin.
  8. Sumibiyaki Arashi (Vancouver, B.C.): Yakitori perfected with binchĹŤtan charcoal grilling.
  9. Pasta Pooks (Montreal, Que.): Handmade pastas reimagined with a youthful edge.
  10. Niwa (Vancouver, B.C.): Pacific flavours meet Asian sophistication in nature.

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