50 Quebec City Restaurants Open on Christmas Day

Last Updated on November 22, 2024 by Pamela MacNaughtan

Christmas in Quebec City is lovely, especially if there is a fresh layer of snow carpeting the city. It’s also quiet, allowing you to have a more intimate experience with the city. While many businesses are closed on Christmas Day, including restaurants, some remain open for tourists and locals who don’t celebrate Christmas or don’t want to cook.

Quebec City is an underrated culinary destination in Canada, with several showcasing locally grown and raised ingredients. While it is possible to walk into some restaurants and get a table, reservations are highly encouraged, especially during Christmas in Quebec City. 

Old Quebec

Alphonse cuisine & cocktails

Across the street from Jardins de l’Hôtel de Ville de Québec, Alphonse is a charming bistro with floor-to-ceiling windows and a pretty good French onion soup. The menu has dishes like Brussels sprouts Ceasar salad, artichoke hummus, and Nagao pork flank, to name a few. Read my review below.

Address: 19, rue des Jardins • 418-694-0707 • website • $$

Bello Ristorante

Close to La Citadelle and the fortification walls, Bello Ristorante is a lovely Italian restaurant serving classic dishes. It’s a popular choice in Uppertown. The menu features handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. Pasta dishes are available in half or full-size portions. The enclosed terrace in the back offers pretty views throughout the year.

Address: 73, rue Saint-Louis • 418-694-0030 • website • $$$

Bleu Marine

As much as I try to avoid using the words “hidden gem”, Bleu Marine is a hidden gem – it’s very easy to walk by this restaurant without realizing it (look for the stairs leading down from rue Saint-Louis)! The restaurant features upscale French cuisine in a no-frills environment. There’s a speakeasy here too, but I’m not sure if it’ll be open on Christmas Day.

Address: 50, rue Saint-Louis • 418-524-7832 • website • $$-$$$

La Bûche

This urban sugar shack-style restaurant is a favourite in Old Quebec and a perfect choice for Christmas Day dinner in Quebec City. The menu has classic Québécois foods like oreilles des crisse (pork rinds), tourtière, poutine, and pouding chômeur. It’s a fun dining atmosphere, and the portions are quite big, so arrive hungry and take your time. Read my review below.

Address: 49, rue Saint-Louis • 418-694-7272 • website • $$

La Buchette

On the pedestrian side of rue Sainte-Anne is La Buchette, a sister restaurant to La Bûche. The atmosphere is similar… deer heads, gingham, wood panel walls, and traditional Québécois and sugar shack-style foods. The menu is not a copy-paste of La Bûche, thankfully. It’s a great spot for breakfast or lunch.

Address: 24, rue Sainte-Anne • 418-694-3887 • $$

Champlain Restaurant

Fairmont Château Frontenac‘s signature restaurant, Champlain has dark woods and warm lighting, spectacular views of the Saint-Lawrence River, an impressive wine list, and a cheese cave. It’s known for its French cuisine, and during Christmas in Quebec City, the restaurant hosts Christmas brunches and a Christmas dinner.

Address: 1 rue des Carrières • 418-692-3861 • website • $$$-$$$$

Le Clan

Led by Chef Stephan Modat, Le Clan serves fine French cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. The tasting menu changes often, and is available in 4 or 6 courses. The flavours of each dish are artfully layered. The wine list is quite good too. It’s an unforgettable dining experience. Read my review below.

Address: 44 rue des Jardins • 418-692-0333 • website • $$$-$$$$

Cochon Dingue

Cochon Dingue is a French Bistro franchise in Quebec City with blue, white, and red décor. It’s a great restaurant for families, and the menu has several vegetarian options. There is also a gluten-free menu for diners with celiac disease (no need for a translation card here). The menu features dishes like duck confit salad, Québécois hot chicken, burgers, and pot-en-pot.

Address: 1014, rue Saint-Jean • 418-523-2013 • website • $$

Conti Caffe

Conti is a chic little Italian restaurant serving contemporary dishes. It’s a warm space with exposed brick walls, close to the heart of Uppertown in Old Quebec. The restaurant is known for its veal and pasta dishes. Try veal osso bucco Milanese, shrimp Newburg, and warm artichoke and tomato salad. For dessert, go for the mini St. Honoré cake. Some dishes are marked as gluten-free but it is best to double-check to ensure there is no risk of cross-contact.

Address: 32 rue Saint-Louis • 418-692-4191 • website • $$$

Le Continental

This iconic classic French restaurant is a favourite with many locals, and was recommended by Anthony Bourdain, too! It’s a popular spot on fancy gourmet food tours, and known for its tableside Ceasar salad, flambé dishes, and torchon-style foie gras. It’s a perfect place for a memorable Christmas Day dinner in Quebec City.

Address: 26, rue Saint-Louis • 418-694-9995 • website • $$$-$$$$

D’Orsay Restaurant-Pub

During Christmas in Quebec City D’Orsay Restaurant-Pub is perfectly located – it’s across the street from Marché de Noël allemand de Québec. It’s a lively pub with cozy booths and a great view of Old Quebec. The menu is an array of European favourites. They have pub classics like fish and chips, and wings. There are also burgers, steak, poutine, and French onion soup. The menu also has some vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Address: 66, rue de Buade • 418-694-1582 • website • $$

Maison Livernois

Maison Livernois is known for its extensive gin collection, 250 different kinds – along with a couple of house-made gins. You don’t have to be a gin-lover though, they have a pretty good food menu if you want a more lowkey place to hang out on Christmas Day. Order burgers, pizza, or poké bowls – it’s a rather eclectic menu. They also have a children’s menu.

Address: 1200, rue Saint-Jean • 581-742-2555

Le Petit Château

Located next door to Château Frontenac, this is a good place for a quick breakfast or lunch. It’s popular with families and tour groups. The menu has sandwiches, fondues, raclette, and crêpes. Go for the crêpes, fondue and raclette is best experienced at La Grolla (keep scrolling). It’s not going to wow you, but if you have picky eaters it’s a good option.

Address: 5, rue Saint-Louis • 418-694-1616 • $-$$

Pub St-Patrick

A neighbourhood staple in the Uppertown, Pub St-Patrick is a local favourite, and very popular with tourists as well. It’s an inviting pub with a lot of space. The beer selection is good, and the food menu has nachos, French onion soup, tartare, burgers, and salad. There are quite a few Irish classics too, like Irish stew, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie. It’s a lot of fun, especially on holidays like Christmas.

Address: 1200, rue Saint-Jean • 418-694-0618 • website • $-$$

Sapristi

Sapristi is a modern Italian bistro with exposed brick walls, a bar, and views of Old Quebec. The atmosphere is vibrant, and the menu is quite large. Pasta and pizza play large roles here, and the appetizers include Italian-American classics like fried mozzarella sticks and fried calamari. The food is quite good, and the pizzas are wood-fired, which I love.

Address: 1001, rue Saint-Jean • 418-692-2030 • website • $$

Petit-Champlain & Place-Royale

Archibald Microbrasserie

This microbrasserie is close to Petit-Champlain’s umbrella alley and has a large outdoor patio in summer. It’s a family-friendly resto-pub with hearty comfort foods and a large selection of craft beer. The menu is varied, with tartare, burgers, pizza, nachos, shepherd’s pie, and more. They have a kid’s menu too.

Address: 40, rue du Marché-Champlain • 418-694-9144 • website • $$

Cochon Dingue

It’s the same as the Cochon Dingue in Old Quebec but in the heart of Petit-Champlain. The restaurant has nice views of boulevard Champlain, and the menu is French bistro fare like fondue parmesan, French onion soup, and tartare. There are also burgers, salads, etc. A gluten-free menu is available on request.

Address: 46, boulevard Champlain • 418-692-2013 • website • $$

Sapristi

The Petit-Champlain location of Sapristi offers the same menu and dining experience as the one on rue Saint-Jean. It’s close to the stairs leading up to the famous rue du Petit-Champlain, which is quite beautiful during Christmas in Quebec City. Stop for a lunch of pasta or wood-fired pizza, then head back outside to explore further.

Address: 24, boulevard Champlain • 418-694-0303 • website • $$

Rafaella Ristorante

Located beside Batterie-Royale, Rafaella is a new Italian restaurant in Quebec City. It has fun cheery décor, and a pretty good menu of sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and salads. The margherita pizza is quite good with their spicy oil drizzled on top. The portions are good, and they offer a kid’s menu as well.

Address: 21, rue Sous-le-Fort • 418-694-2120 • website • $$

Vieux-Port

Bistro St-Malo

A neighbourhood icon, Bistro St-Malo is small and cozy, and the perfect little French bistro. A great choice for Christmas Day dinner in Quebec City. The menu has traditional French dishes like steamed mussels, tartare, foie gras torchon, duck confit, and boudin noir. Their tarte tatin for dessert is an absolute must (so damn good). Read my review below.

Address: 75, rue Saint-Paul • 418-692-2004 • website • $$-$$$

Le Café du Monde

This Parisian-style bistro has a spectacular view of the Saint-Lawrence River. It’s located at Pier 22, the main cruise ship terminal in Quebec City, and has an outdoor patio in summer. The menu is extensive, with traditional French bistro dishes. Try Provençal-style camembert croquettes, roast duck magret, roasted bone marrow, fish and chips, and more! There is a small kid’s menu available.

Address: 84, rue Dalhousie • 418-692-4455 • website • $$

Chez Muffy

This Relais & Châteaux restaurant inside Auberge Saint-Antoine is a French-Canadian restaurant inside a former 19th-century warehouse. There are exposed brick walls, and thick wood beams stretching across the ceiling. The wood floors are original to the building, and the view of the Saint-Lawrence River is breathtaking. The menus are created using ingredients grown on the restaurant’s farm, and local terroir. On Christmas Day they have a holiday brunch. This restaurant has a kid’s menu. Read my review below.

Address: Auberge Saint-Antoine • 8, rue Saint-Antoine • 418-692-1022 • website • $$$

Chez Rioux & Pettigrew

Seasonal local ingredients are the backbone of the menus at Chez Rioux & Pettigrew. The décor is vintage and eclectic, and the atmosphere is warm and fun. They offer a 4-course tasting menu for 85 CAD, as well as a French-inspired à la carte menu. There are oysters, seasonal fish, duck breasts, and sweet breads. They serve lunch on Thursdays and Fridays, and brunch on Sundays.

Address: 160, rue Saint-Paul • 418-694-4448 • website • $$-$$$

Don Vegan

The first vegan restaurant in Quebec City, Don Vegan is a funky little restaurant perched on a corner in Place FAO. The décor is vibrant and a little chaotic, which is part of the fund here. The menu is a cornucopia of cuisines, with dishes like bibimbap, coconut Thai soup, squash risotto, and beet tartare. The wine list is quite good, and they have great cocktails as well.

Address: 97, rue du Sault-au-Matelot • 418-694-9994 • website • $$

Louise Taverne & Bar à Vin

Located at Hôtel Port-Royal, close to the cruise ship terminal, is Louise Taverne & Bar à Vin. It’s a French tavern with white marble table tops, exposed brick walls, and rich dark wood. There’s a private chef’s table just off the kitchen, and if you’re dining alone the bar is a great place to sit. The menu has French dishes like duck magret and boudin noir, but there are also fish’n chips, spaghetti, and a burger. Read my review below.

Address: 48, rue Saint-Paul • 418-780-7255 • website • $$-$$$

Matto

This has been one of my favourite Italian restaurants in Quebec City for a number of years. It’s always busy with a mix of locals and tourists, so if you want to have Christmas dinner here, make a reservation quickly. The menu is filled with delicious classic Italian dishes, and a few of the pasta dishes are made with homemade pasta. The agnolitti and paparedella dishes are quite good, and the bomba dessert is delightfully rich. Read my review below.

Address: 71, rue Saint-Pierre • 418-266-9444 • website • $$-$$$

Montcalm

Faite à l’os

On Grande-Allée, surrounded by lively bars, is Faite à l’os, a restaurant known for its Southern barbecue and Québécois dishes. There’s tartiflette and brisket dumplings, fried chicken, brisket, and St Louis-style ribs. There are delicious sandwiches, too. The restaurant is small, and almost always busy. It’s a great choice for a flavour-packed meal. Read my review below.

Address: 637, Grande Allée Est • 418-977-9888 • website • $$

INOX Brewery

INOX is a fun little brewpub with pool tables and live music events. They have 11 beers on tap, including a blood orange sour which is quite interesting. The menu is filled with pub bites like hot dogs, sausages, fried cheese curds, and smoked meat sandwiches. They also have a vegan chili with corn chips. It’s great if you want to hang out, meet some locals, and nibble.

Address: 655, Grande Allée Est • 418-692-2877 • website • $$

Ophelia

Ophelia is a gorgeous restaurant known for its steak and seafood, as well as its wine list. It’s lush, and a great spot if you want a bougie-looking spot for dinner on Christmas Day in Quebec City. Oysters are a must, and the seafood platters are quite good. Plats principaux include steamed mussels with fries, boudin noir with scallops, and filet mignon. They have a tomahawk steak, too!

Address: 634, Grande Allée Est • 418-524-8228 • website • $$-$$$

Restaurant Louis Hébert

Auberge Louis-Hébert’s restaurant is a local favourite. It’s a French restaurant with torchon-style foie gras, braised beef cheek, salmon tartare, and octopus salad. They have a prix fixe lunch for 24 CAD, and a large outdoor patio in summer. During Christmas in Quebec City, it’s a warm and inviting spot for dinner before going on a craft cocktail crawl on Grande-Allée.

Address: 668, Grande Allée Est • 418-525-7812 • website • $$

Le Rideau Rouge

Located on Avenue Cartier in the heart of Montcalm, Le Rideau Rouge has fantastic live music events. It’s the perfect spot to meet Quebec artists. The restaurant has a choice of Table d’hôte services, as well as an à la carte menu. Enjoy tartare, burgers, filet mignon, and pasta. They also have a faux-filet dish.

Address: 1147, avenue Cartier • 418-977-6843 • website • $$

Taverne Grande-Allée

This is a great eatery with exposed brick walls, a large square bar, and TVs mounted for playing sports. It’s homey, and on a blustery winter day, it is a great place to escape the elements. The menu is pub fare like bitterballen, poutine, burgers (including a vegetarian burger), and nachos. It’s fun, lowkey, and a short walk from Old Quebec City.

Address: 585, Grande Allée Est • 418-522-8226 • website • $$

Saint-Roch

Le 101 Restaurant de Quartier

Co-owner and chef Charles Gignac is a truly gifted chef and his dishes are a work of art. The menu changes based on seasonally available ingredients, which are all grown locally. The wine list is excellent, and the food is French-inspired. It’s a lovely restaurant for a romantic or fancy Christmas Day dinner.

Address: 101, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 418-694-1168 • website • $$$

l’Affaire est Ketchup

l’Affaire est Ketchup gained immense popularity after a visit by Anthony Bourdain. It’s a small rough-around-the-edges restaurant with fantastic food – all prepared with regular home appliances. The food is Québécois and French-inspired and changes regularly based on what’s available. An excellent dining experience.

Address: 46, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 418-529-9020 • $$$

Bati Bassac

This restaurant is a local favourite for Cambodian and other Southeast Asian dishes. As someone who has spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia, this is the place I go when I am craving foods with authentic Southeast Asian flavours. There are païlin spring rolls, pad Thai, Khmer fried chicken, and incredible rice dishes. Dine in or pick up and enjoy in your hotel room with a Christmas movie.

Address: 125, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 418-522-4567 • website • $$

Deux22

Deux22 is a clothing store, tequila bar, and Mexican restaurant. It’s gloriously quirky, and the food is quite good! Seating space in winter is limited, but don’t let that stop you from going, it’s a super cool place. The menu has burritos, tacos, and quesadillas, as well as scallop ceviche, enchiladas, and empanadas. The drinks menu has tequilas and mezcals, beer, and cocktails – try the Michelada ;).

Address: 222, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 581-742-5222 • website • $$

Mila Ristorante

Located at the Hôtel Royal William, Mila is a new Italian restaurant in Quebec City. It opened in 2024 by chef Charles-Antoine Sirois, who competed in Les Chefs (Quebec’s Master Chef series) in 2023. The menu features classic Italian dishes, many with a Quebec flare. Try dishes like canneloni crudi (beef gravlax, citrus and herb rémoulade, and blue cheese), pasta vongole, and risotto alla boscaiola.

Address: 380, boulevard Charest Est • 418-353-1808 • website • $$$

Nina Pizza Napolitaine

This women-owned pizzeria has been a hit since the day it opened in 2014. The wood fire pizza oven was imported from Napoli, and they trained with a pizzaiolo in New York. Order a pie or two, and try the burrata and the pane con pesto di alici. Celiacs will be happy to know they have gluten-free pizzas (remember to ask about cross-contact). They also have a vegan pizza option. Read my review below

Address: 410, rue Saint-Anselme • 581-742-2012 • website • $$

Noctem Artisans Brasseurs

There are several microbreweries in Quebec City, and while most are closed on Christmas Day, Noctem Artisans Brasseurs is open. Yay! The craft beers at Noctem are cat-themed. There are several on tap, as well as cans that you can buy and enjoy later at your hotel. The food menu is small, but filled with hearty dishes. The chili is quite nice on a chilly day. Read my review below

Address: 438, rue du Parvis • 581-742-7979

Phil Smoked Meat

Quebec is well known for its smoked meat, and there are a few places for succulent smoked meat sandwiches in the city. Phil Smoked Meat is a fun eatery and a great place for a no-fuss family meal. The menu features smoked meat sandwiches, as well as poutines, pizza, and submarine sandwiches. Personally, I like my smoked meat sandwiches with a little fat on them for extra flavour, mustard, and pickle on the side.

Address: 461, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 418-523-4545 • website • $

Poutineville

In case the name is not obvious, this restaurant chain is dedicated to all things poutine. A classic is highly recommended for first-timers – fries and fresh squeaky cheese curds covered in hot delicious gravy. There are 23 different kinds of poutine to choose from on the menu, from Chinese fondue poutine to the Montrealer which comes with a breaded pickle on top. They also serve burgers, and have a kids menu.

Address: 735, rue Saint-Joseph Est • 581-981-8188 • website • $

Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Au Bonnet D’âne

This is a wonderful neighbourhood bistro serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s warm and casual, perfect for relaxing. The breakfast menu features omelettes, a variety of eggs benedict, and crêpes. The rest of the day, they serve burgers, pasta, soups, and salads.

Address: 298, rue Saint-Jean • 418-647-3031 • website • $$

CABU

Hilton Hotel‘s signature restaurant, CABU is a beautiful hotel restaurant with a gourmet menu trying its best to have something for everyone. On Christmas Day they have a special holiday menu. It’s 3 courses for 75 CAD per person. It starts with mushroom and foie gras crostini, followed by a surf and turf wellington, and dessert.

Address: Hilton Hotel • 1100, boulevard René-Lévesque Est • 418-647-6521 • website • $$

La Grolla

Being at La Grolla is like being inside a warm wood chalet in the mountains of Switzerland. It is absolutely charming, and it’s the best restaurant in Quebec City for a fondue dinner. Fondue is quite popular in homes throughout Quebec during the holidays, so in a way, having a fondue for Christmas dinner is like dining with a local family. There are gooey delicious cheese fondues, Chinese fondue, raclette, Swiss steak, and more!

Address: 815, Côte d’Abraham • 418-529-8107 • website • $$

Ninkasi Bar & Bistro

Around the corner from Le Drague, Quebec City’s only drag and cabaret club, Ninkasi Bar is a bar known for its live music events. The menu is typical bar food: poutine, burgers, fish’n chips, panini sandwiches, and nachos. It’s not fancy, but the food is good, and it’s a fun place to hang out. A favourite Quebec City bar.

Address: 801, rue Saint-Jean • 418-529-8538 • website • $$

Limoilou

Miyagi Bistro Thai & Sushi

This is one of my favourite Quebec City restaurants for sushi. It’s a cool little place with exposed brick walls and a small patio in summer. Some of the Thai dishes on the menu are good, but sushi is the best option. The sushi pizza, fried calamari, and imperial spring rolls are excellent too. Dine in, or have sushi delivered directly to your hotel room.

Address: 523, 3e Avenue • 418-614-4040 • website • $$

Nicky Sushi

Yes, another great sushi spot in Limoilou – they have a sushi conveyor belt! The sushi menu is impressive, with 24 different maki rolls, hosomakis, gunkans, and sushi pizza. They also have tartare, spring rolls, and a 46 CAD all-you-can-eat menu. It’s a small space and almost always busy. A perfect place to meet locals and eat sushi until you can’t pick up your chopsticks anymore.

Address: 311, chemin de la Canrdière • 418-845-8484 • website • $$

Restaurant La Salsa

Craving Salvadorian cuisine? Well, you’re in luck! Restaurant La Salsa serves a mix of Latin American foods like papusa, yuca frita, tacos, pozole, and chirimole. It’s an impressively large menu, and very affordable. It’s a good spot to go with friends, order a bunch of dishes, and dine family-style.

Address: 1063, 3e Avenue • 418-522-0032 • website • $-$$

Saint-Sô

Julio Taqueria

This brightly coloured Mexican restaurant is a popular hang-out. There’s a bar, as well as plenty of tables (and a patio in summer). The menu is quite good, with frijoles, queso fundido, tacos (birria, carnitas, al pastor, and yaca), and quesdillas. There are a couple of vegetarian and vegan options available.

Address: 218, rue Saint-Vallier Ouest • 581-300-1261 • website • $-$$

Villa 961

This new Mediterranean restaurant in Quebec City looks like a Greek flag inside – blue walls, blue chairs, and crisp white linens. The menu is comprised of family recipes, many of which are halal. They make great falalfel, kafta, muhammara, grilled calamari, kibbe, and more. It’s best enjoyed with friends who enjoy dining family-style.

Address: 145, rue Saint-Vallier Ouest • 418-527-3373 • website • $$

*note: the above restaurants may change their minds about opening on Christmas day, it is best to make bookings online as soon as you can.