Quebec City has become a major North American tourism destination, drawing countless tourists and hotel guests to the area every year. Quebec is not only the capital city of the Province of Quebec, but also a very beautiful walled city that has a lot of old buildings.
It is well known for its rich history, European feel, and French culture. But did you know that it is also known for its fantastic food? It is renowned for its many French restaurants, which provide visitors with an authentic taste of Nouvelle-France without traveling back in time. French cuisine is regarded as one of the finest globally, and the chefs in Quebec City have a vast knowledge of traditional Quebec dishes. We put together this Quebec City guide to help locals and tourists alike find the best places to eat in Quebec.
What is the most popular restaurant in Quebec City?
Le 330
As a tourist, you’ll quickly realize that brunch culture is strong in Quebec and that breakfast restaurants are in abundance. If you’re looking for a good brunch spot, head to Le 330 which is located right next to the old Quebec City. The menu is varied and the food is well presented. We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to have a delicious meal before exploring Quebec City for the rest of the day.
Chez Ashton
Chez Ashton is a fast food restaurant chain that serves hamburgers, french fries, soft drinks, milkshakes, and desserts. Their restaurants are located all around Quebec City, so it’s easy to find one near you. The quality of their food varies, but they serve good hamburgers and are renowned for their butter crust pizza. You can also buy your meal online or on their app and pick it up in the nearest restaurant without having to wait in line!
ARVI
This unique restaurant is one of the most popular in Quebec City and those who took the time to rate it online gave it a solid 4.8/5 rating. This restaurant’s menu is full of healthy and delicious foods such as salads, sandwiches, pasta, and seafood. The restaurant’s appearance is modern and pleasant, which makes it one of the best places to relax in Quebec City.
Le Saint-Amour
One of the most popular restaurants in Quebec City, Le Saint-Amour, is known for its classic French cuisine. The menu here changes daily based on the availability of fresh ingredients. They also have an extensive wine list with over 400 different bottles available! The restaurant is located inside a historical building once home to a famous painter. You’ll want to make reservations at this restaurant as soon as possible!
Panache
Located inside Hotel 71 in Old Quebec, Panache offers French-Canadian cuisine with a modern twist. The menu here changes seasonally and features locally sourced ingredients whenever possible! You’ll love dining here while enjoying views of the St Lawrence River and the Montmorency Falls from your table.
Le Continental
Le Continental is one of the oldest restaurants in Quebec City, and it’s located in the heart of Old Quebec. This restaurant serves traditional Québécois dishes, and it’s a great place to try some local cuisine.
L’échaudé
L’Échaudé is located inside a beautifully restored stone building dating back to 1778, making it one of the oldest buildings in Quebec City. Celebrity chef Jean Soulard owns the restaurant, and he uses an open-flame grill to make his famous steak tartare and lobster ravioli.
The 16 best restaurants in Quebec City
What food is Quebec City known for?
Here is a list of dishes Quebec City is known for:
- Poutine
- Maple syrup treats
- Tourtière
- Creton
- Steak
- Split pea soup
Poutine
This dish consists of french fries covered with cheese curds and gravy. It dates back to the 1950s and comes from Quebec, although it is now popular in many parts of Canada, the northern United States, and even France. You can find poutine at restaurants throughout the city, and if you’re not shy, ask locals and they will be more than happy to share their go-to poutine place.
Maple syrup treats
If you want to try something sweet, look for maple syrup-based treats such as maple taffy (tire sur la neige), which is a candy made by pouring boiling maple syrup onto snow where it cools and hardens immediately. Alternatively, maple sugar pie (tarte au sucre) is delicious.
Tourtière
This meat pie is made using minced pork or beef combined with spices such as cinnamon and cloves for flavoring, then placed inside pastry dough, with or without potato added to fill it out even more. Grandmothers make the best tourtière!
Creton
Creton is a traditional French-Canadian pork spread which is often enjoyed as a breakfast or brunch item. It is commonly spread on toast or baguette slices. It’s reminiscent of country pâté but it has a unique flavor you can’t miss.
Steak
Quebec City has some of the best steakhouses you will find anywhere in Canada or around the world. Restaurant 1640 offers an incredible fine dining experience with excellent steaks such as the tenderloin steak topped with bacon and blue cheese. If you’re looking for a more casual steakhouse experience, check out Le Provencal, located on St-Jean Street near Chateau Frontenac.
Split Pea Soup
While many people like to think of split pea soup as an American dish, it has been a mainstay of Quebec cuisine since French settlers brought it over in the 18th century. While many restaurants serve their personal recipe of this filling dish, one of the best places to try it is Chez Boulay on Rue Saint-Jean.
What time do people eat dinner in Quebec?
Most people in Canada eat dinner around 17:00 or 18:00, although it can be later in Quebec. In la belle province, it is more common for people to eat dinner later, around 19:00 or 20:00.
A Foodie’s Guide to Quebec City
This Foodie’s Guide to Quebec City needs to begin with the most important meal of the day: Breakfast. We recommend Le 330 for its delicious food and its convenient location. There you’ll be able to try creton and lard beans, which are staples of French Canadian breakfast. A little digestive walk will do you great afterwards!
If food is your main attraction in Quebec City, you can walk to the Grand Marché where you’ll find activities that suit your taste. As Quebec City’s newest foodie destination, the Grand Marché gives its visitors the opportunity to interact with over a hundred producers and processors of the region.
Inspired by the world’s best markets, the Grand Marché de Québec has something for everyone thanks to its variety of exceptionally fresh products and diverse activities available to the public. The market is located in the heart of Quebec City and is a must-see destination for those looking to try the local cuisine. There you’ll find local bread, charcuteries, cheeses, seafood, beer, wine, and spirits.
By the time you’re done at the Grand Marché, you can head to the Petit-Champlain District in Old Quebec. There you’ll find a number of bistros, pastry shops, sweet shops, and souvenir shops all in a Nouvelle-France setting. When you are done visiting everything that the Petit-Champlain District has to offer, it will probably be time for the Apéro! This means you should head towards Grand-Allée.
Grand-Allée is reputed for its phenomenal nightlife in Quebec City, and this includes fine dining. Fine cuisine, Italian restaurants, and casual options all succeed one another on this emblematic street with Second Empire architecture. If you are a fan of microbreweries, you’ve found your street!
For your next day of adventure, we recommend visiting the Island of Orleans. It’s only a short drive from Quebec and once you cross the pont de l’Île d’Orléans you’ll feel transported to a whole other world where time slows down and the food is as fresh as delicious. This island is home to dozens of farmers, wineries, cideries, and renowned cheesemakers. It’s the place to go for a memorable culinary experience.
