For people with dietary restrictions, sharing in the joys of travelling and dining out can take a lot of work. While others may stroll down a street and pick a restaurant on a whim, those on restricted diets need to do plenty of advance research. We triple-check menus and verify kitchen procedures to ensure our meals will be safe. As a professional road tripper with celiac disease, I’m very familiar with these challenges. And I’m delighted to share there are so many restaurants that are gluten-free in Quebec City that it’s one of my favourite food destinations in Canada.
Here, you’ll find a list of my favourite gluten-free restaurants in Quebec City. Two of these operate 100% gluten-free kitchens, which is fabulously comforting for people with celiac disease. I’ve also shared some tips for finding safe restaurants for those who are new to eating gluten-free. With this information, you’ll enjoy a wonderful time eating gluten-free in Quebec City, one of the top foodie destinations in North America.
What Questions Should I Ask to Find Out if a Restaurant Offers Safe Gluten-Free Options?
To find out if a restaurant is prepared for gluten-free diners, you can call ahead and ask these questions. Are gluten-free dishes clearly marked on the menu? Are ingredients prepared in a separate area of the kitchen and/or with clean utensils and surfaces? Is gluten-free bread toasted separately? Is there a separate deep fryer for gluten-free items?
Based on the answers and the severity of your condition, you decide how safe you feel at this restaurant. For example, if you’re gluten-intolerant, you may not mind if all deep-fried food is cooked together. But if you have celiac disease and can’t risk cross-contamination from the fryer, or if a restaurant says they cut gluten-free and regular sandwiches on the same cutting board, it will be safer for you to eat elsewhere. Of course, if a restaurant advertises a 100% gluten-free kitchen, it’s perfectly safe to skip this step.
The Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Quebec City
Based on my own experiences, the restaurants below are the best for eating gluten-free in Quebec City. All information is current as of December 2024. However, menus and kitchen protocols can change, and your experience may vary. Please be sure to verify this information independently before dining.
La Bûchette
La Bûchette is the smaller sibling of the sugar shack style restaurant La Bûche in Old Quebec. This smaller offshoot opened in January 2024 and serves classic Quebecois fare just a short walk from the Fairmont Château Frontenac. (Why not schedule a visit of this castle while you’re at it!)
During my visit, I learned it’s possible to modify many menu items and was offered separately grilled gluten-free bread to go with my brunch dishes. The menu here is not marked consistently, so be sure to ask plenty of questions while ordering.
Don Vegan
Let’s all salute the folks who eat gluten-free and vegan. These restrictions are challenging enough on their own, but together they can seem impossible at times! When you’re looking for vegan and gluten-free in Quebec City, though, Don Vegan has you covered. It’s located on an iconic corner in Lower Quebec and offers a menu with twists on Italian, Asian, and American Southwest flavours.
The menu here doesn’t have a lot of gluten-free options at any given time, but the ones available are delicious and filling. Be sure to mention your restrictions while ordering. In my experience, they’re taken very seriously. While there is some cross-contamination risk here, those seeking a fully gluten-free and plant-based meal in Quebec will find this is one of the best spots in the city.
Julio Taqueria
Julio Taqueria is one of two 100% gluten-free restaurants in Quebec City. It’s located in the very cool Saint-Saveur sector, a couple of kilometres outside the old city walls. The menu is packed with traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, quesadillas, dips, and more. Let this fantastic and fully gluten-free restaurant take you a little outside the touristy parts of Quebec City to try something new!
Poutineville
Hoping to try some gluten-free poutine in Quebec? Check out Poutineville! This local chain has locations in Quebec City as well as in Montreal. Use the build-your-own section of the menu and work with a server to custom design a poutine that meets your dietary needs. Fries are cooked separately here from breaded menu items, plus most of the sauces and gravies are gluten-free.
There are plenty more ingredients you can pile on like meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Some locations even have gluten-free desserts and Glutenberg gluten-free beer for washing everything down!
Restaurant Sagamité
Within the greater Quebec City area, Wendake stands as the only Huron-Wendat First Nation community in Canada. And in Wendat tradition, sagamité is a traditional soup made with a rich venison broth as well as corn, beans, and squash, the crops known together as the Three Sisters.
With locations in Wendake and Old Quebec, Restaurant Sagamité offers you a chance to learn more about Huron-Wendat cuisines and traditions alongside a selection of Quebecois dishes. Gluten-free items aren’t specifically marked here, but your server will guide you through plenty of options.
Sapristi
With two locations, one on Saint-Jean and another in Lower Quebec, Sapristi has been a go-to for gluten-free dining in Quebec City for many years. Both locations have gluten-free pasta and pizza crust available as substitutions, opening up much of this Italian-inspired menu to gluten-free diners. Given the nature of these dishes, be sure to double-check that protocols remain safe before ordering.
Restaurant La Traite
If you’re able to visit Wendake during your time in Quebec City, be sure to make a reservation at Restaurant la Traite inside the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations. Enjoy world class dining inspired by Wendat traditions, including multi-course tasting menus created from local and Indigenous-sourced ingredients as often as possible.
You can even pair your meal with wines from Indigenous producers in British Columbia. It’s a good idea to provide the restaurant with advance notice of your dietary restrictions so they can plan for adjustments and prepare a truly memorable meal.
Veravin 2.0
Among gluten-free travellers, Veravin 2.0 is legendary. This was one of the first 100% gluten-free restaurants to open to Canada, and it remains a destination in its own right to this day. The menu changes seasonally but will always blow your mind with options like mozzarella sticks, corn dogs, karaage chicken, gluten-free French onion soup, fried calamari, burgers, macaroni and cheese, and more.
You’ll also find gluten-free beers on tap! Be sure to make a reservation in advance as this restaurant is in very high demand. Note Veravin 2.0 is closed Sundays through Tuesdays.
Other options we’ve heard about for gluten-free in Quebec City
There are a few more restaurants that are frequently recommended in Quebec City for gluten-free diners. I haven’t personally vetted these, but the celiac community speaks of them highly. Check out:
- Bistro Hortus for organic Quebecois fare and many gluten-free options;
- Polina (Italian with gluten-free pasta and pizza);
- Conti Caffé (white-tablecloth Italian); and
- Le Billig (buckwheat flour crepes).
Enjoy!
Here are some other suggestions to help you plan your Quebec City travel:
- Best Outdoor Skating Rinks in Quebec
- Best Resorts in Quebec Province
- Photography Lover’s Self-Guided Walking Tour of Quebec City
- Quebec City Christmas Hotel Packages
- Top 6 Quebec City Landmarks
What to Do in Quebec City region and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in the Quebec City region? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Admire Quebec City’s largest waterfall and take a cable car to the top of the Montmorency Falls.
- Experience a unique walking adventure in the heart of Old Quebec and learn about its history.
- Discover the food, beverages, and vineyards of Île d’Orléans.
- Explore the wilderness near Quebec City with a hike in the Jacques-Cartier National Park.
- Introduce yourself to speed skating in Quebec City with top athletes on an inside ice ring.
- Ziplining above the Sainte-Anne canyon near Quebec City.
- Sleep comfortably at the Fairmont Château Frontenac and enjoy an incredible view of the St. Lawrence River.
- Enjoy a peaceful room at the Hilton Quebec and take a dip in the only year-round heated outdoor pool in Quebec City.
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to the Outaouais through Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
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