Ontario has done it again. In the latest Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2026 list, Ontario has taken 5 out of the top 10 spots. This is a big achievement and clearly shows that Canada’s fine dining and modern restaurant culture is now strongly centered around Ontario.
The list is made by experienced chefs, sommeliers, and food experts, so it is considered very reliable.
The most highlighted restaurant this year is Restaurant Pearl Morissette, French-inspired Michelin-starred restaurant located in Jordan Station, about 1 hour from Toronto.
According to General Manager Amy Stott
“This is awesome. I recently joined the team in December, so this is amazing to be part of and huge to be here, representing hospitality in Canada,”
“The menus are forever changing, but I would say the standout dish at the moment is the lobster, which you can see on the cover of the magazine,”
Stott said
It became Canada’s No.1 restaurant for the second year in a row, proving its high quality and consistency. Its concept is based on farm-to-table dining, using fresh seasonal ingredients, and the menu changes often. Experts also say it competes at an international level, which is why it stays in the Top rankings.
Ontario has placed a total of 5 restaurants in the Top 10 this year:
#4 Quetzal:
- Open-fire Mexican fine dining
- Bold smoky flavors
- Modern plating style
- Seasonal ingredient-based menu
- Mushroom and seafood specialty
- Intimate fine dining experience
#7 Alo Restaurant:
- French haute cuisine
- Luxury tasting menu
- One of Toronto’s most iconic fine dining spots
#10 20 Victoria:
- Modern Canadian cuisine
- Minimal but high-quality dishes
- Chef-driven dining experience
In Toronto, several restaurants also performed very well, including Alo Restaurant, Edulis Restaurant, Quetzal, and 20 Victoria. These restaurants show different styles like modern Canadian food, French-inspired dishes, Mexican open-fire cooking, and luxury fine dining experiences.
Overall, Ontario’s food scene is growing fast because of innovation, multicultural influence, and high-quality ingredients.
According to Jacob Richler, the editor-in-chief of Canada’s 100 Best,
the Top 10 restaurants are those that can compete at the same level as top dining spots in major global cities like London and New York.
Jacob Richler
In other words, these are not just the best in Canada, but also strong enough to stand on an international stage. This year’s results clearly show that Toronto and Ontario have reached that level, proving they are now becoming Canada’s main culinary capital.
Why is Ontario so popular?
Ontario is popular because it has many talented chefs, access to fresh ingredients, and people who truly appreciate good food. Because of its diversity, there is also a lot of innovation in the food scene. Chefs often mix different cuisines and create new and creative dishes.
From fine dining restaurants to casual food spots, everything is available in Ontario. If you are on a low budget, there are still plenty of good options. And if you want luxury dining, there are many high-end restaurants as well.
This year’s results clearly show that Toronto and Ontario have become the main food hub of Canada, and this trend is expected to continue in the future.
