This year marks the 25th anniversary of Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants, an annual ranking of Canada's top new places to eat

Two Calgary eateries have landed on the list of finalists for Air Canada’s annual rankings of the country’s top restaurants.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants, an annual ranking of Canada’s top new places to eat that also provides support for future culinary talent, the airline said in a news release issued Thursday.

Among the 30 finalists is Penny Crown Tavern in Marda Loop, 1926 34th Ave. S.W., a New York-style tavern that’s sibling to such renowned nearby establishments DOPO, Bar Rocca and Quarters, all operated by restaurateur Tony Migliarese.

“Tony and I were trying to figure out what the neighbourhood needed and what would work in the area and build the culture up,” former executive chef David Leeder told food writer Elizabeth Chorney-Booth in a prior interview. “After living in New York, my heart was set on the idea of doing a New York-style tavern like Minetta or Red Hook as a love letter to these great restaurants.”

Also on the short list is Sushi Jun, 13200 Macleod Tr., operating from an intimate sushi bar and offering a pure expression of culinary director Jun Young Park’s deep love of traditional omakase, according to Chorney-Booth.

“Omakase is not just about delicious food. It’s about timing,” Park told Chorney-Booth. “Most of the things you’ll remember are about the vibe, the moment.”

The 2026 edition of the annual restaurant rankings also serves as a spotlight for the Air Canada Foundation’s participation in La Tablée des Chefs’ national Kitchen Brigades program, a culinary education initiative.

The foundation has provided $25,000 to the program this year, according to the news release.

“The program helps high school students build cooking skills, teamwork, leadership, and creativity while discovering new foods and developing healthy eating habits, while supporting the continued strength of Canada’s restaurant industry,” the statement said.

The final list of Canada’s top 10 new restaurants will be revealed on Nov. 16.

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