Located in the heart of Old Québec in an historic house built in 1760, Portofino welcomes you to a warm, friendly environment where every meal is a celebration. For a romantic meal for two, business meetings, or to celebrate a special event with a group, as Old Québec’s premier Italian restaurant, Portofino is the place to be. With seating for up to 140 people, Portofino can accommodate your every need and expectation.
Portofino Brasserie Italienne provides a memorable dining experience characterized by its warm, authentic atmosphere and high-quality Italian cuisine. Many guests frequently praise the delicious pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and flavorful appetizers like the burrata and bruschetta. The service is often described as professional, friendly, and attentive, with staff members going out of their way to ensure a pleasant visit, even during busy periods. While the restaurant can become quite lively and bustling, this adds to the vibrant, cozy charm that makes it a popular destination for both locals and travelers. With a wide selection of wines and consistently well-prepared meals, the restaurant remains a highly recommended stop for anyone seeking an exceptional dining experience in the heart of Old Quebec.
We had an unforgettable experience here a couple of weeks ago, 100% across the board!
Attention to detail: 100%. Food: 100%. Service: 100%.
From the moment we arrived, Fernando & Alicia made us feel less like customers & more like part of the Portofino family. It was honestly one of the warmest & most memorable dining experiences I have ever had, & I'm not sure another restaurant will ever surpass the level of service we received.
Fernando welcomed us so warmly & encouraged us to take our time choosing our meals. There was never any pressure or sense of being rushed. We were given the time & space to relax, enjoy ourselves & be fully present in the experience.
Alicia's attentiveness was extraordinary. Although she was serving several tables, she somehow made us feel as though we were her only guests. She noticed every little detail: when our glasses needed refilling, when a plate could be cleared, whether we needed a straw, & even when our body language suggested we might need something. She was always there when needed, yet never intrusive. That level of awareness, care & professionalism meant so much to us.
& then there was the food, it was absolutely excellent! Everything was delicious, satisfying & served in generous, filling portions. We did not leave wishing for anything more. We were genuinely happy throughout the meal, & every part of the experience from the quality of the food to the portions & presentation made us feel that we had chosen the perfect place.
As exceptional as the food was, what truly set Portofino apart was the genuine warmth of its people. Fernando & Alicia were welcoming, cheerful & incredibly kind. We talked, laughed, connected & even took pictures together, with Alicia happily helping us capture the memories. We felt so comfortable that we genuinely did not want to leave.
The evening ended perfectly with a complimentary celebratory shot, easily one of the best I have ever had, perhaps because it was made with love! It felt like a toast among friends rather than the end of a restaurant visit.
Thank you, Portofino, for an experience we will never forget. Merci beaucoup, Alicia, & muchas gracias, Fernando! You didn't simply serve us an excellent meal, you made us feel completely at home.
Here's a polished Google review that captures your experience while sounding natural & authentic:
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Portofino Brasserie Italienne is, without question, my favorite restaurant in Quebec City.
My wife, my sister-in-law, & I came from Montreal this past Friday to celebrate my birthday, & once again they made the evening unforgettable. A special thank you to Elder, one of the managers, who went above & beyond to accommodate us & make us feel completely at home. The warmth & hospitality truly reminded us of being in Europe-genuine, welcoming, & attentive.
Our servers, Paula & Fernando, were absolutely fantastic. They were professional, friendly, funny, & made the entire evening so enjoyable. We laughed, enjoyed incredible food, & created wonderful memories together.
I visit Quebec City about four times a year, & this is the only restaurant where I go for dinner. The food, the atmosphere, & especially the exceptional service keep bringing me back.
I highly recommend it & you should try the beef tartare. It's the best I've ever tried.
Just be sure to make a reservation in advance-it's well worth it!
Jul 22, 2026
on Google
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We went for lunch on July 2 around 12:30 pm & had requested that we only had about 30 minutes for our meal. In a restaurant, we look for three things-good food, excellent service, & a pleasant ambience-& this place delivered on all fronts.
The staff was outstanding & very attentive to our time constraint. They ensured our food was served promptly without compromising on quality. We were able to enjoy a delicious meal comfortably within our limited time, & the ambience made the experience even more enjoyable.
Overall, exceptional service & a great dining experience. Highly recommended-truly exceeded expectations!
The food was 100% delicious. My salad was great. It's a combination of two types of ducks on top the greens. The dressing & duck complement each other. My husband's pasta dish had giant shrimps that made me drool. The restaurant has a wine cellar in the basement, but I didn't see wine on the menu, so we didn't try any. Our waitress was also very attentive. Happy with the service.
(Edits after we came back for lunch)
We had a pizza & salad. The salad was as good as always. The pizza was good. The cannoli was disappointing. Despite the nice flavor (the chef replaced chocolate chip with orange confit) & wonderful shell, those cannolis were not filled.
Made a reservation but arrived early & they were able to seat us. We ate inside, which given the weather was fine. But outside would be lovely. The TV had the World Cup on, but it did not lead to a loud experience. We did have a cold down vent right over our table but perhaps it shut off, as I didn't notice it after a while. My husband was very happy with the beer selection. They had an extensive by-the-glass wine list & even more from which to choose if you wanted a whole bottle. We shared a burrata, which was excellent. Just the right amount of pesto & basalmic & a couple other tiny bits of sauces that were also good. My husband had veal & I had a goat cheese-stuffed pasta dish-a small serving, which after the burrata was the perfect size. We had planned on beaver tails for dessert elsewhere, so didn't try that here. Our waitress was wonderful. Friendly & attentive & very patient with my attempts to practice my French.
Portofino Brasserie Italienne is a fantastic place for a nice meal & a pleasant evening out. The food was delicious, the live music created a wonderful atmosphere, & the staff were friendly & attentive throughout our visit. A spot to enjoy good Italian cuisine, good music, & very good service!
This restaurant was an overwhelming delight! Excellent food; oh the pesto pine nuts pasta side with my divine & tender filet mignon was top notch, superb!
Paula was an attentive, lovely & lively server. I still love that unique voice!
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An unforgettable experience in Québec City
After knocking on the doors of several restaurants looking for a pet-friendly place, this was the only one in all of Québec that welcomed us - & not just us, but our little dog Meli 🐶💖. From that moment on, we knew this place was special.
The manager was incredibly kind & warm, accepting Meli without hesitation. You can truly feel when a place is run with heart, not just professionalism.
The food was absolutely outstanding. Everything we ordered was delicious:
• 🧅 French onion soup - comforting & perfectly balanced
• 🍝 Fettuccini Alfredo - creamy & full of flavor
• 🍕 Pizza - simply perfect
• 🧀 Cannelloni - rich, comforting, & made with care
• 🍫 Chocolate cake - the perfect ending
& the service? Next level.
Our servers, Camille & Marille, were exceptional: attentive, warm, professional, & genuinely kind. You can clearly see the great work environment among the staff & the love they put into both the service & the kitchen.
This is not just a place where you eat well - it's a place where you feel welcome. The passion for cooking & hospitality is reflected in every dish & every interaction.
✨ A must-visit if you're in Québec City.
We would come back again & again - for the food, the people, & the beautiful soul of this place.
Thank you for welcoming our whole family, including Meli 🐾💕
I just had such an amazing experience at this Italian restaurant that I'm literally still sitting here writing this review. From the appetizers to dessert, everything was so good & tasted so authentic.
The service was incredible, & our waitress Paula was honestly the best-so kind, attentive, & helpful. Not to mention so pretty!!! She kept checking in on us to make sure we were good without ever being too much.
Every bite had me going'mmmm! Wow!!.' It's been a minute since I've had Italian food, & I'm so glad I chose this spot. So, so good-I'm leaving here super happy!
