Monday, November 28, 2016
Holidays in Québec City are magical! Old Québec lights up in bright colours and chefs adapt their menus to the flavours of the season. During this merry time of year, restaurants serve comforting dishes. Taste what the local people of Québec cook during the Holidays! Here are my favourite places to enjoy a generous meal during Christmas, New Year’s Eve or anytime in between.
Treat Yourself to a Luscious Meal to Mark the Occasion
Old Québec's gourmet restaurants are very welcoming during the Holidays. And to match the spirit of the season, most of them offer a distinctive Holiday menu. It's the most delicious time of the year!
Eat in a Setting Worthy of a Christmas Movie
Restaurant Toast!
Credit: Ville de Québec
I love everything about the Toast restaurant, especially its location. Set in the heart of the Old Port, Toast is the most romantic restaurant in Québec City. Toast serves delicate flavours, warm ingredients and offers a cozy atmosphere that echoes the joyful spirit of the season. Toast is located steps away from historic Place Royale and its Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church, the ideal environment for an evening stroll.
Find out more about Restaurant Toast!
Champlain Restaurant
The Champlain of the Fairmont Château Frontenac offers the most special experience according to me. The entire lobby is decorated with Christmas trees, leading the way to the entrance of the Champlain: a setting both magical and revealing of the Holiday spirit.
Find out more about Champlain Restaurant
Panache
Credit: Restaurant Panache
Panache, Auberge Saint-Antoine's restaurant, is glowing with beauty during the Holidays. Panache is an elegant and refined place and so are the decor and ornaments. Sit beside the fireplace and soak up in the atmosphere carefully orchestrated to celebrate with your significant other.
Find out more about Panache
Traditional Cuisine
Buffet de l'Antiquaire
The Buffet de l’Antiquaire is a neighbourhood diner serving authentic Québécois flavours. Its essence lies in their heartwarming dishes served in generous portions at an affordable price. During the Holidays, the daily specials include homemade pork stew, turkey and Cipaille, a veal, pork, beef and potato pie. Cipaille is a must in my family every Christmas.
Find out more about Buffet de l'Antiquaire (French only)
La Bûche
If you are looking for a trendy approach of the Québécois Holidays classics, La Bûche on St-Louis will serve you a spoonful. A festive approach of the sugar shack ambience featuring popular –and quite hearty– dishes like beer-braised ham, meat pie nuggets, baked beans and crispy pork loins. At La Bûche, real maple syrup is mandatory to the experience.
Find out more about La Bûche (French only)
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Credit: Jérémie Leblond-Fontaine
As for Christmas, many restaurants offer a special New Year’s Eve menu where the ambience is appropriately set for celebration. The restaurants L’Échaudé and the Ciel Bistro-Bar Tournant on Grande Allée come to mind, especially for their admirable wine selection and creative cocktails. On New Year's Eve, the bistro Le Sam offers dinner with a show of a local jazz-manouche band, The Lost Fingers.
Opening Hours
Most restaurants are open during Christmas except for the evenings of December 24th and 25th. For these two days, hotel restaurants are often the exceptions. Contact the restaurant to know their schedule and book your place.
About Allison Van Rassel
Journalist, columnist and blogger, Allison is passionate about Québec City’s culinary culture. Curious and aware of the latest culinary trends, Allison makes the region’s foodie culture shine bright.
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