ARVI is shaking conventions to return to the essence of human experience in restoration. It expresses a free kitchen, strong in character, carried by the same team, from the stove to the customers. The seasonal products are declined in two menus whose dishes are made before your eyes, in a spirit of proximity and friendliness as pleasant as unusual.
ARVI offers a unique and memorable fine dining experience in Quebec City, characterized by its innovative open kitchen concept where the culinary team manages both the cooking and the service. Guests frequently praise the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the professional, attentive staff who contribute to a relaxed, authentic environment. The tasting menus highlight creative, well-crafted dishes that showcase local ingredients, with the signature foie gras and thoughtful wine pairings frequently earning high acclaim. While some diners have noted individual preferences regarding wine styles or the unconventional service flow, the vast majority of visitors describe their time at the restaurant as an exceptional, high-quality journey that stands out as a must-visit destination for food lovers.
Une magnifique soirée au restaurant Arvi. Le menu dégustation invite à découvrir des plats tous tr;es savoureux créés à partir d'excellents produits de notre terroir québécois. L'ambiance dans le restaurant est très agréable, l'ensemble de l'équipe de cusiniers prends le temps de venir nous présenter chaque service, ce qui ajoute à la qualité de l'expérience. Ce fut une très belle soirée, je recommande chaudement ce restaurant!
We had a very good experience here. The food was quite good, the service was friendly, & the space was relatively attractive. I recommend this place, with caveats. Perhaps I set my expectations too high. For the price point, everything should be flawless. My comments are not complaints, just observations to guide other diners so they know better what to expect. One thing that is more than a nitpick is that the left wall (brick) in the restaurant is lit with modern tubular lights that I found very harsh. I was facing that wall, & really regretting it. They should be turned lower significantly, or better yet, replaced with bulbs that have a much lower value on the warmth scale. (These were about 6,000K, whereas a 3,000K would be much less harsh on the eyes.) It contributes to a modern aesthetic that is too cold. The music playlist was varied, & occasionally a bit too hip-hop for my taste. This is an individual taste & not a general complaint. Most of the dishes were excellent. I would recommend the add-on of the foie dish if it is available. It was really memorable & decadent. The portion sizes are spot-on, & generally well-balanced. On the night we were there, one dish, the tuna, lacked seasoning & was visually unappealing. But the fish was perfectly cooked. It just lacked visual appeal & taste. I found the informal service manner of sitting with the patrons on the banquette, or squatting while conversing with the diners to be a bit odd. I suppose it is meant to express a casual friendly hospitality, but it didn't work for me. But "a chacun-a-son-gout" as they say. Enjoy!
We enjoyed a creative, delicious meal
At Arvi. The staff were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, attentive. We also enjoyed the local 3rd Ave neighborhood. Highly recommend, especially for Québécois specialties.
ARVI highlights local products, making it ideal for tourists. Dishes were a good mix of novel combinations & more conventional dishes, the strange & the familiar, all with great technical execution. There was no separation between FOH & BOH; service was friendly & attentive even though everyone had to juggle cooking & serving. Every table had a view of the kitchen in the center of the restaurant. Pacing of the meal was slow & relaxed, around 2.5 hours for the five courses. In NYC we get politely shoved out the door after 90 minutes for a 5-course meal, so this surprised me. Overall, an excellent value for the price. Highly recommended.
Absolutely wonderful restaurant. Food quality compares to 2* Michelin in Europe.
ARVI features a 5-course tasting menu. The dry-aged duck breast with smoked carrot & ginger-carrot chutney was probably the best duck preparation I’ve ever had. Tender, perfectly cooked meat supremely complemented by the sides. The riff on a Pavlova for dessert was again, among the best desserts I’ve ever had - think a super-moist, blueberry filled jelly donut encased in a maple cookie, encased in a meringue & topped with whipped cream. Just to die for!
The preparations of the various dishes are creative, thoughtful & well executed. Smoke, umami & savory flavors juxtapose with both soft & crunchy textures in the various dishes. & five courses is perfect.
You can go for a vegetarian track if you don’t want proteins & there are options to add oyster, mushroom or foie gras courses as you wish.
The wine pairing is similarly thoughtful & well composed with several Quebec wines featured.
Service is outstanding. It’s an interesting concept as everyone does everything - I saw one gal shucking oysters & 5 minutes later she was mixing a cocktail.
Casual vibe with exposed brick & the staff wearing ARVI t-shirts.
Price points are exceptionally reasonable so, given the food quality, the QPR (Quality-Price Ratio) is off the charts (in the diner’s favor).
Honestly, one of the top restaurants in North America!
I would give 10 stars if I could! This was a truly special experience. The service was impeccable. The food was mind-blowing! Locally sourced, top-quality ingredients. Carefully crafted into masterpieces on a plate. The entire team was knowledgeable & welcoming. I hope to go back to Quebec City so I can dine at ARVI again. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant to anyone who appreciates excellent food.
A wonderful evening. Many thanks to Julian & his team. If you are tempted, or even if not tempted, I would strongly recommend you add the Foie Gras to your choice of dishes. A heavenly treat!
We walked from the old port to Arvi, approx 2.4kms...it was well worth it. Firstly what a great concept...everyone working there does everything from greeting guests, making cocktails, cooking & cashing out. Equality! Most importantly the food was outstanding - creative, fresh, tasty & unique. Highly recommend the experience it was worth every penny!
MICHELIN
