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.
Amazing location, service & food! The pasta was fresh, delicious & cooked perfectly al dente. If you like seafood, I would highly recommend the linguine with cuttlefish ink & seafood - the seafood flavour of the pasta itself was incredible & the amount of clams, mussels & scallops in the dish far exceeded what you'd normally get. I'd also recommend the Cherry Blossom cocktail - SO tasty & reminded me of a sour cherry candy. Our server was AMAZING - he brought us complimentary shots of limoncello after our meal & even drank one with us! Our overall experience was a 10/10 & I'd definitely recommend it to anyone.
Some good Italian pizza & pasta dishes. It was really packed at the time of our visit in the middle of week, so preferably reserve your table in advance.
They had live music at the time or visit, but it's quite hard to hear since there were too much noise & tables are a bit close to each other.
Portofino Brasserie Italienne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I had the spaghetti carbonara & wow, it was amazing! The pasta was cooked perfectly, the sauce was super creamy & flavorful, & the calamari on the side gave everything the perfect salty bite to the creamy meal. You can tell they use fresh, good-quality ingredients. The portion was generous without being too much, & honestly it tasted like real homemade Italian food. The vibe in the restaurant was cozy hot red & welcoming too. Definitely one of the best carbonaras I've had, I'd 100% come back here.
Sep 27, 2025
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I recently dined at Portofino Brasserie Italienne & was truly impressed. I tried their pasta, & it was absolutely outstanding - perfectly cooked with that authentic al dente texture, & the flavors were rich, balanced, & memorable. You can really taste the care & attention to detail in their preparation.
The mocktails - Red Ruby & CocoLime - were refreshing & well balanced.
The atmosphere of the brasserie adds to the experience: warm, inviting, & elegantly styled, making it a great place for both casual dining & special occasions. The service was also attentive & welcoming, which made the evening even more enjoyable.
If you're looking for authentic Italian flavors & pasta done right, I highly recommend Portofino. I'll definitely be coming back to explore more of their menu!
Ein italienisches Restaurant in Kanada. Kann das gut gehen? Nicht wirklich.
Am Anfang hatten wir als Vorspeise ein leckeres Brot (sie nannten das Focaccia, ist aber nicht) und frischen grünen Salat. Beides sehr gut und frisch.
Die Enttäuschung kam aber mit beiden Pasta Gerichten. Komplett überkochte Nudeln, die den Genuss verdorben haben.
Das Nachtisch haben wir uns danach nicht mehr getraut.
The pasta & pizza were fantastic, & we were there at a not so busy time, so quickly got a seat. The food did take quite a long time to arrive though, which was a surprise, considering there were only 2 or 3 small groups in the restaurant, so not sure how it would be during the busy time. As for service, I didn't feel particularly welcome or the warmth, but they were friendly, not attentive, just brought the food we asked & that's about it, no greetings, not much talking, maybe the guy was having a bad day, so it was interesting experience.
The cacio e pepe was beautifully balanced - rich in flavor, with a silky, peppery sauce that clung to perfectly al dente pasta. It celebrated simplicity in the best way: just a few high-quality ingredients, expertly prepared. Paired with a glass of red wine, the dish felt even more comforting & indulgent.
The atmosphere was incredibly calming, especially during lunch. It was quiet & relaxed - the kind of setting that invites you to slow down & really enjoy your food. The service mirrored that tone: attentive when needed, but never overbearing.
Portion sizes were a bit modest given the price, but understandable considering the authenticity & care behind the food. This is a place that prioritizes tradition, quality, & experience - & it absolutely delivers.
Came here for a birthday dinner with my wife & daughter & was completely blown away. The fettuccine alfredo was unreal. So good we didn't even touch the sausage pizza & just took it home like an afterthought. Tiramisu was smooth, not too sweet, & absolutely hit the spot. Service was fast & friendly without being fake.
What I didn't expect was the insane Formula 1 collection. Helmets from Senna, Häkkinen, Villeneuve, Irvine. Signed flags. Proper F1 history just casually on the walls. It's not just decoration - you can tell someone put real passion into it.
Would've come just for the F1 nostalgia, but the food was legitimately fantastic. A hidden gem for racing fans & pasta lovers alike. Will definitely be back.
Great pasta. We had the pasta with the squid ink & the one with the duck confit. Both very delicious. We expected the pizzas to be good here when we saw the brick oven & we were not disappointed! Our four cheese pizza was delicious. We even took home the slices we couldn't eat anymore for dinner. Service was attentive & kind. Coming to this restaurant was a good decision & a good way to relax & eat in our day visit to Quebec City.
