The 28 Must-Try Restaurants in Quebec City

This beloved Limoilou restaurant features an open kitchen at the heart of the dining area, allowing guests to engage with the staff throughout their meal. The chefs double as waiters, sharing detailed descriptions of each dish. Expect to enjoy local, seasonal ingredients crafted with meticulous care. It's advisable to book your reservation online, where you'll need to select and pay for your regular or vegetarian menu in advance.

Every aspect of Rioux & Pettigrew is steeped in the rich history of Quebec City’s antique district on St-Paul Street. The décor pays homage to the original general store of the same name, established in 1860. With its brick walls, wooden floors, and a vintage gramophone, diners are transported back in time. Meanwhile, chef Dominic Jacques offers a refreshingly modern twist on the cuisine. Don't miss brunch, especially paired with their house-made boudin.

Elegantly adorned with local artist Berko’s vibrant street-style artwork and plush, velvety seating, this vegan Mytoury injects a modern flair into Old Quebec. Chef Anne Marie Grenier's seasonally inspired creations ensure you won’t miss the meat, featuring heartwarming soups and irresistible desserts.

The yakitori specialists behind Honō Izakaya (also a must-visit) have launched this ambitious ramen-focused venue. This cozy and stylish noodle shop places great emphasis on house-made broths and vegetables sourced exclusively from a single farm. Be sure to try the tori paitan for a particularly rich and comforting chicken broth experience.

At Wong, every broth is crafted from scratch, dumplings are skillfully handmade, and the rice is always wok-fried. What truly sets this historic restaurant apart is chef and owner Steven Wong’s flair for infusing his Chinese heritage into dishes that feature surprising ingredients like mussels and burrata. A must-try is the richly flavored beef and tomato sauté.

This bistro, inspired by Parisian elegance, is beloved by locals for its straightforward yet sophisticated market-driven dishes. The modern decor reflects the hues of nature, and the thoughtfully curated wine list embodies the diverse character of St-Roch, the neighborhood that Le Clocher Penché has helped transform into a culinary hotspot.

Champlain is the perfect spot to explore the latest culinary innovations. Chef Gabriel Molleur-Langevin, who honed his skills at Noma in Copenhagen and Fäviken in Åre, Sweden, presents refined, minimalist dishes that pay homage to the rich gastronomic heritage of the iconic Le Château Frontenac, renowned for its stunning photography opportunities. Anticipate Japanese-inspired flavors through fermentation techniques and partnerships with local food artisans. 

In just ninety seconds, Nina’s 900-degree wood-fired ovens, expertly managed by owners Penelope Lachapelle and Lucie Nadeau, whip up delicious Neapolitan pizzas, earning them the title of the queens of this cuisine in Quebec City. Made with high-quality ingredients, the pizzas are both simple and delightful. However, to truly appreciate Nina, don't stop at pizza—treat yourself to burrata and one of their signature cocktails. The original St-Roch location features one of the city's last wood-fired ovens and is very welcoming to families.

In St-Sauveur, Jonathan Marcoux and François Borderon have teamed up to ignite a sandwich revolution at Franky Johnny. This counter serves up hearty and satisfying creations. Don’t miss the classic favorite that keeps patrons coming back: pork belly nestled in focaccia, topped with lightly fermented vegetables and zesty homestyle mayo. For a perfect pairing, try it with their house-made kombucha.

Located in a historic building on a quaint side street in bustling Old Quebec, Le Clan showcases chef Stéphane Modat’s deep passion for Quebec's terroir. Modat collaborates with friends from the Lower North Shore — whom he affectionately refers to as ‘le clan’ — to create dishes that defy convention. The wine list and pairings are expertly curated by Pier-Alexis Soulière, named Canada’s best sommelier in 2021.

A favorite among vegetarians, Le Renard et La Chouette in St-Sauveur, owned by Thania Goyette and Louis Bouchard Trudeau of Le Pied Bleu, is more than just a restaurant; it also houses an urban cheese factory known as La Laiterie Urbaine. Each week, Goyette crafts curds, cream cheese, and aged logs from milk sourced from a Beauce region producer. Almost all the ingredients for their renowned Alsatian-inspired flammkuchen, along with the bread, are made in-house.

At Restaurant Alentours, chef Tim Moroney is committed to sustainability. The daily menu features ingredients sourced within a 150-kilometer (approximately 93 miles) radius, while essentials like milk, yeast, salt, wines, and ciders come from just beyond that range. The restaurant operates on hydroelectric energy, and all organic waste is composted.

This charming French-Mexican bistro makes a lasting impression despite its small size. Chef duo Alexandra Romero and Jérôme Gilpin present a curated fixed menu that highlights local, seasonal ingredients, blending Gilpin's French culinary skills with Romero's Mexican heritage. Their ever-evolving wine list focuses mainly on private imports and natural wines. Reservations are essential.

Housed in historic underground vaults from 1686, Tanière offers a captivating journey through Quebec's culinary heritage. Sit at the counter to engage with chef François-Emmanuel Nicol and his team as they share insights into their innovative dishes, inspirations, and seasonal ingredients. Be sure to explore the sibling restaurants, L’Orygine and Légende, which also embrace the group's fresh, local, root-to-fruit philosophy.

Step into Tora-Ya, and you'll be welcomed with a cheerful 'irasshaimase!' (“welcome, please come in!”) alongside the enticing aroma of broths simmering slowly, crafted from chef and owner Miyano Sakai's cherished family recipes. This beloved ramen spot can have long waits, especially during the chilly Quebec City winters, and they don’t take reservations. However, all menu items are available for takeout. For drinks, there's an impressive selection of privately imported sakes, including organic varieties.

Le Pied Bleu honors the pig with a nose-to-tail dining experience that showcases charcuterie, acclaimed blood sausages, and Québécois twists on traditional Lyonnaise fare. Owners Thania Goyette and Louis Bouchard Trudeau have crafted a dual destination: one side features a charcuterie counter brimming with classic terrines, pâtés, and sous vide delights, while the other side, a bouchon, melds Quebec's local ingredients with chef Fabrice Quenehen’s expertise from France’s Savoie region. Expect a generous selection of Calvados, Beaujolais, and Côtes du Rhône wines available daily. Don’t miss brunch at Pied Bleu, especially with a group of friends.

This retro-inspired, slightly punk diner features faux-leather banquettes and vibrant neon decor, infusing a lively Québécois twist into Southern soul food. Anticipate dishes like sweet and spicy chicken with waffles, a foie gras shepherd’s pie, and generously topped burgers. Mains come with fun sides such as fried pickles, mac and cheese, and poutine smothered in a rich herby sauce. The friendly staff add to the atmosphere, which becomes even more spirited after midnight.

Battuto distinguishes itself in Quebec City with its minimalist and sophisticated take on Italian fare. The young, energetic trio of owners—Guillaume St-Pierre, Paul Croteau, and Pascal Bussières—embraces a neo-bistro style, crafting traditional Italian dishes infused with French flair. True to Italian nonna traditions, they prepare their bread, pasta, and sauces from scratch each day. While reservations are essential for most of the year (and quite sought after), walk-ins are welcome exclusively for the summer patio.

Unpretentious and budget-friendly, Buvette Scott is a hidden gem wine bar with a neo-bistro vibe, pouring wine by the glass and playing vinyl records all night on Scott Street. Chef and co-owner Jean-Philippe Lessard crafts economical dishes using local and seasonal ingredients, with menu items changing weekly. Its smaller counterpart, Sardines, is also a must-visit for its farmhouse cheeses, canned sardines, and relaxed Portuguese-inspired ambiance.

Phil’s offers a unique taste of London right in Quebec. Chef and owner Philip Hammond prepares the fish batter from scratch each morning using red ale, hand-mashes the green peas, and ensures that Allen’s malt vinegar is available at every table. To top off your meal, don’t miss the sticky toffee pudding.

Helena serves up Quebec-inspired Portuguese dishes with elegance. The ambiance is vibrant, featuring flaming grills, and the charm of Quebec's seafood creates a seductive experience, all enhanced by the warm aromas of chef-owner Helena Loureiro’s homeland.

Kaiji transcends typical Japanese dining. Chef Phong Thach, trained at the esteemed Kaizen sushi bar in Montreal, skillfully deconstructs and reimagines sushi. Each dish bursts with color and flavor, featuring surprising pairings like white truffle and fruit.

As a member of the esteemed Relais & Chateaux collection, Chez Muffy resides in a historic maritime warehouse from 1822, featuring original stone walls and wooden beams. Chefs Alex Bouchard and Arthur Muller demonstrate remarkable skill and creativity in each dish, blending European techniques with fresh produce sourced from their garden on Île d’Orléans.

Inspired by their journeys through the French countryside, chef-owners Alexandra Roy and Charles Provencher-Proulx created this midcentury-style bistro. Collaborating with Guillaume St-Pierre, co-owner of Battuto, they serve beautifully simple dishes paired with an eclectic wine list featuring exclusive vintages and rare global finds.

Run by chef Maude Desroches, this locavore grocery store features a kitchen that highlights local farmers' produce. Known for offering the best brunch in town, it presents a flavorful exploration of local and seasonal food with delights like crepes filled with house-cured meats.

For meat enthusiasts, this is a must-visit spot. The menu features an array of slow-smoked, grilled, and braised meats served in a casual, shack-like atmosphere adorned with dollar bills on the low ceiling. Don’t miss out on a bourbon on the rocks and their house-made hot sauce, especially paired with the tender smoked brisket. Make sure to reserve ahead, particularly for Friday and Saturday nights.

Albacore shines brightly among its three sister restaurants that refer to themselves as “restaurant pirates,” including Kraken Cru, L’Affaire est Ketchup, and Patente et Machin. Chef Benoit Poliquin brings a punk ethos to seafood dishes. Indulge in their impressive seafood platter or any fish-focused offerings, but make sure to return for the sweetbread, a signature dish shared among all four establishments.

Chef Pierre-Olivier Pelletier is emerging as one of Canada’s culinary talents, representing the nation at the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy in Milan, Italy, in 2023. Alongside partner Cassandre Osterroth, they invite guests into their stylish commercial loft in the St-Roch district, where they meticulously craft and serve a 10-course meal. Diners gather around a single large table for a fine dining experience featuring local ingredients, herbs, and spices foraged from the Quebec City area.