Quebec

Here, customers eat in total darkness in order to experience what all blind people experience on a daily basis, just like the waiters who will take care of you during your meal. Beyond the innovative and socially responsible concept, the food is also there. The good food tastes even more intense; isn't it said that the loss of one sense exacerbates the others? Dishes, textures and smells come together in interesting combinations. Those who want to take the experience further can choose the surprise menu.

The owners of the place defend tooth and nail the Quebec products. The cod tongues with sea urchin butter, for example, are one of the specialties of the house, not to mention the lobster, which is a must-try in season. The Symphonie de la mer plate for two is generous and delicious. In addition to the seafood and fish that are the mainstay, the restaurant also prepares grilled meats, not to mention the maple wood-fired pizzas. An address not to be missed!

Open since spring 2019, this restaurant is part of the family that unites Bello Ristorante and La Bûche. What sets it apart: an entirely vegan menu that is inspired by the flavors of the world. You can enjoy dumplings, Thai soup, beet tartar, mushroom risotto or an impossible burger. At the helm in the kitchen is chef Anne-Marie Grenier, who was at the helm of the now defunct Veganville. Mention should be made of the décor, which is both industrial and plant-based, and of the large mural that adorns one of the walls.

Rustic, folkloric and warm are words that perfectly describe this restaurant, located in the basement of a small street in Old Montreal. On the menu: seafood platter, hot or fresh oysters, salmon gravlax, tartars, marrow bones, but above all a beautiful variety of wild meats prepared according to the chef's inspiration (the à la carte dishes often change). Are you ready to feel the soul of a Canadian hunter when tasting a buffalo burger, a two-way mustard rabbit or a deer shank stew?

Paying is the restaurant of the boutique hotel Le Nelligan. Here you will not lose in the middle of a long card, because the menu is short but of a high quality. The chef prepares contemporary French cuisine, developed from Quebec products. The atmosphere is chic and courteous service. We spend an evening being pampered.

An atmosphere verging on the lounge, a refined steakhouse version. Meats are tenderized using a natural process and grilled over maple charcoal: Boston cut, prime rib, dry-aged rib steak... In short, truly delicious grilled meats. What's more, the setting at Gare du Palais has a bucolic je-ne-sais-quoi that adds to the allure. Smart plan: their butcher's shop, located on site and in Lebourgneuf, offers cuts of meat, ready-made meals, side dishes, sauces, spices and other delights to take away.

A member of the Restos Plaisirs group (Cochon Dingue, Café du Monde, Lapin Sauté, Madame Chose, etc.), the hotel's revolving bistro-bar offers a veritable spectacle with a 360-degree view of the river, the mountains, the Plains of Abraham and all of Quebec City's tourist attractions. It features a dining area with an open kitchen and a bar with a lounge profile, with a contemporary decor by LemayMichaud. In the kitchen, the chef and his team concoct a seasonal menu where regional Quebec products are in the spotlight.

Don't look for the Garde Manger sign, you won't find it. Yet this little restaurant is a much sought-after spot. It has to be said, too, that here, good humor, conviviality, music and good neo-rustic cuisine combine to perfection. The cooks are busy, the waiters come and go, the barman prepares the drinks, manages the cutlery and the music... The pace is frenetic, but we really enjoy it. Could it be due to the cosy atmosphere, the wine and cocktails, the quality of the food? Certainly all of the above.

A true Old-Montreal institution, this restaurant has retained its cachet with a more contemporary touch. Under the guidance of chef Paul Achard, fish and seafood reign supreme on the menu, and the choice is vast. Poached wild salmon, grilled langoustines, fried calamari and lobster in a variety of sauces, just to name a few. And for those who don't really feel inspired by the ocean, several homemade pasta and meat dishes are also on display. The accompanying wine list and digestifs are sure to please.

A family-run business founded in 1942 by Hymie and Freda Sckolnick, this American diner is said to be the origin of Montreal's famous brunch ritual. More than 80 years later, the Beautys Special (the must-try bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese) and the Mish-Mash (hot-dog omelette, salami, green bell pepper and fried onions) still make the reputation of the house. The menu has expanded over the years, and people sometimes come from far and wide to enjoy breakfast or brunch at Beautys. Bonus: in-house products are on sale on site.

Concrete ambiance and wall art in this trendy (Mile End obliges) version of the brunch diner. You can enjoy a hot or cold homemade beverage, and of course excellent breakfasts "à la montréalaise": waffles, French toast, sandwiches, egg specialties (which gives the place its name), and of course the famous morning poutine. The portions are as generous as the noise level is high, for those who don't have the chance to eat outside. People come from far and wide: you will have to be patient at the entrance. A delight that must be earned!

A proud representative of Algeria, for 27 years in Montreal. The specialty of the site, the couscous, has been proven for a long time and is enjoying all the delicious and melting meats in the Maghreb. Lamb, rabbit, chicken and merguez are all invitations to travel to the country where food is an art of living alone.

A family business known for its retail sales of fresh, frozen, salted and smoked fish and seafood (free ice and packaging for travellers), as well as its range of homemade products, including the delicious fish soup. Another asset: a dining room with a terrace annexed to the fishmonger's shop, which has been a great success. The quality of the seafood dishes and their freshness mean that the restaurant is packed every evening. The fisherman's plate is a must try! A classic for over 30 years. Reservation recommended.

We jump with pleasure for this restaurant whose country decor is heart-warming. Generous and comforting dishes, reflecting Quebec's terroir: applewood smoked duck breast, shredded rabbit poutine, cassoulets like Lapin Sauté, a discovery plate of the terroir (applewood smoked duck breast, salmon gravlax, rabbit rillettes, country pâté, Quebec cheese, roasted garlic and vegetable marinade)... And with such a name, the chef could not miss the cooking of rabbit in all its declinations.

The customs and values of the Huron-Wendat people are brought to the plate. Celebrating the abundance of nature, La Traite is an ode to the riches of the boreal forest, the land, hunting and fishing. Each menu is exclusive and advocates harmony with nature, authenticity, as well as the décor and the experience itself. Fish and game are smoked on site and the kitchen focuses on local and organic products. A table that respects its history and traditions. Mention should be made of the selection of local wines.

Set up in the premises of the now-defunct Cafetier, café-dînette-buvette Mollies - named after co-owner Molly Superfine-Rivera - is diner-style, but with a local twist. Local producers contribute to the tasty menu, which offers breakfasts until 4pm and lunches from 11am. To accompany the gourmet side, specialty coffees, fresh juices and smoothies appear on the slate, alongside stronger elixirs such as mimosa, amermelade spritz or natural wines. An address like no other!

Located in the former Sainte-Thérèse church, the premises, with their industrial and fragmented design, are sure to seduce from the outset. Then comes the menu displaying decadent and indecent dishes, which must be pronounced the famous "OMG". Succulent grilled meats, international flavours and burgers are worth a visit and are prepared with local beef aged for 30 days. The originality is there and for lovers of decadence, we recommend one of the dishes "signed OMG". Several bars, large terrace with bar and underfloor heating, fireplaces.