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If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my travels, it’s that the quickest way to get to the heart of a place is through its food. That’s why, whenever I land somewhere new, I sign up for a food tour right away. It isn’t just about filling up your itinerary—it’s about tasting what locals love, catching what’s in season, and figuring out what hits the mark for both visitors and residents. If you want to feel at home by day two in a new city, eating your way through the neighbourhoods is the best place to start.
This approach has led me to some of my favourite travel memories. One standout: biting into the best lobster roll I’ve ever had at a humble casse-croûte on Île d’Orléans, just outside Quebec City. It wasn’t fancy, but it was packed with flavour, made with fresh lobster, and enjoyed at a picnic table with a view of the river. Those are the moments you remember—and the kind you’d probably miss if you stuck to the guidebook or wandered without a little foodie direction.
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I want to thank the incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining, and gracious host Allison Van Rassel (@allisonvanrassel) for putting together a food tour of Île d’Orleans and Quebec City at this sponsored event for the TBEX attendees. As an award-winning food journalist and host, her knowledge of the food scene in Quebec City helped us navigate the history of the city and showed the community pride for this area. Culinary tourism, or gastro-tourism is very much a thing in La Belle Province.
Since we often eat with our eyes, I have provided the INSTAGRAM links to all of the stops. Enjoy our food tour through Quebec City and Île d’Orléans.
Stop 1: Chez Maude – Épicerie & Culinary Lab, Québec City
@maude.laboratoire.culinaire – grilled cheese waffle and creative épicerie finds
Chez Maude is the kind of local grocery-meets-café every community should have. The focus here is on regional Quebec products—fresh breads, jams, cheeses, and locally sourced produce.
We were treated to a maple and cheese waffle with candied walnuts and Quebec maple syrup—delicious. Each of us had a custom-made coffee to start. I love a good cortado, and this one was exceptional. You don’t find those too often outside of Spain. As Maude Desroches, the owner, told us about the story of how this local corner store became a treasured coffee shop in a struggling neighborhood, we were reminded that all great eateries are owned by passionate owners—and sometimes they are in areas that you have to track down!
Stop 2: Cassis Monna & Filles – Black Currant Estate, Île d’Orléans
@cassismonna – crème de cassis, black currant wine, gin, soft-serve, pastries, and more
This spot is a black currant lover’s dream. The Monna sisters have built a stunning business here, blending family tradition with creative innovation. The berry-forward liqueurs and jams were highlights, and the tasting room boasts a panoramic island view.
On a recent trip to Île d’Orléans, I visited Cassis Monna & Filles and was really taken with the warm, inviting atmosphere of this family-run winery, restaurant, and ice cream shop. Now in its fifth generation, the business thrives under sisters Anne and Catherine Monna—daughters of founder Bernard Monna, who first introduced black currant wines and Crème de Cassis to Québec in 1992.
This is a great stop for families with a large picnic area and delicious soft-serve ice cream with a tart cassis sauce. They have a wide range of products from wines to vodka, syrups to jams and jellies—my biggest regret was not bringing home a jar of black currant jam.
Stop 3: Chez Mag Casse-Croute – Lobster Rolls, Île d’Orléans
@chez_mag – lobster rolls and classic poutine right on the Île d’Orléans (Orleans Island)
Nothing says “island summer” like a lobster roll from a casse-croûte (roadside stand). Chez Mag isn’t fancy, but the rolls are legendary—fresh, generous with lobster, and served up with golden fries.
This site became very popular after a social media influencer came to visit and raved about the poutine and the lobster rolls. This was no surprise to locals that have been frequenting this family-owned canteen for decades! The next generation has taken over, expanded to Kamouraska and Baie St. Paul.
They have done a wonderful job of managing the influx of visitors. There was a perpetual line when we were there, but after tasting the ‘generous’ lobster rolls and classic poutine, I can highly recommend the stop!
Stop 4: OhBio – Ferme Jean-Pierre Plante (Île d’Orléans)
@ohbio_fjpp – farm-fresh strawberries and organic produce
Allisson added this stop because she wanted us to sample these incredible organic strawberries, but she also wanted us to pair them with the wines we were about to sample at our next stop. OhBio is a fourth-generation family farm and a benchmark for sustainable, organic agriculture on Île d’Orléans.
Renowned for their certified organic strawberries, the Plante family also produces raspberries, blueberries, sweet corn, and pure maple products, all grown with strict ecological standards. Visitors can try their hand at strawberry and raspberry picking, browse fresh produce and preserves in the on-site farm shop, and relax on a peaceful terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
Stop 5: Vignoble Sainte-Pétronille – Vineyard & Pizza, Île d’Orléans
@vignoblesp – wines, wood-fired pizza, and vineyard views at Vignoble Sainte-Pétronille
As we continued or food tour we headed to Vignoble Sainte-Pétronille. With rows of vines framing the St. Lawrence, we sampled crisp local wines and paired them with hand-stretched, wood-fired pizza—Quebec’s answer to Italian comfort food.
Vignoble Ste-Pétronille is a delightful family-run vineyard on Île d’Orléans, just outside Quebec City. Since 2003, the Denault family has turned their passion for winemaking into a thriving business, focusing on organic techniques and crafting primarily dry white wines, including the unique Vandal-Cliche grape grown entirely in Quebec.
A visit here offers more than just wine tasting shop at the boutique; explore the vineyards on an interpretive trail, and relax on a terrace with stunning views of the St. Lawrence River and Montmorency Falls.
Stop 6: La Souche Microbrewery, Limoilou, Quebec City
@lasouche_microbrasserie – creative Quebec beers and cheesy “Lumberjack Balls”
La Souche Microbrewery in Quebec City offers a lively and authentic craft beer experience that has quickly become a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Brewing around 18 beers onsite, including cask varieties, they cover a broad spectrum of flavors—from bright and hoppy pale ales to rich stouts and intriguing sours. Favorites like the Limoiloise English Pale Ale and Sombre Brume oatmeal stout showcase their commitment to quality and creativity with each pour.
Located in the trendy Limoilou neighborhood, La Souche serves up creative Quebec brews in a laid-back, woodsy atmosphere. The beer menu changes seasonally, and our tasting flight included everything from citrusy wheat beers to rich stouts. The menu was full of comfort food and a twist on old favorites—order the Lumberjack Balls poutine – that is all I am going to say.
Stop 7: Vieux Carré – Cocktails Overlooking the St. Lawrence, Old Quebec
@vieuxcarreqc – herbal mocktails and craft cocktails in Old Québec
As we started to wind down our day, we settled in at Vieux Carré, a cozy bar with creative cocktails and small bites spotlighting the best local spirits. The setting—especially on the terrace, with views above the river—was the perfect place to wind down.
This intimate bar-lounge radiates classic speakeasy charm, with rich dark green velvet curtains and soft, moody lighting creating an inviting, cozy atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink while soaking in the timeless vibe. Outside, the terrace overlooks the charming cobblestone streets of Old Quebec, adding a touch of historic romance to your evening.
What made our visit truly memorable was the bartender’s gracious hospitality. He delighted us with a beautifully crafted dandelion mocktail—a refreshing and creative choice that reflects the growing popularity of sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks. It was the ideal way to relax and savor the unique ambiance of this special spot.
Stop 8: Tanière3—Two Michelin Stars Fine Dining in Quebec City
@taniere3 – Michelin-starred fine dining with local ingredients, beneath the city
The real unexpected highlight of the day wasn’t on our planned itinerary, but it quickly became a must-visit for any food lover. Restaurant Tanière³ has proudly earned two Michelin stars—the highest culinary honor in Quebec and one of only two restaurants in all of Canada to receive this prestigious distinction. You won’t find it on your own, either—the address is only given to you just before you arrive, adding an intriguing layer of mystique to the entire dining experience.
Located in the atmospheric cellar vaults of Old Quebec, Tanière³ redefines local fine dining with a multi-course blind tasting menu rooted in Quebec’s boreal forest and indigenous ingredients. It is a fine dining experience that brings you from the bar lounge area to the Chef’s Table and then two more dining rooms.
Tanière is another word for ‘den,’ and you feel embraced and nurtured. You move from one area to another for a full gourmet experience. The chef, François-Emmanuel Nicol, and his team focus on creativity, storytelling, and elements found in the boreal forest, making this an immersive culinary journey from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
Why take a food tour early in your trip? You’ll learn what dishes define the region, track down the crowd favourites, and get to chat with people who really know their stuff—chefs, market owners, and other passionate locals.
It sets you up with recommendations for the rest of your stay and gives you a crash course in what makes a place tick. So whether I’m in Quebec City, Paris, or anywhere else, I use my taste buds as my starting point. Trust me, it works every time.
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