Overall, reviews describe L'Affaire est Ketchup as a tiny, cozy, open kitchen dining experience with a constantly changing seasonal menu and just two seatings each evening, both requiring reservations well in advance. Guests note a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a vibe that feels like dining at a friend's kitchen, with the menu explained aloud in both French and English. Dishes are praised for creativity and quality, with highlights including sweetbreads, duck, salmon, and ris de veau, and portions that feel generous for the price. Some reviews mention occasional service delays, pacing issues, noise, and ventilation that can make the room uncomfortable, while others praise the wine and beer selections and attentive staff. Overall, despite a few hiccups, the restaurant is described as a memorable, unique, and highly regarded dining destination.
A truly unique concept unlike any restaurant I've visited. Reservations are required, & service begins for everyone at 6 p.m. The space is intimate, with only nine tables-eight for two people, one for four-& a bar that seats up to four. Once all guests have arrived, the experience starts.
The kitchen is essentially a home-style kitchen in full view, which adds a warm & personal touch. The daily menu is explained at the beginning: five appetizers to choose from & a main course featuring beef, pork, fish, seafood, or duck (options vary with the season). From what I understood, vegetarian choices seem limited or unavailable.
We tried the ris d'agneau & the pork belly as appetizers, followed by the duck & the beef for our mains. The duck was exceptional-honestly the best I've ever had. The beef, however, was just okay. Most of it was good, but the thinner end was slightly overcooked & a bit dry. Normally I wouldn't mention it, but at this price point, I expected more consistency.
After finishing our mains, we were still a bit hungry & ordered foie gras, which was excellent.
We also had a glass of wine & a beer. The wine selection is solid, but glasses are on the expensive side ($15-$20). The staff really know their wines, though, & can guide you toward something you'll enjoy.
Overall, the service is knowledgeable & friendly, the concept is original, & the food is very good. The main downsides for me were the small bathroom & the overall cost of the meal.
What a night! Five of us had an amazing dinner. From appetizers to dessert, everything was melt-in-your-mouth, incredibly prepared in the tiny kitchen. Mad skills. The service by the staff absolutely made our night. Thank you!
Oct 25, 2025
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What a little gem in Quebec city! The place is small, cozy with an open kitchen. At first, we were a bit confused because we didn't know the concept of the place - all tables need to arrive, so the menu can be explained to all guests together. We drove from Ottawa & arrived very hungry, so, honestly, we were a bit impatient. But once we got some great wine & things got going, everything made sense. The experience turned into something special - the food was absolutely delicious & beautifully executed. The wine selection was just as impressive. By the end of the night, we felt more like being invited to a friend's dinner party than eating at a restaurant. Definitely going back. Thank you guys!
The waiter was friendly & attentive, running the room with a quiet efficiency that shaped the entire evening. The kitchen's work was equally impressive-each dish arrived skillfully cooked & was simply delicious. A memorable & satisfying meal.
Absolutely fantastic. Sat at the bar for a bird's eye view of the kitchen to watch the team work. It's amazing to watch them turn out impeccable dishes using such basic, classic appliances & equipment.
Jonathan was especially engaging. As manager, he has an incredible presence & personality & keeps the service flowing & entertaining. He really made the experience over the top & unforgettable.
If you've never been here, it is a very unique & non traditional dining experience. The menu is small & changes daily. Most everything is sourced locally. For our seating, the menu was read aloud by Jonathan to the entire group in both French & English.
Reservations are a must as there are only 2 seatings each evening (6pm & 8:30pm). Generally you'll need to reserve a table at LEAST 2 weeks in advance & much farther out if you have a specific seating request.
The dining area is small & seats maybe 20 people at the most, including bar seating. Although the food is fantastic, you'd never know it by the outside appearance or the decor inside. It's almost like walking into a run down dive bar! But that aesthetic contributes to the charm & experience. Everything is VERY laid back & casual.
The entire service is run by just 4 people. Sitting at the bar gives you an entertaining view of the the kitchen crew in action as well as great conversation with the team as they work. It's really unique.
We came here for dinner on July 10/25 not knowing what to expect & by the time we were seated we felt like we were catching up with old friends & getting ready for a home cooked meal in their kitchen. The manager Johnathan was the first to greet us & was very friendly, knowledgeable & entertaining. Unlike other restaurants Johnathan waited for all his guests to arrive before announcing the menu to all the guests in the room, & then we ordered. For starters we chose the sweetbread, buffalo mozzarella & bison appetizers - all were amazing. We then had the duck & the fish dishes & they were also delicious. A fine dining experience with attention to flavours, details & plating, but very down to earth guys with great senses of humour that make everyone feel like a friend. During our stay we have been to several of the restaurants in Old Quebec but this experience was by far our favourite. If you're looking for an authentic local dining experience, make sure you come here. Strongly recommend you make reservations in advance, as this is an intimate dining experience with
Wonderful dining experience near old Quebec. Every dish we had was outstanding, but particularly recommend the duck, the pork cheeks & the lamb sweetbread. When you walk into the restaurant, you immediately feel like your in someone's kitchen & the hosts go out of their way to make sure the guests all feel part of a communal experience since it's a small, cozy dining area.
Jul 11, 2025
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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!
L'Affaire est Ketchup is a truly special dining experience. You need to reserve at least three days in advance, but it's absolutely worth it. The moment you walk in, you're welcomed into a cozy, intimate space that feels more like a friend's kitchen than a restaurant-small but filled with warmth & passion.
The menu changes daily, based on what's fresh & in season. At the beginning of the night, the waiter introduces the entire menu for everyone, which adds to the communal feel of the place. No printed menus-just a verbal rundown of what's great that day. & everything is great. Every dish is cooked with care, bursting with flavor, & beautifully presented.
The atmosphere is relaxed, unpretentious, & full of character. It's clear that everyone working here loves what they do, & that energy is contagious. If you're looking for an unforgettable meal in Quebec City, this is it. Just make sure to book ahead!
We visited for our anniversary last week & were blown away by this place. The simplicity of the kitchen, casual decor, & incredible service really amplified the experience. The food was absolutely flawless. We loved every minute. We had the blood pudding, the foie gras, the seafood plate, & the duck poitrine. I have never had such tender octopus. It was so beautiful & we cannot wait to return.
Nov 11, 2024
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The dining experience at L'Affaire est Ketchup was truly exceptional. From the moment we were seated, it was clear that the evening would be memorable. With a selection of 5 appetizers & 5 entrées, choosing was a delightful challenge. The Fois Gras & Salmon were outstanding, & the Steak & Duck elevated the meal to new heights. I highly recommend this restaurant & suggest sitting at the bar for an up-close view of the kitchen's artistry.
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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This place is absolutely worth the hype - & then some! I have no idea how they cook these amazing dishes in such a tiny kitchen, absolutely mind blowing. Every dish we tried was incredible, the ingredients are mostly local & we could tell there was a lot of thought behind the menu. The staff was also wonderful - we gave our waiter permission to surprise us with mocktails & he nailed it as if he knew us. The best food we ate during our time in Quebec, cannot recommend it enough!
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.
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.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Just make the reservation. This place was the highlight of my visit to Quebec. Dive bar atmosphere (I mean that as a compliment) with world class food. Maybe not even dive bar, but your friend's kitchen. Really cool group of dudes cranking out the best food imaginable on two domestic electric stoves with great tunes playing in the background. I'm so glad I sat at the bar so I could watch them at work. The ris de veau is the only permanent item on the menu & I highly recommend it! Now stop reading reviews & go make the reservation!
