When discussing where to eat and drink in Québec City, this list contains, what I feel, to be the best spots. I’m not a food blogger, but I can still recognize the fact that Québec City has some of the best food anywhere. (The French food here is lightyears better than anything I’ve ever had in France.)
This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a list of the incredible places I return to time and time again on my regular visits to Québec City. Check out one or check them all out – you won’t be disappointed!
Where to eat breakfast in Québec City
I might as well start at the beginning. Here are some of my favorite places to eat breakfast in Québec City:
1. Le Casse-Crêpe Breton
Come here for: Crepes of all kinds
Casse-Crêpe Breton was the place that taught me that crepes are more than just Nutella and sugar. When I come here, I always order the ham and cheese crepe. It comes with a side of maple syrup which I initially thought was weird, but now I won’t eat them any other way! That said, they do have dessert crepes and all kinds of other great stuff.
- Need to know: There’s a good chance there will be a line; wait in it!
- Address: 1136 Rue Saint-Jean
- Website: cassecrepebreton.com
2. Paillard
Come here for: Hot breakfast sandwiches on fresh-made croissants, cappuccino, artisan pastries.
Everything here at Paillard is fresh, high-quality, homemade, and so delicious, which is why it stays on the list of where to eat and drink in Québec City. In their own words:
“Yves Simard achieved his life-long dream of marrying the finesse of French cuisine with the speed and efficiency associated with American ‘fast food’ to create a restaurant concept that is refined while remaining accessible to all.“
- Need to know: They open before everything else so if you need an early breakfast, go here.
- Address: They have a few locations, but the one I always go to is 1097 Rue Saint-Jean.
- Website: paillard.ca
3. L’Omelette
Come here for: Typical hot breakfast options that are consistently good, fast service, friendly people, reliability.
L’Omelette is your typical breakfast spot with meals you would expect to find at a typical breakfast spot. But everything is great—the staff, the food, the whole experience. When you want a no-frills but positive breakfast experience, head here.
- Address: 66 Rue Saint-Louis
- Website: omelettevieuxquebec.com
Where to eat lunch in Québec City
In addition to the following restaurants I’m about to name, know that you can also get lunch at Paillard and L’Omelette as mentioned above.
4. Paillard
At lunchtime, the artisan bakery Paillard (that I mentioned for breakfast) serves excellent soups and sandwiches, and great local beers too. Just remember that the pastry line is in the front, but the real food line is in the back. 1097 Rue Saint-Jean / paillard.ca
5. Pub Saint-Alexandre
Come here for: the French onion soup
Pub Saint-Alexandre is one of my favorite bars in the world. I think it’s safe to say, when I visit Québec City, I spend more time here than at my hotel. And I always always always get the French onion soup. The soup that absolutely ruined me for France.
I always thought, “If the French food in Québec is half as good as the food in France…” But, as it turns out, it’s actually twice as good as the food in France. Nobody does it better than Pub Saint-Alexandre.
- Need to know: This is also a kickass pub, which I’ll talk about more in a bit.
- Address: 1087 Rue Saint-Jean
- Website: pubstalexandre.com
6. Restaurant Wong
Come here for: I don’t really have much more to say about this place other than it’s just really, really good Chinese food. If you’re in the mood for something a little less French, head here.
- Address: 19 Rue de Buade
- Website: restaurantwong.com
7. Q-De-Sac Resto-Pub
Come here for: Excellent casual dishes on a cozy patio
I absolutely love this little spot in the Petit Champlain district. It’s tucked into a cozy little corner (hence the name) and the food here is incredible. (I got the insanely delicious Poutine from the Chalet with Perron cheese curds, bacon, homemade fois gras, and more stuff I can’t pronounce.)
- Address: 10 rue du Cul-de-Sac
- Website: restopubqdesac.com
8. St. Hubert
Come here for: rotisserie chicken meals and combo deals
St. Hubert is a casual restaurant chain that was first recommended to me after my day ice canyoning in the mountains near Québec City. The food is great and the experience is perfectly lovely. The dining experience is pretty casual, so come here if you’re just tired of trying to decipher the lists of fancy French foods.
- Need to know: St. Hubert is the patron saint of many things, forest workers and dogs among them. He was known for practicing ethical hunting methods that are still taught in German and Austrian hunter education courses today.
- Address: There are locations all over; find the nearest one to you here.
- Website: st-hubert.com
Where to get poutine in Québec City
While there are several places to find poutine in Québec city, here are some I always include on my list of where to eat and drink in Québec City:
9. La Poutinerie
Come here for: The opportunity to try something new. I’ve been coming here since 2008 and I try a new kind of poutine every time. Because I can.
Standard poutine consists of three ingredients: French fries, brown gravy, and fresh cheese curd. (And will always be my favorite.) But at La Poutinerie you can choose your own ingredients and create hundreds of different combinations. Go nuts.
- Need to know: Don’t let the name fool you – the “baby” size is a legit full meal.
- Address: 292 Rue Marie de l’Incarnation
- Website: lapoutinerie.com
10. Chez Victor
Come here for: The fancy side of poutine
Chez Victor is a hip spot that’s actually pretty famous for their burgers (which I can also attest to the deliciousness of), but the poutine is also worth the trip. The beers are phenomenal too. Overall, a fabulous spot I keep going back to.
- Need to know: They have a whole poutine section on their menu.
- Address: There are several locations, but I prefer the one just outside the edge of Old Québec @ 300 Rue Saint-Paul.
- Website: chezvictorburger.com
11. Chez Ashton
Come here for: Fast-food poutine
Chez Ashton is, for lack of a better description, an actual American-style fast food restaurant. You can call it the Québecois McDonald’s if you want. However, their poutine is the best. No-nonsense, fast, consistently good, and true to form.
I once ordered a ton of poutine from here, and they happily packaged the ingredients up separately so I could bring it back to my husband who was a 6-hour drive away back in Boston. I love it.
- Need to know: Chez Ashton is also famous for its winter promotion where the price of their poutine drops with the temperature. If the temp drops to -30°C (-22°F), the customer receives a 30% poutine discount.
- Address: Locations all over, find the nearest one here. (But I prefer the location right in the heart of Old Québec at 54 Côte du Palais.)
- Website: ashtonrestaurants.ca
Where to have dinner in Québec City
Breakfast, lunch, and poutine in Québec City are great, but dinner is where this city truly shines. Here are some of my favorite places to have dinner in Québec City.
12. Bistro Saint Malo
Come here for: Unforgettably delicious French food; escargots, mussels and frites, and they’re especially known for their blood sausage
I first decided to eat here based on the number of rave reviews I found, and I was not disappointed. This place is incredible. It’s small and super French. The owners/servers are so friendly and really want this to be the best restaurant you’ve ever eaten at. (And it just might be!)
I’ve even since been to the actual town of St. Malo in France and this place runs laps around them.
- Need to know: You need a reservation.
- Address: 75 Rue Saint-Paul
- Website: bistrostmalo.com
13. Sapristi
Come here for: Casual and delicious Italian-inspired dishes
Sapristi never disappoints. You’ll find a menu full of Italian-inspired dishes and a long list of delicious pizzas. They have two locations, both conveniently located–one in Old Québec and one in Petit Champlain.
- Address: 1001 Rue Saint-Jean in Old Québec / 24 Blvd Champlain in Petit Champlain
- Website: sapristi.ca
14. Aux Anciens Canadiens
Come here for: Really hearty and traditionally Canadian food
This is the kind of place where the menu is filled with hearty meat dishes like bison, beef tenderloin, and duck dishes. You can also try their Lac St-Jean meat pie that contains all wild meats like caribou, deer, elk, beef, and pork.
When I first visited, I had the four-course fixed price menu and it blew my mind. The “Coulibiac style salmon and shrimp and vegetable fricassee” was incredible, and I have no idea what coulibiac style salmon is. Highly recommend.
- Need to know: This is the perfect place for dinner in the winter. Super cozy.
- Address: 34 Rue Saint-Louis
- Website: auxancienscanadiens.qc.ca
Where to go for drinks in Québec City
You can find great drink options at any of the restaurants mentioned already, but here are a couple places I especially like to get my beers at:
15. Pub St. Alexandre
As previously mentioned, I love Pub St. Alexandre. Not only is the food great at any time of day, but this is a fabulous pub to grab a beer at. They have a phenomenal beer menu (and all other drinks too), and the live music entertainment is always really good. It’s always a fun atmosphere here which is why I continue to go back! 1087 Rue Saint-Jean / pubstalexandre.com
16. Noctem Artisans Brasseurs
Come here for: Interesting local craft beers
The Noctem craft brewery is a favorite of mine in terms of where to eat and drink in Québec City. For starters, it’s a delicious craft brewery with a wide range of creative options. Second, it’s cat-themed! If you’re looking to try some interesting local craft beers, this is a great place to do so. (I’m personally a fan of the Fandango smoothie sour.)
- Need to know: They also serve excellent food too (including poutine of course, the best beer partner).
- Address: Two locations, but I like the one near Old Québec @ 438 Rue du Parvis
- Website: noctem.ca
17. Taverne Grande Allée
Come here for: Good snacks and cheap drinks before the underground places open
Taverne Grand Allée is super casual and that’s what I love about it. They play good music, showcase great artwork, and offer incredible drink specials.
- Address: 585 Grand Allée Est
- Website: tavernegrandeallee.com
18. Hôtel de Glace
Come here for: The most unique drinking experience in Québec City
Hôtel de Glace is the Western Hemisphere’s only ice hotel. It’s constructed from scratch each year and is only open for 3 months. But you don’t have to stay here to enjoy it all – you can simply stop by and hang out at one of their cool ice bars if you want!
The Québec ice hotel has a few different ice bars with different themes. Everything here but the liquor bottles and cash registers is made from ice—the buildings, the bars, and even the glasses. They serve hilarious themed drinks in ice glasses and even had fireplaces to keep you warm.
This is just one of the many ways to spend time at Hôtel de Glace. Check out everything you can do at the Québec City ice hotel here.
- Need to know: Only open for a short time each year; check the dates first to make sure they’re open.
- Address: 2280 Blvd Valcartier, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, Québec City
- Website: valcartier.com
More info for your trip to Québec City
Like this post? Have more questions about where to eat and drink in Québec City? Let me know in the comments below. Have fun in Canada!
Save this info, pin this image:
