Ontario Shines on the World Stage: Three Restaurants Named Among North America’s 50 Best Restaurants
Each year, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list sets the global dining world abuzz — celebrating innovation, storytelling, and unforgettable culinary craft. For food lovers in Ontario, this year’s results bring a particular sense of pride: three Ontario restaurants have earned their place among North America’s most celebrated dining experiences — Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Quetzal, and Mhel. Together, they represent a thrilling cross-section of what modern Canadian dining has become: refined yet unpretentious, deeply rooted in place, and globally resonant.
Restaurant Pearl Morissette — Jordan Station, Ontario
Hidden among the vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula, Restaurant Pearl Morissette has a long list of accolades. Chefs Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson have created an ever-changing tasting menu that dances between discipline and instinct, terroir and imagination. Seasonal produce from their own farm, locally raised meats, and house-fermented ingredients create dishes that are ephemeral yet deeply memorable. Their inclusion on this year’s list cements what Canadian diners have long known: that Pearl Morissette is not just a restaurant, but a philosophy of how food, nature, and time can coexist in perfect rhythm.
Read my full review.
Quetzal — Toronto, Ontario
At Quetzal, the fire is everything. Chefs Julio Guajardo and Steven Molnar have built one of Toronto’s most visually arresting dining rooms — a sweeping marble counter wrapped around an open flame that burns, smokes, and kisses every dish that leaves the kitchen. Drawing from regional Mexican cuisines and executed with a precision that feels almost architectural, Quetzal is a love letter to Mexico refracted through a Canadian lens. From wood-roasted king oyster mushrooms to flame-licked pescado zarandeado, each dish speaks to the primal joy of cooking with heat, smoke, and heart. Their global recognition is both overdue and richly deserved.
Read my full review.
Mhel — Toronto, Ontario
Mhel’s name, a nod to the Filipino word for “honey”, captures its essence: warm, elegant, and quietly disarming. Helmed by Chef-Owner Mhel Carreon, the tasting menu blends modern technique with the soulful flavours of her heritage — adobo-glazed short rib, calamansi-brightened ceviche, and an ube custard that lingers long after the last bite. With impeccable service and an atmosphere that feels both intimate and cinematic, Mhel’s debut on the world stage signals a new era for Toronto dining — one where identity and artistry meet without compromise.
Read my full review.
To see three Ontario restaurants recognized among North America’s best is no small feat — it’s a reflection of how far Canadian cuisine has come. Each of these establishments tells a story that transcends geography: of soil and smoke, heritage and innovation, of the chefs who dare to make food deeply personal. Congrats to all!
Mme. M. xoxo