These 7 Vancouver restaurants just landed on a best new restaurants list

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Looking for a new place to eat in Vancouver? Consider one (or more) of the seven eateries that just landed among the finalists of the 2025 Air Canada Best New Restaurants list.

Each year, the Canadian airline releases a list of 31 “trail-blazing establishments” across the country. The best new restaurants list was launched by the company in 2002.

The eateries are selected based on the quality of food, service and commitment to culinary creativity and community, according to a news release.

“Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants celebrates the stories and flavours that define Canada’s diverse culinary scene,” Andrew Shibata, vice-president of brand at Air Canada said in the release. “Year after year, we are proud to showcase the people and places shaping Canada’s culinary identity — inspiring Canadians to discover new destinations and create unforgettable trips around the country’s most exciting dining experiences.”

The local restaurants that made the list of finalists include several buzzy eateries that you’ve likely already heard about (and spotted on your favourite local food influencer’s feed). The Vancouver finalists include:

Elem

2110 Main St., Vancouver

A chic Main Street eatery serving up globally influenced cuisine created by Chef Vish Mayekar.

Read our review of Elem, originally published Jan. 30, 2025.

June

3305 Cambie St., Vancouver

A French-meets-West-Coast brasserie led by Chef Connor Sperling. Home of the viral Pasta for Rachel dish.

Read our review of June, published July 1, 2025.

Nero Tondo

1879 Powell St, Vancouver

A contemporary eatery with a farm-to-table approach helmed by Chefs Devon Latte and Lucas Johnston that aims to tell the “story of B.C.’s incredible bounty.”

Niwa

1875 Powell St., Vancouver

Chef Darren Gee focuses on service — and, of course, food — at this new restaurant. Dishes, available à la carte or from the omakase menu, deliver outside-the-box, Japanese-inspired flavours.

Read our review of Niwa, published March 27, 2025.

Selene

360 Penticton St., Vancouver

An elegant Greek eatery that “edges toward elegance and sophistication but isn’t above having a good time,” according to Vancouver Sun restaurant critic, Mia Stainsby.

Read our review of Selene, published March 13, 2025. 

Sumibiyaki Arashi

363 E Broadway, Vancouver

A 14-seat omakase-style yakitori dining experience that is helmed by Chef Pete Ho.

Sushi Hyun Omakase

795 Jervis St., Vancouver

A premium omakase restaurant led by chef-owner Ju Hyun Lee that accepts just eight customers per meal, and does two seatings for dinner on Saturdays. “This is my dream restaurant. I don’t want to hurry,” Lee says.

Read our review, published March 20, 2025.

The seven Vancouver hot spots were joined on the list by two B.C. additions, Janevca and Rabbit Rabbit, both in Victoria.

Read our review of Janevca, published on Nov. 14, 2024.

See the full list of finalists below:

• aKin, Toronto
• Baby Baby, Winnipeg
• Bona Fide, Montreal
• Claire Jacques, Montreal
• DOPO + Bar Rocca, Calgary
• ELEM, Vancouver
• General Public, Toronto
• Janevca, Victoria
• June, Vancouver
• Le Violon, Montreal
• Linny’s, Toronto
• Maven, Toronto
• Molenne, Montreal
• Mystic, Halifax
• Nero Tondo, Vancouver
• Niwa, Vancouver
• No. 8, Burlington
• Olia, Edmonton
• Panacée, Montreal
• Pasta Pooks, Montreal
• Rabbit Rabbit, Victoria
• Rabble, St. John’s
• Restaurant Limbo, Montreal
• Rotisserie La Lune, Montreal
• Selene, Vancouver
• Shirley’s, Winnipeg
• Sumibiyaki Arashi, Vancouver
• Sushi Hyun Omakase, Vancouver
• Sushi Nishinokaze, Montreal
• Tribute, Halifax
• Yan Dining Room, Toronto