If it’s your first time in Quebec City, you should experiment with the local cuisine. After eating some maple taffy or beaver tail, why not start looking for a delicious poutine? The historic town is known for its many great restaurants, but where can you find the best poutine in Quebec City?
What Is a Poutine?
Do you know what poutine is? In summary, it’s a dish consisting of French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. Even though it doesn’t look great, it’s popular all across the province of Quebec and even in Canada and remains a must-try food. Trust me, it tastes soooo much better than it looks. This blog is called Chasing Poutine, after all! 🙂
How do you figure out if you are ordering an authentic poutine? First, it needs to be topped with cheese curds. If a restaurant makes poutine using cheddar or mozzarella, run away! Same or grated cheese.
Second, the quality of the fries. Often, thick potato fries give better results as they get less soggy. Finally, the magic comes with the gravy/sauce. It can be customized in several ways, such as with beer or foie gras. Vegetarian and vegan options are also becoming more frequent.
Are you getting hungry? Let us give you a few suggestions regarding the best poutines when visiting Quebec City.
Chez Gaston, Greasy Spoon Perfect for Poutine
Whether you are in the Saint-Roch or Vanier neighbourhood, the locals know that if you’re looking for an authentic poutine in Quebec City, you must visit Chez Gaston.
From the outside, it may look like an average snack bar with only a few tables, but they specialize in making good poutines. Their prices and sizes are reasonable, and you also have the possibility to try various types of classic poutines, including with sausages or spaghetti sauce.
Honourable mention: Chez Gaston was also recommended in the New York Times a few years ago.
Chez Victor Burgers and Poutine
Chez Victor might be popular for its amazing hamburgers, but here is a secret: they also have some of the best poutines in Quebec City! Indeed, they regularly participate in the Poutine Week challenge that takes place every year in February.
One of the great things about Chez Victor is that you’ll find 9 restaurants across the city. The second great thing about this place is that you have access to more sophisticated poutines and many options.
Honourable mention: Chez Victor has 3 available poutine sauces: regular, homemade, and vegan.
Frites Alors!
What happens when the Belgian and Quebec cultures mix? You get something like Frites Alors! You might already know that Belgium is recognized for its fries. Now, imagine what could happen if they were used in a poutine?
Frites Alors! possesses currently more than ten available poutines, to satisfy all tastes, whether you want something more classic or original.
Honourable mention: after getting a classic poutine, I recommend trying the Montrealaise with smoked meat or the one with pulled pork.
Le Chic Shack, One of the Best Poutines in Old Quebec City
The Chic Shack is known to have some of the best poutines in Old Quebec City. Indeed, because of its strategic location and large variety of types of poutines, they are often visited by tourists and influencers looking to find out more about this strange combination of fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
Regarding the gravy, the Chic Shack offers many homemade options: regular house gravy, house maple whisky gravy, Indian curry sauce, and house vegan sauce.
Honourable mention: even if it is located near the Chateau Frontenac, eating a great poutine there will not cost you a fortune. I have to admit, personally, it’s not my favourite, but it’s still good, especially for Old Town.
La Korrigane
Poutine is great with beer. Therefore, why not take advantage of this opportunity to eat a delicious poutine in a local brewery? Among the many breweries of Quebec City, let us recommend La Korrigane, located in the Saint-Roch area.
They use their own beers in their gravy sauce. La Korrigane currently has 3 poutines available: a classic, a Chimichurri version, and a vegan option.
Honourable mention: feel free to ask which beers would be best with your poutine. They provide a large selection of homemade beers, from refreshing blonde ales to dark oat stouts.
Ashton, An Iconic Best Poutine in Quebec City for Many
Ashton might not be the best poutine place in Quebec City for all, but it is undoubtedly one of the most famous poutine restaurants in the area. Montrealers and Quebecers constantly fight about Ashton being way better than La Banquise.
It has been a local fast-food chain specializing in poutine since the ’70s. They offer regular poutine and other classics like the Galvaude or Dulton. With 23 restaurants, there is surely an Ashton nearby.
Honourable mention: if you don’t have much time in Quebec City or you are just passing by, we strongly suggest you eat poutine from Ashton instead of McDonald’s for a more authentic experience.
In conclusion, dozens of restaurants offer various types of famous poutines in Quebec City. We suggest you start with a classic one and then opt for something more original next time. Feel free to leave a comment telling us which poutine restaurant is your favourite and why, we’re always out there Chasing Poutine after all!
For more ideas and suggestions for the best food in Quebec City and province, click here:
- Best Vegan Restaurants in Quebec City
- Must-Try Food from Quebec while in Canada’s French Province
- Guide to Finding the Best Cafe in Quebec City
- 7 Best Sushi in Quebec City
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.
Check out our other tips on Pinterest!
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