Capitale-Nationale

Quebec City is the capital of the province of the same name and one of the oldest cities in North America, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. Thanks to its centuries of history, its remarkable architecture and its exceptional natural settings, it remains an emblematic place in Canadian heritage. Its surroundings are full of natural spots where the hiking is exceptional. 

At 56, boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest, right in the heart of the Montcalm neighbourhood and a few steps from avenue Cartier, Le Bosquet moved into the former premises of the restaurant La Goulette in the spring of 2026. This French gastro-bistro is the project of chef and co-owner Francis Nadeau-Bourque and his partner Mack Harshaw — and it's one of the year's fine arrivals in the area.

The name wasn't chosen at random. The chef likes to see his restaurant as a "very small place, a little hidden, like a grove keeping quiet in the forest." It has to be said that the storefront doesn't jump out at you from the boulevard: "We're not necessarily the most visible restaurant on the street. We're slightly hidden, but that goes well with the idea of a discreet grove!" Keep an eye out — the greenery at the entrance will put you on the trail.

Behind the stove, a solid track record. Francis Nadeau-Bourque has spent more than 17 years in the Quebec City restaurant world: from dishwasher at Pub Saint-Patrick, he went through the kitchens of Chez Boulay, Bistro B and L'Orygine, then held the chef's post at Alphonse before launching his own project. His intention is clear: to give French cooking a fine place again in Quebec City, in a town where Italian dominates by a wide margin. Rich, flavourful cooking, learned alongside French chefs, but with a good measure of Quebec terroir.

For our part, we stuck to the apéro — and we came away won over. The signature cocktail was excellent, and that doesn't surprise us: the house mixology comes up constantly in customers' comments, often described as incredible. This is clearly a place where the bar is treated with as much care as the kitchen.

We paired it with a platter of 10 oysters, very well executed too: fresh, cleanly shucked, served with just the right accompaniments and nothing overdone. The kind of platter that shares well early in the evening, elbows on the counter.

In short, a fine find for a 5 à 7 in Montcalm, and an address we want to come back to and taste the full menu next time. Le Bosquet serves dinner Tuesday to Sunday (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and lunch Thursday to Saturday (11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Closed Monday.

Quebec City is the capital of the province of the same name and one of the oldest cities in North America, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. With its centuries of history, its remarkable architecture and its exceptional natural surroundings, it remains an emblematic place in Canadian heritage. The country around it is full of natural spots where the hiking is outstanding. 

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 into the charming residential neighbourhood of Pointe-au-Pic, in La Malbaie, the Auberge & Bistro Chez Truchon is one of the finest dining addresses in Charlevoix. Housed in a magnificent century-old stone house — a witness to 19th-century well-to-do summer life, back when Pointe-au-Pic had a golf course and a casino — it is led by chef Dominique Truchon and enjoys a recognition it takes pride in: recommended by the Michelin Guide and even mentioned in a New York Times article about Charlevoix!What makes Chez Truchon's name is its resolutely locavore cooking, in perfect harmony with the Charlevoix countryside. The chef puts the region's riches front and centre: duck from the Ferme Basque in Saint-Urbain, PGI lamb from Saint-Hilarion, smoked sturgeon from the Saint-Irénée fishery, organic vegetables from Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs, oyster mushrooms from the local mushroom farm and a  fine variety of cheeses. A genuine culinary map of Charlevoix on every plate! The cooking, modern and carefully done, blends French traditions with country recipes — like onion soup revisited with beer and local cheese, or pouding chômeur with maple cream. All of it accompanied by an evolving wine list and an intimate atmosphere, with fireplaces in winter and a terrace in summer. A little extra that makes all the difference: the inn also has a lounge restaurant that won gold at the Grands Prix du Design (L'Île Mystérieuse), a free museum space devoted to Jules Verne, an art gallery and the Boutique Charlevoix devoted to local craft, as well as a line of Truchon products for the home. In short, you can extend the dining experience well beyond the meal! Whether for a romantic dinner, a Sunday brunch or a special occasion, Chez Truchon is an address to put on your must list when passing through La Malbaie. A dining experience worthy of the beauty of Charlevoix!

At 68, rue du Petit Champlain, right in the heart of the oldest commercial district in North America, stands one of the most endearing cultural venues in Quebec City: the Théâtre Petit Champlain. True to its mission of showcasing French-language song, comedy, music and theatre, this hall offers a program as broad as it is varied — close to 70 musical shows a season, on top of theatre, dance and children's shows. It's really the magic of the room that makes every evening unforgettable. With its layout of 140 seats in cabaret mode or 230 places standing, and its mezzanine offering rows of 90 seats on a raked floor, the hall is perfectly designed to create a rare closeness with the performers. As one critic put it so well: "we already had that sense of an almost intrusive closeness with what was about to unfold." You feel every breath, every nuance, every glance from the performers — it's a relationship to live art that gets lost in the big halls. The atmosphere is warm, almost like family: in the welcoming intimacy of the Théâtre Petit Champlain, you take in shows that are at once simple, alive and deeply human. A bare stage, an attentive audience, energy racing back and forth between the artists and the crowd — it's a genuine communion, of the kind you only find in the finest small European halls.

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!

Attaboy, a neighbourhood pizzeria, has established itself as one of the city's essential pizza references. Attaboy is first and foremost a neighbourhood pizzeria. Its approach is humble and devoted to its craft. This restaurant makes nothing but pizza, but it makes it with all the passion it can muster, aiming to turn out the best product possible. The house philosophy is as simple as it is effective: satisfy customers' appetites with a gourmet pizza made of fresh ingredients and sold at a fair price. No fuss, no showing off — just good pizza, carefully executed. And that makes all the difference! On the menu you find a variety of pizzas and sandwiches that will leave you asking for more. Among the signatures, the "Attaboy" pizza (tomato sauce, mozzarella, bacon, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and squeaky cheddar curds), the classic Toute Garnie, and the Meli — tomato sauce, mozzarella, goat cheese, sunflower seeds, cranberries and honey, for a surprising sweet-and-savoury burst. Special mention too for their tasty subs, their poutines (some reviews say they are among the best in Quebec City!) and their famous "Patattaboy," a gordita of fries with sausage, parmesan, hot peppers and sour cream. Good marks for the inclusive options: the pizzeria also offers vegan options, with a coconut-based plant cheese that is genuinely appreciated — one of the only addresses in Quebec City to offer a vegan pizza that is both delicious and affordable. And with friendly, warm service, whether you eat in or order takeout, you always leave with a smile. In short, Attaboy is the embodiment of the "neighbourhood pizza" idea at its most authentic: a focused menu, carefully chosen ingredients and real passion. An address to put in your notebook for a quality comfort-food break in Quebec City!

Tucked away on boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest, in the Montcalm district, the restaurant Aux Deux Violons is one of Quebec City's fine little-known addresses — a genuine small corner of North Africa hidden in the middle of the city. Eating at this restaurant is like a trip to North Africa for the length of a meal. A decor carrying objects from faraway sunlit countries, rhythmic music and Maghrebi specialties, such as Berber-style lamb tagine, couscous and chicken-and-almond pastilla, all make the experience a pleasant one. The atmosphere is warm, convivial, almost familial. It often gives you the feeling of being at home, with attentive staff and good value for money. Dishes such as couscous royal, pastilla, lamb tagine and shish taouk draw frequent praise. On the menu, you are spoiled for choice: couscous (with vegetables, with chicken, with merguez, with lamb shank, royal), assorted tagines, brochettes, grilled meats, falafel, shawarma, lamb méchoui and even a few poutines for the undecided! A welcome extra: it is a "bring your own wine" place, which lets you extend the experience at lower cost. An address to discover without fail for anyone looking to get off the beaten track in Quebec City and to be carried away, for the length of a meal, by the sunlit flavours of the Maghreb!

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.

Quebec City is the capital of the province of the same name and one of the oldest cities in North America, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. Thanks to its centuries of history, its remarkable architecture and its exceptional natural setting, it remains an emblematic place in Canadian heritage. Its surroundings are full of natural spots where the hiking is exceptional. 

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!