Last Updated on January 27, 2025 by Pamela MacNaughtan
Note: This post was updated 26 Jan 2025. Closed cafes were deleted, and new ones were added – it’s a continuous pursuit to keep this post fresh.
The diverse array of cafes in Quebec City begs one to take on a circuitous journey through the city; sipping coffee, and nibbling on pastries before sauntering to the next cafe – and the next neighbourhood.
There are cafes inside small museums and attractions; some are hidden in plain sight and others have bold signage. There are tiny ones with a couple of outdoor chairs and a round table, and ones with floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the entire cafe in natural light.
When I first moved to Old Quebec (Uppertown) in 2014, I would walk down to Paillard boulangerie or Chez Temporal for chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and croissants. Paillard’s spacious dining area would be full by 10am, so I’d go when it opened at 7am and stay for a couple of hours.
On rue Couillard, Chez Temporal was quiet, a bit hidden from the heavy foot traffic on rue Saint-Jean. I’d sit at the chunky wood bar, surrounded by quirky neighbourhood artists, and sip on drinks topped with whipped cream while reading a book.
The selection of cafes in Quebec City has grown significantly in the last 11 years, and today, stopping at cafes while wandering through the city’s neighbourhoods is one of my favourite pastimes.
Café Apotek
One of the newest cafes in Quebec City, Café Apotek opened its doors in November 2024 in the Vieux-Port neighbourhood. Its interior features elements of Danish contemporary design. There is a long curved brown and white marble table and old small rustic school stools, and the back wall has floating metal square tabletops paired with squat round metal stools. The lines are clean, some sharp, others flowing.
The building where Café Apotek is located has a completely different vibe. Erected in 1847, it is an ochre-coloured square clay brick building with a rounded truncated corner – with a corner turret on the top floor. On the side facing rue Saint-Paul is the word “Antiques” in brown. It’s worn, especially as new buildings have been erected around it, which is part of its charm. Honestly, I’m thrilled this building remains intact, and now, home to a sleek new cafe.
On my visit, I ordered a chocolat chaud (I am on a constant quest to find the best ones in the city), which is a milky dark chocolate concoction served in a beautifully crafted heavy ceramic cup. Unable to resist the small display of pastries and desserts, I ordered a choux with a creamy coffee-flavoured centre, Basque cheesecake (this style is crustless with a brunt top), and grapefruit pavlova (which was the perfect combination of tart, sweet, and creamy). Everything is made in-house (the chef trained with the talented team at La Cabra in Denmark), and next time I look forward to buying some bread to take home.
Café Apotek: 209, rue Saint-Paul, Vieux-Port • Open Tues-Fri 8am to 4pm, Sat 8am to 5pm, Sun 9am to 5pm • Instagram • Note: this cafe is for enjoying a coffee and nibbles with freinds, not working on a laptop.
La Maison Smith / Smith Café
I visited La Maison Smith on my first trip to Quebec City in 2013, and I have returned many times over the years – it helps that it’s a one-minute walk from where I currently live. There have been a couple of decor updates, otherwise, it has remained the same – excellent coffee, chocolat chaud, and croissants and pastries from Paillard.
Located in Maison Smith in Place-Royale, across from the historic Notre-Dame-des-victoires, La Maison Smith has a large outdoor patio in summer and autumn – perfect for people-watching while sipping coffee and slathering strawberry jam on a flaky croissant. On a hot summer day, they have ice cream, which is a welcome treat. The sandwiches and salads, while good, are overpriced (IMO), so I suggest having lunch in one of the nearby restaurants instead.
While the cafe in Place-Royale is my go-to, there are now several cafe locations throughout the city, all of which are under the name Smith Café. In Old Quebec, there is a Smith Café on rue des Jardins near Hôtel Clarendon, and another on rue Saint-Jean near Hôtel Manoir Victoria. The Smith Café in Limoilou (201, 3e Ave) is perfect for getting some work done while sipping coffee-inspired cocktails; and the location in Charlesburg (7685, 1re Ave) has delicious pizza.
La Maison Smith: 23, rue Notre-Dame, Place-Royale • open daily 7am-6pm – until 7pm Fri & Sat • Instagram • Note: Smith roasts coffee in several of their locations, which can be purchased to enjoy at home.
Café Saint-Henri
It was an exciting day when Saint-Henri in Montreal opened a cafe in Quebec City’s Saint-Roch neighbourhood. Located on the end of rue Saint-Joseph Est, near the Metro grocery store, Café Saint-Henri was an instant hit. The white walls, blonde wood furniture, and wall of floor-to-ceiling windows give the cafe a light and refreshing feel. There are bar-height tables stretching along the windows, and the centre of the cafe has long chunky communal tables.
Café Saint-Henri is a popular spot for coworking, studying, and meeting friends for coffee. They serve insanely delicious donuts, croissants, and scones; the lunch menu is quite good as well. In fact, many locals who work in the area come here for lunch. I love the croissants here, and the donuts too. They also serve a really good chocolat chaud, as well as thé du Labrador – another favourite.
Adhering to the Third Wave coffee movement, Café Saint-Henri takes great pride in the quality of the coffee – which is roasted in-house and sold in bags at the cafe. They also sell bags of coffee from BC-based Parallel 49, and other third wave coffee roasters.
Café Saint-Henri: 849, rue Saint-Jeseph Est, Saint-Roch • Open Mon-Fri 7:30am to 6pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 6pm • Instagram • Note: the food also includes a couple of vegan options.
Maelstrom Café
The moment I learned about Maelstrom Café‘s concept, cafe by day and cocktail bar by night, I was hooked. I love a business that does double duty, and in Quebec City, we have a few that are quite good. They have coffee, they have cocktails, and they have coffee cocktails. It’s a coffee lover’s dream cafe!
Maelstrom Café has an eclectic vibe with mismatched tables and chairs, exposed brick walls, and well-worn wood floors. It’s a popular spot for reading, meeting friends, and doing remote work. In the evening the atmosphere is electric as locals crowd in for drinks and cocktails. The brunch menu has dishes like labneh, breakfast sandwich, gravlax, and eggs benny – as well as a couple of vegan dishes. I’m a huge fan of the breakfast sandwich and the gravlax.
This is a Third Wave coffee shop, with several expresso-based coffees – like most cafes. The real treat here, though, is the cold brew, coffee slushies, and coffee cocktails. Tea lovers will find plenty to enjoy here, too. Maelstrom Café now offers an evening menu of nibbles (think hummus, labneh, scallop crudo, etc). Easily one of my favourite cafes in Quebec City.
Maelstrom Café: 181, Saint-Vallier Est, Saint-Roch • Open Mon 8am to 5pm, Tues-Thurs 8am to 12pm, Fri 8am to 1am, Sat 9am to 1am, Sun 9am to 5pm • Instagram
Le Petit-Dep
A short walk from the Funiculaire and the Breakneck Steps in Le Petit-Dep, a funky little épicerie and cafe which opened in early 2024. Originally from Montreal (there are a few in Old Montreal), Le Petit-Dep is best for grab-and-go coffees and snacks – although, there are four round stools in front of one window if you want to try enjoying a coffee and snack inside.
The shelves here are filled with Quebec terroir; like artisanal maple syrup, jams, and chutneys. There are local wines, fancy candles, handcrafted soaps, and little souvenirs, too. The cafe menu has espresso-based classics, as well as lemonades, teas, chocolat chaud (so good), and my newest obsession, GOLDEN MILK (coconut oil, turmeric, maple syrup, and milk).
In the fridge are wrapped gourmet sandwiches, and the display cases are filled with all kinds of sweet treats (vegan and GF options), croissants, and chocolatine. If you want to indulge a little, buy a New York Roll – a round croissant with a sweet creamy filling. The staff here are super friendly; a great addition to the collection of cafes in Quebec City.
Le Petit-Dep: 52, rue Sous-le-fort, Quartier Petit-Champlain • Open daily 8am to 5pm (until 6pm Fri-Sat) • Instagram
