As the world of restaurant and catering continues to evolve, small plates for sharing, often likened to tapas, are among the trends that stand out.
These tasty little dishes, designed to be enjoyed in good company, have become an essential experience for lovers of contemporary cuisine in Quebec City.
In keeping with this trend, many restaurants use local ingredients to create unique and delicious dishes.
This article takes you on a tour of several Quebec City addresses that have made this culinary concept their signature, offering a sharing experience rich in flavor.
1 Rue Saint-Jean, Québec, G1R 2V1
With twenty or so seats inside and a dozen on the terrace in summer, you'll find yourself in an intimate, friendly atmosphere. The same owners as the highly reputed Buvette Scott opened Sardines in 2019.
The menu features a dozen small Mediterranean-inspired dishes to share. It changes with the seasons and the ingredients available. Oysters, charcuterie and cheese are available on a continuous basis. They import canned sardines from Europe, which are a must-try.
They now produce their own marinades for vegetables, peppers and more.
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They also specialize in the quality of the beers on offer, making it the perfect place to explore beer and food pairings.
104 Rue Saint-Vallier O, Québec, G1K 1K1
If you like Asian cuisine, Chez Tao is a must in Quebec City. The menu and decor are inspired by Vietnamese and Thai street food. Combined with a creative cocktail menu created by the owner-mixologist duo. Open until late at night, you'll find a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere every time you visit.
As is traditional in Asia, the idea is to share several dishes around the table. There are vegetarian, vegan and spicy options, as well as a selection of customer favorites.
The menu is divided into sections, allowing you to choose from fried, cold, curry, stir-fried, steamed bread and dessert items. From midnight onwards, the menu transforms into a night market, with dishes to accompany evenings of drinking.
It's impossible not to mention the beautiful cocktail menu, which is also categorized according to the flavors found, such as tropical, fresh, bitter, and so on.
1039 1e Avenue, Québec, G1L 2X3
A great place to visit in the Limoilou district is Cendrillon. You'll be welcomed into a family atmosphere featuring Quebec ingredients. In fact, they're part of the Aliments du Québec Program on the menu. Whether it's for an aperitif or to spend the evening, you'll want to discover the latest dishes available to share.
The team behind it all includes the owners of La Planque restaurant, a wine list selected by an experienced sommelier, house cocktails designed by a bar chef and a seasoned kitchen team.
Fresh oysters, char-grilled oysters, charcuterie and dishes of the moment to share. A local favorite is Colonel Nounours' famous fried chicken.
Feel free to explore the changing menus of beers, wines, cocktails and ciders.
TORII IZAKAYA (BUVETTE JAPONAISE)
771 Rue Saint-Joseph E, Québec, G1K 3C6
Celebrating its 5th year, Torii Izakaya is an elegant Japanese buvette in the Saint-Roch district.
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The menu is a perfect blend of Japanese and French cuisine, aiming for a modern bistronomy experience. While some dishes remain on the menu at all times, we suggest you try the items on the slate, which vary with the seasons and the chef's inspirations.
This is the place to discover sakés, with several bottles available as private imports that are constantly changing according to new arrivals. And don't forget the cocktails, created with original ingredients like sake, egg white, lapsang souchong tea, sage and more in mind!
1297, Avenue Maguire, Québec, G1T 1Z2
Tapas & Liège has been on Wine Spectator's impressive list of award winners since 2019 but has been a gourmet destination on Maguire Street since 2017.
Latin-inspired, we see tapas/share dishes change with the seasons. The menu is divided into different sections that will allow you to make your choices according to the desires of guests around the table such as carnivorous, vegan, seafood and desserts.
And, of course, it's one of the Capital's best places to try different quality wines! Ask the staff to guide you on the best wine pairing among the vast selection of bottles on offer, depending on your budget, tastes and what you've chosen as tapas!
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1098 Rue Saint-Jean, Québec, G1R 1S5
Headed by a team of Quebec City restaurant industry veterans (Boulay, Comptoir Boréal, Les Botanistes and Petits Creux), Le Bedeau is a warm and friendly restaurant. In a relaxed setting, you'll still find great wines served by the glass and dishes featuring Quebec's cultural heritage.
Unlike elsewhere, we suggest that you select the wine first, and then the team will suggest the dish that goes perfectly with it. As the wine and food list is constantly changing, each visit will be different, as will the pairings proposed.
A fine tribute to Quebec terroir, with an emphasis on wine by the glass.
179 Rue St-Vallier Ouest, Québec, G1K 1J9
Combining the culinary richness of Lyon with the flavors of Quebec, Pied Bleu is a convivial bistro. Originally a delicatessen and offal counter from the Lyon region, it has evolved into a family-run restaurant.
Renowned for its generous brunch service from Sunday to Thursday, the buffet menu offers several plates to share around the table. In the evening, opt for the starter buffet with salads, cold cuts, soup, cold cuts and 3 starters of the moment to share. The second option is the Tour Lyonnaise, with salads, three starters, three main courses, cheeses and desserts. Keep an eye on the slate for dishes of the moment, which remain classic French fare.
What's more, the owners pride themselves on having a fine selection of privately imported wines to enhance their local menu.
638 Rue St-Vallier O, Québec, G1N 1C5
Le Renard et la chouette, Le Pied Bleu's little brother, is a tapas restaurant. The concept is different from that of a regular restaurant. You order at the counter, sit, and the cooks bring you your order.
With an emphasis on vegetables rather than protein, the menu varies according to the ingredients available at the time of your visit. Rest assured, the plates are always creative, tasty and aesthetically pleasing. A must-try is without doubt their incredible tartiflette.
You'll have a great time eating well in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
954 Rue Saint-Jean, Québec, G1R 1R5
If you like Asian cuisine reinvented, then book a table (or a banquette for more proximity) at Le Bo. The sober, intimate decor is perfect for impressing your guest.
The chefs have worked and travelled in Asia, which is evident in every dish. They work with Quebec artisans to bring out the best in their products, creating a wonderful combination of flavors. The concept follows Asian traditions of sharing several dishes with everyone around the table.
Whether you choose the 4 or 5-course immersion menu or the à la carte menu, you can be sure of a unique Bo experience. If you like alcohol, complement your meal with wine or sake, or combine it with a tea pairing. A marvellous way to discover flavours from other parts of the world, while using well-known and little-known Quebec products.
670 Rue Saint-Joseph E, Québec, G1K 3B9
The Hono Izakaya focuses on yakitori, setting it apart from other ramen restaurants in Quebec City.
"Hono" means "flame". It was a natural choice, evoking the grilled meats they prepare. Indeed, the restaurant specializes in yakitoris. In the kitchen, chef Louis Philippe Moisan has concocted little wonders that are very well shared.
Their menu has been carefully thought out to encourage diners to return and enjoy specific dishes. Each of their creations is meticulously crafted.
Among the gems on the menu, we highly recommend the quail eggs, squid salad, corn cakes, and chicken kaarage, as well as chicken, pork belly, smelt and mushroom yakitoris. And don't forget to try our delicious okonomiyaki and dumplings!
In addition to excellent yakitori, sake, umeshu and whisky steal the show at Quebec City's first true izakaya. The concept respects the Japanese after-work tradition: first the drinks, then the food.t respecte la tradition japonaise de l'après-travail : d'abord les boissons et, ensuite, la nourriture.
Continue your exploration with all the other tapas / sharing options in Quebec City, here.
