Melba presents a refined approach to contemporary French cooking characterized by technical precision and the utilization of local seasonal products. The menu reflects a modern sensibility where traditional recipes receive thoughtful updates through innovative preparation methods and distinct flavor pairings. Patrons encounter a culinary environment defined by clean lines and an emphasis on the intrinsic quality of every ingredient sourced from regional producers. Each dish demonstrates a commitment to balance as textures and profiles are composed to provide a cohesive experience for the palate. The preparation remains focused on clarity and intent, avoiding unnecessary complexity to highlight the essence of the primary components. This establishment prioritizes a rigorous standard of craft, ensuring that every service maintains high consistency for those seeking a deliberate and authentic expression of current culinary trends.
Melba is widely celebrated as a premier dining destination in Quebec City, known for its creative, high-quality French fusion cuisine and intimate, cozy atmosphere. Guests frequently praise the small plates concept, which allows for a variety of flavorful and meticulously prepared dishes that often exceed expectations. While the service is largely described as professional, attentive, and knowledgeable, the detailed menu explanations and pace of service are occasionally viewed as either an engaging touch or a slight delay depending on personal preference. Despite minor notes regarding noise levels or occasional wait times, the majority of visitors highlight the restaurant as an exceptional, memorable experience that consistently delivers on both food quality and presentation, making it a highly recommended gem that earns its prestigious reputation.
Everything was incredible from the starters to the dessert. There was no dish that was less than a 9/10. The tomato provencale was to die for. One of the best restaurants I've ever been to
Understanding Melba is perhaps first about understanding the concept -- small plates intended to be shared. The menu is divided into hors d'oeuvres & larger plates, but even the larger plates -- as our server explained -- are light & intended to be shared. One challenge with such a concept is figuring out how many dishes to get to satisfy the whole table. Another challenge is that all diners must understand all dishes that might be ordered, consenting to what they would be consuming.
To address these challenges, our server was exceedingly helpful, especially so given our group of four English-only speakers. He went through the entire menu in detail, answered questions, & helped us figure out just how much food to order. We were very grateful for his patient attention.
Complementing the helpful service was the casual & comfortable atmosphere. The noise level was quite low. All the patrons were having a good time, & the restaurant was full, but I never struggled to hear my dining companions nor raise my voice to be heard.
From the hors d'oeuvres, our table shared the gougères (pictured), the'lobster rolls' (pictured), & summer barbajuans. The gougères were everything you expect from that pastry, & served with a delightful spread of goat cheese, shaved snow peas, & pea puree; the intense flavor of the peas evoked memories of walking through my parents' garden as a child, picking peas & eating them from the vine. The lobster rolls were cute little bits that captured the essence of the dish -- well-cooked lobster & toasted bread. The barbajuans were wonderful little bites, & without asking, the staff kindly prepared one of the four pastries without fish, accommodating my wife's fish allergy.
For large plates, they first brought out a course of the two cold dishes we ordered -- the beef tartare (pictured) & the marinated halibut (pictured). Both raw preparations were exquisite. The beef tartare demonstrated excellent knife skills, with meat cut into perfect, tiny, consistently-sized cubes. Instead of serving the tartare with toasted bread, tiny little croutons were mixed in at the last moment. The halibut exemplifies something woven throughout the meal -- the bold use of acidity to make every dish pop.
After that, they brought us the three other dishes -- pistou linguine, ravioles du Dauphiné (pictured), & the roasted char (pictured). I let my family enjoy the pasta, so I can't comment on it, other than they very much enjoyed it. I focused on the roasted char -- wonderfully cooked & generously sauced.
For dessert, I enjoyed the brie mousse (picture), while others at my table enjoyed the vacherin (picture) & praline iced parfait (picture). My dessert had wonderful savory elements, alluding to a cheese course, but sweet enough to be a dessert. My dining companions were also quite happy with their desserts.
Overall, a fantastic meal. Melba was one of the highlights of our trip to Québec City.
Jul 11, 2025
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Very good restaurant in the Quebec City lower town area. Food was very good, because we were a large group, we basically ordered the ENTIRE menu. The whole thing was great. The appetizers were very good & the main dishes were very tasty. I was not a big fan of the desserts (which I found to be too sweet for my taste) & the fact that we had to vacate before 8 pm as they were starting the second service shift (so the earlier you show up the better). Overall, a very good place.
Nous avons eu l'occasion de déguster presque tout le menu que nous avons partagée à cinq. L'ambiance tranquille du restaurant & le service attentif ont grandement contribué à rendre notre expérience agréable. Parmi les entrées, les cuisses de caille « PFK » ont été mon coup de coeur, parfaitement accompagnées de crème fraîche & ciboulette. Les tomates au fromage frais, au sureau accompagnées d'une fougasse provençale étaient également excellentes. Quant aux ravioles du Dauphiné au pistou, agrémentées de blettes & de noix de Grenoble, elles m'ont agréablement surprise. Au début, je n'étais pas convaincue, mais dès la première bouchée, j'ai découvert un intérieur délicieusement savoureux. Le tartare de boeuf, cependant, m'a un peu déçu. Bien que la texture soit réussie, le goût prononcé des champignons & de la crème de maïs prenait le dessus, masquant celui de la viande. Côté desserts, le trio proposé était un véritable délice. Le riz au lait, accompagné d'une glace à l'huile d'olive, était particulièrement original & savoureux. Le macaron géant au chocolat était tout aussi réussi, & le baba au calvados, servi avec des pommes caramélisées, s'est révélé être une excellente conclusion pour ce repas. En résumé, nous avons passé un très bon moment au restaurant Melva, entre la qualité des plats & l'accueil chaleureux de l'équipe. Une adresse que je recommande pour un repas convivial & gourmand !
C'était DÉLICIEUX! Je n'avais pas bien manger comme ça depuis très longtemps. Délicat & savoureux. Nous étions 3 & nous avons décidé de tout partagé. Honnêtement tout était bon. En entrée les brochettes de pétoncles (mention spéciale à la sauce à la coriandre que l'on voulait finir avec les doigts) & l'oeuf mimosa au homard. Comme assiettes principales nous avons opté pour les trois options chaudes soient ; la canne avec la sauce aux cerises (coup de coeur auquel je ne m'attendais pas), l'omble chevalier (cuisson & accords parfaits) & les ravioles du dauphiné (moins impressionnée par les pâtes mais tout de même excellentes). En dessert, pêche melba, clafouti aux fraises & l'option chocolaté... nous en aurions mangé encore & encore! Oh & le petit pain de fesse se laisse manger tout de seul! Un vrai bon pain maison. Une première mais certainement pas une dernière. Ambiance chaleureuse & excellent service. Merci!
Tout était sublime: le service, les vins, l'ambiance... Gros coup de coeur pour le plat de pintade aux morilles & la mousse au chocolat pralinée, un des meilleurs desserts que j'ai mangés dans ma vie!
Nous avons goûté à 7 plats (3 "bouchées", 3 plats à partager & 1 dessert) & ils étaient tous plus délicieux les uns que les autres. Nous avons adoré ce restaurant à tous points de vue, un énorme coup de coeur pour nous. Déjà hâte d'y retourner! :)
