21 Best Restaurants in Upper Town, Quebec City

Helmed by revered chefs Jean-Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand, this establishment delights patrons with elegant interpretations of their philosophy: "At the crossroads of Nordic terroir and French know-how." The menu, crafted entirely from local ingredients, features innovative dishes like smoked bison breast, braised beef ravioli with candied red cabbage, and salmon in a flavorful cranberry glaze. Even classic desserts are reinvented, such as iced nougat with cloudberries. The elegant dining room, with its rustic-meets-modern design and dark wood trim, attracts both locals celebrating special occasions and tourists fresh from shopping on Rue St-Jean. Can't snag a reservation? Pop into their fine grocery next door on Côte du Palais. On a budget? Consider booking for brunch or lunch.

Step into Le Bedeau (French for beadle) on Rue Saint-Jean, a playful concept rooted in ecclesiastical heritage helmed by Arnaud Marchand—of the esteemed Chez Boulay brigade, so you know to expect nothing but the best. This upscale wine bar boasts an interior playing with religious symbols, from confessional doors to organ pipe-inspired mezzanines. Here, gluttony is not a sin bur rather a requisite, with delights like truffle pork rillettes or scallops with sweet clover and lemon. The wine list, naturally, is up to par, featuring excellent picks from Québec wineries, making every visit a delightful pilgrimage.

Inside the most romantic dining room at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is one of the city's top gastronomical tables, showcasing three distinct tasting menus comprising Nordic-inspired ingredients and whimsical presentations. Although service can be a bit stiff, the food is anything but, and the rewards on the plate are definitely worth any formality. Dine by the ornate woodwork of the majestic fireplace or the 1,600-bottle state-of-the-art wine cellar, both offering stunning views of the St. Lawrence River. The Sunday brunch is a must, with tons of delicious small bites and more classic offerings.

Craving sugar shack delights? Experience them year-round, right in Old Québec's Upper Town. This charmingly rustic spot serves up all of typical Québecois heavy hitters—think venison tartare, shepherd's pie, and maple-drenched pouding chômeur—alongside modern pleasures like award-winning local cheese plates. In true sugar shack fashion, indulge in maple taffy, poured fresh onto an everlasting snow counter—a delight available even in summertime! The lively atmosphere, complete with lumberjack-clad fiddlers playing live folk music, creates a unique, family-friendly experience that's an absolute must for first-time visitors.

This sun-drenched corner bistro, with its wraparound windows letting in splendid light year-round, now calls a former bank home—its past echoed in the safes woven into the decor. Black and dark wood accents lend a profoundly Parisian flair, while the menu serves local fare in a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. From game meat and seafood to fresh pasta and revisited classics (don't miss the Brussels sprouts Caesar), alongside a strong selection of vegan options, Alphonse certainly aims to please. Its cocktail menu is an absolute must.

Named for a 19th-century book by Philippe-Aubert de Gaspé, who once resided in the 1675 house, this establishment offers an authentic taste of French Canadian cooking. While it boasts a surprisingly good wine list, most guests come for the traditional Québec menu featuring hearty dishes like pea soup, tourtière (meat pie), meatball stew, and baked beans. You might also find more elaborate options such as wild game creton, bison bourguignon, or Lac St-Jean meat pie with wild meats. Servers in period costume enhance the historical ambiance, and each of the five dining rooms, like the bright vaisselier (dish room) with its colorful antique dishes and fireplace, offers a unique theme.  Grab one of the city's best dining deals: a delightful three-course lunch, starting at just C$39.95, available daily from 12 to 5PM.

Experience sustainable dining at this Old Québec gem, where many herbs and vegetables are harvested directly from its green roofs, making their way straight to each plate. Indulge in an entirely organic, nut- and gluten-free menu, with ingredients almost entirely sourced within single-digit kilometers. Its elegant interior, with stone walls and wooden ceilings, is beautifully illuminated by abundant windows. Note that each service features a "farm to table" daily special, changing with market finds and seasonal flavors, while the lunch prix fixe offers exceptional value for budget-conscious visitors.

For specialty coffee in Upper Town, step into Québec-based group Café La Maison Smith on Rue Saint-Jean. Its inviting street-facing counter offers a perfect, cozy vantage point to people-watch and find warmth on a chilly winter's day.

This simple, busy café-style restaurant serves crepes in generous proportions with a variety of options---from a menu of more than 20 fillings, pick your own chocolate or fruit combinations or design a larger meal with cheese, ham, and vegetables. Tables surround four round griddles at which you watch your creations being made. Crepes made with two to five fillings cost less than C$12.

This women-owned bakery across the street from Québec City Town Hall serves some of the best French macarons this side of the pond. In addition, every single one of Catherine's pastries is a delicate experience combining refined flavors and architectural marvel—try the swan-shaped religieuse pastry or the passionfruit mille-feuille.

As far as fast food goes, nothing is more Québécois than poutine, that rough-and-ready dish made of fries, cheese curds, and gravy. In Québec City, this regional chain, founded in 1969, is the local favorite for hurried lunchers and late-night snackers. Also well worth trying here is a hot dog du lac, a "steamie" (steamed hot dog) with mayo, cabbage, and a few fries on top. It's nothing fancy, but after a late night out or before a long walk, there's nothing more filling than poutine.

Escape the winter chill at Gao Comptoir Vietnamien, a minimalist spot on bustling Saint-Jean Street. There's nothing quite like their steaming hot soups to provide warmth on a cold day. Beyond comforting pho, their menu features traditional Vietnamese favorites such as Bánh mì, crispy fried rolls, and flavorful grilled beef. It’s the perfect destination for an affordable and deeply satisfying lunch.

A true institution in Québec City, this popular and lively establishment has perfected steak frites for over 30 years. Their specialty, l'entrecôte—a particular, usually thin, sirloin cut—comes smothered in the restaurant's signature peppery sauce with a heaping pile of crispy fries. Diners choose from three steak sizes, and the menu also features other classic French fare like tender duck confit and smoked-salmon salad. This spot embodies the spirit of a typical Parisian bistro, and in summer, a stunning patio sprawls onto the pedestrianized street. For C$40 and up, depending on steak size, the prix fixe offers great value, concluding with decadent chocolate profiteroles, proving this restaurant is much more than just beef.

At this refreshing alternative to the Old City's ubiquitous white-linen bistros, you can get fast food that's also high quality. Burgers made from grass-fed cattle served on soft artisanal brioche buns make this a prime locale for lunch goers. With long tables, red accents, and paper-towel rolls in place of napkin holders, the interior has a retro touch without feeling overly folksy or forced. Save room for dessert, which includes heavenly dark-chocolate milkshakes, chocolate ganache, or peanut-butter ice-cream sandwiches.

If Québec City had a dining hall of fame, Le Continental would be there among the best. Since 1956 this historic spot, steps from the Château Frontenac, has been serving solid, traditionally gourmet dishes, such as tableside-prepared orange duckling and filet mignon, which is flambéed in a cognac sauce and then luxuriously covered in a gravy seasoned with mustard and sage. Try the truffled sweetbread ravioli or the foie gras with vegetable confit.

Step into a magnificent Beaux-Arts interior at Québec's National Assembly's restaurant, a culinary gem that, despite being open for over a century, remains one of the city's best-kept secrets. The chef curates a seasonal menu, preparing contemporary cuisine with sustainably sourced products from Québec's diverse regions. Delight in dishes featuring mini fondues made with Charlevoix cheese, lobster ravioli from Gaspésie, pork from Beauce, trout from the Magdalen Islands, or asparagus from Île d'Orléans. A C$54 prix fixe menu offers exceptional value for the quality, making this an unmissable experience.

Step into one of Québec City's most romantic and treasured restaurants, where local star Chef Jean-Luc Boulay crafts culinary magic. He entices diners with creations like the Foie Gras Experience—a tasting plate featuring five exquisite variations of this French delicacy—alongside an array of elevated dishes sourced from across Québec. The restaurant is also renowned for its robust wine cellar, boasting over 15,000 bottles from around the world, making it one of Canada's largest. Even the likes of Paul McCartney and Sting have dined (and most certainly indulged) here. For an unforgettable journey, opt for the C$155 discovery menu, offering seven surprise courses.

This bakery, pastry counter, sandwich bar, pizza shop, and ice-cream parlor is a long-standing local favorite. Long wooden tables, designed to get customers talking to each other, create a convivial atmosphere.

The premise already has foodies salivating: "anthropomorphic universe" of local and organic cuisine. Chef Stéphane Modat, whose fame on this side of the pond is largely due to his masterful time in the kitchen of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, surrounds himself with precious collaborators (the name of the restaurant, "the clan," is by no means a coincidence) and brings his characterful verve to boreal gastronomy. This is the kind of place where it's best to just trust the process—and savoir-faire—and enjoy every miraculous bite. The menu, whether for lunch, brunch, or dinner, is not posted online and changes daily according to market arrivals (the geographical coordinates of each producer and gardener are listed on the menu), but the mussels, harvested in the remote waters of Côte Nord, are certainly among the best in the world.

For an unforgettable journey into Indigenous culture, Sagamité restaurant offers a truly authentic dining experience. Explore the rich, robust flavors of First Nations cuisine with hearty, compelling dishes like elk terrine and smoked bison ravioli. The cozy ambiance and deep cultural immersion make Sagamité an essential, unique culinary destination in the heart of historic Québec.

The menu at this Italian-leaning restaurant with a laid-back, industrial-cool feel is satisfying, with a number of imaginative pizzas, pastas, salads, and such. Try the fried mozzarella or the chef's risotto, which changes daily. The space, which features stone walls and steel chairs as well as a great, somewhat secluded terrace in the summer, is open late for drinks and snacks. A second location has recently opened in Petit Champlain.