Aux Anciens Canadiens specializes in traditional French-Canadian cuisine featuring regional staples such as tourtière, bison, and elk. The menu highlights locally sourced ingredients prepared using classic grilling and slow-cooking techniques that reflect historical culinary practices. Patrons encounter a setting defined by authentic architecture, thick stone walls, and woodwork that creates a dense, rustic atmosphere. This establishment prioritizes rich, savory flavors through hearty meat preparations and classic vegetable pairings characteristic of the surrounding territory. Every dish aims to present the fundamental essence of regional gastronomy with precise attention to traditional seasoning and cooking methods. The consistent focus remains on authentic, robust flavors served within a structural environment that mirrors the heritage of the region through its preserved interior design and consistent, reliable preparation styles.
Aux Anciens Canadiens is widely celebrated for its charming, historic atmosphere and its dedication to traditional Québécois cuisine, with many visitors praising the authentic setting housed in one of the oldest buildings in the city. Guests frequently highlight the attentive and friendly service, particularly when enjoying the popular lunch specials, and many consider the maple syrup pie and various meat dishes to be standout offerings. While the vast majority of diners describe their experience as memorable and delicious, some reviewers note that the food quality can be inconsistent, with a few guests finding certain dishes to be overpriced or underwhelming compared to the historic reputation of the institution.
My wife Fran & I were visiting Old Quebec City with friends & found this little gem slightly off the main strip. The staff were very friendly & the service was excellent! We enjoyed our meal & wine. The blueberry pie dessert was delicious. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Thought we would try this restaurant for our final night in Quebec but it wasn't great. My seafood starter was good but my wife's Quebec meat pie didn't taste nice at all. Ah well.
Next was the red wine. Undrinkable. I had to send it back but there was no wine replacement as we were having the fixed menu so I had to have a beer. Ah well.
I had the duck confit salad which, though colourful, was nothing special. My wife's pork dish was nothing special either. When it came to dessert I noticed they served it with that aerosol cream which I don't like so I asked if I could have my dessert with ice cream. No I couldn't. They have ice cream on the menu so I couldn't understand why not. My maple syrup tart was fine but my wife's dessert was heavy. Ah well.
So, when the bill came at $190 I wasn't minded to give a tip. The waitress made a public display about the fact that I hand't left a tip & I pointed out that if I had received good service, she would have got the tip. However, she argued that she did give good service & should therefore have a tip & got quite angry about it.
Not surprisingly, we wouldn't go back.
We had the pleasure of dining at Aux Anciens Canadiens during our vacation in Quebec City, & it was a memorable experience that combined history, atmosphere, & traditional Quebecois cuisine. The restaurant is located on the main floor of a historic house, with low ceilings & thick stone walls that give it a warm, rustic charm reminiscent of the homes in Little Women. A central fireplace serves as a stunning centerpiece, adding to the cozy & intimate ambiance. The upper floor houses private dining areas & bathrooms, making it a versatile space for both intimate & larger gatherings. Its location in the heart of Old Quebec makes it a convenient & inviting stop for an authentic culinary experience.
We started with a selection of appetizers: the Fondue Parmesan au Bison Fumé & aux Fromages d'Ici was excellent - rich, smoky, & perfectly melted. The Coquille de Crevettes Géantes & Pétoncles au Gratin was good, though not as memorable as the fondue. The shrimp & lobster bisque was a bit underwhelming - not bad, but lacking the depth of flavor we were expecting.
For the main courses, we tried Les Trois Mignons - a trio of perfectly cooked & flavorful cuts of meat, which was the highlight of the meal. The Filet de Boeuf Wellington was well-executed & interesting, with a delicate pastry & tender meat. The Bourguignon de Bison was rich & hearty, showcasing the deep flavors of bison beautifully.
Dessert did not disappoint. The Tarte au Sirop d'Érable was a must-try for anyone who loves sweet treats - rich, sticky, & delicious. The Crème Brûlée à l'Érable was perfectly creamy with a crisp caramelized top. The Pain Perdu à l'Érable was another standout - perfectly cooked & balanced in sweetness.
The service was attentive & friendly without being intrusive, & the overall atmosphere was warm & relaxed, with low noise levels that made it easy to enjoy conversation. However, while the historical charm is part of the restaurant's appeal, the décor & furnishings could benefit from an update to balance the old-world feel with modern comfort.
Overall, Aux Anciens Canadiens offers a charming & authentic Quebecois experience with a few standout dishes & a cozy atmosphere. It's a place that leans into its historical roots while delivering a solid, if slightly uneven, culinary experience.
Mar 21, 2025
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Warm & welcoming restaurant very close to Chateau Frontenac in Old Quebec. Traditional cuisine, with staff happy to explain dishes. Meat pie was lovely, & the two desserts were wonderful (Maple Bread Pudding & dessert du moment, which was a cranberry & date cake with butter sauce). The building is old, so be aware that the bathrooms are up narrow stairs, & you do need to watch your head & step!
We've dined here now 3 times, & over the years, this wonderful spot has retained its charm & quality of cuisine. The food is piping hot, & the ingredients used are of exceptional quality. The price is very reasonable - today we had the daily special; glass of house wine, soup, main course (Filet Mignon), & Apple Crumble dessert - $40. Fantastic lunch, the staff is very friendly, & the ambience is straight out of Europe. There is a lot of competition for your dining dollar in Quebec City, but this one is a gem.
En visite a Québec, l'endroit nous avez été conseillé & les notes google semblaient indiqué un beau lieu. Mais outre le charme du bâtiment d'époque, le lieu est un attrape touristique qui propose une cuisine,pas immangeable, mais vraiment médiocre. Le prix du menu Entrée, plat & dessert + boisson reste très correct, mais attention à ne pas sortir des éléments inclus... $15 la petite assiette de frittes hors menu, c'est quand même un peu du vol...
Provato a pranzo, caratteristico locale che al modico prezzo di $39,95 permette la scelta di 1 antipasto, 1 piatto principale, 1 dessert, 1 calice di vino o birra. Pietanze molto buone e gustose, dessert squisiti. Servizio attento e puntuale. Assolutamente raccomandato.
Located in downtown Quebec City, this restaurant features traditional québécois cuisine. The house dates back to 1675, & is now a historical landmark. The exterior features a very traditional French house that is painted red & white. The interior walls are decorated with carved art pieces, & the ceiling lights shine through stained glass windows. The lunch special is a very good deal, which comes with a drink, bread & butter, a starter, a main dish, & a dessert. With extra fees you have the choice of upgraded dishes. The Lac St Jean Meat Pie is a unique dish made with bison, deer, elk, beef & pork filling. If you're down for the culinary adventure, this dish would be the perfect choice during cold days. The crust is buttery, flaky, & pairs well with the meat filling. The tomato fruit sauce on the side is homemade, & you can taste the tomato chunks along with its sweet & sour flavour profile. The maple syrup pie is another one of their signature desserts. The filling is very sweet, but the cream on top is unsweetened, which tones down the sweetness of the syrup. However, if you feel like something fruity, they also have other options such as a blueberry pie. Overall, a nice dinning experience, & the place was not super busy during a Friday late afternoon.
Good food, good service. Unique nice atmosphere. $39,99 meals, drink, appetizer, entrée dessert . Did see & hear servers explain certain items raise the bill $4, $8 etc. Never ordered items with higher cost, nothing ever mentioned, bill over $ 60.
