Old Québec City—where history meets a vibrant culinary renaissance—has quietly emerged as one of North America’s most compelling food destinations, blending its UNESCO‑recognized heritage with innovative gastronomy that now stands proudly on the global stage. While visitors have always been drawn to its cobblestone streets, fortified walls, and European charm, Québec City’s gastronomic scene has been elevated with the arrival of the first MICHELIN Guide to Québec, bringing international recognition to a remarkable concentration of world‑class restaurants that reflect the region’s terroir and culinary creativity.
At the pinnacle of this culinary transformation is Tanière³, the only restaurant in the province to earn two Michelin stars in the guide’s inaugural edition, celebrated for its deeply creative tasting menus that showcase Québec’s local ingredients and seasonal expression. ARVI, Kebec Club Privé, Laurie Raphaël, and Légende have each been awarded one Michelin star, marking a concentrated presence of esteemed dining experiences within Old Québec and beyond. Tanière³, led by chef François‑Emmanuel Nicol, offers a tasting journey that has been hailed for its imaginative use of northern ingredients and refined technique, while ARVI’s approachable yet sophisticated multi‑course menus dissolve the boundary between kitchen and table, emphasizing seasonal simplicity and precision.
Kebec Club Privé stands out for its intimate supper‑club format, seating just ten guests around a single table and presenting a blind tasting menu crafted by co‑chefs Cassandre Osterroth and Pierre‑Olivier Pelletier — a unique, immersive experience that has earned it Michelin star recognition. Laurie Raphaël, a longstanding institution since 1991 now led by executive chef Raphaël Vézina, has also been distinguished with a Michelin star for its elegant, terroir‑focused cuisine and commitment to local producers. At Légende, executive chef Elliot Beaudoin, an alumnus of Tanière³, creates dishes rooted in Québec’s terroir with a strictly local ingredient philosophy that aligns with the guide’s criteria for exceptional cuisine.
Beyond starred establishments, Québec City’s dining scene also features Bib Gourmand‑recognized experiences — an important category in the Michelin Guide that highlights quality food at good value. Notable among these is Buvette Scott, a welcome destination for terroir‑driven small plates and an inspired wine list, as well as Honō Izakaya, a minimalist Japanese‑style izakaya in the Saint‑Roch neighbourhood that specializes in grilled yakitori and other shared dishes, both distinguished for excellence in approachable, well‑executed cooking.
Le Saint‑Amour
Historic favorites like Le Saint‑Amour, founded in 1978 and recognized for decades as one of Québec’s premier fine‑dining destinations combining refined French technique with regional products, continue to contribute to the city’s rich culinary identity and enduring reputation among gourmets.
For luxury food lovers, this Michelin‑validated renaissance makes Québec City an essential gastronomic destination where history, terroir, and contemporary creativity converge in extraordinary ways. It is precisely this remarkable blend of tradition and innovation that led ELYSIAN to choose Québec City as the setting for its Autumn Culinary Issue Launch and Immersive Tasting Experience from August 7–9, inviting guests to discover the bold tastes and rich cultural narratives that define this vibrant food capital.