20 Restaurants for an Early-Week Meal in Québec City

jjacques’ reputation as one of the best places in town for a drink or a bite to eat early in the week has made this speakeasy something of an open secret. Plus, the kitchen stays open until midnight on weekdays. The menu features delicious seafood from the raw bar, exquisite small plates to share, superb cocktails, and a very nice wine list.

Fifteen years after it opened, the first of the Pirate Restaurants is still going strong, seven days a week. Although the owners are a little more grizzled than when they first set sail, L’Affaire est Ketchup has stayed true to its roots: serving up generous helpings of comfort food and a warm, friendly vibe. Also from the same trusty crew are Patente et Machin and Kraken Cru, two more solid early-week options.

Looking for something a little exotic to brighten up the start of your week? Chez Tao!, a cross between an Asian dive bar and a tiki restaurant, will soon have you feeling far from the daily grind. A word of caution: It’s easy to get the party started here, so make sure you don’t have any important meetings the next morning!

Excellent tacos, delicious cocktails, a fantastic interior and vibe, all at a great price… Sounds like the perfect spot for an early-week happy-hour! Julio Taqueria is the kind of eatery where everyone feels like a regular in no time, and the best part? Plus, it’s 100% gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy without worry.

There are few things in this world that make us happier than pulling up to the bar at Melba on a rainy Tuesday night and forgetting our worries and cares whilst enjoying a meal at this magnificent restaurant. We love knowing we’ll always be welcomed in style by chefs Alexandra Roy and Charles Provencher Proulx, just as we love knowing that their modern French cuisine will always be on point.

Sometimes we need to treat ourselves to get through the week. And there’s no better cure for those Tuesday blues than a good meal at Diner Saint Sauveur. Located in the neighbourhood of the same name, this luxury retro diner serves up some phenomenal comfort food. We love the whole menu, from the Diner Burger (with fried onions and bacon) and the decadent mac ’n cheese to the fried, flame-roasted Brussels sprouts.

No need to wait for Thursday to get into happy-hour mode at Le Cendrillon. This lively restaurant is always full of fun people, no matter which day of the week. With a menu designed for sharing, it’s the perfect place for a last-minute outing with friends.

With its fully plant-based sushi lineup, Bloom is a nice option for an early-week vegan meal that doesn’t compromise on technique or taste, all in magnificently chill surroundings.

Miyagi recently moved into a beautiful new space just steps away from its former address in Limoilou. Which is a perfect excuse to revisit the restaurant’s delicious take on Thai fusion and sushi. We love the Shanghai calamari and the beef ramen (which is a noodle dish, not a soup). As for the sushi bar, we take our cues from the chef. Open every day for lunch and dinner.

Stopping for a bite at Nina Pizza Napolitaine is never a bad call. We just can’t get enough of their crispy thin-crust pizza, impeccable service, and good vibes. The location on Rue Saint Jean is open every day for lunch and dinner, while the one on Rue Saint Roch is closed on Tuesdays.

Located in the Upper Town, Le Hobbit is a charming, friendly, unpretentious eatery that’s open every day from morning ’til night. The menu features inventive local dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner, along with a lovely wine list that’s always got something new.

Chef Dominic Jacques knows how to make Québec’s seasonal ingredients shine, serving inventive fare in a space full of history and anecdotes. The name Chez Rioux & Pettigrew itself echoes back to an earlier time, when the location was home to a general store. Luckily, the hours are decidedly modern: It’s open every evening!

Tucked away among Old Québec’s antique dealers, Buffet de l’Antiquaire has (if you’ll pardon the pun) become part of the furniture. It’s the slightly worn-out, oh-so-comfortable armchair that we wouldn’t put to the curb for anything in the world and that—let’s be honest—we often prefer to that super trendy designer chair. Basically, going to Buffet de l’Antiquaire for breakfast or a club sandwich is like putting on a good ol’ hoodie (or jumper, for the Brits). It’s always warm and cozy.

Louise welcomes us with open arms every day of the week, from morning ’til night. We love this modern tavern and wine bar for its simple, well-crafted menu, solid wine list, and the fine selection of beers on tap. The service and décor also give everything a lift. Basically, it’s a win!

There aren’t a ton of 100% vegan restaurants in Québec City. Le Don Végane has the distinction of having been the first. The dishes may be free of animal protein but they are definitely full of flavour! We love the generous portions, eclectic décor, friendly service and excellent cocktails. Le Don Végane is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays.

Located on Rue Sous-le-Fort in the very lively Petit Champlain District, this antipasto bar is a destination of choice for a European-style lunch or drinks and bites. In this restrained but nicely decorated space, waiters zigzag between tables, arms full of tiered platters overflowing with delicious antipasti—prosciutto, mortadella, suppli, burrata, gnocco frito—and lovely dishes of fresh pasta. If you’re in a festive mood, try pairing it with a spritz or a glass of pinot grigio—in moderation, of course. After all, it’s only Monday!

There are places where time stands still. Places like Le Continental, which has been wowing guests with its tableside service since 1957. Prepare to be dazzled as staff in white dinner jackets and black bowties flambé your meal before your very eyes on a cart. Although the old-school presentation and ambiance may be the initial draw, people tend to come back for the food itself, which is excellent. Le Continental remains a Québec City classic to this day.

Whether we’re there on a Monday or a Saturday, for lunch, brunch, or dinner, we always leave Le Clan with a smile on our faces. Chef Stéphane Modat and his kitchen brigade are on a mission to magnify the bounty produced by local farmers and artisans. The sight of them working away in the kitchen when we come in from Rue des Jardins never fails to amp up our anticipation of the meal that awaits. For a prequel, try the Café de la Paix lunch menu with its small plates for $5. For the full experience, we recommend the four  or six course tasting menu, which is served every evening.

Chez Boulay has made 'boreal cuisine' famous, putting it on everyone’s lips. Executive chef Arnaud Marchand and his team deftly transform local products and ingredients sourced from the boreal forest into incredible dishes and drinks. The restaurant is open for dinner every weekday evening and for lunch from Wednesday to Friday.

Just steps away from Chez Boulay lies Le Bedeau, a wine bar on Rue Saint-Jean that’s open every evening. It’s the place to go for a more casual experience, with a menu of local tapas and excellent wines that make for a great start to the week.