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.
Such a disappointing experience. Prices are exorbitant for what is served, both in quality & presentation. If the food had tasted good, we wouldn't have minded paying for quality, but charging 40-50 dollars for a dish that is luke warm, tastes bland & is clearly reheated is a rip off. The veggies are clearly from a frozen bag. There are so many other great restaurants around that are priced much better & quality is far superior. Don't waste your time here.
On the plus side, The staff was friendly.
I had the meat pie with deer, bison, elk, & beef, & my girlfriend had the hunter chicken. Both dishes were dry, overcooked, & clearly reheated. Everything came out lukewarm & the vegetables tasted like they were previously frozen. For the price they charge, it was very disappointing & not worth it. The menu prices are very high even if the food was executed perfectly much higher then the neighboring restaurants.
We had a lovely lunch here on a snowy day at a charming table by the fireplace. The wait staff was extremely friendly & helpful in making the best choice for a meal. We had several dishes we'd never tasted before & they were delicious. You
Mar 14, 2026
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I could not go in to the restaurant because it was too costly for me. I admired its architecture from the outside, as it has a significance as the oldest standing residential house in Quebec City (Maison François-Jacquet-Dit-Langevin, 1690).
Restaurant Aux Ancient Canadiens hosted our group of 16 in March 2026 with a Table d' Hote & the food & service was superb. We especially enjoyed the sampling of traditional Quebecois dishes. I've dined here several times since first finding it in 1981 & it's always a treat.
First of all, the service was excellent. The staff was incredibly kind & attentive, the location is great, & the atmosphere feels like stepping into a cozy mountain house. The dining room is small & warm, & they also offer a very good selection of beers.
Unfortunately, the food was a real disappointment. The dishes are traditional & sounded delicious on the menu, but when they arrived they gave the impression of frozen food that had simply been reheated.
We ordered the St-Jean meat pie, which arrived visibly dry. It felt a bit like eating homemade food that a loving aunt might cook & send frozen by mail. That kind of food can feel special because you imagine the care behind it but once it goes through the freezing & reheating process, something is lost. It simply wasn't what we expected.
We also ordered the onion soup. It was quite watery, & the bread inside had a strange texture, beyond just being soaked. It wasn't terrible & it was still drinkable, but considering the price & the restaurant's reputation, it was underwhelming
One detail that surprised me: when we ordered, the waiter told us the dishes would be ready'in 15 minutes.' The precision was impressive… maybe that's just the defrosting time 😅
For context, this was a weekday dinner & the restaurant wasn't particularly busy. Maybe we just caught them on a bad day, I honestly don't know, but the food didn't live up to the expectations created by the menu, the prices, & the history of the place.
The price is way too high for the quality of food. The onion soup is super salty, the beef wellington is in the bed of wet sauce??? The wild game meat is great without the sauce, but the sauce is terrible
Unfortunately, the food was over cooked & bland. Service was good. The establishment plays up the charm of this old building but can't deliver on the food.
Had the lunch special. Soup, entree dessert & glass of wine or beer or soda. Had the chefs special...seafood casserole. It was delicious! We went back a second time. All for 40 bucks Canadian.
