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.
I would 100% recommend this place! We tried the red deer, bison, & elk meat, & it was delicious. We also had the traditional dish poutine, which is fries with gravy & cheese.
As a dessert we had a typical pie with maple syrup which was AMAZING
What really stood out was the kindness & attention of the staff at all times.
If you're visiting Quebec, you shouldn't miss it!
Checked this place out while visiting Quebec City. Super cozy vibe & the staff were really nice. I ordered the Grandma's meat pie since it sounded like a local classic, but I honestly didn't love it-just not my thing. Might give another dish a try next time though!
Jul 26, 2025
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Had our lunch in one of the oldest houses in QC. Traditional Quebecois food was good. Love the Quebec meat pie & the maple syrup pie dessert. The set meal is quite good deal when shared.
First up - Warm duck confit on mixed salad & maple vinaigrette.
The duck was super tender & juicy, even though the portion wasn't huge. The salad was dressed with lots of olive oil & balsamic vinegar, & when mixed with the duck, it was flavourful, balanced, & honestly, really delicious. Highly recommend this one!
Then came the Lac St-Jean meat pie made with wild meats (bison, deer, elk, beef, pork).
It came with a side of veggies, but sadly they were overcooked - too soft & lacking crunch. The meat filling was heavily mixed, so I couldn't really tell what I was eating. The texture kind of blurred together. That said, the crust was actually amazing - crispy & well-baked. The best part of the dish, hands down.
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.
The location is idyllic down the road from the Chateau Frontenac. My dish (bison bourguignon (which had a hint of creamy blueberry sauce)) was served in a puff pastry shell that once emptied of its main ingredient remained dry on the bottom. My partner's dish Lac St -Jean meat pie was fortunately served with a delectable fruit jelly, however, there was not nearly enough of it to help swallow the dry dish. This restaurant has been there for many years. It is clear from many reviews that sometimes there is too much sauce or seasoning, & I'm envious of the photos that show extra sauce as we literally had to sip our drinks to get it down. Aux Ancients Canadiens is lacking the joie de vivre that makes quebecois fare so delectable. My partner grew up eating French Canadian food & was deeply disappointed by this visit.
This restaurant is the perfect experience for someone with a delicate palette that wants to try traditional Quebec comfort food, without worrying about seasoning. This site is a fond favorite for many. Their atmosphere is still relaxing & warm, the service is excellent & multilingual. For myself it is not worth revisiting, particularly for its price point.
