17 Best Restaurants in Quebec City, Quebec

Albacore

$$$ | St-Jean-Baptiste Fodor's choice

Seafood lovers, rejoice: Québec City now has its very own ocean-based restaurant, and a great one at that. Helmed by a team of seasoned chefs, this gourmet restaurant provides diners with flavorful, flawless, and generously sized dishes of anything from scallops to clams and marlin tatakis, all nicely complemented by delicate side dishes such as lentils, sorbet (yes, ice cream for dinner!), and edible flowers. It is a light-filled, beautifully appointed venue.

819 Côte d'Abraham, Québec City, Québec, G1R 1A4, Canada
418-914–6441
Known For
  • mandatory reservations
  • imaginative seafood
  • beautiful décor
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch

Battuto

$$$ | St-Roch Fodor's choice

Chef Guillaume Saint-Pierre's love for authentic Italian cuisine led him to open this popular 25-seat restaurant, located off the main Saint-Roch thoroughfares, where he can fully concentrate on that passion with gusto and skill. Italian tradition (there's arancini and vitello tonatto) blend with local flair (there's cacio e pepe with Swiss chard, and scallop crudo). The restaurant has been a huge hit, which means you should reserve weeks in advance, especially on weekends.

527 boul. Langelier, Québec City, Québec, G1K 5P7, Canada
418-614–4414
Known For
  • perfect fresh pasta
  • a blend of local flair and Italian know-how
  • tiramisu for two
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch

Chez Rioux & Pettigrew

$$$ | Lower Town Fodor's choice

This is the place to go for the freshest flavors of Canadian cuisine (think seafood, terroir vegetables, game meat) without the white tablecloth fuss. Chez Rioux & Pettigrew is a casual dining experience in a convivial, inviting venue with exposed brick. Back in 1860, Narcisse Rioux ran a general store here and supplied local restaurants, inns, and hospitals; it only makes sense that the gourmet mission carries on today (complete with trinkets from that former life) in a slightly more hands-on manner. For a bit of everything, opt for their five-service tasting menu, with the wine pairing for an extra C$45. Speaking of their modest yet curated wine list, aficionados will find an interesting selection of orange/maceration wines.

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L'Échaudé

$$$ | Lower Town Fodor's choice

A mix of businesspeople and tourists having been frequenting L'Échaudé for the past 30 years because of its location between the nearby business and antiques districts. For lunch, the flank steak with shallots is a classic, and every day there's excellent fish, tartares, and pasta on the menu. Highlights of the three-course brunch are eggs Benedict and tantalizing desserts. The mahogany lobby and green-and-beige interior are full of warmth, and service is courteous and professional. The interior is modern, with hardwood floors, a mirrored wall, and a stainless-steel bar with backlit river stones underneath; but you'll be lucky to snag a table outside in the warmer months.

Le Clocher Penché

$$$ | St-Roch Fodor's choice

The high ceilings and imposing vault door give away the fact that this was once a bank, but an amiable staff and inventive bistro cuisine (without pretentious fluff) make this establishment a local favorite who munch on well-prepared shareable plates of seasonal, creative, flavorful shareable plates like smoked aubergine with romesco sauce or veal tartare with lemon and fiddleheads. Wine lovers, this restaurant recently hired the best sommelier in Québec City.

203 rue St-Joseph Est, Québec City, Québec, G1K 3B1, Canada
418-640–0597
Known For
  • changing menu using fresh, regional ingredients
  • on-site sommelier
  • beautiful, inviting decor
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential

Alphonse

$$$ | Upper Town

Sun-drenched, open-space corner bistro, complete with black and dark wood accents for a profoundly Parisian flair, serves local fare in a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. From game meat to seafood (try the gin sauce scallops), from fresh pasta to revisited classics (try the Brussel sprouts Ceasal), along with a string of vegan options, Alphonse certainly aims to please. Their cocktail menu is an absolute must, and their wine list features some of the strongest winemakers in Québec.

19 rue des Jardins, Québec City, Québec, G1R 4L4, Canada
418-694–0707
Known For
  • vegan menu
  • wonderful cocktails
  • beautiful space
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.; lunch Wed.–Fri. only.

ARVI

$$$ | Limoilou

The trek to Limoilou is worth it, if it's to dine at ARVI. Local critics have deemed ARVI an unforgettable gourmet experience, and it was selected as one of Canada's 35 top restaurants by Air Canada's in-flight magazine. The restaurant's signature open-plan kitchen right smack in the middle of the tastefully designed space guarantees diners unobstructed views of the chef at work. Food-wise, the prix-fixe tasting menu is a steal at just C$88; expect seasonal fare inspired by local terroir.  If you're into wine, fork out the extra C$55 for the wine pairings.

519 3e avenue, Québec City, Québec, G1L 2W4, Canada
581-742–4202
Known For
  • vegetarian menu
  • wine pairings for meals
  • delicate, creative plates
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch

Aux Anciens Canadiens

$$$ | Upper Town

Named for a 19th-century book by Philippe-Aubert de Gaspé, who once resided in the 1675 house, this establishment has a modern menu and a good wine list, but most people come for the authentic French-Canadian cooking. Servers are dressed in period costume and each of the five dining rooms has a different theme, such as the bright and cheerful vaisselier (dish room), featuring colorful antique dishes and a fireplace. One of the best deals is a three-course meal, starting at C$19.95, available until 5:45 every day.

Bistro L'Orygine

$$$ | Lower Town

One hundred percent organic—that is the promise of L'Orygine, a brand-new bistro in the heart of the Lower Town. With an emphasis on freshness and local flavors, the chef prepares seasonal and shareable plates that are (almost) guilt-free, such as lobster cavatelli and a creative mix of duck and eggplant. The space is beautiful, with an all-glass wine cellar and turquoise seats.

36 1/2 rue St-Pierre, Québec City, Québec, G1K 3Z6, Canada
418-872–4386
Known For
  • vegetarian menu
  • vast patio
  • small plates to share
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.

Ciel!

$$$ | St-Jean-Baptiste

Spectacular views of the whole city are not the only reason to climb up to this rotating restaurant with unobstructed, panoramic views. The service here is friendly and well-managed, and the food is unfussy, creative, and delicious—try the roasted Arctic char with lemon gnocchi and shiitakes or something from the solid brunch menu (on weekends).

L'Entrecôte St-Jean

$$$ | Upper Town

Steak frites (steak with fries) is on menus everywhere in Québec City and in lots of other places throughout the world, but this popular and lively establishment has a 30-year reputation as the master of the dish—L'entrecôte is a particular sirloin cut, usually long and relatively thin. Diners at this red-and-blue-trimmed house choose between three steak sizes, and each comes smothered in the restaurant's signature peppery sauce with a heaping pile of crispy fries. Other French fare graces the menu, such as tender duck confit and smoked salmon salads. For C$35 and up, depending on the size of the steak, the table d'hôte (prix fixe) is a good value. It ends with decadent chocolate profiteroles, proving that this restaurant is more than just beef.

1080 rue St-Jean, Québec City, Québec, G1R 1S4, Canada
418-694–0234
Known For
  • steak frites and signature sauce
  • simple and well executed menu
  • great patio
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sat.–Sun.

Le Café du Monde

$$$ | Lower Town

Next to the cruise terminal in the Old Port, this massive, Parisian-bistro-style restaurant with etched-glass dividers and palm trees has a spectacular view. The outdoor terrace in front overlooks the St. Lawrence River, while the side verrière (glass atrium) looks onto l'Agora amphitheater and the old stone Customs House. The menu, which isn't spectacular by any means but absolutely gets the job done, includes such classics as steak frites, rotisserie chicken, calamari, and duck liver pâté with raisin jam.

Légende

$$$ | Lower Town

Set on the ground floor of the Hôtel des Coutellier, in the Old Port area, Légende is set in a large wood and stone room with plush banquettes and an elegant bar. There are a lot of sharing plates—the smartly prepared fish and seafood board (including things like salmon rillettes and welk salad) is particularly delightful. The menu is highly seasonal, and ingredients are exclusively from Québec, with local meats garnished with foraged wild mushrooms and fish with seaside herbs from the Gulf of St Lawrence. Desserts showcase bright and intense flavors of local fruit, among other things. More than 30 wines are offered by the glass, with a strong emphasis on food pairings. A C$89 tasting menu is available, with an additional C$69 for wine pairings.

255 rue St-Paul, Québec City, Québec, G1K 3W5, Canada
418-614–2555
Known For
  • local ingredients, served creatively
  • vast patio in summer
  • vegetarian menu available
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.

Louis Hébert

$$$ | Outside the Old City

With its fine French cuisine and convenient location in a 95-year-old house on the bustling Grande Allée, this restaurant has long been popular with many of Québec's élite. Dining areas range from the very public summer terrace to discreet second-floor meeting rooms, a solarium with bamboo chairs, and a cozy dining room with exposed stone walls and warm wood accents. Chef Hervé Toussaint's top dishes include seafood such as shelled lobster, as well as fresh pasta and a rack of lamb. With more than 5,000 bottles of wine on hand, nobody goes thirsty, and the owner checks in on diners himself.

668 Grande Allée Est, Québec City, Québec, G1R 2K5, Canada
418-525–7812
Known For
  • large wine selection
  • fine dining
  • seafood and pasta
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–Apr., Credit cards accepted

Patente et Machin

$$$ | St-Roch

This fun and friendly place has a menu with terrific meats, grilled cheese, and whimsical ideas, like the use of guinea fowl wings in lieu of chicken wings. The food here has personality, humor, and . . . lots of butter. Sit at the varnished plywood counter, have a glass of tasty organic wine, and watch the kitchen run in a way that seems a tad chaotic but always delivers. Its twin restaurant, L'Affaire est Ketchup, is a little farther east on rue St-Joseph.

82 rue St-Joseph Ouest, Québec City, Québec, G1K 1W9, Canada
581-981–3999
Known For
  • playful dishes
  • pleasantly chaotic service
  • great wine selection
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.

Porcelaine

$$$ | Lower Town

The most recent project of neighboring restaurant Chez Rioux & Pettigrew is a casual oyster bar that's quickly become the place to go for happy hour or a lengthy, relaxed dinner. You can either pop in for a few oysters and a drink before going to a concert, or you can sit back and enjoy the vintage furnishings, get to know the friendly waiters, and cut your gluttony some slack by ordering another glass of wine, and perhaps even dessert. In any case, oysters (of many varieties and origins) are the star here, presented on tiered platters and with many different toppings. In autumn, the oysters au gratin are not to be missed.

160 rue St-Paul, Québec City, Québec, G1K 3W1, Canada
418-694–4448
Known For
  • fresh oysters
  • relaxed, intimate atmosphere
  • reasonable prices
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed., No reservations

Taverne Louise

$$$ | Lower Town
As a nod to Queen Victoria's slightly rebellious fourth daughter, who happened to adore Québec City, Taverne Louise aims to please with its two distinct areas: one that's more laid-back and casual, with local beers on tap, and the other slightly more upscale with a regiment of tapas and privately imported wines. The space, with exposed stone and large ancestral windows, is the perfect backdrop for the restaurant's now iconic foie gras au torchon and a glass of rosé Lambrusco.