Le Lapin Sauté centers its culinary focus on regional French preparations featuring rabbit as a signature element. The menu emphasizes locally sourced ingredients transformed through classic market cooking techniques. Diners encounter dishes like rabbit confit and braised cuts that showcase depth of flavor and traditional preparation methods. The architectural space utilizes exposed stone walls and wooden beams to define the interior atmosphere. Tables occupy a rustic environment that reflects a historical regional building style. The selection of poultry and game selections provides a cohesive narrative centered on seasonal offerings and farm to table sensibilities. Every plate maintains a strict adherence to authentic regional standards by highlighting the versatility of game meat in modern kitchen applications.
Le Lapin Sauté is widely celebrated as a charming, cozy, and quintessential destination in Old Quebec City, particularly favored for its authentic rabbit and duck specialties. Many visitors praise the restaurant for its warm, welcoming staff, impeccable service, and a picturesque patio perfect for people watching in the Petit Champlain district. While the majority of diners highlight the high quality of dishes like the rabbit poutine, cassoulet, and salted honey pie, some guests have noted inconsistencies in food preparation, occasional service delays, or a preference for larger portion sizes. Despite the high demand making reservations essential, most guests consider it a must-visit venue that captures a unique, intimate atmosphere suitable for families and romantic outings alike.
Came in a little before the rush with three small children. They were welcoming, quick & helpful. The interior was pleasant & cozy, but we opted for a seat outside. The patio was lovely & connected to a small dirt courtyard that was great for the little ones. We got the duck & rabbit platter for 2 & were not dissappointed. Rabbit a lean meat, so it's always a bit dry but the gravy, mustard & cherry compote all remedied that nicely. The duck was wonderfully done. The maple creme brullee was also wonderful & would certainly have it all again. The drinks were lovely as well. Not cheap, but well worth it. A wonderful place for French Canadian cuisine.
The food was fabulous. I called & made a reservation it was a week night, but still busy. Very small & intimate location. The food was fabulous & I most definitely would go back. Also nice wine selection. I had the Duck Foie Gras Terrine, French Onion Soup & the crème brûlée also wine selection I had was nice.
PRO: the 3 lady servers were NICE, they did NOT make us feel like second class citizens for speaking English! We ordered duck & rabbit platter among other items. Memorable!
Wonderful dining experience. We shared the cassoulet for two, which was the tastiest I've ever had. The duck & sausage were incredible, though the rabbit was a bit too gamey & dry. Excellent kids menu. Good wine menu. The quebecois red wine was surprisingly excellent. Attentive service & cozy atmosphere. We were lucky to get a table walking in & I recommend reservations.
This restaurant is highly regarded in Petit Champlain, & after trying it, I understand why. However, personally, I believe it has its strengths & weaknesses. The ambiance is pleasant, although the space is somewhat cramped. We opted for the platter, & while we unanimously enjoyed the duck leg, I personally enjoyed the Foie gras, although it may not be to everyone's taste. Conversely, I found the rabbit leg lacking in seasoning. Nevertheless, it's worth a visit after exploring Petit Champlain.
I grew up on wild meat so this was the perfect restaurant for me. So glad I got the chance to visit. I loved every bite. I ordered the duck sausage & rabbit leg which comes on a bed of beans & it just reminded me of eating dinner with my grandfather. Very nostalgic. Great flavours. Had the salted honey pie for dessert which was absolutely delicious. Fresh bread whenever we asked (gotta eat beans with buttered bread, I don't make the rules) we had a very nice lady serve us but there was also a gentleman with glasses that helped with every table as well. They're a team he said. He was very lively & energetic. Definitely a meal I'll have to come back for. Don't miss out when coming to Quebec City. I would recommend a reservation though as they're usually full.
Unique recipes, excellent food & great service. Of course we had to have the rabbit & duck, it is their specialty. Although it was winter time & thought it would not be very busy, we were lucky to book a reservation a couple of days in advance, people without reservations were not able to get a seat. We recommend the Creme Brule for dessert, it is not your usual Jello pudding, it is very light & just right & the flavour is outstanding. Five stairs in all categories.
