This Edmonton restaurant was named a finalist for Air Canada's Best New Restaurants
Air Canada has just unveiled the 30 finalists for its Best New Restaurants list this year, and one special Edmonton restaurant made the list.
“For 25 years, Air Canada has celebrated the people and plates defining Canadian dining,” said Andy Shibata, vice president, brand at Air Canada. “This year isn’t just about looking back at the icons who transformed our food culture; it’s about fuelling the future. From the 30 standout finalists on this year’s list to the young aspiring chefs entering the kitchen for the first time, we’re proud to back the talent, diversity, and creativity driving Canadian dining forward.”
After searching from coast to coast, Air Canada has finally made its decision and released the names of the finalists for this year’s list.
Rita Trattoria, an Edmonton Italian restaurant, was named one of the 2026 finalists for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants. Out of all 30 finalists, this is the only restaurant on the list from Edmonton.
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For those who aren’t familiar with the restaurant and its history, we’ll give you a quick rundown.
Rita Trattoria opened its doors in August 2025 in the former Uccellino space, and it’s since grown to be a popular hot spot in the city for its incredible Italian dinner service. Chef Daniel Costa was known around the city for his incredible Italian-influenced cuisine.
“There is a sense of history to Rita, both real and imagined. The familiar bones of Uccellino remain, while an old schoolroom map of Italy, paintings and found objects give the room the feeling of having evolved over time,” reads Air Canada’s description of the restaurant. “For all that is new, Rita feels less like a reinvention than another chapter in a story Edmonton already knows well: the timeless pleasures of good pasta, good wine, a crowded table, and plenty of reasons to stay a little longer.”
The official top 10 restaurants on Air Canada’s list will be unveiled on Nov. 16 this year.
Rita Trattoria
Address: 10349 Jasper Ave., Edmonton
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