Food Lover's Guide to Quebec City

Quebec City’s culinary scene bears a strong French influence, with ample boulangeries, brasseries, and bistros—but it’s no mere copycat. The city’s chefs also champion local produce and heritage recipes, and never shy away from innovation. Here’s what you need to know about how and what to eat in Quebec City.

Must-Try Dishes

As the capital of Canada’s French-speaking province, Quebec City is the place to try classic French-Canadian cuisine. Most traditional dishes are rich and hearty—early settlers needed to create affordable meals that could sustain workers in harsh winter temperatures. The most famous dish in the Quebecois culinary canon is poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds), though there are many more regional recipes to discover.Cretons (a pork spread) is slathered on toast for breakfast, while tourtière (a traditional meat pie made with pork, beef, or game) is a common dinner dish.

After the main meal, save room for pudding chômeur (“poor man’s pudding”), a maple syrup-drenched cake, and a cheese course. Dairy farmers in the region around Quebec City make some of Canada’s finest cheeses, including Cendré de Lune, a soft and buttery cheese coated in ash, and Lady Laurier d’Arthabaska, a vanilla-flavored triple-cream brie.

Must-Do Experiences

• Discover delicious local food during a small-group Quebec City food tour covering Old Quebec and St-Jean-Baptiste.

• Meet producers at wineries and sugar shacks during a food tour of Ile d'Orleans.

• Learn about the local craft beer movement on a beer-oriented walking tour in trendy St. Roch.

• Sample ice cider, a sweet alcoholic drink made by pressing frozen apples.