19 Best Restaurants in Quebec City, Quebec

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.

Chef Guillaume Saint-Pierre's love for authentic Italian cuisine led him to open this popular 25-seat restaurant, located off the main St-Roch thoroughfares, where he can fully concentrate on that passion with gusto and skill. Italian tradition (there's arancini and vitello tonatto) blends with local flair (there's cacio e pepe with Swiss chard, and lobster spaghetti). The restaurant's immense popularity means reservations are essential, often requiring booking weeks in advance, especially for weekends.

Buvette Scott, nestled on an unpretentious spot in the heart of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, delights with its attractive menu and impeccable service. This Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient has quickly become a local favorite, exuding a warm and inviting atmosphere thanks to its cozy wooden décor. Here, the menu changes almost weekly on a handwritten blackboard, offering a dozen small and medium-sized seasonal dishes, primarily highlighting fresh vegetables and exquisite seafood. Waiters even curate the music, happily taking suggestions to blast that perfect tune on the record player, adding to the friendly, almost family-like ambiance.

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.

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 favorite among locals, who munch on well-prepared 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.

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.

Spectacular, unobstructed panoramic views of the entire city are just the beginning at this rotating restaurant. While the breathtaking vistas alone are worth the climb, the experience is elevated by friendly, well-managed service and a truly creative, delicious menu. Don't miss the roasted arctic char with lemon gnocchi and shiitakes, or explore their solid brunch offerings.

Halfway between a discreet speakeasy and an oyster bar, this is an unlikely pearl in the heart of the St-Roch district. Cross the threshold of the hidden entrance and you'll find yourself in a stunning interior. Magenta velvet, soft lighting, and brass create a warm, intimate atmosphere. Food-wise, expect seafood specialties, including the incredible two-tier platter. Drinks-wise, expect fresh, creative cocktails and a quirky wine list that embraces all things biodynamic. Service is as discreet as it is attentive, no matter what you order.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ouroboros, a Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree, offers a cozy bistro ambiance, centered around a large circular bar mirroring its namesake. This unique spot champions low-intervention natural wines, and yet, boldly, does not have a wine list—just ask owner Daniel for a recommendation. The creative market cuisine, with many ingredients sourced directly from the owners' garden. The menu, designed for sharing or solo enjoyment, embodies a cyclical philosophy: from market to plate and even composting. In spring, don't miss the Arctic char, served on a layer of zucchini with a fish skin chip and a delicate, creamy dill emulsion.

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.

Step into this Québec City "den" (tanière), nestled within ancestral 500-year-old stone vaults. As the province's only restaurant honored with two prestigious Michelin stars, Tanière³ offers a dazzling gastronomic journey with a blind tasting menu of 15 to 20 courses, meticulously crafted by the inventive Chef François-Emmanuel Nicol. Every detail—from creative presentation to the intimate atmosphere and remarkable quality of service—is carefully orchestrated, ensuring a truly unforgettable meal. Almost all ingredients are locally sourced from small-scale producers, featuring unique Québec treasures like St. Lawrence sturgeon, wild wasabi, fir gum, and apple vermouth. While a superb wine pairing is available, the innovative mocktail pairing proves to be a positively unexpected surprise. For the ultimate immersive dining experience, consider booking the chef's table.