3 Best Restaurants in Outside the Old City, Quebec City

It's worth heading to the outskirts of the St-Roch downtown district for this unique dining experience, inspired by French bouchons (as bistros are called in the city of Lyon). "In the pig, everything is good": so goes the French adage that advocates responsible, farm-to-table gastronomy. This is precisely what drives Pied Bleu: every week, the chefs receive a whole pig and come up with proven, creative ways to serve it (the charcuterie plate is a must). Also offered is le tour lyonnais, a tasting menu including salads, cheeses, hearty mains, and desserts. While there are a few vegetarian options, this is primarily a place of communion for hardened carnivores; the restaurant has actually won prizes all over France for its excellent boudin (blood sausage). The wine list is largely European but reserves a special place for Beaujolais vineyards.  The brunch menu is equally gargantuan and tasty, with a dreamy smoked-fish sandwich and a large rib steak with béarnaise sauce for big appetites.

The trek to Limoilou is unequivocally worth it for ARVI, a restaurant that has earned a coveted Michelin star and been hailed by local critics as an unforgettable gourmet experience. Here, Chef Julien Masia orchestrates a culinary ballet in a contemporary, open-plan space where urban edginess meets sleek design, featuring exposed bricks and concrete. Diners enjoy unobstructed views of the chef at work, thanks to the signature open kitchen nestled right in the middle of the tastefully designed space. Food-wise, the prix-fixe, five-course tasting menu is a steal at just C$98, with underappreciated ingredients like turnip, lovage, wild garlic, verbena, and agastache given star treatment.

The culinary genius behind the success of city hotspot Chez Muffy, Chef François Blais, opted for a more casual approach with his own restaurant on Avenue Cartier. This spot, which has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, embraces "market cuisine" that's straight to the point and expertly executed. The entire menu, displayed simply on a blackboard, features a handful of daily changing appetizers, main courses, and desserts. It's particularly famous for its expertly prepared sweetbreads. The C$36 prix fixe for lunch is an absolute steal, offering a compelling reason alone to explore the charming Montcalm area.