Naming the best among the restaurants in Perce, Quebec, sure isn’t an easy task. If you’ve never been to this fishing town, here’s your sign to go and test out the best restaurants for yourself. For such a small town, the food options and quality are top tier.
I’ve been to big city restaurants and paid a lot of money for plates that were not half as good as those offered by some of these restaurants. Narrowing it down was difficult, and I could have included a few more, but I want to keep it simple for anyone who is just going to visit.
If you find yourself in Percé or Perce in English, Quebec, visit these establishments to get the whole experience.
Maison Black Whale House – Best Overall Restaurant
Choosing The Black Whale as number one may come as a surprise to some of you. Let me explain. Yes, they have a fabulous menu, but as someone visiting Perce, I think this restaurant provides a wonderful experience that extends beyond the dinner table and it’s something on my bucket list.
The restaurant resides within The Black Whale House, which has been serving the town as a community and cultural arts centre since 1936. They are passionate about promoting and carrying on the local traditions of the Gaspésie region while also serving some delicious plates.
Start with an order of salmon tartare and the prosciutto pizza to share. But save room for their duck entree, which is so delectable it could be served at the fanciest restaurants in Montreal. It’s a bit pricey here, but it’s worth it when you factor in the overall experience.
Food Type: Upscale French
Atmosphere: Business Casual
Family-Friendly: Yes
Price: $$$$
Buvette Thérèse – Best for a Date or a Cocktail-Meal
This cute and modern-homey “buvette” is the place to be from mid-June to mid-October. Buvette Thérèse’s terrasse is great if you want to revel in the sun and the interior is quite recent and well decorated, so wherever you sit, you’ll be happy with the décor.
Enjoy a diverse boreal cuisine with as many local products as possible (saffron gnocchi, pizzas, duck confit, acras, beef tataki, etc.) and a wide selection of cocktails and Quebec-made drinks. Very friendly young team. Breakfast is also enjoyable although a bit expensive, in my opinion.
Food Type: Local Terroir
Atmosphere: Casual
Family-Friendly: Medium
Price: $$$
Maison Mathilde – Best for the Date Night or Fancy Feast
If you have a special someone in your life or want to celebrate a milestone at work or with family, this is the place to do it. The setting, service, and food are nothing short of spectacular and worthy of all types of celebrations.
The menu at Maison Mathilde is the star of the show here, served during the summer months. They offer many little plates that are perfect for sharing. This is the best way to approach the menu so you can try different plates without filling up.
Try the scallop and smoked salmon roulade on creamy leek sauce if you want to keep it lighter, but anything with seafood is great.
It will be a tough decision for your entree, but you can’t go wrong with either the gaspésienne-style pan-fried cod with homemade tartar sauce or the red-braised veal cheeks. Both are worth Instagramming.
Food Type: Traditional French Cuisine
Atmosphere: Upscale
Family-Friendly: 12+ years old is recommended
Price: $$$$
La Maison du Pêcheur – Best Sunset and Percé Rock View
La Maison du Pêcheur is open during the summer months and simply never stops. You need to be lucky to score a table here, as its windowed veranda has one of the best views for a sunset dinner looking at the Rocher Percé or Perce Rock!
Most of the menu is fish and seafood and I highly recommend the fish cakes! Lunch hour is cheaper too, so it makes it amongst the best restaurants in Perce for midday feasts.
Food Type: Fancy Pub Fare and Seafood
Atmosphere: Casual and Bustling
Family-Friendly: Yes
Price: $$$
Paqbo – Foodie Spot with Some of the Best Views
For something a bit more casual, head over to the Riotel and grab a window table at Paqbo Restaurant. Here, you can get panoramic views of the Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, one of the world’s natural wonders. But don’t forget to bring your appetite.
This menu is full of traditional plates prepared with a chef’s touch. This is the place for a great burger or the classic steak frites. Seafood options include salmon prepared in a few different ways and tried-and-true fish and chips.
Be sure to get here before the sun sets to take full advantage of the ambiance. This is a unique place in Quebec and is even more enjoyable with a delicious meal.
Food Type: Contemporary
Atmosphere: Casual
Family-Friendly: Yes
Price: $$$
La Boite À Fruits De Mer – Best Seafood in Percé
If you’ve come to this beautiful seaside town expecting flavours of the Atlantic, then your first stop should be La Boite À Fruits De Mer. Don’t let their casual appearance fool you; these are trained professionals who have perfected the art of serving decadent local seafood.
Start your meal with red tuna tartare or grilled octopus. If you want something more traditional, go for smoked salmon. For the main course, try the Captain’s fettuccine, which comes with a mix of the freshest seafood they have in-house that day.
If you’re not in the mood for pasta, try the lighter lobster Caesar salad or the lobster plate, which comes with all the fixings and 2 lbs. of lobster. This seafood lover’s dream is located right in the heart of this charming town.
Food Type: Seafood
Atmosphere: Casual
Family-Friendly: Yes
Price: $$$$
Resto-Pub Le Ravage – Most Casual Restaurant in Percé
Sometimes, a casual pub is just what the doctor ordered. This is a great place to share a few laughs, unwind from the day, and enjoy a few snacks as well. There’s no standing-on ceremony here; you can order a small plate to tide you over or indulge in a healthy portion of their house specialties.
Le Ravage still incorporates local ingredients without straying too far from traditional pub fare. Examples of this are the crab cakes and smoked salmon bites, which serve as the perfect starter to any meal.
For the hungrier patrons, go for a whole rack of pork ribs or the burger made with brioche bread, melted cheese curds, house-made caramelized onions, and leeks, and dijonnaise sauce. Classic pub plates, such as wings, poutine, and fish and chips, are also available. I liked my experience, but I must admit the service was a little ordinary.
Food Type: Pub Fare
Atmosphere: Casual
Family-Friendly: Yes
Price: $$
Boulangerie Le Fournand – Best Lunch Restaurant
Last but not least, Boulangerie Le Fournand. I know it isn’t a proper restaurant per se, but it’s a great place to grab lunch or a picnic. Think bakery, delicious pastries, quiches, soups, salads, etc. It’s a great change from pub grub and sea food and perfect for a meal on the go, too!
Food Type: Bakery
Atmosphere: Casual
Family-Friendly: Yes
Price: $
I feel confident that the top restaurants in Perce on this list could easily be ranked number 1. Check them all out and let me know your thoughts! What’s your favourite?
Here are some other articles about the Gaspésie region that may interest you.
- Gaspé Tides: What to Know When Travelling to Gaspésie
- Best Quebec Road Trips
- 20 Must-See Quebec Attractions to Add to Your Province Bucket List
- 46 Ultimate Best Quebec Guided Tours You Should Book Now in the Province
What to Do in Gaspésie region and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in the Gaspésie region? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Explore Gaspe’s famous scenery, visit Bonaventure Island to see nesting sea birds and Rocher Percé on a 3-day tour.
- Visit Gaspésie National Park on your own during a snowshoeing trip.
- Go on a guided safari with whale watching by zodiac from Gaspé.
- Discover canyoning in the heart of the Gaspé Peninsula near Forillon and Gaspé National Parks.
- Live a unique experience by sleeping in domes located near the Percé UNESCO Geopark or stay in a cute chalet in Gaspe.
- Enjoy a stay in a hotel near a golf course and with an ocean view at Hotel Baker or in a charming B&B under the trees.
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.
Wanna save this article for later? Pin it to your Pinterest board!
2 Comments
Sheldon Jacobs
December 25, 2024 at 9:53 AMCan you tell me if there was ever a restaurant in Quebec called Le or La Pantagruel? I lived in Gaspé and seem to recall that name perhaps in or near Percé many years ago (1973-1987) and this name comes to mind.
Many thanks!
Jennifer
January 3, 2025 at 9:46 PMI recall there was a Gargantua in Percé years ago, but I’m not sure about Pantagreul, alas! 🙂