8 Best Terrace Restaurants

Several streets in the Old Port turn into terraces and allow visitors to live the unique experience of a huge open-air restaurant, where renowned chefs welcome them with their finest local products. 
The event La Grande Tablée takes place from June 18 to September 27, 2020, Friday to Sunday in rue Saint-Paul, rue du Sault-au-Matelot, rue Saint-Antoine and Place de la FAO.

With its partial view of the St. Lawrence River, oversized patio umbrellas, and heat lamps, the patio at L’Orygine bistro is gaining traction as one of the finest in the city. Set within the walls of a heritage building, this patio has an intimate feel that brings you to a fuller appreciation of the cuisine. Be sure to try their superb cocktails (or mocktails) made with wild edibles. 

La Cour arrière du Festibière feels like an oasis in the heart of the Old Port of Québec City. Located along the waterfront of the majestic St. Lawrence River, this pool-like terrace offers the ideal atmosphere to soak up summer vibes. With a wide variety of local beers catered by the organizers of the Festibière, Québec City's popular beer festival, La Cour arrière is the most refreshing terrace in town. 

If the title of “Most Beautiful Street’’ in Canada from 2014 does not convince you to visit Le Petit-Champlain, then the Lapin Sauté’s terrace will. It looks so small next to the immensity of the cliff and the park's foliage. If seated close to the rock, you’ll feel cool air escaping from it; a shivering experience. An exceptional environment for a weekend brunch.

The Saint-Roch neighbourhood is home to La Barberie, a pioneer brewing cooperative in Québec, recognized by artisan beer lovers far and wide. With the work of the Urbainsculteurs  -known in town for creating stunning urban garden arrangements- La Barberie is without a doubt the greenest, down-to-earth terrace in Québec City. Bring your lunch and enjoy summer!

Le Sacrilege’s terrace is one of the Faubourg Saint-Jean’s best kept secrets. Caved in part by stonewalls and mature trees, it is completely concealed from the street; one must walk to the end of the bar to discover a near Garden of Eden setting where vintage furniture reveals history and several tests of time. A popular hangout among local artists.

*Closed in 2020*. The terrace of the Musée National des Beaux Arts du Québec is set in a surprisingly quiet environment. Next to the greatest masters of Québec art and offering a unique view of the St. Lawrence River, this terrace stares straight into the luxuriant nature of the Plains of Abraham.

Sunsets hunters will definitely appreciate the heated terrace of Cassis Monna & Filles in Saint-Pierre-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, with a clear view of the Laurentians mountains and bridge of the island. Below the terrace and next to a fraction of the blackcurrant plants is a welcoming and family-friendly rest area. Cassis Monna & Filles has created an enchanting environment where happiness is harvested from the farm to the table.

The view of the panorama from the Vignoble de Ste-Pétronille is alone worth a visit to l’Île d’Orléans. But it’s their gourmet-style Panache Mobile, parked at the entrance of the vineyard that will sweep you off your taste buds. Facing the impressive Montmorency Falls, the terrace of this terroir food truck offers a sought-after view where food/wine/landscape pairings are at the centre of a pleasure-filled experience.