Quebec Restaurant Tips by Jefie Top 5 Page for this destination

Phil's smoked meat: My favourite smoked meat place

We usually associate smoked meat with Montreal, but lately Quebec City has been giving this reputation a run for its money. There are now several great smoked meat options in the city, including Brynd smoked meat, la Fabrique du smoked meat, Joe smoked meat and, my own favourite place, Phil's smoked meat. Located in a charming historic building on St. Vallier Street, this restaurant features an interesting menu that gives customers a chance to taste the house's specialty in a variety of ways - of course, you can get your regular smoked meat sandwich, but you can also go for a smoked meat pizza, a smoked meat spaghetti or, for those looking for a lighter option, a delicious smoked meat salad. The meat is smoked to perfection and cut just the way you want it (I prefer the lean cut). They also offer a good selection of beer and old-fashioned sodas to wash it all down!

Address: 275 St-Valier Est

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: St-Roch area

Other Contact: info@philsmokedmeat.com

Phone: 418-523-4545

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.philsmokedmeat.com

Ô 6ième Sens: A one-of-a-kind experience!

Ô 6ième Sens is a fantastic restaurant that allows you to experience what it's like to be completely blind for an evening. After receiving some instructions, you follow your waiter to the dining room that is so dark, you can't see anything at all. The feeling is unsettling at first, but soon enough you learn to rely on your other senses to get your bearings. But eating in the dark is not the only interesting part of this experience, the food is also amazing! You are served a 3-course meal, each meal comprising 3 different dishes, and the fun part is trying to figure out what you eat :o) (food allergies are taken into account, a vegetarian option is also available). As soon as we walked in we got the feeling that the entire staff wanted us to have the most amazing evening possible. Our waitress Brigitte was really fun and friendly (all waiters are blind), and we really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet the chef after our meal. It's also nice to know that a portion of the profits are given to organizations that help out blind people.

Favorite Dish: Everything was absolutely delicious! The menu changes every month so it's fun to go back.

Address: 1200 Germain-des-prés

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: In the Sainte-Foy area

Other Contact: info@o6sens.com

Phone: 418-704-7367

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.o6sens.com

Pub d'Orsay: An oldie but a goodie!

Established in 1973, Pub d'Orsay is one of the few restaurants to have survived that many years in the old city, partly due to its great location - it's right next to the basilica and city hall, just a short walk away from Chateau Frontenac and the shops on St-Jean street. It's got a slightly outdated look, but to me it only adds to the charm of the place. I usually tend to go there in the winter, when I'm out looking for a cosy place where I can rest up and warm up my feet. Although they pride themselves on their extensive menu, this is a pub first and foremost and I'd recommend sticking to pub food - the French onion soup and beef baguettine are two of my favourite options. The more "refined" items on the menu tend to be overpriced. This is not the kind of place I would recommend for a nice dinner in the old city, but if you want to fill up that mid-afternoon hole in your stomach, it's a pretty good option :o)

Address: 65 de Buade

Comparison: about average

Directions: In the Old City

Other Contact: info@dorsayrestaurant.com

Phone: 418-694-1582

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Website: http://www.dorsayrestaurant.com

Aux Anciens Canadiens: Try out some traditional Quebec dishes Aux Anciens Canadiens Review

Aux Anciens Canadiens is located in the oldest standing house in Quebec City, one that has made it through its fair share of battles as you can tell by the cannon ball lodged in a tree on the other side of the street (see picture). Built in 1675, the Maison Jacquet, as it was then known, was at one point home to Philippe Aubert de Gaspé, author of the novel "Les Anciens Canadiens".

The restaurant has kept true to its old roots and now serves food like my grandma used to make it! Aux Anciens Canadiens specializes in the rich, hearty meals that are characteristic of traditional Quebec cuisine (gotta make it through those tough winters!). I highly recommend trying the Lac-Saint-Jean meat pie, the country platter, or the Matane shrimp quiche (hey, gotta be proud of my hometown!). As for dessert, you've got to try maple sugar on bread with cream - can't get anymore traditional than that!

Finally, I strongly recommend going for lunch as it is way more expensive in the evening. You really get a good deal with the lunch table d'hote (and you probably won't have to eat dinner that night anyways). Making a reservation is a really good idea as the restaurant is not that big and it is very popular.

Favorite Dish: Anything with maple syrup in it!

Address: 34 rue Saint-Louis

Comparison: about average

Directions: In the Vieux Quebec area, just a short walk up from Chateau Frontenac

Other Contact: restaurant@auxancienscanadiens.q

Phone: 418-692-1627

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.auxancienscanadiens.qc.ca

Savini: Finally, a decent restaurant on Grande Allee!

Although Quebec City is home to lots of great restaurants, I usually tell visitors to stay away from Grande Allee if they want to enjoy a good meal. Well, for about a year now there's been at least one exception to that rule, and it's a place called "Savini", Quebec City's newest and trendiest Italian restaurant. Although it has quickly become popular first and foremost for its wine bar (they offer a wide selection of great wines by the glass), the menu also offers a good choice of Italian dishes. I tried the wild mushroom risotto and it was very good, and I also tried a piece of Sylvain's parmesan-crusted veal and it was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I can't say that I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant since it's the kind of place you go to see and be seen, which isn't really my kind of thing, but for those getting ready to enjoy a night out at one of Grande Allee's numerous nightclubs, then it's the perfect place to go to start the evening!

Reservations are recommended on the weekend and during festivals.

Address: 680 Grande-Allee Est

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Just outside the Old City's walls

Other Contact: info@savini.ca

Phone: 418-647-4747

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Website: http://www.savini.ca

Moulerie Moss: Belgian bistro in Quebec City

It took me a while to try this restaurant because I didn't know what else would be on the menu except for the obvious mussels. I eventually went with a group of friends a couple years ago and since then, I must have returned at least three times. The food there is really good and there is much more to the menu than just mussels, though most of my friends like the mussels so much that they refuse to try anything else. I've always been pleased with the service, and I especially enjoy going in the summertime when we can sit on the sidewalk terrace. Moulerie Moss also offers a nice selection of Belgian beers, from the most commercial (and therefore cheaper) ones, such as Leffe and Stella Artois, to interesting private importations. If you can, try to save some room for a dessert made with delicious Belgian chocolate!

Address: 255 rue Saint-Paul

Comparison: about average

Directions: In the Old Port area

Phone: 418-694-0533

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Other

La Sagamite: Great restaurant at the heart of the Huron village

La Sagamite is located in Wendake, also known as the Huron village. It specializes in game and traditional First Nations recipes, but the menu has a little bit of everything for everyone, including some vegetarian options. The atmosphere is great, being located next to the beautiful Kabir Kouba waterfalls, and the restaurant is decorated with a nice aboriginal touch. In the summertime there is a nice outdoor patio overlooking the falls. Service is quite friendly and efficient, and the food is reasonably priced. If you're even remotely interested in learning more about First Nations in Canada, I'd definitely recommend driving up to Wendake to have dinner at La Sagamite to enjoy a delicious meal and a unique experience at the same time!

Address: 10 boul. Maurice-Bastien

Comparison: about average

Directions: In Wendake (about 15 min. north of Quebec City)

Phone: 418-847-6999

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.sagamite.com

Le Buffet de l'Antiquaire: It doesn't get more typical than this! Buffet de l'Antiquaire Review

If "Les Anciens Canadiens" serves food the way my grand-mother used to make it, then "Le Buffet de l'Antiquaire" serves food like my mother still makes it! In fact, this place is probably the closest thing Quebec City has to a diner - good, honest food at a great price in a casual atmosphere. There definitely is a small town feel to it, and the funny thing is that even though it is surrounded by French bistros and high-end restaurants, it's probably the most popular restaurant in the area! It's not very big so it can get quite crowded, especially because of how popular it is with tourists curious to sample typical Quebec dishes and locals (including a good number of regulars) coming in search of comfort food on a cold winter day.

Favorite Dish: I'd recommed the pea soup and cipaille for the ultimate French Canadian experience!

Address: 95 rue Saint-Paul

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: In the Vieux Quebec area, near the Old Port

Phone: 418-692-2661

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Diner

L'Echaude: For some of the city's finest cuisine L'Echaude Review

L'Echaude is my favourite "fine cuisine" restaurant in Quebec City, mostly because of the great quality/price ratio. It is located about halfway between the Petit Champlain and Old Port areas, in a beautiful stone building. The place is quite cozy and the staff is always friendly, proving that it is possible to serve delicious cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. There's an interesting wine list, and the menu changes all the time so you never get tired of going back. You can always create your own Table d'hote by paying a little extra, which makes it possible to order a 4-course dinner at a fairly reasonable price, and the portions are quite generous. Definitely the place to go in Quebec City if you feel like splurging a little, because you know you'll get your money's worth!

Address: 73 rue Sault-au-Matelot

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: In the Vieux Quebec area

Other Contact: info@echaude.com

Phone: 418-692-1299

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.echaude.com

Portofino: Best Italian restaurant in the old city Portofino Bistro Italiano Review

Like most restaurants located in the Vieux Quebec area, Portofino is incredibly charming and cosy. But perhaps was puts it one step ahead of some of its competitors and what makes it such a favourite with the locals and tourists alike is the outstanding service offered at this Italian bistro. The last time I was there was on New Year's Day, and the entire staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. I ordered the mushroom risotto and my friend got the goat cheese and sundried tomatoes ravioli and we were both gushing over how good the food was. The Portofino also offers an impressive wine menu ranging from about $30 to $200 a bottle, so it definitely is a great place for wine connoisseurs, but your waiter won't hesitate to recommend a bottle that fits your price range. Definitely one of the best dining experiences I've had in the old city!

Favorite Dish: That mushroom risotto was to die for!

Address: 54 rue Couillard

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located in the Vieux Quebec area

Other Contact: portofino@megaquebec.com

Phone: 418-692-8882

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: Italian

Website: http://www.portofino.qc.ca/en/index.html