Source: Courtesy of Laurie Raphaël via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Restaurant Tanière³ via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Ivan K. via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Alan L. via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Laurie Raphaël via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Tanja M. via Yelp
Ah, Quebec City. Not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in Canada but it also has a burgeoning and creative food scene.
There's a lot to do in this city, from museums to sightseeing along the Saint Lawrence River. And you have to eat, of course, so why not check out one of the best restaurants in the area? The ones that leave you with a memorable experience, like those rated by the Michelin Guide.
However, you won't find any Michelin-reviewed restaurants in Quebec City because the Guide has only been to two Canadian cities: Toronto and Vancouver, and that was just recently in 2022. That doesn't mean there aren't any restaurants worth a Michelin Star or three, because there are, and we're going to tell you about them. (Here are some French dishes the French don't really eat.)
Restaurant Tanière³
Restaurant Tanière³ surpasses expectations every time given its 4.8 rating. Located in a remodeled wine cellar in the heart of Old Quebec, the ambiance of this restaurant is evident as soon as you walk in the door.
Chef François-Emmanuel Nicol and director Roxan Bourdelais run the show, and guests choose from two distinct dining experiences: the Chef's Counter Cellar or the Dining Room Cellar. You'll enjoy a 15 to 20-course meal, depending on the season, and the restaurant does not disclose its menu beforehand to make it a surprise.
From the Restaurant Tanière³ website: The Dining Room Cellar experience will submerge you into an intimate space that will immerse your senses. Be a privileged witness to our local riches. The Chef's Counter Cellar experience offers you access into our chef François-Emmanuel Nicol's universe. You will witness firsthand our brigade at work with our chef's counter seating.
Chez Muffy
Chez Muffy is a farm-to-table experience you won't find elsewhere. What's more. its relaxing atmosphere overlooking the Saint Lawrence River is almost as exquisite as the food.
Many of the ingredients come straight from the farm and chef Arthur Miller focuses on slow-cooking meat, fish, and vegetables for a fresh and authentic dining experience.
Chez Muffy offers breakfast and dinner. For dinner, there are tasting and a la carte menus, with choices such as pan-seared halibut and roasted lamb loin. Breakfast can be their cold buffet or hot dishes like grilled beef shoulder or a French toast croissant.
Le Saint-Amour
Le Saint-Amour is a three-time entry on a top 10 list of fine dining restaurants among Canadian travelers, and with chef Jean-Luc Boulay at the helm, that's no surprise.
Serving French haute cuisine, Le Saint-Amour offers a "gourmet, refined, and unique gastronomic experience." With its beautiful, classic decor, you'll feel like you're dining outdoors. The setting here is romantic and warm, with gorgeous lighting and a tree among the tables.
There is an a la carte menu and a seven-course discovery menu. Appetizers include foie gras (pictured), milk-fed piglet flank, and oysters and caviar. Among the main dishes: Quebec lobster, rack of lamb, veal sweetbreads, and filet mignon. There are vegetarian options as well.
Laurie Raphaël
Laurie Raphaël offers gourmet cuisine in a luxurious and relaxing setting. Suzanne Gagnon and Daniel Vézina opened the first Laurie Raphaël to celebrate the rich history and cuisine of Quebec, and the staff have since received the AAA Five-Diamond award.
The menus at Laurie Raphaël continuously change with the seasons. You can choose from a gastronomic experience ($175 p/p) or a personalized menu ($130 p/p). Dishes on either menu include Siberian caviar, tuna, foie gras terrine, potato and bacon espuma, and bison strip loin, to name a few.
Légende
Légende offers some truly eloquent, classic Canadian dishes with their own creative spins. Established in 2014, Légende was named one of the best new restaurants in Canada by EnRoute by Air Canada magazine.
Légende offers a tasting menu complete with seven creative courses at $110. This menu highlights spices, flowers, and boreal plants. The a la carte menu has dishes such as pork belly marinated in buttermilk and deep fried; lobster and halibut bisque; and beef flank stank with malt and honey au jus. Vegetarian options are available. (Here are the best traditional French restaurants in the U.S.)