Capitale-Nationale

The Côte-de-Beaupré is one of the oldest settled territories in North America. As early as 1626, Samuel de Champlain established a farm here to supply the town of Quebec. The territory was shaped by the Seigneurie de Beaupré, a major agricultural and religious driver of the 17th century. Several attractions are there to explore in this small MRC in the Capitale-Nationale region, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, between Quebec City and Charlevoix.

The Portneuf regional county sits northwest of Quebec City, where the St. Lawrence gives way to the first rises of the Canadian Shield. It's a territory of contrasts, pairing the farmland of the St. Lawrence lowlands with the forests and lakes of the Laurentian plateau.

Crossed by the Portneuf River and the magnificent Jacques-Cartier, the region draws outdoor enthusiasts and food lovers alike. Its villages carry remarkable heritage character — Deschambault-Grondines, Cap-Santé, Neuville — where stone houses and old churches stand proudly facing the river.

Portneuf is also a generous pantry: fine cheeses, artisanal charcuterie, microbrewery beers and local products are everywhere, and the Route des Saveurs de Portneuf makes the case. Between grand scenery and good eating, this county rewards anyone willing to linger off the well-worn trails.

A fine-dining address in Old Quebec opened in July 2017, the fruit of four partners' creativity — Blaise Fortier, Simon Jobin, Nikolas Couture and Jean Deschênes. Housed inside the Hôtel Port-Royal right in the heart of the Old Port, it offers, at affordable prices, flavourful and generous cooking, relaxed service and one of the best selections of private-import wines, cocktails and beers in Quebec City. The decor — leather, wood, gold everywhere and accents of black — is the work of the firm LemayMichaud and won the prize for the most beautiful restaurant in Quebec at the Grands Prix du Design. In summer, a large sunny terrace rounds out the experience.

A nice coincidence hides behind the name. The restaurant is named for Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, born in 1848 — the very year the building that houses it was built. And the address? 48, rue Saint-Paul. Forty-eight, three times over.

The house splits into two distinct moods: on the Taverne side, you sit down to a full meal; on the wine bar side, you enjoy small plates, oysters, charcuterie, house-made pasta and risottos in a more convivial setting. The dining room seats 80, a dozen of those at the bar, and the terrace adds 60 more.

As for the famous chef's table, it can be reserved for groups of 10 people or fewer, right inside the Taverne's kitchen. It's named for chef Nikolas Couture, who has passed through several of Quebec City's great houses, including Le Saint-Amour and Toast.

A fine find on the Grande Allée! Opened in June 2025 in a former McDonald's that sat abandoned for about ten years, Mora quickly established itself as one of the very good addresses in Quebec City — as much for what happens on the plate as for the decor, which turns heads the moment you walk in. Delicious fresh pasta, Italian wine and bubbles served in an elegant setting. Mora means "blackberry" in Italian, echoing the burgundy and velvet tones of the room. A refined, festive Italian experience. 

Gisèle is a neighbourhood buvette in Saint-Sauveur. Natural wine, small plates to share, vinyl in the background and a friendly atmosphere. Co-founded by Mélissa Demers and Jean-Baptiste Morin, the buvette brings together a passionate team that keeps the spirit of the neighbourhood alive, one glass at a time. Open since July 2025, it's the perfect place for an apéro with friends, in a bright, relaxed setting.

Le Griendel is a craft brewery that has been running since October 2015, now in the Montcalm district (after moving in June 2024). It offers 24 taps of craft beer: IPA, session, English ales, stout, lager & pils, and so on. The menu marries original beers with comfort dishes such as burgers, tartares and poutines. A fine neighbourhood brewery atmosphere where quality comes before everything else!

Californian and Mexican in inspiration, with cocktails, hearty brunches, nachos, tacos and burgers. A festive, relaxed, sunny atmosphere. The service is excellent and the dishes are appreciated for their original flavours. An excellent dinner!!

Set at 1081 route de l'Église in Sainte-Foy, Santa Cruz opened its doors in 2020, backed by Groupe Top Resto — the same team behind L'Arsenal and Birra & Basta. The concept is fully owned: recreate the feel of the American west coast, with a decor inspired by Pacific coastal towns that makes you want to travel the moment you walk through the door. With its 150 seats, the room is large but keeps a warm atmosphere.

The menu is built for sharing and bridges California and Mexico: tacos, nachos, poke bowls, burgers, comfort dishes, with fine vegetarian and gluten-free options — something still too rare. Our cauliflower steak is a good example, frankly well done for a meatless dish. The cocktail list and the wine selection are worth the detour too; the Pisco punch was a particular favourite of ours.

An address that holds up well on the north shore, with an average rating of 4.5 across more than 1,300 reviews. Perfect for dinner with friends, a weekend brunch or a relaxed supper when you are after a bit of sunshine in the middle of a Quebec winter.

The restaurant serves contemporary cooking rooted in local ingredients, with house-made dishes and plates to share. The menu, which changes often with what comes in, is written on a slate. The atmosphere is convivial and intimate, with a decor all its own (including tapestries of rabbits and cats) and music played from vinyl on two turntables. La Buvette Scott offers an eclectic wine list, along with a selection of craft beers and ciders. The restaurant has been praised by critics, and is notably recommended in the MICHELIN Guide. The service is beyond compare, with outstanding guidance on the wine pairings. Excellent value for money.

A Quebec-style buvette tucked into Old Quebec on rue Sainte-Anne, a few steps from the rue du Trésor and the Château Frontenac. The menu runs from comforting breakfasts and brunches to typically Québécois dishes like beef bourguignon and tartiflette, all in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It's the little sister of the restaurant La Bûche and shares with it the same spirit of cooking from the land, with a fine selection of cocktails on top. Open every day, from breakfast to dinner.

A neighbourhood sandwich shop started by two childhood friends who love good food, Franky Johnny is set up in Quebec City with two addresses: Saint-Sauveur and Limoilou. Everything is made in house, from the bread to the pickled vegetables. The bread, in fact, is the work of François Borderon, a baker by trade and the partner of Jonathan, the founder.  On the menu, creations like the italien 2.0, the chicken caesar, the BLT, the veggie banh mi or even a Big Mac with house sauce — there's something for every taste, served in generous portions in a laid-back setting. A must for sandwich lovers in Quebec City.

A cosmopolitan gem in Saint-Jean-Baptiste! Founded by three friends of Colombian and Mexican origin, La Molette is an artisanal bakery that turns into a restaurant in the evening, serving tapas and wine. The dishes come paired with house-made breads and privately imported wines, all with a Latin American touch. On the menu: duck millefeuille, scallops in beurre blanc, pulpo a la gallega (a specialty of Galicia). A one-of-a-kind concept that blends cultures and flavours brilliantly!