11 November 2025
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Québec's culinary landscape pulses with creativity, where French culinary traditions meet global influences and exceptional local ingredients. From the fertile farmlands of the Eastern Townships to the maple groves of Beauce, the province's diverse terroir provides chefs with world-class produce, artisanal cheeses and impressive seasonal specialties like fiddleheads and sea buckthorn. The province has become a magnet for culinary innovation, attracting both celebrated masters and bold newcomers who seamlessly blend classical French techniques with modern gastronomy.
Montréal
Where to Eat: Montréal's dining scene is a combination of French technique and global influences, making it a particularly exciting food city. At MICHELIN-Starred Mastard, an intimate and minimalist setting that accommodates about 50 diners gives guests the opportunity to truly appreciate the precision and artistry that goes into each thoughtfully composed dish.Fellow MICHELIN-Starred Sabayon showcases technical mastery through seasonal ingredients, and the menu is almost entirely meat-free.
For those seeking exceptional value without compromising on quality, Montréal delivers with outstanding Bib Gourmand establishments, too. L'Express has been a beloved institution for decades, serving classic French bistro fare in an atmosphere that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to Paris. The bustling energy, coupled with consistently excellent execution, makes it a perennial favorite among both locals and visitors. Annette bar à vin brings a more contemporary approach to the Bib Gourmand category, pairing natural wines with small plates in a relaxed neighborhood setting where the focus is on seasonality and flavor.
Even beyond the Starred and Bib Gourmand selections, Montréal's dining options are impressive. Dorsia focused on sophisticated cuisine, La Chronique has long been celebrated for its market-driven French cooking that changes with the seasons, and Les Mômes offers diners a charming experience that captures the essence of Parisian café culture. The upscale enclave of Westmount features Park, proving that quality dining options exist throughout the greater Montréal region for those willing to venture beyond the city's traditional restaurant districts.
Where to Stay: Montréal's hotel scene reflects the city's blend of historic charm and contemporary sophistication, with several One MICHELIN Key properties to boast. With 28 rooms, Le Petit Hotel delivers boutique luxury in the heart of Old Montréal, where cobblestone streets and historic architecture create an enchanting backdrop. Hôtel Place d'Armes occupies the renovated nineteenth-century Great Scottish Life Insurance building, seamlessly blending preservation with modern comfort and design.
Hôtel le Germain Montréal represents sleek urban design in the downtown core, appealing to travelers who appreciate contemporary aesthetics and efficient service. Le Mount Stephen stands apart with its setting in a magnificent building from 1883, offering extravagant accommodations like chromatherapy showers.
Québec City
Where to Eat: The provincial capital's culinary scene stands among Canada's finest, with a concentration of Starred restaurants. At the pinnacle sits Two-MICHELIN-Star Tanière³, where the dining experience represents the very best of Québécois gastronomy. And the setting is just as unique as the food. With ingredients like matured tuna, pickled matsutake slices and sunflower cream, the tasting menu allows the kitchen to showcase the region's exceptional terroir.Québec City's three MICHELIN-Starred establishments each bring something unique to the table. Légende has carved out a distinctive identity by focusing on indigenous ingredients and boreal flavors, creating dishes that tell the story of the province's culinary heritage. Kebec Club Privé offers an intimate atmosphere that resembles a members' club. ARVI serves refined plates that highlight the work of local producers, demonstrating the kitchen's commitment to showcasing the best of the region.
For diners who prioritize sustainability alongside culinary excellence, Alentours proves that environmental responsibility and remarkable food are not mutually exclusive. The restaurant's approach demonstrates how thoughtful sourcing and waste reduction can generate creative possibilities in the kitchen.
Where to Stay: Two MICHELIN Key Auberge Saint-Antoine, stands as one of Québec City's top accommodations, offering an experience that goes beyond typical luxury hospitality. Archaeological artifacts discovered during construction have been thoughtfully incorporated throughout the hotel. The result is an environment that feels part museum, part luxury hotel, where guests can appreciate the layers of history beneath their feet while enjoying impeccable service and beautiful rooms.
Eastern Townships
Where to Eat: The pastoral landscapes of the Eastern Townships provide a beautiful backdrop for some of Québec's most memorable dining experiences. In the lakeside village of North Hatley, Two MICHELIN Key Manoir Hovey houses two distinct dining venues: Le Hatley offers fine dining that takes full advantage of the region's agriculture, while Le Tap Room provides a more casual alternative. The region's culinary offerings extend well beyond North Hatley. Stanbridge East's Espace Old Mill demonstrates how rural settings can support cutting-edge sustainability. Granby offers Maison Boire, where the focus on local beverages and ingredients creates a dining experience deeply rooted in the region's terroir. Cookshire-Eaton's Les Mal-Aimés brings quality dining to this small Eastern Townships community, while Sherbrooke, the region's largest city, is home to Vin Polisson, a pocket-sized restaurant where wine takes center stage.
Where to Stay: The Two MICHELIN Key Manoir Hovey is a culinary destination and a luxurious retreat. The property gives off the elegance of a New England estate, with manicured grounds, lake views and a level of service that makes guests feel like they've stepped into a gracious era.
Charlevoix and the South Shore of the St. Lawrence River
Where to Eat: Along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, a string of restaurants demonstrates that quality dining isn't limited to major urban centers. In the whale-watching destination of Tadoussac, Chez Mathilde showcases the best of the St. Lawrence River seafood. With an open kitchen and counter, further west in Rivière-du-Loup, La Porte Arrière gives diners that opportunity to watch chefs at work.The city of Rimouski, located where the St. Lawrence River begins to widen into the Gulf, boasts two notable establishments: Les Affamés and Arlequin. Both demonstrate the culinary vitality of Québec's regions beyond the major metropolitan areas, proving that talented chefs are focusing on sophisticated cuisine throughout the province.
Where to Stay: The Charlevoix region, with its dramatic landscapes where mountains meet the St. Lawrence River, has become a haven for travelers seeking both natural beauty and culinary excellence. Baie-Saint-Paul serves as the gateway to this region, with the One MICHELIN Key Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel and Spa providing luxurious accommodations perfectly positioned for exploring the area's art galleries, local producers and scenery.
Laurentians
Where to Eat: The Laurentian mountains north of Montréal have long been a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, and the culinary scene has evolved to match the region's appeal. Mont-Tremblant, the area's premier resort destination, combines world-class skiing and outdoor recreation with serious dining at charming-old-house-turned-restaurant sEb l'Artisan Culinaire.Where to Stay: The One MICHELIN Key Hôtel Quintessence provides luxurious accommodations that allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the mountain experience, with amenities and service that rival major city hotels.
Mauricie and Other Regions
Where to Eat: Throughout Québec's diverse regions, exceptional restaurants continue to emerge. Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc's Auberge Saint-Mathieu has earned notice for its exemplary sustainable practices and farm-to-table approach. Set in a rural location, the restaurant demonstrates how environmental stewardship and culinary excellence can work hand in hand, with the kitchen's menu reflecting what can be grown, raised or foraged nearby.Trois-Rivières, Québec's fourth-largest city, situated midway between Montréal and Québec City, offers Épi, buvette de quartier, bringing neighborhood-focused dining to this historic community. Deschambault's Myranel provides another example of how small-town Québec can surprise visitors with cuisine that honors local traditions while embracing modern techniques. Even in suburban settings, Québec's culinary scene continues to thrive. Saint-Eustache, just outside Montréal, is home to Le Géraldine.
Where to Stay: While accommodations in these regions are more limited, the focus on culinary excellence means that many visitors choose to base themselves in Montréal or Québec City and venture out for day trips to experience exceptional restaurants throughout Mauricie and the surrounding areas.
Québec's culinary landscape represents a remarkable achievement: a province that has preserved its French culinary heritage while continuously evolving, embracing local ingredients, sustainable practices, and global influences to create a dining scene that stands among North America's finest. From two-star establishments in historic city centers to green-star recipients in rural settings, Québec offers food lovers a diversity of experiences united by a commitment to quality, creativity and the celebration of place.
Hero image: Montréal © GouvQc / L. Romer
