Reviews describe L'Affaire est Ketchup as a truly unique, intimate dining experience with a cozy, homey atmosphere and a small open kitchen. The venue runs two seatings each night and explains the daily menu aloud in French and English, creating a communal feel and a sense of occasion. The menu changes with the seasons and emphasizes high quality local ingredients, offering dishes from sweetbreads and foie gras to duck, beef, fish and seafood, all thoughtfully prepared and beautifully plated. Service is attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, and wine and beer options are solid though prices can be on the higher side. The overall vibe is relaxed and unpretentious yet sophisticated, like dining at a friend's kitchen, which many guests find highly memorable; occasional notes mention limited vegetarian options, minor variances in dish execution, and the challenge of the price point, but reservations are essential given the intimate space.
I regularly eat salmon. I believe I'm a pretty terrific salmon chef. I just returned from dinner at L'Affaire. This was the very most fantastic salmon dish I've had...the very most!!! My wife had the duck. She raved about it. We did not have starter or dessert dishes though I have no doubt they are terrific. The entree portion size is so generous you won't leave hungry if you just order an entree (highly recommend salmon!!!).
This was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had.
From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed. They were attentive, warm, & took the time to explain the menu in both French & English, which immediately set the tone for a wonderful evening.
We started with Limbo Yuzu & lime Montellier, followed by the riz d'agneau, which was rich & absolutely delicious. For the mains, my fiancé had the confit filet de boeuf & I chose the fruits de mer. Both plates were exquisite & beautifully prepared.
Dessert was the perfect ending: brownie with chantilly & a flawless crème brûlée. Every bite was amazing.
More than a meal, this was a truly special, one-of-a-kind experience. Pure chef's kiss. A must-visit in Québec City.
Dec 28, 2025
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I wish Google would have a 100 stars for reviews because 5 stars are too short for this resto. Very cool & homey, you feel you are hanging out at your friends house, but your friend is an excellent chef! If you are open to a new experience, this resto if for you!
One of the best meals we have had in a long time. Food was delicious. The salmon gravlax w/ gazpacho was amazing. Even better was the service. Great hosts & chefs. We had a blast sitting at the bar. Highly highly recommend!
We were one of the 10-ish lucky tables that could get a reservation with these amazing chefs. These guys came with a beautiful idea were they change constantly their menu - you can go one day & the next one you can easily find totally different dishes. Though the nature of their menu is dynamic the warm, hospitality & kindness of these chefs remains the same. It was a pleasure to share such a good time at your restaurant & experienced the delicacy & creativity of your food. This is definitely one of the places where you are happy to pay & spend your time.
The wife & I were in town for our anniversary & made sure to book a reservation here a couple weeks beforehand. Tremendous experience. Forget the hoity-toity airs of the typical fine dining experience & come in looking at L'Affaire as performance paired with cuisine. & while they are super cool & laid back, do yourself a favor & get there on time -- because the menu presentation is done for the entire group & every night is a different menu. That being said, if they have them when you are visiting, get the sweet breads: they were phenomenal (as was the halibut, which my wife had, & the pork chop). Prices were absolutely reasonable considering the level of quality. Great beer & wine selection -- again, go in with an open mind because it isn't like most places with a full bar or the same stuff you find everywhere else.
It truly is a unique dining experience & if you are reading this review I'd assume you already have some familiarity with the whole concept. These guys are just as much artists as they chefs. & they do it all extremely well.
We had an amazing time & truly the most memorable dining experience I've ever had. Will most definitely be back next time we are in Québec. Tres magnifique. 💙 ⚜?
Coming from New York & Paris, we're a little spoilt when it comes to excellent dining experiences. So, at first we were hesitant to book L'Affaire est Ketchup as there were so many highly reviewed restaurants to choose from in Quebec. So glad we went for it!! We tried a lot of them & this was by far the best meal we had in Quebec!
The ingredients, preparation & presentation were outstanding! & it didn't cost a ridiculous arm n a leg. The restaurant & the chefs are completely unpretentious. But, don't be put off by that…every dish was outstanding. Don't expect a white linen experience. It is very bohemian & relaxed; like eating in someone's kitchen. Such a relief to avoid all the BS that seems to come with'fine dining'. This is all about the food. The menu changes daily & there are only two seatings per day. So, so glad we went with our gut & booked this experience. Thank you!
Coming from New York & Paris, we're a little spoilt when it comes to excellent dining experiences. So, at first we were hesitant to book L'Affaire est Ketchup as there were so many highly reviewed restaurants to choose from in Quebec. So glad we went for it!! We tried a lot of them & this was by far the best meal we had in Quebec!
The ingredients, preparation & presentation were outstanding! & it didn't cost a ridiculous arm n a leg. The restaurant & the chefs are completely unpretentious. But, don't be put off by that…every dish was outstanding. Don't expect a white linen experience. It is very bohemian & relaxed; like eating in someone's kitchen. Such a relief to avoid all the BS that seems to come with'fine dining'. This is all about the food. The menu changes daily & there are only two seatings per day. So, so glad we went with our gut & booked this experience. Thank you!
This was such an incredible dinning experience. All tables are sat & served at the same time, with the chefs announcing the menu items to the whole group. We sat at the bar & could watch as the meals were prepared & enjoy drinks with the staff. & our food was out of this world delicious! Highly recommend this place!
Fantastic food & a cozy dining experience. One of the most enjoyable dining experiences we have had. Every dish was cooked perfectly. As much as we tried we could not eat everything on the menu, & will have to return to finish the job another time. My thanks to the chef & host for our most enjoyable dining experience.
It's been nearly a week since my wife & I had the pleasure of dining here for our wedding anniversary. We were on vacation from Chicago with our family & had the opportunity to sneak out for dinner one night (thanks for watching the kids, fam!) What a dream the entire night was. Even before walking in, I got that feeling. The feeling this was going to be a special & memorable experience. We were warmly greeted by one of the chefs & seated at the bar (an absolute must). We drank red wine, & followed the chefs tasting for the night. Nothing too fancy, but paired perfectly with our meal. Speaking of food, everything was excellent. But this place is about more than food; conversation with the chefs, impromptu apéritifs on the house, the open homestyle kitchen, & that feeling that you're in an episode of Parts Unknown. The spirit of Bourdain was with us! A "Top 5" lifetime dining experience for me, one that I will never forget. & I will be back!
My husband & I were visiting from NY & wanted to check out this restaurant on Bourdain's recommendation. From the outside, the restaurant is unassuming. The dining area is quaint but comfortable, & the staff took time to share the menu & made each table familiar with the various dishes. I have a sensitivity to onion & garlic, & the kitchen shared dishes that they could adapt to this need. I was so grateful for this! High attention & care to detail throughout the experience. The food was exceptional. From appetizers to mains & desserts, we were very pleased. Everything was excellent. If you have a moment to peek into the kitchen, do so! It is incredible the magic this restaurant is creating with so few chefs & such a modest kitchen. Highly impressive & we will absolutely return.
Aug 30, 2024
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An amazing experience from the moment we sat down to the moment we left. The were lucky enough to get the bar seats so had a view of the kitchen at work. While the food was great, the chefs really made the experience. They made sure we were having a good time & you really feel like you're just hanging out in a friend's kitchen. If you go to one place in Quebec City, go here.
From the moment we arrived, the restaurant impressed us with their attention to detail. The highchair & booth seating were already prepared for us, ensuring our comfort right from the start. The menu was extensive & well-presented, with a knowledgeable introduction from the staff that set the tone for a delightful dining experience. The waitstaff were exceptionally friendly & attentive, going out of their way to make our child feel welcome, even offering high fives. The quality of the food surpassed our expectations; the lamb & beef dishes were unparalleled in any French restaurant we've tried before. Each bite was a testament to the chef's skill & dedication to quality ingredients. We would have loved to linger over dessert & extend our evening, but we had only reserved parking for 1.75 hours-a lesson for next time to secure more time for such a memorable dining outing. We highly recommend this restaurant for its warm hospitality, exceptional cuisine, & overall fantastic dining experience. It's a place we won't hesitate to visit again & again
We have visited this place a few times & keep coming back because the food is consistently excellent. The portions are generous, like the steak frites, & the cooking (especially the octopus) is perfect! It's a great place to enjoy sweetbreads, which we absolutely love. We are always impressed by the chef's creativity. Where things fall short is with the service. Firstly, the welcome is confusing, leaving us feeling unattended. The service approach is extremely inconsistent, often too "friendly," almost to the point of being rude. We understand you don't want to offer a stuffy service, but we believe there is a sweet spot. Having the menus on the board is a nice touch, but 20-30 minutes wait to have it explained'cause you need to explain it to the entire room at once... 1. We can't hear what you're saying, & 2. It takes way too long to get everyone ready. Choosing to present your menu verbally is great, keeping in mind it should be convenient for both the service & customers is greater. Some little attentions that would makes huge difference; bringing the wine list, not forgetting utensils with the main course, suggesting bread when there is delays, proposing sharing plates, cleaning the nice but old & very stained coffee / water carafe... Additionally, the overall cleanliness leaves much to be desired. Don't look up at the light fixtures & the board above the kitchen.
Upon hearing this place from chefs all over Canada, I just had to visit. Apparently most of the food on their menu changes every week. This was the first restaurant I ate at for dinner in Quebec City. We reserved seating for about 11 people & amazingly they were able to seat us all. The interior was quite small & really felt like we were inside someone's humble home. I love the play on words with the restaurant's name. Their door entrance even had a artistic Ketchup bottle mural on it. After getting seated, the waiter explained everything on the menu to us in English & they also spoke French. I was told from the menu, the ris de veau was a signature dish that they often served so I had to get it, not knowing exactly what I was eatting as the translation was known as sweet bread. I think it was veal & whatever the sauce that came with it was so delicious! I could not stop dipping my bread in the sauce. My main dish was the dore de lac, fish with shrimp. It was sweet & savory. Nothing too heavy but just right & tasted great. Dessert was a surprise. We had a super soft chocolate mousse brownie with whip cream. It was very rich but I compared to what others have gotten in the past, I would have loved to try their cheesecake. Lastly, to pair with everything we also got a local white wine Le Saint-Pépin 2021 which was light & pleasant. It's hard to believe this was all cooked in a regular home kitchen. I have never had such an experience before. I would highly recommend for a fun, mystery, dining experience with friends & enjoy the friendly neighborhood atmosphere.
One of the best culinary experiences I've ever had. We sat close to the open kitchen & were welcomed with open arms, chatting with the chefs throughout the night, explaining cooking methods & ingredients, & giving us things to try. Our server Sabri gave us some of the best service I've ever experienced. He was extremely knowledgeable & so warm & friendly. Made us amazing drinks using funky obscure liquors that left us feeling nice & buzzed as we ate our food. The food itself was insanely delicious. So fresh, using unique ingredients. The bison tartare was the best tartare I've ever had. So fatty & rich. We had the most tender sirloin steak I've ever had. Delicious fresh sea bass. They gave us an extra main - calimari steak which turned out to be the highlight of the meal. So meaty, fresh, & tender. Ive travelled & eaten in a lot of top restaurants & can honestly say this was top 5 meals of my life. Already planning our next trip to Quebec City to see what delicious fares are offered here the next time we come. Thank you for an amazing once in a lifetime experience.
