31 Best Restaurants in Quebec City, Quebec

For over 30 years, L'Échaudé has drawn a loyal clientele of businesspeople and tourists alike, thanks to its honest pricing and ideal location nestled between the vibrant business and antiques districts. At lunch, the flank steak with shallot butter remains a timeless classic, while daily specials feature excellent fish, tartares, and pasta dishes. For those with a hearty appetite, the three-course tasting menu at just C$65 offers remarkable value for dinner. Regardless of the hour, though, expect nothing less than courteous and professional service. Inside, the warm ambiance of the mahogany-paneled lobby gives way to a modern, inviting dining space with green-and-beige accents, hardwood floors, and a striking stainless-steel bar illuminated by backlit river stones. In warmer months, you might even be lucky enough to snag a coveted, sun-drenched table on their outdoor terrace.

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.

Specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza and antipasti, this stylish pizzeria has been on everyone's lips ever since it opened (thanks to crowdfunding). Its beast of an oven weighs 2.5 tons and was imported straight from Italy—and it's worth it: the thin-crust pizzas are cooked in just 90 seconds at 900 degrees. Expect sides of flavorful salads, creamy burrata, charcuterie, and cheeses. Also note the excellent cocktail list. If you prefer to eat in the St-Jean-Baptiste neighborhood, Nina recently opened a second location there.

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.

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.

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.

Hearty home cooking, generous portions, and rock-bottom prices have made this no-frills, diner-style eatery a Lower Town institution in the heart of the antiques district. Confusingly, it's not a buffet, but a fantastic place to sample traditional Quebecois dishes like pea soup and cipaille (a deep-dish layered pie using poultry, meat, or seafood). Don't miss their homemade and delicious sugar pie, crepes, and other desserts. In summer, grab a seat on the small sidewalk terrace and watch shoppers stroll by.

This casual and attractive café right on the corner of scenic Place Royale is a great place to stop for an afternoon pick-me-up, be it coffee or various indulgent sweets. For a light lunch, there are yummy sandwiches, quiches, and soups. There are other branches elsewhere in the city that are just as good, just not as scenic.  On sunny days, make sure to enjoy the sun-drenched patio.

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.

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). For a bit of everything, opt for the secretive tasting menu. Aficionados will find a modest yet curated wine list with an interesting selection of orange/maceration wines.

This cozy burger joint with brick-and-stone walls has a wide range of topping combinations, daily special burgers, and French fries are served with a dollop of homemade mayonnaise (there are five varieties available) and poppy seeds. Salads, sandwiches, and a daily dessert made fresh by the pastry chef are also available. This original location was so successful that it spawned several other branches, notably in the Vieux-Port area of the Lower Town.

In the bright, light-filled deTerroir café in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, discover a rotating display of local art. Owners Allison and Pier-Paul offer traceable coffees, micro-roasted from the coffee tree to each cup. Enjoy your brew in handcrafted mugs by local ceramicists, perhaps with a delightful "croffle"—a unique croissant-waffle hybrid. It's a truly welcoming respite from the cold.

Everything is homemade in this new neighborhood sandwich shop. Located in the heart of rue St-Jean, Ficelle prepares freshly made dishes of the day, such as sandwiches (baguette or focaccia) with a variety of fillings and soups. The selection varies from day to day depending on what's available. This is a place that is appreciated by the locals for its simplicity and quality. It's the ideal place for an uncomplicated lunch with no compromises.

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 lovely crepe shop, buckwheat-flour crepes are filled with simple ham and cheese or fancier combos like duck confit with onion marmalade, while a wheat crepe with salted caramel and sweet Chantilly cream makes a good dessert. The large shop also has bistro items like cod beignets, charcuterie plates, and cassoulet, and there's a nice selection of ciders and beers.

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.

This busy, noisy Paris-like bistro featuring artwork by its namesake Canadian painter and patios in front and back has been around for more than 40 years and is a big local literary hangout, with a selection of great coffee, tea, and desserts. Open every day from early morning to late evening, Krieghoff serves specialties that include salmon, quiche, la Toulouse (a big French sausage with sauerkraut), steak with French fries, boudin (pig-blood sausage), and la Bavette (hanger steak).

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.

A beloved Québec City institution, Le Cochon Dingue (the crazy pig) offers a lively bistro experience with a touch of whimsy. Known for its generous portions of comfort food—from classics like ribs and steak frites to delectable brunch, for which queues are well deserved—it’s a consistently popular spot for locals and visitors alike, thanks to an unbeatable location by the port and Petit-Champlain.

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.

Despite its magnificent beaux arts interior and its reasonable prices, the National Assembly's restaurant remains one of the best-kept secrets in town. Chef Martin Gagné prepares contemporary cuisine with products from Québec's various regions, such as mini-fondues made with Charlevoix cheese to ravioli made from lobster caught in the Gaspé to pork from the Beauce region, trout from the Magdalen Islands, or candied-duck salad. At just C$37, the three-service tasting menu is an absolute steal.

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.

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.