13 Best Restaurants in Old Québec City
The area inside the walls of Old Québec is Québec City’s most famous neighbourhood and a constant favourite among locals and visitors. From traditional Québec fare to European‑style bistros to boreal cuisine, there’s a restaurant with just the experience you’re looking for. So pull up a chair and savour the warmth and charm of this unique historic district.
La Bûche
1La Bûche
Dive into sugar shack traditions where you can literally drench your food in maple syrup, the Québécois’ subtle way of honouring the cook. Hearty Sheppard’s pie, gourmet tourtière with a side of fruit ketchup, plus soups and desserts that you’ll want the recipes for. La Bûche is THE place to enjoy maple taffy on a snow bar, even in summertime!- Bleu marine
2Bleu Marine
Bleu Marine recently relocated to Rue Saint-Louis. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming façade: this restaurant is a wine-pairing powerhouse. Choose what you want to drink first, then let your hosts guide you for the meal. It’s a bold concept that pays off with every sip.
- @poletiene
3Le Continental
Located in a house built in 1845 for the Honourable Jean-Thomas Taschereau, a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, Le Continental is the oldest fine dining establishment in Québec City. It’s also one of the last restaurants in North America where you can experience gueridon service, a holdover from the halcyon days of French fine dining. Try a Cognac-flavoured shrimp cocktail, garlic escargot served in the shell, duck à l’orange, or the famous filet mignon.
- Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
4Le Sam, bistro évolutif
Located in the famous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Le Sam is an experience unto itself, not least because of the amazing view of the St. Lawrence River. Its menu features local products, in a bistro style that will delight everyone.- Le Champlain - Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
5Le Champlain
For modern cuisine with a rich heritage, you can’t beat Le Champlain. Set in Château Frontenac—the world’s most photographed historic hotel—Le Champlain delivers an impeccable dining experience orchestrated by Chef Hugo Coudurier. His menu reveals an insatiable curiosity for local farm fare, combined with techniques and expertise acquired at major Michelin star establishments in Paris, Las Vegas, Asia, and the Middle East.
- @lechicshack
6Le Chic Shack
Known for its brioche bread burgers, creamy milkshakes and decadent poutines, it’s the homemade sodas and ice cream sandwiches that seal the deal. Don’t be alarmed by the cafeteria feel, but reassured by the first bite that will make it feel so authentic. Even though Le Chic Shack is located in the most tourist-friendly part of town, it is far from being a tourist trap!- @brasseriechezjules
7Brasserie Française Chez Jules
A traditional French brasserie set in a charming contemporary yet history-filled décor. The low ceiling and exposed stonewall improve the setting. Indulge in pan-seared foie gras, frog legs and Burgundy escargots as if you were in Paris. Do leave room for dessert, especially the tarte Tatin topped with a delectable homemade caramel ice cream.- Chez Wong
8Restaurant Wong
When it comes to Chinese food, Wong is a local institution. Owner and chef Steven Wong is a descendant of the first Chinese family to immigrate to Québec City. Chef Wong is revamping his restaurant one dish at a time, with recipes inspired by authentic Chinese flavours. I love the succulent tomato beef, pork flank soup, duck breast smoked with tea and jasmine rice, and Asian burrata served with yuzu pear compote.
- Bistro Hortus
9Bistro Hortus
Bistro Hortus is synonymous with fresh food. The farm-to-table menu by owner and chef Stéphane Roth features tons of local organic ingredients. The restaurant team even has a rooftop garden with vegetables, herbs, and a beehive. Now that’s sustainability!
- Bedeau
10Le Bedeau
This wine and tapas bar is so good, it’s almost sinful. A recent addition to Rue Saint-Jean, it takes the pleasure of a well-paired dish to new heights. The chef draws inspiration from the restaurant’s selection of private-import wines to create moments of sheer food magic. The dessert and wine pairing, which changes regularly, is very naughty indeed. It’s a place to try and share—a refined and elegant setting with cheeky nods to Québec’s Catholic heritage, including the desacralized confessional in the gender-neutral bathrooms.
- @chefarnaudm, Chez Boulay
11Chez Boulay- Bistro Boréal
Like a walk in the boreal forest, you’ll taste the many perfumes of Québec’s wilderness. It’s their game meat that shines brightest, especially when highlighted with Labrador tea and oyster mushrooms. Those who love sauce, add an extra pan-seared foie gras and you will be charmed. They have finger licking desserts, where anything with bright orange sea buckthorn berries is a must.- @bistro3garcons, Les 3 garçons
12Les Trois Garçons
Cheese oozing burgers made with local ingredients and hearty meat patties. The Charlevoix burger with Hercule and 1608 cheeses, fried and caramelized onions with artisanal bacon and bourbon barbecue sauce tops ‘em all.- @entrecoteqc, Entrecôte Saint-Jean
13L’Entrecôte Saint-Jean
Mind the white tablecloths on the tables of this Québec City institution. Everything here is fixed in time, taking you back to a Paris bistro of the late 80s, serving an impeccably grilled rib eye steak alongside matchstick fries cooked to perfection in peanut oil. And treat yourself to an extra side of their homemade mustard sauce, will you? Oh and chocolate sauce profiteroles, because the meal wouldn’t end deliciously without it.
