What began as a regional celebration in Vancouver has grown into a national culinary barometer. Now in its 16th year, the Chinese Restaurant Awards have long recognised excellence in Chinese cuisine, with a spotlight on flavour, tradition, innovation, and cultural impact.

This year marks a significant evolution for the Awards. With the debut of the Elite 30 Canada, the Chinese Restaurant Awards has expanded from Metro Vancouver to include restaurants across the country, all ranked in a single, coast-to-coast list, reflecting the depth and diversity of Chinese culinary excellence in Canada today.

The Elite 30 list is curated by the newly formed Canada Taste Advisors Panel, chaired by respected food writer and founding judge Lee Man. “What sets our taste advisors apart from other accolades,” he explains, “is that these are individuals who have intimate knowledge of what Chinese cuisine is. They know its flavour, its history, and its nuances because they have been eating it their whole lives.”

Each of the 30 restaurants was selected based not just on reputation, but on the distinctive dishes that define them - and the cultural experiences they offer.

TOP HONOURS

The Metro Vancouver area in British Columbia leads the list with 18 restaurants, showcasing the region’s long-standing Chinese culinary heritage. Ontario follows with 10 honourees from the Greater Toronto Area, while Quebec is represented by two restaurants in Montreal. The full list is ranked and includes both long-time favourites and bold newcomers.

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2025 Elite 30 Canada

1. Dynasty Seafood Restaurant - Vancouver, BC | Cantonese
2. Chang’ An - Vancouver, BC | Shaanxi / Northern Chinese
3. Flavourful House - Richmond Hill, ON | Cantonese
4. Landmark Hotpot House - Vancouver, BC | Hong Kong-Style Hotpot
5. MOTT 32 - Vancouver & Toronto | Peking Duck / Modern Chinese
6. Sea Harbour Restaurant - Richmond, BC | Cantonese
7. Jumbo Lobster Restaurant - Richmond Hill, ON | Cantonese Seafood
8. Bamboo Grove Restaurant - Richmond, BC | Cantonese
9. The Fish Man - Richmond, BC | Sichuan / Cantonese Seafood
10. aKin - Toronto, ON | Modern Asian
11. Jiangnan Wok - Richmond, BC
12. Mimi Chinese - Toronto, ON
13. R&D - Toronto, ON
14. Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant - Richmond, BC
15. iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House - Vancouver, BC
16. Fishman Lobster Clubhouse Restaurant - Scarborough, ON
17. Miss Qu Barbecue & Restaurant - Markham / Scarborough, ON
18. Din Tai Fung - Vancouver, BC
19. Osmanthus Chinese Fusion Restaurant - Richmond, BC
20. Max Noodle House - Richmond, BC
21. Lanxuan Restaurant - Richmond, BC
22. Jade Seafood Restaurant - Richmond, BC
23. Nian Yi Kuai Zi - Markham / Scarborough, ON
24. Oncle Lee Kǎo - Montreal, QC
25. Kalvin Restaurant - Vancouver, BC
26. Loon Fong Hot Pot - Richmond Hill, ON
27. Xi’An Flavour - Richmond, BC
28. Chinatown BBQ - Vancouver, BC
29. HK BBQ Master - Richmond, BC
30. Nouilles de Lan Zhou - Montreal, QC
    

SIGNATURE DISHES WORTH TRAVELLING FOR: VANCOUVER

Despite the growth and expansion of the Chinese Restaurant Awards, Vancouver remains its spiritual, and this year's Critics’ Choice Signature Dish Awards spotlight 13 must-try dishes for travellers planning a visit to the west coast city. Each winning dish stands out for craftsmanship, tradition, and flavour, and the list presents a ready-made itinerary for exploring one of the most dynamic Chinese food scenes in North, guiding visitors beyond tourist zones and into the heart of local food culture. Whether you are in Vancouver for a weekend or building a more extensive culinary itinerary, this list is a delicious way to experience the city, bite by bite.

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Critics’ Choice Signature Dish Winners

• Boiled Beef Brisket with Rice Noodle in Soup - New Town Bakery & Restaurant, Vancouver
• Chayote in Light Vinegar Dressing - Chef Tian’s, Richmond
• Crab & Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao - Din Tai Fung, Vancouver
• Green Pepper Chicken - Xi’An Flavour, Richmond
• Hainanese Chicken with Yellow Rice - Mamalee Malaysian Delight, Vancouver
• Live Abalone with Ginger and Scallion - The Fish Man, Richmond
• Luffa Squash with Clams in Broth - Chang’ An, Vancouver
• Nanjing Big Bowl Noodle - Yuan’s Garden, Richmond
• Pan Fried Bun - Long’s Noodle, Richmond
• Sauteed Bitter Melon with Pine Nuts and Egg White - Sea Harbour Restaurant, Richmond
• Scallion Oil Noodle - Mama’s Dumpling, Richmond
• Signature Lobster “Ma Po Tofu” - MOTT 32, Vancouver
• Wenshi Tofu Soup - Jiangnan Wok, Richmond

SPECIAL HONOURS AND STANDOUT TALENT

In addition to the national rankings and signature dish winners, the 2025 Awards also spotlighted key individuals who are shaping the future of Chinese cuisine in Canada. These recognitions highlight not just kitchen excellence, but broader contributions to culinary leadership, cultural preservation, and community-building:

• Cultural Ambassador of the Year: Carol Lee, Vancouver Chinatown Foundation
• Rising Star Chef of the Year: Andersen Lee, Oncle Lee & Oncle Lee Kǎo, Montreal
• Dim Sum Chef of the Year: Garley Leung, Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, Vancouver
• Master Chef of the Year: Samuel Su, Flavourful House, Richmond Hill

Three restaurants also received DoorDash Diners' Choice Awards, as voted by customers:

• House of Gourmet - Toronto, ON
• Perfect Chinese Restaurant - Scarborough, ON
• Szechuan Chili - Vancouver, BC

A Culinary Guide for the Curious Traveller

The 2025 Chinese Restaurant Awards do more than recognize excellence. They offer a curated list for anyone seeking authentic, exciting, and flavour-rich Chinese cuisine across Canada. Whether you're in it for a bowl of Lanzhou beef noodles, a perfectly roasted duck, or the subtle texture of handmade dim sum, this list is your guide to the best Chinese restaurants in the country right now.

To explore more, including dish-by-dish recommendations and the newly launched Elite 15 Asia, visit chineserestaurantawards.com