Do Saint-Jean-Baptiste Like a Local

In the summer, the sidewalk in front of Cantook turns into the unofficial neighbourhood hangout for residents and tourists alike. For Julia, Cantook coffee is a daily staple. 

The staff are friendly and nice to kids. The baristas have watched my daughter grow up. Personally, I think it’s the best coffee in town!

Whether to enjoy at the café or take home after hosting the morning show, it’s always a latte for Julia. Simon prefers brewing his coffee at home. He likes to buy Cantook’s infinity blend or their Yirgacheffe beans. 

The seductive smell of chocolate wafting out of Érico is hard to resist. Julia, Simon, and their daughter like to pop in for chocolates and other treats. With the shop’s artisanal ice cream, that gets even more tempting in the summer. 

Simon gets a cone with two scoops of Île d’Orléans strawberry ice cream when it’s in season. I always get a chocolate-dipped cone. And our daughter loves everything that’s colourful and fruity!

The side streets off Rue Saint-Jean have plenty of little gems as well, like Épicerie Scott, with a cute playground just across the way that’s a popular meet-up spot for parents. 

For us, that grocery store and park kind of symbolize what it means to be parents in the city. We go to the park to play and then swing by the grocery store when everyone’s hungry. The owners are parents who live in the neighbourhood and they always make us feel welcome.

Julia and Simon love the snacks and last-minute dinner options, especially the housemade tacos. 

Julia loves this Vietnamese lunch counter for its family history and its delicious bubble tea! 

It’s run by people who’ve been in the neighbourhood for generations and who love it as much as I do. 

Her go-to is a tofu bun cha gio (a rice noodle salad with crispy spring rolls) and a Hong Kong‒style milk bubble tea, which is made with strong black tea, lightly sweetened. 

Simon likes to joke that he’s old enough to go to Fou-Bar now. The neighbourhood pub has been around since 1983 and is a pillar of Québec City’s nightlife. It’s even more than a pillar. It’s an institution! 

I love going for the shows, but it’s also just a nice place to grab a drink.

The bar brings in jazz, folk, and blues musicians and also hosts art exhibitions. 

Nina Pizza Napolitaine is a family favourite. Julia loves the Greenpoint pizza with fresh mozzarella, lemon, and arugula, while Simon sticks with the classic margherita. 

We like that there are plenty of vegetarian and even vegan options on the menu. It’s nice to have in the neighbourhood.

Walking towards the cliff along Rue Lavigueur, Julia and Simon end their tour at the top of Côte Badelard. 

It’s the best way to bike down the Lower Town and back up again without too much effort! We also take the Badelard stairs when we’re on foot. They’re the shortest and least steep stairs in the neighbourhood.