Our favourites

On rue Saint-Paul, across from the Old Port market, Légende is the little sister of Tanière³. Opened in 2014 by Karen Therrien, the restaurant earned a star in the very first edition of the Michelin Guide in Quebec, in 2025. In the kitchen, chef Elliot Beaudoin creates a boreal cuisine that tells the story of wild Quebec: fish from the estuary, game and local meats, plants foraged in the forest and vegetables from local producers.

The all-white, Nordic-inspired dining room leaves the spotlight to the plate, and the service manages to stay warm without ever being stiff. We had the fall tasting menu, with its wine pairing, on a Thursday evening in October: balsam fir, yarrow, cattail, fireweed and sweet clover slip into every course, like a walk in the forest from one end of the meal to the other. An address to keep for a special occasion.

At 771, rue Saint-Joseph Est, in the heart of the Saint-Roch neighbourhood, Torii Izakaya is a Japanese buvette that has been open since July 2018. Two co-owners are its heart and soul: Alexanne Grenier, chef and driving force of the project, and Véronique Côté, who looks after the dining room, the administration and events.

The idea of an izakaya grew out of Alexanne's travels and work experiences. Is it a "real" izakaya? A little yes, a little no, and that is what makes the place interesting: the cooking draws on Japan, with French and Quebec accents. The Michelin Guide describes it as an izakaya "in the best sense of the term": a long, narrow room, semi-open kitchens, a counter bar and a few tables, designed for small plates to share.

At lunch, the menu offers bentos, dumplings, karaage and takoyaki, among other things. In the evening, the chalkboard joins the menu with a handful of market dishes featuring more refined ingredients, such as eel or bluefin tuna. Dumplings come up in nearly every review, and we tried the beef and the fish ones.

As for drinks, the house relies on a large selection of privately imported sakes and other Japanese drinks, such as umeshu, the plum "wine", along with local beers, a carefully chosen wine list and original cocktails. That is precisely what made us want to go all the way to a sake tasting.

For our evening, we chose several small plates to share, listed below, along with a sake tasting and a few glasses of wine. For us, a true favourite.

The atmosphere is also worth the detour: a dark, warm setting, where one wall bears a large street-art mural signed by the artist MC Grou, in fluorescent colours inspired by Japan. You can sit by the windows, at the long counter or at the back, near the kitchen.

Recognition came in spring 2025, with a Bib Gourmand mention in the Michelin Guide, which rewards good restaurants at reasonable prices. It was renewed in the 2026 Michelin Guide Canada. Prices fall in the $$ category.

Good to know: the restaurant is open Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday. Saturday hours differ from weekday hours, so check them before you go. Reservations are recommended, especially for groups. Telephone: 581 981-8674. Website: toriiizakaya.ca.

The easternmost land in North America, Newfoundland is the legendary island that, together with mainland Labrador, makes up Canada's most eastern province. A former British colony, it only joined Canada in 1949 and even has its own time zone, offset by 30 minutes! Everything is different here: the landscapes bring Scandinavia to mind more than the rest of Canada. Between dizzying cliffs, majestic fjords, endless boreal forest and colourful fishing villages, Newfoundland is a genuine playground for anyone who loves nature. Two of its sites are UNESCO World Heritage: Gros Morne National Park, with its spectacular scenery, and L'Anse aux Meadows, the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America. The island is also a paradise for wildlife: humpback whales, Atlantic puffins, northern gannets and of course the famous icebergs from Greenland that parade by each spring along the legendary Iceberg Alley. But Newfoundland is above all the legendary welcome of its people! Newfies are known for their warmth, their humour and their very much alive Celtic traditions — folk music, kitchen parties and the famous screech-in. Not to mention a tasty local cuisine (cod fish and chips, toutons, jiggs dinner) and an enchanting capital, St. John's, with its lanes lined with multicoloured houses. Newfoundland is Canada's best kept secret: an authentic, disorienting, magnificent destination, absolutely worth discovering!

The Charlevoix region, set between the St.‑Lawrence River and the mountains of the Canadian Shield, is known for its spectacular landscapes, its picturesque villages and its rich cultural heritage. You'll find grand nature there, a renowned local cuisine and an authentic way of life. Charlevoix is an ideal destination for anyone who loves the outdoors, relaxation and discovery.

Tucked in at 36 ½, rue Saint-Pierre, steps from Place Royale, in the Maison Leber in Old Quebec, le Vieux Carré is one of the finest stylish addresses to open in the old city in recent years. A « speakeasy »-style bar named in honour of the great cocktail classic, it also nods to the French Quarter of New Orleans. A lovely cultural wink that sets the mood right away! This new gem is the latest from Groupe La Tanière (Tanière³, Légende, L'Orygine), opened on May 23, 2024. A signature that says plenty on its own about the quality of the experience. As the house puts it so well: the bar and the table come together in a refined, relaxed world, where exceptional cocktails and inventive cooking talk to each other to create unique, festive moments. The place has everything it takes to charm you. With its 22 indoor seats and its elegant, timeless speakeasy atmosphere, le Vieux Carré carries visitors to the heart of Louisiana, into a jazz and Cajun mood. And the showstopper? Its large terrace with a panoramic view over the Place de Paris and the majestic St. Lawrence River — a real favourite for a late-day summer drink. On the drinks side, you'll find a selection of 20 signature cocktails and mocktails created exclusively by the creative team of bartenders, along with a broad selection of liquors, beers, ciders and spirits that showcase many Quebec products. Under the direction of Philippe Veilleux, the focus is on hospitality and the art of classic cocktails executed with precision and a local touch. To accompany this liquid journey, chef Sabrina Lemay (also a co-owner of L'Orygine) has put together a sharing menu that highlights local ingredients and simple but flavourful recipes: fresh oysters, caviar, light salads, venison tartares, mezze such as labneh and marinated feta, mackerel escabeche and a fine cubano sandwich. A signature extra: the mezze are adapted with local ingredients — the muhammara is made with pumpkin seeds instead of walnuts, and the labneh is made in house with yogurt from here. In short, le Vieux Carré is a refined pause in a breathtaking setting, an intimate atmosphere worthy of the great speakeasies, creative cooking and cocktails made with a jeweller's care — everything you need to turn a simple outing into a memorable evening in Old Quebec!

In Sainte-Agathe-de-Lotbinière, right in the heart of Chaudière-Appalaches, the Parc de la Chute Sainte-Agathe is one of those places that marry rustic camping, hiking and the outdoors beautifully. A small campground set very close to the Palmer River, it's the ideal spot for tents and small recreational vehicles. In short, a perfect stop for anyone looking to disconnect in the middle of nature, far from the bustle of the big commercial campgrounds. The park's great star is, without question, its majestic waterfall on the Palmer River, which rises in the Appalachian hills and empties into the Bécancour River a few kilometres downstream. The site offers two short hiking trails, a beach, picnic areas, a volleyball court, a rustic campground and a restaurant. The showstopper? The suspended footbridge that hangs over the rapids facing the falls.

On the camping side, the Parc has about thirty semi-serviced sites, reachable by car, most of them nicely shaded. There is also a group site (15 to 20 tents) and 3 wilderness sites along the river. For adventure lovers, the site offers an original signature activity: canyoning, a vertical and aquatic adventure course, lets you truly « live » the river. An adrenaline-filled experience absolutely worth trying! And the weekends come alive with the warmest sort of programming: outdoor shows, a beach bar (Thursday to Sunday) and varied activities keep the site humming. In short, the Parc de la Chute Sainte-Agathe is the perfect antidote to everyday stress: a spectacular waterfall, a singing river, shaded trails and an authentic atmosphere. A genuine little corner of paradise to discover!

The Charlevoix region, set between the St. Lawrence River and the mountains of the Canadian Shield, is known for its dramatic landscapes, its picturesque villages and its rich cultural heritage. You'll find grand scenery, a celebrated local food scene and an authentic way of life. Charlevoix is an ideal destination for anyone who loves the outdoors, unwinding, and discovering new things.

Tucked into the Sainte-Agnès area, 10 minutes from downtown La Malbaie, the DACO (Domaine à Ciel Ouvert) is one of those addresses that genuinely stands out in the Quebec lodging landscape. Opened in 2023, this property offers a unique immersive outdoor experience: staying in harmony with nature and sleeping under the stars thanks to cabins fitted with a panoramic glass roof. Picture yourself gazing at the starry sky… straight from your bed. That's exactly what DACO is! The concept is as original as it is charming. Each cabin comes with a telescope, astronomy gear and small extras such as a wood stove, a composting toilet and even a wood-fired hot tub. For fans of traditional camping, the property also offers sites suited to van life and rustic tent sites, with access to the washroom block, the shared spa and more. The atmosphere? Warm, friendly and deeply human. From the moment you arrive, you're welcomed with a warmth and a passion that truly define this singular place. DACO breathes good humour, modernity, inclusiveness and an undeniable appetite for fun. The little welcoming committee includes three dogs, some hens and a few cats. As for activities, there's plenty to do all year. In summer: outdoor movies, music shows, campfires, stargazing, the shared spa, a dog park. In winter: a tubing run, the spa, telescopes, the dog park. You can also go hiking and even mushroom foraging with an experienced guide. Special mention for animal lovers: this is a place where animals are genuinely welcome, in all the cabins, the campsites and the common areas! 

In short, DACO is far more than a simple campground: it's a genuine poetic pause, where you reconnect with nature, with the sky and with yourself. A must for anyone who loves unusual experiences!

Tucked away on rue Saint-Pierre, a couple of steps from Place Royale, L'Orygine occupies a historic building in Old Quebec and shares its premises with La Tanière, just below. The restaurant serves creative, organic cooking that puts Quebec's terroir front and centre, in a bright, pared-back room that evokes freshness and authenticity. In the kitchen, chef Sabrina Lemay signs an inventive cuisine built around local ingredients. The tasting menu, alongside a short seasonal à la carte, puts vegetables in the foreground without setting aside meat and fish — and can always be adapted to a vegan version. That, in fact, is the house signature: bringing vegetarians, vegans and meat eaters to the same table around a shared food experience. The place also stands out for its lovely summer terrace, its list of Canadian wines and its creative cocktails made with Quebec products. An essential address for anyone looking for cooking that is unpretentious, refined and deeply rooted in its territory.

If you find yourself around Lévis and you have a soft spot for spirits with character, do yourself a favour: push open the door of the Distillerie des Appalaches, on rue des Riveurs. It's the kind of place you stumble onto and don't forget. What we liked right away is the philosophy of the house. Here, they take their time. They bet on Quebec's own ingredients, they try pairings you wouldn't see anywhere else, and they own a real creative streak — without slipping into gimmicks. Craft know-how, modern technique, quality ingredients: the recipe is nothing revolutionary on paper, but the result in the glass speaks for them. The flagship line is Kepler, a collection of gins that travels from the classic to the boreal, the fruity and even the maritime. Special mention to the Kepler Sous-Bois, dominated by balsam fir with a fine touch of grapefruit — a true cottage gin, perfect with tonic and a late afternoon that stretches out. Anyone who likes saltier notes will fall for the Bord de Mer, where strawberry, rhubarb and wakame seaweed meet in a blend that shouldn't work… but does. Beyond gin, the distillery also plays in spiced rum with Lilly Queen, and even in maple eau-de-vie with Moins 40. And for those easing off the alcohol, the Zéro line offers mocktails that stand on their own — not just coloured water. In short, the Distillerie des Appalaches is a fine address to put on the map. A team that enjoys what it does, and you can taste it.

An address full of character in Saint-Sauveur. L'Étal – Boucherie Pirate, the fifth little brother of the Restos Pirates, has been quietly open since December 2024 and offers meats, charcuterie, prepared dishes and much more. The Restaurants Pirates group is already well established in Quebec City, with L'Affaire est Ketchup among others. A new-wave neighbourhood butcher shop, with a creative touch very much in the image of Quebec City's "Pirates."

French-speaking Switzerland — Between lakes, mountains and an easy way of life

At the crossroads of France and the Alps, French-speaking Switzerland is an invitation to slow down. Geneva, Lausanne, every French-speaking city in the country has its own soul, but they all share that striking setting where the lakes shimmer at the foot of snow-capped summits. You walk the quays of Lake Geneva, you explore the UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards of the Lavaux, and you let yourself be won over by a way of living that mixes Swiss precision with Latin warmth. Ideal for anyone who loves nature, culture and a good fondue.

 Paris — The city that has never finished surprising you

Paris is a city we think we know before we've ever set foot in it. And yet it always outwits expectations. Of course there's the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the café terraces… but Paris is above all the lanes of the Marais in the morning, the bouquinistes along the Seine, the colourful markets of Belleville and the little-known museums that hide unsuspected treasures. Every arrondissement is a village in itself, every street corner tells a story. Paris isn't visited: it's lived.

 Lyon — The secret capital of France

Wedged between the Rhône and the Saône, Lyon is the city that those who have discovered it can no longer keep to themselves. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage, it unfolds its medieval Vieux-Lyon, its mysterious traboules and the slopes of the Croix-Rousse, inhabited by a creative, bohemian energy. But what makes Lyon truly unforgettable is the table: the gastronomic capital of France (some will say of the world), it is the kingdom of the bouchons lyonnais, of quenelles and of generous markets. Coming to Lyon without eating would be missing the essential.