Pamela MacNaughtanLast Updated on October 30, 2024 by Pamela MacNaughtan
The best restaurants in Quebec City are micro-restaurants, bistros, casse-croûtes, shared tables, and iconic fine dining establishments. They range in price from affordable to luxury, span a variety of cuisines, and share a love for quality local ingredients.
Quebec City is known for its European charm, but it’s the ‘big village vibe’ that visitors fall in love with. There is a love for life, family, and good food in Quebec that is intoxicating, and Quebec City is one of the best places to experience it – especially its food scene.
“What are the best restaurants in Quebec City?” is a question I hear a lot from readers and friends travelling to Quebec, as well as tourists I meet in my favourite pub or while dining around Quebec City. Answering this question, however, is not as easy as you’d think. As a foodie, picking a favourite restaurant is like a parent picking a favourite child. It’s difficult!
There are restaurants fellow foodies rave about that I haven’t visited (yet!), award-winning restaurants, and Quebec City restaurants I love because the food makes my tastebuds dance and fills me with joy.
Great food can come from anywhere.
Let’s Talk About the Best Restaurants in Quebec City
The Award-Winners
It should come as no surprise that these award-winning restaurants are still among the best restaurants in Quebec City. There are fine dining restaurants, as well as micro-restaurants, and no matter which you go to, the food is the superstar.
Tanière3
A Relais & Châteaux property, and listed as one of Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants, Tanière3 is an exceptional dining experience in the heart of Old Quebec City. Led by chef François-Emmanuel Nicol, Tanière3 creates exquisite dishes using fresh terroir indigenous to Quebec.
This Michelin star-worthy dining experience takes place in the 17th-century vaults under Bistro L’Orygine. Each dish is a piece of art, with intricately layered flavours. The signature dish, scallops with caviar and raphaëlle potatoes is always on the menu, the rest of the menu changing a couple of dishes at a time. Past dishes have included arctic char with spruce bark and maïtke mushroom, and lobster bisque with prickly ash pepper.
Where: 361/2, rue Saint-Pierre • Neighbourhood: Place-Royale • 418-872-4386 • taniere3.com • Reservations required • 15-20-Course Tasting Menu: 250 CAD • Chef’s Table: 290 CAD • Open: Thurs – Sun 5pm to 9:15pm
Laurie Raphaël
Laurie Raphaël has been one of the best restaurants in Quebec City for decades. Named after his children, chef Daniel Vézina opened the restaurant in 1991. It’s known for its beautiful deconstructed creations, and since its opening, Daniel has become a celebrity chef with multiple TV shows and cookbooks. Today, his son, chef Raphaël Vézina commands the kitchen.
The tasting menus at Laurie Raphaël focus on flavours indigenous to the land and waters of Quebec. The dishes, which change regularly, are lucious in presentation and flavour. Try dishes like bellarosa potato gnocchi with squash cream, and Siberian caviar with smoked buttermilk leeks. Wine and cocktail pairings are available to evelvate the experience further.
Where: 117, rue Dalhousie • Neighbourhood: Vieux-Port (Old Port) • 418-692-4555 • laurieraphael.com • Reservations required • 5 or 8-Course Tasting Menu: 140 to 185 CAD • Open: Wed – Sat 5:30pm to 9pm
Restaurant Légende
Showcasing the terroir of Quebec, chef and co-owner Elliot Beaudoin creates stunning dishes. Named one of the best new restaurants in Canada in 2014 by enRoute Magazine, Restaurant Légende continues to wow diners, as well as mentor talented upcoming chefs.
Flacours are expertly layered and dishes like pan-seared scallops with carrot and shiso curry-style sauce, and blackened cod in a white butter sauce (image above) will sit lovingly in one’s memory for a long time. Restaurant Légende has been one of the best restaurants in Quebec City for ten years, and I hope it will remain so for the next ten years.
Where: 255, rue Saint-Paul • Neighbourhood: Vieux-Port (Old Port) • 418-614-2555 • restaurantlegende.com • Reservations required • 6-Course Tasting Menu: 110 CAD • À La Carte Mains: 24-37 CAD • Vegetarian options are available • Open daily 5pm to 9pm (9:30pm Fri & Sat)
Battuto
Don’t let this small Italian restaurant on a quiet corner of Boulevard Langelier fool you, it was named one of the best new restaurants in Canada by enRoute Magazine in 2017. The ambience is sun-soaked and relaxing, with an open kitchen, and limited seating.
Led by Guillaume St-Pierre, the menu at Battuto features the best of Quebec terroir, creating dishes that are flavourful, creative, and well-balanced. There’s fried polenta with creamy artichokes and gremolata; Gaspésie char with oyster cream and salsa verde; a ziti with braised veal ragù; and unforgettable tiramisu. I mean, there are other dishes too, but these are… *chef’s kiss*.
Where: 527, boulevard Langelier • Neighbourhood: Saint-Roch • 418-614-4414 • batutto.ca • Reservations required (book 1-2 months in advance) • Mains: 22 to 27 CAD • Open: Tues – Sat 5:30pm to 10pm
ARVI
Voted as the number one best new restaurant in Canada in 2019 by enRoute Magazine, Arvi has a rustic-chic vibe, with exposed brick and concrete walls, marble tabletops, and navy blue banquette seats. Its open kitchen is a stage where passionate chefs prepare exquisite cuisine – the true diva of the restaurant.
Arvi serves a 5-course tasting menu, with a couple of add-on options like oysters and a foie gras on brioche that’s close to reaching legendary status. Every dish at ARVI is a visual masterpiece and the marriage of flavours is divine. The wine selection is impressive, as is the beer list.
Where: 519, ave 3ème • Neighbourhood: Limoilou • 581-742-4202 • restaurantarvi.ca • Reservations required • 5-Course Tasting Menu: 95 CAD • Vegetarian tasting menu is available • Open Tues – Sat 6pm to 10pm
Best Restaurants in Quebec City
Watching Quebec City’s food scene grow and evolve, especially over the last 3-4 years is truly exciting. I’m asked to share my favourite restaurants a lot and my first response is ‘What kind of foods do you like to eat‘ because picking ONE restaurant to be the best is not possible. So here are the places I recommend the most.
Melba
I cannot talk about the best restaurants in Quebec City without talking about one of the hottest new restaurants (2023), Melba. Located in the Saint-Sô neighbourhood, it’s easy to miss Melba as there is no sign outside the restaurant. It’s a beautiful mico-restaurant serving French cuisine.
The menu features dishes like scallops with squash bouillabaisse, lemon and spicy oil; rabbit with olives, roasted carrots, and prunes; and Barbajuans with black pudding, apple chutney and pork belly. Every dish is gorgeous and delicious, and they serve Belgian beer from Cantillon brewery. Glorious.
Where: 398, rue Saint-Vallier Ouest • Neighbourhood: Saint-Sô (Saint-Sauveur) • 418-614-3042 • restaurantmelba.ca • Reservations required • Mains: 20 to 34 CAD • Open: Mon – Fri 5:30pm to 10pm
Patente et Machin
A local favourite, Patente et Machin may be a small restaurant, but it packs a culinary punch like no other. The restaurant, with its exposed brick walls, wooden tables and chairs, and eclectic décor is known for its warm atmosphere and impressive wine list.
Led by a passionate team, the cuisine is French, and the menu changes regularly. The menu at Patente et Machin uses fresh locally sourced ingredients, like many of the restaurants on this list. The sweetbreads, when on the menu, come highly recommended. Each dish that leaves the kitchen is artfully prepared with delicate layers of flavour and pops of colour. Arrive hungry, the portions are generous.
Where: 82, rue Saint-Joseph Ouest • Neighbourhood: Saint-Sô (Saint-Sauveur) • 581-981-3999 • Reservations recommended • Mains: 35 to 40 CAD • Open: Tues – Sat 6pm to 11pm
Le Fin Gourmet
I will remember the grilled morels with tarragon cream sauce for the rest of my life. Honestly, every dish at Le Fin Gourmet is delicious, but the morels were next-level good. This small bistro, run by a mother-daughter team, is tucked away on a quiet corner of the Saint-Sô neighbourhood and has been open since 1996.
The menu, which changes on occasion, features small dishes, tapas, and sides, all of which include locally sourced ingredients. Try the morels if they are available. The sweetbreads, I’m told, are good here as well. The duck gravlax is tender and flavourful. The wine list is impressive, and I recommend asking for pairing recommendations. Order three or more dishes and share, it’s the best way.
Where: 774, rue Raol-Jobin • Neighbourhood: Saint-Sô (Saint-Sauveur) • 418-682-5849 • lefingourmet.ca • Reservations recommended • Mains: 21 to 26 CAD • Open: Tues to Fri 11:30am to 3pm & 4:30pm to 10pm; Sat 4:30pm to 10pm
Verre Pickl’
Avenue Maguire in Sillery is Verre Pickl’, a micro-restaurant and one of the best restaurants in Quebec City for modern Mexican cuisine. Owned and operated by chefs Alexandra Romero and Jérôme Gilpin, diners at Verre Pickl’ are seated at a shared table, which gives the evening a dinner party vibe.
The menu here changes monthly, featuring dishes made with authentic Mexican flavours, alongside French and Quebec ingredients. On my visit, the cochinita pibil with squash and habanero purée (pictured above) was superb – along with a dish of seared scallops in a chicharrón crème sauce. It’s a truly special dining experience.
Where: 1314, ave Maguire • Neighbourhood: Sillery • 581-748-8750 • verrepickl.ca • Reservations required • 5-course Tasting Menu: 98 CAD • Open: Wed to Sat 6pm to 11:30pm
l’Affaire est Ketchup
A micro-restaurant in the neighbourhood of Saint-Roch, L’Affaire est ketchup’s ‘claim to fame’ is the seal of approval by the food God himself, Anthony Bourdain. It’s a high honour, and the popularity of this restaurant among locals, chefs, and visitors continues today. The restaurant’s decor is as funky and eclectic as the chefs themselves, and the best seats are at the bar with a view of the kitchen.
The menu at l’Affaire est Ketchup changes with the seasons and the mood of the chefs. The cuisine is French, and the dishes are hearty and beautifully plated. When sweetbreads are on the menu, order it, you won’t regret it. Put yourself into the hands of the chefs for a truly memorable dining experience.
Where: 46, rue Saint-Joseph Est • Neighbourhood: Saint-Roch • 418-529-9020 • Reservations recommended • Mains: 36 to 39 CAD • Open daily 6pm to 11pm (10pm Sun & Mon)
Le Clan
Headed by famed chef Stéphane Modat (who worked at Château Frontenac‘s Champlain restaurant for 10 years), Le Clan is the newest fine dining restaurant in Old Québec City. This small restaurant can be found on rue des Jardins, next to Épicerie Richard, steps away from bustling rue Saint-Louis.
There is a choice of a 4-course or 6-course tasting menu at Le Clan, which features dishes created using ingredients indigenous to Québec. This restaurant is one of the few in the city where I loved everything I was served. If you want the enjoy the full experience, go with the 6-course tasting menu along with a wine pairing (which is curated by Master Sommelier, Pier-Alexis Soulière). *There is no à la carte menu here.
Where: 44, rue des Jardins • Neighbourhood: Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec) • 418-692-0333 • restaurantleclan.com • Reservations required • 4 or 6-course Tasting menu: 72 to 99 CAD • Brunch menu: 26 to 29 CAD • Open daily 11:30am to 2pm & 5pm to 9:30pm (9am to 2pm Sat & Sun; 5pm to 10 pm Fri & Sat; 5pm to 9:30pm Sun)
Buvette Scott
A local favourite, Buvette Scott is one of a handful of micro-restaurants in Québec City which consistently serve food that is not only visually pleasing but delicious as well. The restaurant itself is unpretentious, with diner-style tables and chalkboard menus hanging on the walls. The ambience is relaxed, with charming waitstaff ready to guide you through an evening filled with good wine and even better food.
The menu, which changes regularly, highlights Québec terroir. Dishes are creative and abounding with a mixture of deep and delicate flavours. If you’re dining with friends, order a few dishes and eat family-style. Honestly, Buvette Scott hits a home run almost every time.
Where: 821, rue Scott • Neighbourhood: Saint-Jean-Baptiste • 581-741-4464 • buvettescott.com • Reservations Recommended • Open: Tues – Sat 5pm to 10pm
Tapas & Liège
A striking restaurant on Avenue Maguire in Sillery, this tapas restaurant has been one of the best restaurants in Québec City since it opened its doors. Tapas et Liège’s décor is sophisticated and fun, with beige leather button-back banquettes, a fun cork wall, and large windows. A large bar sits in the centre with green wine bottles hanging from the ceiling.
The lunch menu (Thurs & Fri) is prix fixe, but the dinner menu is where the restaurant truly shines. Bring friends and choose several small plates; burrata is highly recommended, and the crevette adobo, mahi-mahi, and hummus with lime and jalapeno are also quite good.
Where: 1297, ave Maguire • Neighbourhood: Sillery • 418-653-2727 • tapasetliege.com • Reservations recommended • Tapas: 4–25 • Open: Tues & Wed 5pm to 9pm, Thurs 5pm to 9:30 pm, Fri & Sat 5pm to 10pm. Lunch served Thurs & Fri 11:30am to 1:30pm
**All prices in this article (and on this website) are in Canadian Dollars (CAD, and are subject to change. **
