by Caroline Décoste
Influenced by French cuisine, Quebec City’s unique culinary style is making a name for itself. And these 10 restaurants, rated as four or five stars by both critics and travel sites alike, are the reason why. [Image credit: iStock.com/ale72]
Boutique hotel Auberge Saint-Antoine is home to award-winning restaurant Panache and is one of only two establishments in Quebec City – along with Initiale – affiliated with the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association. Several people featured on Les Chefs!, a popular Quebec television show on Société Radio-Canada, trained there.
Number 80 on the list of Canada's 100 Best restaurants in 2016, Restaurant Initiale is headed by chef Yvan Lebrun, who himself has mentored several of Quebec’s best chefs. With an intimate setting (seating up to 40), the restaurant has held the coveted AAA/CAA Five Diamond rating – proof of its dedication to excellence– since 1990.
Managed by Jean-Luc Amour and well known in the region, Le Saint-Amour is a classic French restaurant that honours the very best products made by local Quebec producers. Celebrities such as Paul McCartney, Sting and Charles Aznavour are known to stop by whenever they’re in town.
Nestled within the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (the world’s most photographed hotel) is Champlain, led by chef Stéphane Modat, who also collaborated to co-write the bestselling book Les Recettes de Papilles et Molécules with Harmony creator, François Chartier. The “Modat Expérience” menu, inspired by his favourite dishes, gives you a glimpse into the culinary world of this extraordinary young chef.
Renowned chef Daniel Vezina recently celebrated 25 years at his restaurant in the Old Port area of Quebec City by handing over the reins to his son, Raphaël. Following renovations and a dramatic change of concept, Laurie Raphael was launched, focusing on quality local products served in an exclusive, inviting atmosphere.
Critics are all but unanimous: Toast! has the best foie gras. No surprise that chef Christian Lemelin knows gourmet food when he sees it: he was trained by such esteemed chefs as Jean-Luc Boulay and Daniel Vezina. What’s more, his restaurant is rated among the top 10 by Trip Advisor.
Le Continental has been serving French cuisine in the heart of Old Quebec City since 1956. Their special tableside service, where crêpes Suzette are flambéed right before your very eyes, is unique to the city. Le Continental is a culinary institution!
Ranked ninth out of the 10 best new Canadian restaurants according to Air Canada’s enRoute magazine when it opened in 2014, Légende was built upon what was formerly Restaurant Tanière (now closed). Chef Frédéric Laplante draws inspiration for his critically acclaimed menu from a selection of quality, locally grown produce.
Le Clocher Penché is a trendy favourite among Quebec foodies and food bloggers alike. The cuisine of chef Mathieu Brisson, which often is featured on French-language television in Quebec, is described as “innovative and delightful”.
This Lyon-inspired restaurant offers the best value for the money in town. Le Bouchon gets all of its homemade meat products from Le Pied Bleu, a deli located adjacent to the restaurant and run by Thania Goyette and Louis Bouchard Trudeau. People travel from far away to taste their boudin, winner of no fewer than five medals.
Whether at a five-star restaurant or a quaint neighbourhood bistro, a good meal always awaits you somewhere in Quebec.
