Best Value Restaurants in Québec City

I love bagels, but not all bagels. I love the Montreal-style bagels, with sesame seeds cooked in a wood oven. The one that softly resists the bite with a dense, melt-in-your mouth feel. Sillery’s Bagel Maguire Café bagels are these ones. I regularly visit at lunchtime and choose the BLT sandwich or their homemade soups and side of Caesar salad. 

Avenue Cartier has nothing in common with Tuscany but Morena. You’ll find a wide variety of petit pots, oils, tomato sauces and carefully selected privately imported wines. Chefs Natrella’s lunches à l’ostéria differentiate Morena from other European groceries in Québec City. Formerly chef of the famous signer Charles Aznavour, Chef Natrella’s playground is filled with bright colours of the Mediterranean: cannellonis, stuffed peppers, traditional quiches and pasta on the go. I highly recommend lunch on their terrace during summer, a place where locals often gather for a daily chat.   

This self-serve, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) restaurant is owned and operated by Stoyan Napolenov and his family. His fascination with Portuguese tastes makes Poulet Portugais one of my favourite restaurants in Québec City. I always choose the spicy chicken leg dabbed with Stoyan’s delectable homemade hot sauce. The chicken slowly grills on a charcoal barbecue for 2 hours and is served with a generous portion of fries. Don’t ignore the deli counter filled with delectable cold cuts and sweet pastel de nata. 

Tucked away in the district of the Old Port, the Buffet has nothing to do with an all-you-can-eat restaurant. This diner serves traditional Québécois dishes like cipaille, pig's trotter stew, meat pie and maple syrup baked beans. Breakfast is also served all day in hearty portions. I love their breakfast potatoes cut in tiny squares and griddled with onion. Of all the restaurants in Québec City, Buffet de l’Antiquaire is where you’ll get the most authentic Québécois experience. 

Steps from rue du Trésor and straight across the street from the Château Frontenac, the Chic Shack is a popular, tourist-friendly destination. All their burgers are served in a fresh pain brioché made from the hands of local artisan baker Éric Borderon. In season, I often bite into their Îles de la Madeleine lobster burger, oozing with love and homemade aioli.

The Casse-Croûte Pierrot is the best place for a late night snack. Open 24 hours with delivery until 5 am, Pierrot serves one of my favourite poutines in Québec. It has savoury, meat-flavoured gravy with generous small cheese curds that melt until the very last bite. This classic poutine doesn’t disappoint, no matter the time of day.

Le Renard & la Chouette is where an industrial decor meets country-feel dishes and organic, biodynamic wines. It is where my palate flocks to enjoy a variety of slow-cooked dishes that transcend comfort and home-style warmth. You’ll find it hard to resist their scones served with friendly, welcoming smiles. Some evening dishes are intended for sharing, which I regularly do with friends. My pick: the tartiflette made with generous flavours of Portneuf cheese broiled upon layers of potatoes slices : decadent! Their vegetarian chilli is also one of the best chillies I have had in my life.

Among these artisans, I like the Tora-Ya Ramen, that serves real Japanese cuisine in a restaurant decorated in the style of traditional izakaya pubs. At the moment you walk through the door, the rich bold aromas of the simmering broths trigger salivation. I find it hard to choose other than the kimchi ramen for its spicy and generous Korean aromas. 

I call this restaurant of Saint-Roch the riders’ hut. I see myself as a teenager truly enjoying le Bureau de Poste’s well-targeted ambiance. Expect a 90’s punk band soundtrack, extreme sports movies and a $5,95 menu. My picks are the juicy braised beef burger and the apple quinoa salad. Expect a line-up every day no matter the season. Yes, it’s that popular. 

Phil Smoked Meat is my favourite place in town to enjoy a smoked meat sandwich. I love everything about Phil, especially the homemade coleslaw. A popular local hangout that feels authentic, exactly how I want my smoked meat sandwich. Served with rye bread and a choice of «baseball» or Dijon mustard, Phil’s smoked meat sandwiches are generous and finger-licking good.

La Boîte à Pain has 3 locations: Saint-Roch, Limoilou and Ste-Foy. Their pizzas, sandwiches and calzones are packed with tasteful ingredients. Their breads are created according to traditional baking methods. La Boîte à Pain also propose a few desserts including chocolate chip cookies and my favourite snack, the peanut butter and chocolate granola bar. 

Here’s the best local foodie tip you’ll get: eat in a fine-dining establishment at lunchtime during the week and you’ll really get for your money’s worth.