Restaurant Awards

Canadian dining destinations with a passion for wine excellence

VineRoutes’ Restaurant Awards recognize dining destinations across Canada for their standout and memorable food and wine experiences, distinguishing themselves through thoughtful wine selections, service quality, and alignment with their cuisine.

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2026 Restaurant Awards. Please email us at restaurants@vineroutes.com to receive an email update for next year!

Stay tuned for our 2026 Awards announcement in September!

Award Levels

Three award levels help guide readers on quality and dining expectations, with biennial or triennial re-evaluation to ensure ongoing excellence.

Regional Excellence Award

Focused on restaurants prioritizing Canadian wines, requiring at least 50% of their wine list to be local/Canadian (minimum selection number required). Lists must be carefully curated to match the menu’s theme, both in variety and price.

Key Criteria: Diverse and quality driven Canadian wine selection, and a knowledgeable manager or sommelier to assist guests. (Please note that private clubs and winery-owned restaurants exclusively serving their own wines are not eligible at this time.)

Award of Distinction

This award level recognizes restaurants that carry extensive wine selections that showcase multiple regions and varietals.

Key Criteria: Wine programs typically feature 100 or more labels, though exceptions are made for smaller lists that highlight Canadian producers with particular strength (a set minimum of Canadian wine content is not a requirement if your restaurant features a minimum of 100 selections). In-house sommelier or wine director for dinner service.

Vine Award – for Best in Distinction

This is the top honour for restaurants with a premier food and wine service, typically offering a minimum of 300 wine labels that showcase a global perspective, breadth in vintages, and at least 5% Canadian VQA wines in their selection.

Key Criteria: Comprehensive and presentable wine list, flawless customer service, full-time sommelier and wine director displaying comprehensive wine knowledge. Restaurants require a set minimum seating capacity and an overall atmosphere worthy of such an experience. Note: Winners of this award currently maintain their standing for three years before re-evaluation.

Restaurant wine lists must present complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections. Complete producer names and correct spelling is mandatory, and the overall presentation of the list is also considered.

Entering the VineRoutes Restaurant Awards

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2026 Restaurant Awards. Please email us at restaurants@vineroutes.com to receive an email update for next year!

Stay tuned for our 2026 Awards announcement in September. 

The 2027 submission window will run from mid-February to May. Please email us at restaurants@vineroutes.com to be placed on our email reminder list for next year!

Entry Fees

Stay tuned for early bird and standard application rates to be announced early 2027.

Note: Only one restaurant is accepted per application fee (multiple restaurants owned by one owner/company must individually apply).

What is required to apply for an award?

All applicants are required to complete an online application questionnaire, for which you will need the following:

• Digital copies of your wine list and dinner menus
• Name of Chef and Head Sommelier/Wine Director
• Supply a main contact person/email for us to be in touch with
• *You will be contacted at a later time for photos of the restaurant, chef and head sommelier/wine director.

What to know before you apply

Make sure your wine list meets these basic requirements:

• The list must provide vintages, appellations and prices for all selections, including wines by the glass. Award winning restaurants generally have around 100 selections or more. (If your list has less than 100 labels, there are various ways your restaurant can qualify for an award based on the questionnaire that you will fill out.)
• The submitted wine list must be an exact copy of what is currently in use in your restaurant. Lists entered reflect what your customers will see and have access to.
• Entries from private clubs are not eligible. Entries from winery restaurants serving only their winery’s wines are not eligible.
• For more information, please refer to our Awards Information Deck here.

Reminder: Your restaurant’s wine list is merely a starting point for award qualification and consideration. Ultimately, we will further evaluate the overall food and wine experience and how your restaurant’s general atmosphere and service complement that.  

Why apply?

Winning a VineRoutes Restaurant Award offers:

• National visibility: Winners are featured on VineRoutes.com and across VineRoutes’ dining-focused newsletter and social media platforms.
• Editorial recognition: Award-winning restaurants are regularly highlighted in VineRoutes’ restaurant, food and lifestyle coverage.
• Professional distinction: Winners receive an official certificate and digital assets to promote their achievement.

If you have any questions about applying for a Restaurant Award that are not answered here or in the Information Deck, please email restaurants@vineroutes.com.

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Apply Here

Information Deck