Canadian restaurants have earned eight North American honours at the 2026 World Culinary Awards, with establishments in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario recognized for everything from Japanese cuisine to rooftop dining.
Credit: Don Alfonso 1890
Toronto’s Don Alfonso 1890 also secured an international title, winning World’s Best Fine Dining Experience.
The seventh annual awards were celebrated at Princess Grand Jamaica, recognizing restaurants, culinary destinations and hospitality experiences from around the world.
Canadian Winners at the 2026 World Culinary Awards
Eight Canadian establishments received North American awards:
- World’s Best Fine Dining Experience/North America’s Best Fine Dining Experience: Don Alfonso 1890, Toronto, ON – Located on the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle, this Italian fine dining restaurant offers Mediterranean-inspired tasting menus with panoramic views of Toronto’s waterfront.
- North America’s Best Restaurant: Baan Lao, Richmond, BC – Located in Steveston Village, chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng’s restaurant specializes in Royal Thai cuisine, serving multi-course tasting menus inspired by Thailand’s traditional culinary heritage.
- North America’s Best Japanese Cuisine Restaurant: Masayoshi, Vancouver, BC – Chef Masayoshi Baba’s intimate Japanese restaurant specializes in omakase dining, featuring Edomae-style sushi, seasonal seafood and carefully prepared fish served at the counter.
- North America’s Best Landmark Restaurant: Sky Bistro, Banff, AB
Credit: Banff Gondola
Perched atop Sulphur Mountain and accessible by the Banff Gondola, Sky Bistro serves contemporary Canadian cuisine featuring regional ingredients alongside sweeping Rocky Mountain views.
- North America’s Best Rooftop Restaurant: Terrasse Nelligan, Montréal, QC – Located atop Hôtel Nelligan in Old Montréal, this seasonal rooftop restaurant offers Mediterranean-inspired dishes and cocktails, with views of the city’s historic neighbourhoods.
- North America’s Best Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant: Mama C, Montréal, QC – This Old Montréal restaurant focuses on modern Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, featuring shareable mezze, grilled meats, seafood and dishes inspired by traditional Aegean flavours.
- North America’s Best Hotel Restaurant: LOUIX LOUIS at The St. Regis Toronto, Toronto, ON – Situated on the hotel’s 31st floor, LOUIX LOUIS combines French-inspired cuisine with elaborate interiors, city views and an extensive collection of premium spirits.
- North America’s Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant: Hawksworth Restaurant at Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver, BC – Led by chef David Hawksworth, the restaurant offers contemporary Canadian cuisine influenced by Pacific Northwest ingredients, European culinary techniques and seasonal West Coast flavours.
Baan Lao also received Canada’s Best Restaurant, while LOUIX LOUIS earned Canada’s Best Hotel Restaurant.
World’s Best Culinary Awards Winners
Beyond Canada’s North American success, the awards recognized restaurants and culinary experiences from across the globe.
The Cullinan Dubai won World’s Best Restaurant, while Peru’s Quipas Restaurante was named World’s Best New Restaurant.
Other global winners included:
- World’s Best Fine Dining Experience: Don Alfonso 1890, Canada
- World’s Best Hotel Restaurant: La Pergola at Rome Cavalieri, Italy
- World’s Best Restaurant Brand: Nobu
- World’s Best Culinary Festival: Saigontourist Group Culinary Culture, Delicacies Festival
- World’s Best Culinary Experience: At.Mosphere Burj Khalifa, Dubai
- World’s Best Culinary Hotel: lebua at State Tower, Thailand
- World’s Best Culinary Resort: Forte Village Resort, Italy
- World’s Best Culinary Cruise Ship: Star Princess
- World’s Best Culinary Destination: United States
- World’s Best Culinary City Destination: New York City
Rina van Staden, Director of World Culinary Awards, said the winners reflect the “extraordinary talent, imagination and dedication driving the global culinary industry.”
According to the World Culinary Awards website, nominations are free and open to industry members and consumers, subject to eligibility checks. Culinary professionals, experts, and the public determine winners through online voting. Votes are verified before winners are announced at the annual awards ceremony.
The complete list of winners is available on the 2026 World Culinary Awards website.