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Québec City is full of stories, but my favorite one? It’s told through food. A foodie road trip in Québec City and Île d’Orléans feels like a tour of one giant kitchen garden where every bite tells a story of local terroir and farm-to-table passion.
From cobbled streets in Old Québec to the rolling orchards on Île d’Orléans, each neighbourhood brings its own flavour.
During the TBEX Travel Conference in Québec City, I had the incredible opportunity to dive headfirst into the region’s culinary scene on a full-day food tour with a local expert.
Our guide for this foodie adventure was none other than Allison Van Rassel, a well-known local Québec food journalist and blogger who knows every hidden gem and snack worth stopping for.
She showed us her favorite food and drink spots in Québec City and Île d’Orléans, and we got to meet the incredible artisans who craft quality terroir products, truly emphasizing that farm-to-table ethos that’s so strong throughout the region.
If you’re looking for a Québec City and Île d’Orléans foodie road trip that truly celebrates local flavour, you’ve come to the right place.
Québec City and Île d’Orléans Foodie Trip Map
Here’s an interactive map with all the restaurants, wineries, bars, farm and hotel in Québec City and Île d’Orléans covered in this travel guide:
Places To Eat & Drink in Québec City and Île d’Orléans Road Trip
Our Quebec food tour started from Québec City and then we took a short 15-minute drive, passing the iconic Montmorency Falls to reach the Île d’Orléans bridge, the spectacular gateway to the Québec’s kitchen garden thanks to fertile soil and farming traditions.
This road trip truly showcased why this region is a must-visit for any foodie looking for the best places to eat and drink in Québec City and Île d’Orléans. (P.S. It’s just about a 3-hour drive from Montreal, The Laurentians and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean)
MAUDE épicerie/laboratoire culinaire in Québec City
We started outside Old Québec and headed to this quaint épicerie in the Maizeret neighborhood in Québec City.
Opened in 2020, Chez MAUDE épicerie/laboratoire culinaire is a part café, part gourmet shop, and the brainchild of Maude Desroches, a passionate advocate for Québec’s local produce and artisanal goods.
The signature grilled cheese waffle featured Le Cendré des Grands-Jardins de Charlevoix Cheese, which is creamy and flavorful, paired with sweet apples, savory candied onions, a drizzle of maple syrup, and crunchy caramelized nuts.
It was the perfect blend of sweet and savory, an unexpected twist on a classic.
This spot is a local favorite for a reason and Maude’s all about spotlighting Québec’s own terroir.
In fact, this is Allison Van Rassel’s most hidden gem in Québec City, epitomizing Québec culinary in a nutshell.
Plus, it being in an off-the-beaten-path neighbourhood away from Old Quebec make it a dining destination for serious travelling foodies and locals in-the-know.
Cassis Monna & Filles in Île d’Orléans
We then headed to Île d’Orléans to a place that felt like walking into a blackcurrant lover’s dream, Cassis Monna & Filles in Saint-Pierre.
This fifth-generation family-run operation is now led by sisters Catherine and Anne Monna, the daughters of the founder Bernard Monna, who was the first to produce black currant wines and Crème de Cassis here in Québec in 1992.
The views are stunning and so are the sips. They’ve been perfecting blackcurrant everything since 1992 and it shows.
Their Crème de Cassis is the real star, but you’ll also find playful things like Monnagria (blackcurrant sangria), blackcurrant gin, creamy vanilla soft-serve with cassis slush, along with blackcurrant jams and pastries.
Chez Mag, La Fine Cantine in Île d’Orléans
Of course, it’s not a Québec food tour without a casse-croûte stop.
Chez Mag in Sainte-Famille has been serving locals for over 65 years and became a viral sensation in 2023 after Québec influencer Olivier Primeau shared his TikTok review, giving their poutine a 9.8/10 score.
2) Classic Poutine
This roadside snack shack is a throwback in all the right ways. It’s low-key but legendary and just off the main loop of the island.
If you know me, you know I’m shellfish for lobster, even having crawled my way in the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl.
The lobster roll at Chez Mag is generous with sweet and tender Gaspé lobster (tossed in salted butter) packed into a toasted yet soft brioche bun. A must!
You can’t go to Québec and not have poutine! Their classic poutine was everything you’d want: crispy fries, rich gravy and (no joke) the squeakiest cheese curds I’ve ever had.
Also Read: Best Things To Do in Iles de la Madeleine / Magdalen Islands, Quebec
OhBio – Ferme Jean-Pierre Plante in Île d’Orléans
On our way to the next stop, Allison made a surprise pitstop at a farm, but it’s not just any farm.
Ferme Jean-Pierre Plante has been in the Plante family since 1952, and when Jean-Julien and his wife Judith launched their OhBio organic farming methods in 2014, it set a new standard for sustainably grown berries.
Only Allison got off, but she came back with the goods: some of the best strawberries you’ll ever enjoy. Farm-fresh strawberries, bursting with aroma and sweetness.
Vignoble Ste-Pétronille in Île d’Orléans
Our next stop was the last spot in Île d’Orléans, tucked near Montmorency Falls.
Located in the charming village of Sainte-Pétronille, Vignoble Ste-Pétronille has been making terroir-driven wines since 1988 with around 25 acres of vines, run by owners Nathalie Lane and Louis Denault and their family since 2003.
This beautiful vineyard has quickly made a name for itself in Québec’s burgeoning wine scene as one of the best places to drink in Île d’Orléans with a charming setting.
I sipped wines on their terrace and paired their margherita pizza from their wood-fired oven, alongside stunning views.
It was the ultimate summer vibe. This is the kind of place you plan a lazy afternoon around.
La Souche Microbrasserie in Québec City
We left Île d’Orléans and headed back to Québec City into the vibrant Limoilou neighborhood where La Souche Microbrasserie is pushing boundaries with fun, experimental brews.
This local microbrewery has been around since 2012 and has become a local favorite for its elevated pub fare (which also incorporates their beer) and creative beers infused with local ingredients like fir and wild herbs.
My favorite was the Trévise-en-Québec White Stout, a unique white stout that tasted like tiramisu in a pint. It had a creamy texture with flavors of coffee, vanilla, chocolate, and a hint of citrus.
Another standout was the Mignardise #5, a wonderfully tart and fruity dessert sour beer with notes of apricot, blueberries and vanilla.
Also, you have to try their Lumberjack Balls. This award-winning twist to poutine had fried cheese curd ball served with their house-made BBQ sauce, which infused with their own beer.
La Souche Microbrasserie is a great example of where to eat and drink in Québec City if you’re looking for a vibrant atmosphere, delicious food and excellent craft beer.
Vieux Carré in Old Québec City
Of course, you can’t have a Québec City food tour without visiting Old Québec (Vieux-Québec).
Opened in 2024 just a stone’s throw from Place de Paris, Vieux Carré is one of the newest speakeasies in Québec City.
Beneath a black doorway behind the hostess for Bistro L’Orygine, you are transported back in time to a cocktail bar with a laid-back yet elegant ambiance.
As expected from Groupe la Tanière, expect expertly handcrafted cocktails using local Québec ingredients at Vieux Carré.
The dandelion mocktail we had was refreshingly sweet and earthy, perfect for a mid-afternoon refresh.
Restaurant Tanière³ in Old Québec City
But wait, there’s more! Our final stop was a surprise since it wasn’t in the listed itinerary.
Hidden beneath the streets of Old Québec, Restaurant Tanière³ is run by Chef François-Emmanuel Nicol and turns regional ingredients into edible art showcasing the rich biodiversity of Québec.
As someone who travels and dines at Michelin restaurants around the world, I was super stoked with this surprise since Restaurant Tanière³ has been on my Québec foodie bucket list.
This tasting menu-only fine dining restaurant, which opened in 2018, has garnered acclaim for its innovative approach to Québecois cuisine, earning a spot on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list.
In 2025, it achieved a remarkable feat of being the only 2 Michelin Star restaurant in the inaugural Michelin Guide Québec 2025 and the 2nd in Canada to achieve 2 Michelin Stars after Sushi Masaki Saito in Toronto. And also a spot in the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants.
While I didn’t get to delve into their full tasting menu on this tour, I got to try two of the amuse-bouches on the menu (plus a sample of their “black garlic” radish):
- Oyster Chawanmushi: a delicate egg custard infused with dashi, featuring chopped oyster, topped with a light dashi foam and crispy dashi crumbles, served elegantly on an oyster shell.
- Tartlet: a perfectly crispy, thin tartlet filled with velvety ricotta cheese, a savory mushroom praline, and a bright apple verjus.
In this short visit from the food tour, it was clear to me what makes them so special, and I cannot wait to come back for the full dining experience.
The team behind Restaurant Tanière³ emphasizes hyper-local ingredients, foraging, and sustainable practices, pushing the boundaries of what Québecois cuisine can be.
Where To Stay in Québec City for Your Foodie Road Trip
Ready to plan your foodie road trip? Here are some top-rated hotels in Québec City.
Best Quebec City Hotels
- Delta Hotels Québec (4-Star) – Contemporary downtown hotel with direct access to the Convention Centre and Old Québec. Clean, comfy rooms and 24/7 Elite Pantry access for snacks and breakfast.
- Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (5-Star) – Iconic castle-like hotel in Old Québec with river views, historic charm and luxury service.
- Hôtel des Coutellier (4-Star) – Boutique hotel near Old Port offering cozy rooms, free breakfast and a warm, personalized experience.
- Hôtel Le Bonne Entente (5-Star) – Upscale retreat in Sainte-Foy with lush gardens, spa services and a seasonal outdoor pool.
- Le Germain Hotel Québec (4-Star) – Elegant boutique stay in Old Québec known for its sleek interiors and exceptional hospitality.
- Monsieur Jean – Hôtel Particulier (4-Star) – Stylish and eclectic hotel in Upper Town with modern design and hidden kitchenettes.
Delta Hotels Québec
I stayed in a Queen Room at Delta Hotels by Marriott Québec, a modern property right in the city center, steps from Old Québec and the Convention Centre (with direct underground access to it!).
The room was spacious and comfortable, and having access to the Elite Delta Pantry was a sweet perk. It’s open 24/7 and stocked with premium snacks, drinks and breakfast items, perfect for a quick bite between adventures.
This Québec City and Île d’Orléans Food and Drinks Tour showed me just how deep the connection is between land, people and plate.
I hope this guide helps you plan your own foodie road trip and get ready to discover the best restaurants, and places to eat & drink in Québec City and Île d’Orléans.
For another Quebec City road trip idea, we headed 3-hours to the beautiful region of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
As always, happy travels and eating! Cheers!
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