The best restaurants Québec

Timetable

There are no more variable schedules than those in the restaurant world. Not only do they vary according to the season, but also several times during the same season. Restaurants in large cities such as Quebec City tend to have a relatively fixed schedule throughout the year, while in the regions, some establishments even close their doors out of season. And as everywhere, weekends and holidays are synonymous with great crowds, especially for the famous brunch served until 2 or 3 pm. It also means that Quebecers eat earlier than Europeans. Therefore, the opening hours of the kitchens are not very late, except for pub-type restaurants.

Budget & Tips

You can easily eat on the go for less than $10-15 CDN. The minimum charge is $20.00 CDN for lunch and $30.00 CDN for dinner. The daily lunch menu and the table d'hôte in the evening allow you to save some money and include the starter, main course, dessert and coffee. More upscale restaurants also often offer a multi-course tasting menu. The cost can range from $60 to $150 CDN or more, and a pairing with selected wines is offered in addition.

All methods of payment are accepted, but smaller restaurants sometimes limit themselves to cash and/or debit card.

In Quebec, you can also take home the rest of your meal or bring your own bottle of wine - or beer - to the restaurant. The "Bring your own wine" concept is indeed quite common, especially since there is no corkage fee to pay.

What costs extra

As a general rule, prices on menus are always exclusive of tax. Not only do you have to add the taxes (14.975%), but also the 15% service charge. To find out what you have to pay, you have to add almost 30% to the price!

The local way

Eat a poutine at 3am, when leaving bars or after a drunken evening with friends at home. You can almost always find a 24-hour snack bar to satisfy your cravings, anywhere in the region.

Set aside a large table in a sugar shack in the spring to make you bomb until you're hungry.

Getting used to the often gigantic North American-style portions, especially in pubs and sports breweries.

To be avoided

Just because we're in America doesn't mean we have to be like the Americans! So please avoid the big fast food banners and opt for local tables to savour Quebec.

Kids

Your kids are welcome in most restaurants, except in sections where a bar license applies. Extra chairs are often available and several restaurants offer a menu specially concocted for the little ones.

Smokers

Smoking is not permitted in the restaurants and on their terraces. Smoking is also required 9 metres from the door of the establishment, although some people do not respect this distance.

Tourist traps

In areas popular with visitors such as Old Quebec City, take the time to compare restaurants and menus, as many tend to boost their prices to take advantage of the tourist boom.