I’m a fan of the Maggies and have been for over a decade. This place is my home away from home and my favourite region of the province of Quebec. There’s no secret there if you’ve been following me for a while, but it’s time for me to reveal my favourite restaurants in the Magdalen Islands, especially after spending a summer there working this year!
Yes, this list of 5 places you must eat in the archipelago is in order of preference after checking off the bucket list items to do in the archipelago!
No, it doesn’t mean you’ll have the same experience as I’ve had, but I can assure you these 5 places are pretty much at the top of every foodie’s list in the islands.
Over the years, they’ll all moved up and down my list, so they might be changed up again in time, but this favorites list is based on my recent experiences in the best Îles de la Madeleine restaurants, having eaten multiple times in each over a recent period. It was kind of hard to rank them, but I chose to do so in a «gourmet» order, for the most bang-for-your-buck high-scale food!
Chez Renard
Always a winner as far as feasting on high quality food in a no-frills environment you can dine in wearing sweats or a tie, Chez Renard is the kind of place where you can have a cute date or come with friends to catch up on the latest gossip, but also eat alone at the bar if you’re just craving their fried chicken.
Yup, I did that. Literally eating alone, a plate of their to-die-for fried chicken with a French 75 cocktail before I left the islands to go back home. That’s how good this menu item is! I’ve also been known to order a second round of this poultry for dessert with a friend (not even kidding!).
During summer, they have a no reservations policy, and they are open from 4 pm with a first come, first serve philosophy. The rest of the year (yes, they are open year-round!), you can reserve a table, which makes it a bit easier to plan your dining.
As far as the menu goes, it’s written on a chalk board each day and changes constantly depending on what’s in season, what’s available locally and what inspires the chef. You can jump from local scallops to seal carpaccio in an instant or go for more classic broccolini with melon to local veal and cabbage.
I’d recommend at least 2 plates per person, as they are all pretty much appetizer size, perfect to be shared to taste more. When I dine with a friend, we go for 4 or 5, depending on our taste for the night’s different proteins or vegetables.
Restaurant Eva
I’ve dined at Restaurant Eva more times than I can count since its opening, and in many contexts, like with the groups I guided in the îles de la Madeleine, but also alone chatting at the bar with the mixologist or at a table for 2 with some of my local friends. The staff nailed it every single time!
Customer service is amazing here too and I love the whitewashed walls that give off a peachy vibe. If the sun is out and the wind not too crazy, definitely choose to sit on the terrace to enjoy the absolutely photogenic and moving sunset that goes on at the site de la Côte where it is located.
Menus here are also very locally sourced, especially when it comes to seafood, but no worries if you’re not into that, there is always a choice of other meats and even vegetarian options. Portions are very reasonable, but I’d still recommend you go for an appetizer (entrée in French, not to be confused with an entree in English) and a main meal, unless you have more of a small appetite and want to save space for dessert.
Restaurant Eva’s in-house pâtisserie chef steps up the dessert game to what I believe to be the best of its kind in the region: I can still taste the Paris-Brest with pecans I had the last time I ate there. OoFFFF!
Quai 360
Before Chez Renard and Chez Eva and after the famous Table des Roy closed down in the islands, Quai 360 was THE place to eat out for a fancier meal. Although it has fierce competitors nowadays, it still today deserves its position in my top 5 best restaurants in the Magdalen Islands, in my opinion.
On rue du Quai near the port where you’ll probably arrive by ferry (or not if you choose the plane!), it can be easily overlooked as it’s not on the beaten path of Route 199, the main island road. And that would be a mistake!
I remember falling in love with its crab arancini and lobster pasta the first time I ate there. That feeling was still around when I booked my last birthday dinner there: if you want upscale seafood plates, Quai360 remains a place to go.
Their portion sizes are quite interesting, so are their cocktails! The menu doesn’t change as often, so you can go back repeatedly and not miss out if you’re having a hard time choosing what you want to order. Be warned though, Quai 360 a bit of a louder place though if you are sensitive to noise.
Café de la Grave
Definitely the cutest, most warm environment you’ll dine in while you’re eating in the Magdalen Islands! The Café de la Grave is a restored general store right out of history, and you’ll quickly notice that thanks to the wooden shelves along the walls filled with historical trinkets.
For over 40 years, it has also been a meeting place for musicians and artists, with exhibits on their walls and planned jam sessions around the massive piano in the dining room. What I like the most are the impromptu shows from random visitors and locals that sit down on the bench and give it a go on the keys, giving the place such a vibe!
As far as food goes, the Café de la Grave is one of the best places to taste local traditional specialties or some funky creations made with regional flavours like the smoked scallop carbonara plate that is just simply to die for.
If that’s not your thing, I love the smoked mackerel bagel from Fumoir d’Antan for breakfast or lunch or the seal poutine, typical cod cakes, or island veal for dinner! They also serve the famous seafood pot-en-pot that is a staple in the islands, a rich seafood pot pie layered with shellfish in a creamy sauce.
Le Millerand
In all honesty, Le Millerand has not always gotten consistent reviews from myself and other foodies I know, but this year I was flabbergasted by the quality of the food I ordered, so I decided to include it within the best places to eat in the Magdalen Islands. It was literally my favourite local meal of 2025, so it deserves its rank!
In a small dining room of what used to be a fast-food joint, things have changed for the best, but they’ve kept their low-key design. The menu is a diversified for all appetites, with sea and land options that will please every palate.
The fish and chips have a great reputation, such as the carpaccio, but if it’s on the menu, go for the scallop risotto.
No joke: it’s the best I’ve had and there were multiple scallops up top in a generous fashion for the price. As an appetizer, I had a lobster bruschetta style salad which was super fresh and delicious. All in all, a wonderful meal I can only recommend.
Like for Chez Eva, the view at Le Millerand is magnificent, and you can be served on the terrace if it’s nice out!
So, I know I probably haven’t made it easy for you as these 5 top restaurants in the Magdalen Islands all seem amazing (which they are), but is there one that piques your curiosity more than others?
Enjoy the islands!
Read more about the archipelago here:
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