kappo sato toronto

Toronto restaurant was just ranked the best in all of Canada

Air Canada just released its annual top 10 list for Canada's Best New Restaurants, and a Michelin-starred Toronto restaurant just took the top spot. 

Located at 575 Mt Pleasant Rd., Kappo Sato is a Kappo-style Omakase restaurant where the tasting menu is precisely cut and meticulously prepared in front of guests. 

Chef-owner Takeshi Sato boasts more than 20 years of experience as a high-level Japanese chef. Sato is also qualified in tea ceremonies and flower arrangement, as well as a trained sommelier and sake master. 

Becoming a master of Kappo typically requires a dedicated commitment to training, spanning 10 to 15 years. The lengthy apprenticeship requirement is one reason why Kappo chefs and restaurants are a rarity in Canada. 

The two-and-a-half-hour experience at the restaurant is conducted in a tranquil room with an open-facing counter for presentation, with tasting menus currently priced at $360 per person. 

The annual list highlights the top restaurants opening across Canada between late spring 2022 and May 31, 2023, which deliver "exceptional experiences through the quality of their food, level of service, and commitment to culinary creativity." 

The cross-country rankings this year were selected by food critic Amy Rosen, who dined anonymously at more than 30 establishments nominated by food industry experts during her secret month-long journey. 

Here are the top 10 best new restaurants in Canada, according to the list: 

  1. Kappo Sato - Toronto, ON
  2. Wild Blue - Whistler, B.C. 
  3. Marilena Café and Raw Bar - Victoria, B.C.
  4. Rizzo's House of Parm - Fort Erie, ON
  5. Petit Socco - Winnipeg, MB
  6. Bonheur D’Occasion - Montreal, QC
  7. Folke - Vancouver, B.C.
  8. Le Molière par Mousso - Montreal, QC
  9. Espace Old Mill - Stanbridge East, QC
  10. Darlings - Bloomfield, ON
Lead photo by

Renee Suen 


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