Quebec City has no shortage of restaurants, but visitors often miss out on the truly great food and instead visit only the higher-priced, lower-quality tourist-oriented restaurants. If you’re looking to eat delicious food with the locals, without straying too far from the Old Port, check out these restaurants.
Image source: Fotopedia
Patente et Machin
Roughly translated as “gadget and thingamajig”, this is the second restaurant opened by François Jobin and Olivier Lescelleur St-Cyr, this time with Benoît Fortin Lyonnais. Located in an old diner, the restaurant is staffed by young, mostly bearded, men in plaid shirts. The menu changes often, and is written on a chalkboard that is wheeled around from table to table.
There is a focus on local and in-season ingredients, and the menu showcases a range of proteins from fish and scallops to veal and rabbit. Foie gras can be added to any dish for $10, and is highly recommended. Don’t miss the pouding chômeur with aged cheddar for dessert. Prices are around $10 for appetizers, and $20 to $30 for the main course. Reservations are recommended.
https://www.facebook.com/Patente.et.Machin
82 Rue Saint-Joseph Ouest, Quebec, Quebec
Café du Monde
Situated on the edge of the St Laurent river, just steps from the heart of the Old Port, this restaurant offers great views, friendly service, and delicious food. The menu consists of classics like steak frites, black pudding, and duck confit, as well as a selection of tartars and fresh seafood.
The wine list is fairly extensive, with many options offered by the glass and half litre. Try the duck fat fries, and the rice pudding with caramel. Prices start around $5 for appetizers, and range from $17 to $40 for the main course. Reservations are recommended – if you call ahead, ask for a table on the patio during summer, or by the window during winter.
84, Dalhousie, Québec, Québec
Le Clocher Penché
Translated as the leaning bell tower, this restaurant is located kitty-corner from the Notre-Dame de Jacques-Cartier church in downtown Quebec City. The menu changes with the seasons, and the restaurant obtains ingredients from local food producers. There’s always at least one vegetarian appetizer, as well as a vegetarian main dish on offer. Their Saturdays and Sunday brunch menu is quite possibly the best brunch in the city. Dinner prices start at $7 for an appetizer, and are in the mid-$20 range for the main course. Reservations are strongly recommended.
203 rue Saint-Joseph Est, Québec, Québec
Quai 19
Formerly Le 48, Quai 19 is located just a short distance from the local farmer’s market. This is clearly demonstrated in the menu, which revolves around seasonal ingredients and reflects market prices. Connected to the Port Royal hotel, the décor is a cozy combination of brick walls and cushion-filled booths. There is a large patio outside for summer dining, complete with heat lamps for chillier evenings. Prices start at $7 for appetizers, and range from $20 to $30 for the main course (this could vary, depending on the “market price” items).
8, rue St-Paul, Québec, Quebec
La Planque
Opened in 2012 by Guillaume St-Pierre, who won the Quebec cooking show Les Chefs in 2011, La Planque is an intimate restaurant located in the Limoilou neighborhood of the city. Wooden tables and lamps hanging from extension cords give the place a rustic design, but the food is very refined. The menu offers traditional fare with a slight modern twist, like scallops with couscous, or mozzarella with dried figs. Appetizers start from $10, while the main course ranges from $20 to $30.
http://laplanquerestaurant.com
1027 3ième Avenue, Québec, Quebec
Wherever you decide to eat, don’t hesitate to ask for more information about what you’re eating, or for the chef’s recommendations. Most restaurants are happy to make adjustments for dietary needs, but it helps to call ahead to make sure this can be done. Quebec has more than its share of talented chefs and local products to enjoy, so don’t miss out on your next visit.
About the author: Abby Clark has loved to travel since her teens and today is an experienced traveler and a passionate travel writer. She has explored cities and towns around the world, from the famous ones to unknown, little places. Abby currently writes for Best Quote Travel Insurance on subjects such as super visa insurance and travel.
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