By now, you’re likely well aware of the hype surrounding the launch of the MICHELIN Guide in Québec, and while many restaurants earned the recognition and stars they deserve, the reality is that there are countless restaurants worthy of our patronage and admiration throughout the province.
Let’s face it, dining at a MICHELIN starred restaurant requires planning, preparation, and often a budget. All this and a calendar alert to even begin securing a reservation. This is not always feasible, especially when you’re visiting a destination on short notice or quite frankly, when you want your dollar to stretch a little further.
Enter Bib Gourmand: “good quality, good value cooking”. This distinction is awarded by MICHELIN to those restaurants offering easy options at a reasonable price, proving that good quality food doesn’t have to be expensive.
It’s not all fine dining out there, but Bib Gourmand spots are held to the high standards that have come to be expected of MICHELIN inspectors, and quality is never compromised.
17 restaurants were awarded the Bib Gourmand in Québec and we are highlighting a few stops we’ll be checking out next time we’re in La Belle Province.
Rôtisserie La Lune
While Vin Mon Lapin has climbed to the top of the country’s dining scene—and for good reason—their sister project focusing on really good traditional spit-roasted chicken is already well established in Montréal's Little Italy neighbourhood. Expect revisited traditional dishes like chicken soup with raviolini and an extensive wine list featuring bottles from Québec and France.
Côté Est
You will be well-received at this lively and laid-back restaurant perched along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Kamouraska. This picturesque village is already worth a visit, and stopping at Côté Est ensures you will be well-fed on this journey. Take a seat at the family-run restaurant’s terrace while admiring expansive views of the river and stop by the shop next door for a selection of bottles and local products.
Largely connected to the local mushroom foraging scene, guided culinary experiences with chef Kim Côté in her vintage Land Cruiser are also available mid-July to mid-September.
L’Express
The buzzy appeal of this tile-clad restaurant is apparent on arrival as you step into a bistro that could have been plucked from any street in Paris. Think pâté, beef tartare, and duck confit with art deco details and hospitable service that will transport you well beyond Montréal’s Le Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood.
Le Petit Alep
Syrian and Armenian delights await at this Montréal spot near the Marché Jean-Talon offering mezze for sharing such as hummus and labneh along with beef kebabs, grilled pita and a well curated wine list. Run by sisters Chahla and Tania Frangié, expect a menu that celebrates and honours their Middle Eastern heritage.
Buvette Scott
A good wine bar is worth a visit, but a good wine bar with a vinyl soundtrack, a daily menu and local wine is worth staying awhile. Expect to be taken care of at this Québec City gem as you dive into a menu expertly paired with an intentional wine list. You can tell they are having fun here with small plates ranging from fried polenta with an anchovy and caper relish to dishes featuring Québec shrimp and cured duck.
Keep Exploring the List
Québec’s culinary scene is self-defined and true to itself and this list just begins to scratch the surface of what is an unpretentious and hospitable culinary scene filled with people who really do want to make sure you are simply eating well and being taken care of.
Head to MICHELIN for the full guide of restaurants that made the Bib Gourmand cut. Newly equipped with their picks, you’ll be eating well no matter where you stop.
