For the second consecutive year, Restaurant Pearl Morissette has been named Canada’s best restaurant, reaffirming Niagara’s growing reputation as a culinary powerhouse and placing Ontario firmly at the forefront of the country’s fine-dining scene.
Located in Jordan Station, just west of St. Catharines, the acclaimed restaurant is celebrated for its hyper-local philosophy, combining an on-site farm, bakery, and winery to deliver a deeply seasonal and uniquely Canadian dining experience. The restaurant, led by co-chefs Eric Robertson and Daniel Hadida, also holds two Michelin stars, further cementing its global reputation.
After topping the list in 2025, the team acknowledged that the past year brought both recognition and pressure. Rather than expanding to meet demand, the restaurant scaled back its nightly seating to maintain quality and reduce strain on staff — a decision that reflects its commitment to consistency over volume.
The restaurant’s menu continues to evolve with the seasons, featuring ingredients harvested directly from its farm, including spring vegetables and foraged herbs. For those unable to secure a reservation, the adjacent RPM Bakehouse offers a more casual entry point into the restaurant’s celebrated farm-to-table approach.
While Niagara claimed the top honour, Toronto delivered a strong showing with multiple restaurants ranking among the country’s best.
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Leading the city’s entries is Quetzal at No. 4, followed by Edulis at No. 5. Alo secured the seventh spot, while Restaurant 20 Victoria rounded out the top 10 at No. 10.
In total, 23 restaurants from the Toronto area made the 2026 list, highlighting the region’s depth and diversity in dining — from high-end tasting menus to innovative, globally inspired cuisine.
Ontario and Quebec each placed 32 restaurants on the list, followed by British Columbia with 19, underscoring the dominance of central Canada in the country’s culinary landscape.
According to list editor Jacob Richler, the top-ranked restaurants consistently deliver exceptional experiences, noting that the best establishments stand out for their discipline, creativity and reliability — key traits that define world-class dining.
The 2026 list also introduces a new online category recognizing more casual and affordable eateries, reflecting a broader shift toward celebrating diverse dining experiences beyond traditional fine dining.
Overall, this year’s rankings not only reinforce Ontario’s leadership in Canada’s food scene but also highlight a growing appreciation for locally sourced, seasonal cuisine that connects diners more closely to the land.