The great story of a small bistro... Like a treasure buried in the heart of Faubourg St-Jean, a really well-kept secret ... the story of The Hobbit. This small, unpretentious bistro, is a reflection of the character of Tolkien, it carries with it the greatness of a story whose echo is still heard today at the cafe. Over time, it became the place where culinary delights come together in an ambiance worthy of a warm and cozy home. But beware, behind that familiar face, between the stones of this old house lurk ghosts that give The Hobbit that "je ne sais quoi" and make it a place apart from all others.
Le Hobbit consistently receives praise for its creative, flavorful menu that highlights high-quality local ingredients through unique French-inspired dishes. Many guests highlight the breakfast and brunch offerings as standout experiences, frequently noting the excellent value and satisfying portions. The restaurant is widely recognized for its cozy, charming atmosphere and a service team described as exceptionally friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. While experiences can vary, the majority of visitors appreciate the thoughtful presentation and the warm, welcoming environment that makes it a memorable dining destination in Quebec City.
The food was exceptional! The service was a bit slow. They keep red wine in the fridge, which was rather strange. The local Canadian wine was rather expensive & extremely sour, so I would avoid.
We visited this restaurant & chose to sit on the terrace because we had our dog with us, & Quebec regulations do not allow dogs indoors, even small ones (unless is a service dog). We made this clear when making the reservation, & the staff confirmed a suitable time for us. However, upon arrival, another waitress informed us that the terrace was closed. Ironically, because of our dog, we were essentially the only guests seated outside. For this reason, we could not have the best atmosphere, as inside it looked much cosier.
Some dishes were excellent, while others were technically well executed but ultimately not very memorable. Coming from Europe & being very familiar with French cuisine, our expectations were naturally quite high but we do understand of course that variations do exist.
The pan brioche with truffle butter was exceptional, especially served warm. We also enjoyed their interpretation of a peanut butter & jelly pairing with foie gras & blueberry-lavender compote. That said, we could not really taste the lavender, & in our opinion the additional butter or grease on the outside was unnecessary.
The beef tongue was the absolute highlight of the meal - perfectly executed & incredibly flavorful. On the other hand, the dumpling dish was the one I enjoyed the least. While I appreciated the spicy, chewy elements & especially the squash, the dumpling dough itself lacked flavor.
I was also very happy with my wine selection. Overall, I would still recommend the restaurant. The waiter who took care of us was exceptional & genuinely friendly. I also appreciated that the names of the staff were listed at the end of the menu - it gave the restaurant a more personal & human touch.
Good food & excellent service. We enjoyed the experience & the insight from the super helpful staff. Visiting from Tennessee & the U.S. we were amazed that the red wine was poured at cellar temperature. I think I am going to like Quebec.
May 11, 2026
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Ate here on Good Friday. Made a reservation over a month ago-visiting from out of town & wanted a nice restaurant for dinner that was close to our hotel, but could also be appropriate for our 8 year old son.
Did not disappoint. Shared veal shank & the catch of day (cod). Also got dessert. Son had homemade iced tea & husband & I split wine. Server, Sebastian, was lovely.
We were seated in the back room. Front space had bar spots & was more busier. Back was also filled, but also a small space. Definitely want a reso.
I comment more on it later, but worked for us as a family since we knew our son would be fine sharing these type of dishes. Plus we ate snacks at hotel lounge ahead of time, so there wasn't any kid hunger pains. If you bring kids, I'd say bring two max. Since it's not a kid place, but could work if you know your family.
Overall very happy with our choice & money spent. Merci!
The food was excellent. Service with a smile. Recommendations for Specials & Wine Selection were spot on. I'd go back again if I had the time. A lovely unassuming spot for that special, or not-necessarily-special, dinner.
We decided almost on a whim to dine at Le Hobbit on the first evening of our visit to Quebec in early September 2025. What an excellent whim! The service from all staff with whom we interacted was outstanding - friendly, knowledgeable & professional. The food was a knock-out - every course had a'wow' factor. The wine list was well-constructed & not, to our observation, overpriced. It was easily the best meal we enjoyed during our three-week visit to Eastern Canada.
Spectacular food & attentive, informative service-- we had the six-course tasting menu (with wine pairing), & everything was exceptional. One course-- with arctic char as the star-- was one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life, no lie. The dessert was wonderfully inventive as well. They were even amenable to making one course substitution for me (as a non-beef eater), which I greatly appreciated. A truly wonderful dining experience!
A lovely experience overall. We had the pleasure of dining here on a Monday night. We had the squash donut, which wasn't anything we expected but a pleasant surprise. The open ravioli as an appetizer was underwhelming for the price, in our humble opinion, it was small & not as decadent as we hoped it would be, but taste is subjective & I would not discourage one to try it. For 17 $, however, we expected more. The pork tenderloin was nice, but a little on the dry side. The service takes time between courses, & the wine by the glass was not a usual pour & at a relatively hefty price point for the quantity. There are many restaurants in the area; I think a few tweaks may be necessary for a return visit to be warranted.
A superior restaurant in every way. Wonderful food, a good wine list, great service. Our server made me a cafe coretto even though it was not on the menu. 10/10
