Where to Eat & Drink in Quebec City

Quebec City is an Out of Office Enthusiasts favorite, with culinary delights around every cobblestone corner. From cozy bistros serving up traditional Québécois dishes to trendy cocktail bars, one of the most difficult parts is just choosing where to eat and drink. To help guide your decision, below are our favorite morning/brunch options, cocktail spots, and dinner locations. ~ Bon appetit! ~

Morning / Brunch:

• La Bûche: Cozy up in the rustic and charming decor for traditional Quebecois fare, the perfect place to start your day with crêpes, waffles, other breakfast favorites, including breakfast cocktails. Note: also a great option for dinner.
• Brunch at Café Du Monde: Located right on the Saint Lawrence River, this large restaurant has airy but chic Parisian vibes, with water views and great food.
• Breakfast at L’Antiquaire Buffet: After seeing the line outside, we had to try this small diner, and it did not disappoint. Located in the lower part of Old Quebec, it offers breakfast classics (and traditional Quebecois fare later in the day).
• Coffee at La Maison Smith Café – Place Royale: There are multiple locations for this coffee shop, but be sure to visit the one in the beautiful Place Royale, especially if you visit during warmer weather. It’s the most charming place to start your day or stop in for a caffeine boost.

Cocktails:

• Pub de L’Oncle Antoine: Experience Quebec charm in this 17th century cellar turned tavern, and you cannot miss the maple whiskey shots.
• Bar 1608: Located inside the famous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, this beautifully decorated bar serves top notch cocktails and ambiance, and is not to be missed.
• La Pizz: Can we tell you how much we love Place Royale? If you’re visiting during the warmer months, be sure to soak in the beautiful square with drinks at La Pizz.
• Il Teatro: Located at the luxurious Le Capitole Hôtel, expect perfectly crafted cocktails. Note: We only went for drinks, but based on those, we can only imagine the food is also great.

Dinner:

• Le Continental: A perfect fine-dining or special occasion experience, expect timeless elegance and impeccable service, with most meals cooked table side for a memorable and sophisticated dining experience. PS: You can find an Anthony Bourdain episode on this restaurant.
• L’Affaire Est Ketchup: Don’t be misled by the name; it’s a Quebecois saying, not a ketchup-themed eatery. This no-frills gem where everything is cooked on 2 small stoves (like you would see at a grandparent’s house) was fantastic. Don’t expect formal menus – for drinks, they just ask you what you like, and for food, they explain the options to the entire restaurant at once. Make sure to reserve ahead; they offer two seatings per night. PS: Anthony Bourdain also featured this spot in one of his episodes.
• Chez Boulay: This culinary gem showcases local ingredients inspired by northern Quebec cuisine, all in a modern and clean decor environment.
• Aux Anciens Canadiens: Serving traditional Quebec cuisine and new Canadian cuisine, Aux Anciens Canadiens is located in La Maison Jacquet, said to be the oldest house in Quebec City. They offer an à la carte menu and table d’hôte menu, which is a complete meal offered at a fixed price.
• Le Lapin Sauté: This restaurant was highly recommended to us by a local, and after walking by, we were sad we weren’t able to add it to our agenda last second. So, it’s at the top of the list for our next trip.

– Karen & Kasey