MORNING DELIGHTS

We start every morning with pastries, we might have a problem, but it’s delicious so we do it anyway. If you like a less sugary start to the day, I have included another spot that might be perfect for you.

LE CROQUEMBOUCHE

This became my absolute favorite morning stop. Their kouign-amann is simply life-changing – buttery, flaky, and with that perfect caramelized sugar crunch. No one does it better than Le Croquembouche. We get a few each morning from the English-speaking staff, and often add in a chocolatine or two.

We have also tried the croissants at Paillard, a popular bakery with several Quebec City locations. They are good, and Paillard is convenient if you are already exploring Old Quebec, but I still think the pastries at Le Croquembouche are better.

LE COCHON DINGUE

This place became another morning ritual. Their breakfast poutine (yes, breakfast poutine!) with hollandaise instead of gravy was a game-changer. The chocolate-stuffed French toast and maple-smoked bacon are equally impressive. Four locations around the city make it easy to find, but the one in the Lower Town has the most charm. So if you are staying in the old city this is a great pick for a delicious start to the day.

OLD QUEBEC CLASSICS

These restaurants are all in old Quebec City and if you happen to be staying there as well, they are all easily walkable. These are true Quebec foods, that have been passed down from generation to generation.

AUX ANCIENS CANADIENS

For the real Quebec experience, this historic restaurant in a 1675 house serves traditional Quebecois cuisine. Their tourtière (meat pie) and maple syrup pie absolutely must be ordered. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit, but the food is what will bring you back. Make reservations – I learned this the hard way!

We have also eaten at La Cuisine in the Saint-Roch neighborhood. It serves good homemade Québécois food in a much more casual setting, but if you only have time for one traditional meal, I would choose Aux Anciens Canadiens.

LA BUCHE

This sugar shack-inspired restaurant offers generous portions of comfort food. The poutine varieties were endless, and their maple-glazed ham was worth every calorie. The rustic decor adds to the experience, making it feel like dining in a traditional Quebec cabin.

Come hungry because portion sizes are large!

LE LAPIN SAUTÉ

Le Lapin Sauté may be one of the most adorable places to eat in Quebec City. It sits right on Rue du Petit-Champlain, surrounded by the charming buildings and shops that make this part of the city so special.

The food was good, although the setting was more memorable to me than the meal. Rabbit is not my favorite, but it was well prepared and managed not to be dry, which can be difficult with rabbit.

I would choose Le Lapin Sauté for its cozy atmosphere and location. It is a lovely place to stop while exploring Petit-Champlain, especially if you want to try rabbit or enjoy a meal in one of the prettiest parts of Quebec City.

POUTINE PARADISE

If you are visiting Quebec you need to at least try the province dish, poutine. Cheese curds on top of fries with some delicious gravy spooned over the top. It may seem strange to make crispy fries wet, but it is one of the yummiest things in the world.

POUTINEVILLE

For poutine enthusiasts, this place is a must-visit. What makes Poutineville special is the build-your-own option where you can customize every aspect of your poutine. Choose your potato style (traditional, mashed, or sweet potato), gravy type, cheese, and endless toppings from pulled pork to foie gras. I created a masterpiece with smoked meat, caramelized onions, and wine sauce that I’m still dreaming about. The portions are variable, so if you aren’t starving, a small is plenty.

LE CHIC SHACK

Gourmet burgers and artisanal poutines make this casual spot a stand-out. If I could only go one place for poutine in the city, this would be it. The poutine is next level with crushed potatoes and lots of toppings. Their homemade sodas and milkshakes are perfect for hot summer days. Located near the Château Frontenac, it’s ideal for refueling during sightseeing without sacrificing quality.

What about Chez Ashton? Chez Ashton is a local fast-food chain that is often recommended as an inexpensive place to try poutine. It is fast and cheap, but the poutine is not nearly as good as the versions at Le Chic Shack or Poutineville. It works when you need a quick meal, but it would not be my first choice if you are only going to try poutine once.

CRÊPES AND QUICK BITES

LE BILLIG

Le Billig is a great place to stop when you want a crêpe without committing to a large meal. We have eaten crêpes here, and they were delicious. My gluten-free son especially likes it because they serve Buckwheat crêpes, which are generally ok for people with gluten issues.

One of the biggest advantages is that Le Billig stays open later than many of Quebec City’s bakeries and cafés. That makes it especially useful when you want dessert or a quick evening snack after sightseeing.

It is located on Rue Saint-Jean, just outside the walls of Old Quebec. The restaurant serves both sweet and savory crêpes, so it can work for lunch or dinner as easily as it does for a treat.

La Maison Smith

You will see La Maison Smith locations all over Quebec City, and I have stopped for hot chocolate there more times than I can count. Quebec City is cold for much of the year, and it is a convenient place to warm up. The pastries I have tried were decent but not particularly memorable, so I would choose Le Croquembouche when the pastry itself is the priority.

WORTH THE SPLURGE

CHEZ BOULAY – BISTRO BORÉAL

I had the tasting menu at Chez Boulay, and it was extraordinary. This is not simply a place to go for great food. The entire experience is built around ingredients from Quebec’s boreal region and helping you understand what makes northern cuisine so special.

They spend time explaining the menu and introducing you to ingredients that grow and thrive in the forests and cold climate of Quebec. The menu may include wild berries, forest mushrooms, game, freshwater fish and herbs that you rarely see used anywhere else.

This is a step above ordinary fine dining. The food is beautifully prepared, but you also leave feeling like you learned something about Quebec and its landscape. Chez Boulay is recommended by the MICHELIN Guide, and it absolutely deserves a place on this list.

RESTAURANT CHAMPLAIN

For a special occasion, the elegant Restaurant Champlain in the Château Frontenac is hard to beat. Their tasting menu highlighting local ingredients was divine. The spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River provides a backdrop that matches the quality of the food.

We often go to Champlain for their brunch buffet both on regular Sundays and their Christmas brunch on Christmas Day. The quality of the food is great, and they have things that kids will love.

If you want to eat at the Frontenac but save some pennies, you could try Le Bistro Sam, where they serve lighter lunch fare. It is just as delicious but more casual.

LE CONTINENTAL

Le Continental is a culinary institution in Quebec City, offering an elegant tableside flambé dining experience that has captivated guests since 1956. Located in the upper town of Old Quebec, this classic French restaurant serves up delicious steaks, fish, and traditional Quebecois cuisine. If you want to get a hold of some delicious escargot, you have found the perfect spot.

L’ORYGINE

L’Orygine in Quebec City is an organic, sustainable, and locally sourced restaurant that serves maybe the best food in Quebec City. I recommend the chef’s tasting menu if you decide to go. As you work your way through each course, you will understand Quebec food in a way you can’t anywhere else.

TIPS FOR DINING IN QUEBEC CITY

• Make lunch your main meal. Many fine restaurants offer similar menus at lunch for much lower prices.
• Try “5 à 7” (their version of happy hour). Several upscale places offer small plates at reduced prices between 5-7 PM.
• Embrace the poutine. It’s everywhere for a reason!
• Learn basic French food terms. Everywhere on this list has English menus, but knowing words like “poulet” (chicken) and “boeuf” (beef) enhances the experience.
• Explore beyond the tourist areas. Some of the best spots are tucked away in neighborhoods like Saint-Roch and Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Quebec City ranks among my top culinary destinations. The blend of French and Canadian influences creates a unique food scene that manages to be both sophisticated and approachable. Whether you’re enjoying a simple crepe from a street vendor or an elegant meal in a centuries-old building, the food of Quebec City tells the story of its culture and history in delicious ways.

Start your day with excellent pastries, explore the markets for local products, indulge in poutine for lunch, and finish with fine dining featuring Quebec’s remarkable local ingredients. This city knows how to eat, and now you do too.

What’s your favorite foodie destination? Drop a comment below – I’m always planning my next delicious adventure!