7 Unforgettable Foodie Experiences

Experiencing the warmth of the locals and the earthy traditional Québécois cuisine is the perfect beginning for a culinary journey through Québec City. Traditional cuisine is the epitome of comfort food, telling the story of a city that is over 400 years old. Savour tourtière, created from a 100-year-old recipe. Cozy up with a bowl of French Onion Soup or Sagamité, a First Nations recipe made with hominy, grease and root vegetables. Brunch on wild salmon and local berries. 

Trace the roots of traditional cuisine with dishes highlighting the authentic taste of First Nations cuisine, followed by the rugged Nordic wilderness of boreal cuisine, the depth of French cuisine and the influence of cozy British dishes.

The relationship between farm and table in Québec City is weaved into the roots of its history and culture. Try Québec terroir such as blackcurrant liquor, berry confiture, award-winning cheese and locally cured charcuterie. Meet cheerful producers and stroll through the sunbathed halls of Québec City's Grand Marché (public market). 

A short distance from Old Québec is Île d’Orléans, the heart of local terroir and culinary artisans. It is here where chefs and artisans work together; planning and growing ingredients; creating and perfecting dishes that are the heart and soul of local cuisine. Spend a day tasting your way around the island. Devour in all things strawberry, apple and wine. Sip the deliciousness of iced apple cider. 

The sophistication of Québec City’s fine dining scene transcends beyond beautifully designed restaurants and crisp white linens. Dishes made with local terroir and prepared with a mixture of traditional and avant-garde cooking techniques are the heart of Québec City fine dining. Take pleasure in artistically presented food crafted with high-quality local ingredients. Renowned chefs command the kitchens of the city’s AAA four and five diamond restaurants, leading to several culinary distinctions.

Open up to the marriage of flavours and creativity found in the kitchens of gourmet restaurants throughout Québec City. Changing the food and cultural fabric of the city, young emerging chefs are revitalizing once-forgotten neighbourhoods with award-winning micro-restaurants where booking in advance is highly recommended.

One of the best introductions to Québec City’s culture is through its food. Book a food tour with a local guide and sample the very best of the city’s dining culture. From fine dining to Québécois comfort foods such as poutine, Québec City food tours highlight local terroir and add a dash of history along the way.

An Old Québec food tour is the perfect starting point, however, doing a food tour in Saint-Roch or over on Île d’Orléans is also highly recommended. No matter the season, a food tour is sure to open the mind, tease the palate and warm the belly.

Relax and quench your thirst at Québec City craft breweries where passionate brewers are obsessed with high-quality hops and incorporating Québec terroir whenever possible. The craft beer scene in the city is growing as brewers create well-bodied micro-brews as well as warm cozy spaces in which to share their creations. Spend an evening in one of Québec City’s craft breweries, meeting welcoming locals and pairing craft beer with gourmet cuisine. A superb way to explore Québec City nightlife while discovering new craft beers and foods.

A quintessential Québécois experience, maple is used in almost every aspect of Québec’s gastronomy. From maple water to hand-crafted chocolates, sugar, taffy rolled on snow and syrup, maple (particularly maple syrup) is one of the most popular local products in Québec’s traditional cuisine.

In spring, enjoy the tradition and tap your feet to traditional Québécois folk music and warm up with traditional cuisine at a sugar shack. While the tourtière, pea soup and oreilles de crisse will warm the belly, they are significantly better when drizzled with maple syrup made by local artisans.