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- Georgina D'Angelo
8 Must-Try Traditional Quebec Foods
Updated: Jan 19
Quebec City is a must-visit when in Canada’s Quebec province. This bustling city is smaller than Montreal but still packs a punch. From charming European architecture to French Canadian inspired food, you won’t run out of options in Quebec City. Especially food options!
Maybe you’re planning your trip to Quebec City, or maybe you’re already here! Whatever your case may be, there are some Quebec foods you simply have to try. You might not think “gastronomy capital” when you think of Quebec City, but wait for the pleasant surprise.
What Quebec foods are must-tries? Grab your cutlery, and let’s dive in!
Top 8 Traditional Quebec Foods
Poutine
You can't go wrong with this Quebecois (kay-bek-kwah) classic. Starting with a pile of fresh, hot french fries, cheese curds, and a heaping pile of gravy on top, poutine is the perfect meal on a chilly day in Quebec.
Let's be real, you could dine on this delicious meal anytime, anywhere. You can find this classic dish at many restaurants, but you can also find places that have their own twist on it, like poutine with beer gravy from Pub du Mitan!
Read Next: Food & Wine Day Trip to Ile d'Orleans (from Quebec City)
Crepes
You might think France is the only place to get killer crepes, but the French Canadians learned their special ways. The crepes in Quebec City are to die for! You can find many cafes and restaurants that offer both sweet and savory crepes. And you have to try both.
Read Next: The 14 Best Cafes in Quebec City
Sugar Pie
This mouthwatering dessert is for those who enjoy a very sweet, yet flavorful dessert. Made with pure maple syrup, this dessert is best enjoyed in Quebec because of this.
You can find sugar pie in other places, like France and the Midwest US, but no place does it as Quebec does. And if you're feeling adventurous, try your hand at making Quebec sugar pie!
Pudding Chômeur
This dessert is a Quebec specialty, and is best enjoyed hot after a bowl of poutine (I know, it's a lot of food, but when in Quebec right?). Pudding Chômeur means "poor man's pudding," and it got its name because many factory workers made this during the Great Depression.
It's made with inexpensive ingredients that most people had on hand at home during the time. But this "simple" dessert packs a punch and will leave you wanting more! Find this traditional Quebecois dessert at most restaurants and many cafes in Quebec City.
Pastries
Canadians have not only mastered the French crepes but the art of French pastries as well. You'll find cafes and bakeries on most streets in Quebec City selling fresh almond croissants, apple turnovers, brioche cinnamon rolls, and more.
A fresh chocolate croissant and a hot latte make for the perfect breakfast in Quebec City, and you heard that from me.
Maple Baked Beans
You need to try pure maple syrup from Quebec, and if it were socially acceptable, I'd say just grab a cup, pour some syrup in, and take a sip. But I guess that's not, so a great alternative is a bowl of piping hot maple baked beans! With the perfect amount of Mapley sweetness in every bite, this Quebec food is a real treat.
Tourtiere
Not only are sweet pies popular in Quebec, but so are savory meat pies. Generally made with ground beef, ground pork, and potatoes, tourtiere is another Quebecois staple.
Locals enjoy tourtiere around the holiday season, but you can usually find some variation available year-round, such as salmon pie, another very popular savory pie in Quebec.
Maple Taffy
You can't visit Quebec without enjoying some form of maple syrup. A great way to savor this delicious treat is by having some maple taffy. Made by pouring over-boiled maple syrup onto crushed ice or snow to form a "lollipop," maple taffy is the perfect little sweet treat to enjoy while exploring the streets of Quebec city.
Traditional Foods in Quebec, Canada
We were shocked by the amazing foods you can find in Quebec, Canada, especially Quebec City! While this city is much smaller than its “neighbor,” Montreal, it is worth a visit. From a plethora of restaurants to choose from, you won’t go hungry when in Quebec City, that’s for sure.
Dress up and dine on expensive French Canadian cuisine, or go out for a casual dinner at Poutineville. There’s a restaurant for every type of meal in Quebec City, and there’s definitely no shortage of places to enjoy these must try Quebec foods!
Enjoy trying these delicious traditional Quebec foods while exploring Quebec City. Are you going to try them all? There are so many other Quebec foods to dine on, but we found these to be absolute must-tries!
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try your hand at making your own Quebec sugar pie! It's easy and requires few ingredients, but it is so delicious.
Do you always try to find traditional foods when you travel? What have been some of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!
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