A quiet corner of Niagara has just earned the title of home to Canada’s best restaurant. Pearl Morissette, located in Jordan Station, Ontario, has claimed the #1 spot on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list for 2025.
This marks the first time a rural fine-dining establishment has topped the prestigious annual ranking. Founded in 2017 by chefs Eric Robertson and Daniel Hadida, the restaurant is nestled within the Pearl Morissette winery and quickly rose to national acclaim.
Featuring a French-inspired menu that emphasizes seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, Pearl Morissette seats only 40 guests and is often booked months in advance. After receiving a Michelin star last fall, this latest honor is expected to make it even busier. Chef Robertson says the recognition brings a new level of responsibility—to showcase Canadian ingredients, celebrate local farmers, and elevate Canada’s food and hospitality industry.
Pearl Morissette embodies a European-style “destination dining” experience, where guests travel into the countryside for a meal surrounded by nature. Robertson, who has worked in Michelin-starred kitchens across Belgium, Sweden, and France, believes Niagara’s warm climate and rich natural bounty make it the perfect setting. The restaurant highlights regional ingredients such as figs, persimmons, lake fish, and foraged wild mushrooms—all sourced from nearby fields, forests, and waters.
The 2025 ranking, announced Monday night, placed Pearl Morissette ahead of acclaimed restaurants in major cities like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa. Rounding out the top five are Mon Lapin (Montreal), Alo, Edulis, and 20 Victoria (all in Toronto).
On social media, the restaurant reaffirmed its commitment to community, proudly collaborating with local artisans, farmers, and fishers. Their mission: to elevate Canadian ingredients through fine dining and honor the natural beauty of the land. With this achievement, Pearl Morissette has firmly placed Canada on the global culinary map.
