For the second consecutive year, Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Jordan Station, Ontario, has been named the best restaurant in Canada by the Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list. Led by chef-owners Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson, this acclaimed Niagara destination continues to garner prestigious accolades, including the North America's 50 Best Restaurants' Art of Hospitality Award for 2026, a second Michelin star in the Toronto and region guide, and a third-place ranking on North America's 50 Best Restaurants list.
Exceptional Attention to Detail
Jacob Richler, editor-in-chief and publisher of Canada's 100 Best, praised the restaurant's extraordinary attention to detail. Recalling a visit in March, Richler noted that before the first guests arrived, Hadida and chef de cuisine Liam McLoughlin tasted every dish on the menu together. This meticulous approach, which Richler described as a "preemptive strike," is something he had never witnessed before in his extensive dining experience.
"To make sure that everything was as intended with such diligence was pretty interesting," Richler said. "I just find it symptomatic of their attitude. They're always looking for a way to raise the bar, and they've done it consistently."
Strong Sense of Place
Like Montreal's Mon Lapin, which held the top spot for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024 and ranked second in 2026, Restaurant Pearl Morissette offers a strong sense of place. Richler emphasized this quality, saying, "That's always reassuring, because what's the point of going on a journey if things are going to taste like home?"
Top Five Restaurants
Completing the top five are Quebec City's two-Michelin-starred Tanière3, along with Toronto's Quetzal and Edulis, each holding one Michelin star. Edulis, owned by chefs and married couple Tobey Nemeth and Michael Caballo, achieved an unprecedented 11 consecutive years in the top 10.
Richler expressed confidence in the list's top tier, stating, "All the restaurants in the top tier of the list are pretty extraordinary places by any international standard, I believe. I'm lucky enough to travel a lot, and I can say that with a fair bit of confidence."
Judging and New Features
The 2026 Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list was selected by an all-Canadian judging panel comprising chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, food writers, and industry professionals. This year's ranking introduces a new pricing guide, ranging from "$" for $100 or less per dinner (excluding tax and tip) to "$$$+" as a warning of higher costs. Additionally, the C100B Recommends feature highlights discoveries from judge nominations, which will be updated on the website throughout the year.
Best New Restaurants
Sumibiyaki Arashi (No. 17), a 14-seat, yakitori-centric omakase experience in Vancouver, was named Canada's best new restaurant. Chef-owner Peter Ho ensures each cut of chicken, from thigh to heart, is impeccably cooked and sauced, creating an exploration of subtle flavors and textures. Following Sumibiyaki Arashi are Rôtisserie La Lune (No. 21) and Limbo (No. 23), both located in Montreal.
