best restaurants in quebec city for oysters

Where to Eat Oysters in Quebec City

Last Updated on December 24, 2023 by Pamela MacNaughtan

Choosing where to eat oysters in Quebec City is not a challenging task, but it does make one incredibly hungry! Oysters are an aphrodisiac, and Quebec City is known as one of the most romantic cities in North America, it’s the perfect marriage.

It seems as though new oyster bars are opening up throughout the city each year, and we are here for all of them.

Are you ready to start slurping back some incredibly fresh, slightly briny oysters? I know we are!

here’s where to eat oysters quebec city!

arvi

Let’s be honest, Arvi is one of the 10 best restaurants in Quebec City, period. This newcomer is enjoying well-deserved accolades after being named the number one best new restaurant in Canada by enRoute magazine.

Located in Limoilou, Arvi is a small restaurant with a lively ambiance that draws you in slowly and methodically. The kitchen is open-concept and the staff is incredible. An ideal choice for enjoying a platter of fresh oysters.

Reservations recommended.

vegetarian restaurants and shops

vegetarian options

accessible

neighbourhood: limoilou | 519, ave 3e | 581-742-4202

kraken cru

Kraken Cru is a small restaurant in Saint-Sauveur with a bright red exterior, bare-bones interior, and one of the most revered oyster bars in Quebec City.

Run by the team behind restaurants such as Patente et Machin, and Albacore, the food at Kraken Cru is of equal quality. The menu is written on a chalkboard behind the bar. Of course, the oysters, as well as the oyster shots (yes, shots!). Are highly recommended!!

neighbourhood: saint-sauveur | 190, rue saint-vallier ouest | 581-741-9099

albacore

Tucked on a quiet corner of Saint-Jean-Baptiste beside Swiss restaurant, La Grolla, Albacore is known as one of the best seafood restaurants in Quebec City. Headed by a young and passionate team, the restaurant features white walls and tiled floors, a reclaimed wood bar, and plenty of light. The wall of paint-splattered (think Jackson Pollock) skateboard decks are particularly interesting.

The seafood is always fresh and high quality, making Albacore one of our go-to spots for delights such as oysters – let’s not forget lobster and tuna and salmon.

neighbourhood: saint-jean-baptiste | 819, côte d’abrahram | 418-914-6441

jjacques

An exciting new restaurant in Quebec City, JJacques is a micro-restaurant in Saint-Roch with a chic interior of rich plush burgundy, cream, and sage green, slender and ideal for intimate outings with friends.

The menu at JJacques is small, fresh, and succulent. The oysters are, of course, available in 1/2 dozen, dozen, and two-dozen portions. Their seafood tier, filled with oysters and lobster and shrimp and crab. It’s simply inspired. Like a seafood afternoon tea, but without the tea, and after 5pm.

Read our review here.

neighbourhood: saint-roch | 341, rue saint-joseph est | 438-792-4445

restaurant ophelia

Grande-Allée is one of the most vibrant streets near Old Quebec City’s Upper Town and Parliament Hill. Restaurant Ophelia is a stunning restaurant and bar with white tiles, marble and leather. The exposed brick adds a rustic vibe to the shiny chic.

The menu is seafood-focused. Dishes are prepared with fresh high-quality ingredients, locally sourced when possible. The Oysters Rockefeller come in 3s or 6s, while their cold assorted oysters are served by the half-dozen or dozen. Honestly, we recommend doing both for a fulfilling oyster experience.

neighbourhood: montcalm | 634, grande allée est | 418-524-8228

torii izakaya

A superb Japanese restaurant in Saint-Roch, Torii Izakaya is one of those restaurants where you want to settle down at a table with friends and order one of everything on the menu. It’s sophisticated and accessible, tasty, and inspired.

While oysters are not featured on their regular menu, they are available during the Oysters Tresor du Large season in Quebec (Sep–Jan). So be sure to get them while they are available!

women-owned businesses

women-owned

lgbtqia2s+ safe space

lgbtqia2s+ safe space

vegetarian restaurants and shops

vegetarian options

accessible

women-ownedneighbourhood: saint-roch | 771 rue saint-joseph est | 581-981-8674

bistro l’orygine

A beautiful restaurant with light-coloured worn wooden floors, teal accents and eco-friendly napkins, Bistro L’Orygine serves organic boréal cuisine (the use of herbs and berries, root vegetables, domestic meat and wild game).

Oysters mignonette are served on their lunch, dinner, and brunch menus, available in 6, 12, or 18. As with the other restaurants in this article, the oysters are very fresh and absolutely luscious.

women-owned businesses

women-owned

lgbtqia2s+ safe space

lgbtqia2s+ safe space

vegan restaurants and shops

vegan options available

women-owned + lgbtqia2s+ save spaceneighbourhood: place-royale | 36, rue saint-pierre | 418-872-4386

bar artefact

Located inside Auberge Saint-Antoine in Old Port (Vieux-Port), Bar Artefact is one of the best hotel bars in Quebec City. We love its mid-century modern design, and cozy alcoves complete with roaring fires during the cold winter months. Sit at the bar, or choose a table near the fireplace, either one is excellent.

The menu features dishes made with Quebec terroir, fresh and inspiring dishes similar to those found at the hotel’s restaurant, Chez Muffy. Treat yourself to cold oysters (available in twos, sizes, and by the dozen) and a glass or two of bubbly. So. Good.

lgbtqia2s+ safe space

lgbtqia2s+ safe space

vegetarian restaurants and shops

vegetarian options

lgbtqia2s+ safe spaceneighbourhood: vieux-port, 8 rue saint-antoine | 418-692-2211

buvette scott

A cherished micro-restaurant in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Buvette Scott is a go-to for local foodies in the area. The décor is minimal and eclectic, the wine list is quite good, the staff is superb, and the food? Unforgettable.

The restaurant’s menu changes regularly, featuring dishes made with locally-grown ingredients. Oysters are a popular choice during the season, with their own Scott twist.

neighbourhood: saint-jean-baptiste |811, rue scott | 581-741-4464

maison livernois

A new restaurant in Old Quebec City (they took over space once occupied by Batinse), Maison Livernois is known for their distilled gin. The restaurant itself is rustic and cozy, with exposed brick walls, brown octagon-tiled floors, and assorted leathers.

They serve oysters mignonette in sixes or by the dozen, which also come with your choice of a bloody caesar or house gin. The remainder of the menu is French-inspired and pretty tasty.

lgbtqia2s+ safe space

lgbtqia2s+ safe space

vegetarian restaurants and shops

vegetarian options

accessible

lgbtqia2s+ safe spaceneighbourhood: old quebec city (vieux-quebec) | 1200, rue saint-jean | 581-742-2555