Quebec City

57-63, rue Saint-Louis

A national historic monument comprising houses from the 18th and 19th century.

Au Petit Coin Breton

Primarily a creperie with both savoury and sweet crepes, with other Breton-style dishes on the menu. The ambiance is "theme park" Breton (they're in a tourist area, after all), the food is tasty, the waitresses are attentive without being overbearing, and the prices are... not unreasonable, considering they are in a tourist area.

June 24 to Labour Day: daily 08:30-23:00; Labour Day to June 23: Sun-Thu 08:30-21:00 Fri-Sat 08:30-22:00

Aux Anciens Canadiens

Specializes in Quebecois cooking, including dishes that feature caribou, buffalo, or wapiti. The table d'hote (the local term for prix-fixe), served until 17:45, is quite a good deal at $22.95. Reservations recommended. The food, while good, is often heavy and some appetizers are as large as main courses. Taking home left-overs is not allowed.

Bachir

Very popular Lebanese restaurant with fast service. A must-try is the shish taouk (marineed chicken barecued on a skewer).

mains $8–18

Bar Château Frontenac

Famous for their perfectly mixed and generously sized martinis, available in numerous versions including half-a-dozen named after famous visitors ranging from Winston Churchill to René Lévesque. Try to score a window seat for great views across the St. Lawrence. The ice wine martini is a great treat.

$13/16 for a martini with house/premium vodka

Bar Le Sacrilège

Neighbourhood bar in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district, a 5-minute walk from the Old City gates (Porte Saint-Jean). Known for its glass-enclosed four-season patio hidden in the backyard — one of the few heated winter terraces in the world — and for some of the cheapest pints in town. Free weekly events: chess tournament (M), run club (Tu), karaoke (W), music trivia (Th). BYO food is allowed.

Daily 12:00-03:00

Basilique-cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec

This cathedral and historical monument with its assymetrical towers is the seat of the Catholic archdiocese of Quebec, and adjacent to the Séminaire de Québec. The church has been rebuilt several times, and the current house of worship finished in the 1920s is built in a mix of neobaroque and neoclassical style.

Cafe-Boulangerie Paillard

Good selection of Viennese pastries and gelato. Locals line up to buy inexpensive soups, sandwiches, and pizza.

Open now · closes 7 pm

Café le Saint-Malo

Peaceful little restaurant with simple French cuisine a la carte. For guests who have time.

Cafés du Soleil

A nice little café in the northern part of Basse-Ville mostly overlooked by tourists.

Carthage Express

Amazing, fresh authentic food from Northern Africa (Maghreb region). The owner has such great hospitality and makes you feel right at home. Their potatoes are top notch and seasoned just right, and their falafel pitas are delicious. Amazing shish taouk.

Casablanca

A small, upstairs, tucked-away club that plays heavy rosta-beats and has room to dance. It's a good place to bring your own party, with a unique ambiance.

Casse-Croute Chez Gaston

The best spot for a poutine: Great portion, topping, and soft melting fries. the place has charm. Very friendly staff.

Casse-Crêpe Breton

Inexpensive crepes, starting at about $5 (Dec 2018). There is usually a long line to enter because the restaurant is rather small. Come early.

Open now · closes 6 pm

Cathédrale de la Sainte-Trinité

This neoclassical cathedral is the seat of the Anglican diocese of Quebec. It was consecrated in 1804 as the first Anglican cathedral outside the British isles and is the third largest church in the city.

Chapel of the Ursuline convent

Monastère des Ursulines de Québec

The monastery comprises a whole block in the old town, though only the chapel and the museum are open to visitors. It was founded in 1639 by the French nun Marie de l'Incarnacion (later canonized) as the first female Catholic order in the Americas. The chapel dates from 1730 and is with its wooden altar considered a masterpiece of Franco-Canadian woodwork. In the museum you can learn about the activities of the Ursuline order in Quebec throughout history, and on display there are things related to its curriculum such as embroidery and musical instruments. Also the museum, in a building from 1687, has beautiful details preserved since construction including wooden staircases and windows.

May-Sep: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00; Oct-Apr: Tue-Sun 13:00-17:00·$10

Chateau Frontenac

Quebec City icon. Claimed to be the most photographed hotel in North America. Stay the night if you can (see Sleep) and pop in for a martini if you can't (see Drink).

Chez Rioux & Pettigrew

Quebecian cuisine and different menus for brunch, lunch and dinner. One specialty is the fish of the day, changing daily depending on what the fishers have caught.

mains around $30

Ciel! Bistro-Bar tournant

formerly named L'Astral

At the top of the Concorde Hotel, this revolving restaurant offers unrivalled 360° views over the city and French cuisine. Also known for its Sunday brunch.

Cochon Dingue

Touristy, but in a good way — the "Crazy Pig" is cavernous but usually packed, with hefty portions from a frequently-changing menu. Lunch specials are good value at $10-15, including starter and coffee. Four other locations around the city.

Dufferin Terrace

Terrasse Dufferin

Boardwalk along (east of) the Chateau Frontenac. Offers a grand view of the St. Lawrence River, running from the statue of Champlain/the top of the Funiculare to the bottom steps of the Governors' Walk, with covered gazebos protruding out for even better views of Lower Town along the way.

Epicerie Richard

Small supermarket, the only one in Old Quebec proper, stocking products such as bread, cheese and drinks.

Fri Sat 08:00-23:00, Sun 09:00-23:00

Escalier Casse-Cou

A steep staircase between Côte de la Montagne and Rue du Petit Champlain. The name means "Breakneck Stairs", and comes from the fact that historically cattle was marched this way and often the poor animals tripped over and broke their necks.

Festival d'été

Beginning to mid-July, a lot of cheap music shows (you buy a button for $45 and it gives you access to all the shows, for the 11 days of the festival) in and around the Old Town, with international and local artists (for example in 2004, The Nits, Wyclef Jean, Bérurier Noir in 2010, Iron maiden, The Black Eyed Peas, Santana, Rush, Arcade and Rammstein).

Galeries de la Capitale

Large shopping mall towards the north of the city which boasts 280 stores and 35 restaurants. Also has an IMAX theatre and an indoor amusement park which includes a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster and a skating rink for hockey games.

Grande Allée

An impressive street southwest of Old town. It begins next to the city wall about at the level of Fontaine de Tourny, leads to the Parliament, and on past Place de la Francophonie and Place George-V. Then follows a range of streetside cafés all the way to Cours du Général de Montcalm. There ends the touristically interesting part of the street.

Hôtel-Dieu

This is the oldest hospital in the Americas north of Mexico, and a national historic site. Founded in 1639 by the Augustines de la Miséricorde de Jésus, it was administered by them until 1962. Nowadays it's part of a network of university hospitals.

L'Antiquaire Buffet

Small neighbourhood style restaurant delicious and well representative of the Canadian culture. It is a beautiful place and the terrace is charming. Well-chosen place, beautiful decoration.

L'Entrecôte Saint-Jean

French steakhouse restaurant. Serves a Quebec wine by the glass.

Mon 11:30–22:00; Tue-Wed 11:30–22:30; Thu-Sat 11:30–23:00; Sun 17:00-22:00·Mains $15-30

L'Oncle Antoine

In the touristy part of town, it's one of the city's oldest bars. Cozy atmosphere with great selection of local brews. Also offers an open air patio.