Culinary Adventure in Quebec — A Food Journey Through Canada
Culinary Adventure in Quebec — A Food Journey Through Canada
Quebec stands out for its distinctive charm, where the varied nature of eastern Canada meets long-standing traditions steeped in French atmosphere. Centered on the old-world beauty of Quebec City, with its European-style buildings, and Montreal, which hums with big-city energy and vitality, it is also a region where you can experience French Canadian identity. Maple syrup, cheese, and cider are among its best-known specialties, and its unique food culture, shaped by the meeting of French cooking methods and local ingredients, is just as fascinating. Set out on a culinary journey with the food tour programs offered here.
Words Pitch by Pitch
Study History and Taste It, Too
A Taste of History
Taste of History Tour
This is the easiest way to take in both sightseeing and food while staying in Quebec City. Join the Taste of History tour, a three-hour walk through the city with a local expert, sampling traditional local dishes while learning about its history and culture. The route covers the city’s main sights, from heritage sites that still bear the mark of French influence, such as the Montmorency Park National Historic Site (Lieu Historique National du Canada du Parc-Montmorency) and the Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral, to Dufferin Terrace, a promenade that runs along the Saint Lawrence River. Along the way, you will stop at some of the city’s well-known eateries for tastings.
Schedule: Wednesday to Saturday, 15:00–18:00 (3 hours)
Meeting point: 2 Rue Sainte-Anne
Included: Admission to attractions, food and drink tastings at local restaurants
Price: CAD 82.63
Recommended for: Travelers who want to grasp Quebec City’s food culture and history in a short time
Website: cicerone.ca/en/tour/visitors
How to Enjoy Saint-Roch’s ‘Hip’ Craft Beer Culture
Broue-Tours
Beer Tour
Saint-Roch is considered one of Quebec City’s hippest neighborhoods, thanks to a lively, free-spirited atmosphere where you can enjoy food, culture, fashion, and nightlife. As the headquarters of Canadian IT companies have settled here, it has also emerged as a major commercial district and a hub of the digital industry. The area’s thriving local brewery culture is another of its draws. On this tour, you will visit three small breweries in Saint-Roch that locals love, tasting their signature craft beers and experiencing the neighborhood’s brewery culture. You will also meet craft beer makers and hear about the entire brewing process. Snacks made with local ingredients are served to go with the beer.
Schedule: Saturday, 14:00–17:00 (3 hours)
Meeting point: Noctem Artisans Brasseur
Included: Visits to three breweries and tastings of nine beers
Price: CAD 69
Recommended for: Travelers who love craft beer and are curious about Quebec’s local breweries
Website: broue-tours.ca/en/tournees/st-roch
A Unique Culinary Experience Blending Food and Culture
5-Course Gourmet Food and Historical Tour
A Five-Course Tour of Food and History
This tour pairs the picturesque streets of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the region’s traditional cuisine. With an expert guide, you will explore every corner of Old Quebec’s Upper Town and Lower Town and sample a range of dishes at four renowned local restaurants in turn. The route includes savoring locally loved craft beer and onion soup at a restaurant set in a 100-year-old stone house, and tasting French cuisine reinterpreted in a local style at a restaurant that opened in 1956. Each course is served with beer from a local brewery or local wine, making the experience even richer.
Schedule: Daily, 14:00–17:30 / 14:30–18:00 / 15:00–18:30 (3 hours 30 minutes)
Meeting point: Hq Services Touristiques
Included: Visits to four restaurants, meals and drinks, funicular fare
Price: CAD 245
Recommended for: Travelers who want both flavor and style
Website: hqst.ca/tour/old-quebec-evening-gourmet-food-tour
A Private Tour in a Luxury SUV
Epicurean Journey
A Special Journey with Fine Food
This tour is recommended for those who want to experience the beautiful natural scenery around Quebec and its distinctive local cuisine. Riding in a luxury SUV, you will take in the landscapes of Île d’Orléans and Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency), and visit small breweries, wineries, and farms, meeting the producers in person. Montmorency in particular, with Quebec’s largest waterfall and a landscape where forest and river meet, leaves nature-loving travelers with wonderful memories. Limited to two participants, this private tour includes pickup service, and the itinerary can be flexibly adjusted to your interests, a tailored approach that ensures high satisfaction.
Schedule: Inquire separately (5 hours)
Included: Transportation, pickup service, food experiences, commemorative photo album
Price: CAD 675
Recommended for: Travelers who love craft beer and are curious about Quebec’s local breweries
Website: conciergerieduterroir.com
A Journey of Flavors to the Island
Taste Trail on the Island of Orleans
Taste Trail on the Island of Orleans
Set in the Saint Lawrence River, the Island of Orleans lies about 5 kilometers east of downtown Quebec City. It was a center of French colonial life in the 17th century, and historic buildings from that era are well preserved. On this tour, you can look at the cultural heritage that remains in Quebec and come to understand the region’s distinct identity. You will also meet local producers and sample a range of regional specialties, including ice cider, wine, nougat, and chocolate. A dedicated bus departs from Old Quebec City, which makes the trip convenient. It’s a good fit for anyone who wants to set aside half a day for a getaway near the city.
Schedule: Daily 10:00–13:30 / 14:00–17:30, about 3 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: 17 Rue du Fort, Quebec
Included: Transportation, local food tastings
Price: CAD 44.95
Recommended for: Travelers who are keen on history and curious about the scenery around Quebec City!
Website: quebecbustour.com/home
A Culinary Journey That Starts at the Local Market
Beyond the Jean-Talon Market
Beyond the Jean-Talon Market
In the heart of Montreal’s Petite Italie, Jean-Talon Market is one of the city’s oldest markets and a signature landmark loved by locals and visitors alike. Alongside stalls selling seasonal produce, it is packed with small shops, including butchers, bakeries, and grocers, so you can find a wide range of regional specialties. On this tour, you will walk through the market and the Petite Italie neighborhood, tasting fresh local produce and food. You can stop at a local café for coffee, visit a local chocolate factory, and sample charcuterie and regional specialties at the market. After the tour, you can keep going on your own with the guide’s list of restaurants that locals recommend.
Schedule: Daily 12:00–15:00 / 13:00–16:00, about 3 hours
Meeting point: Resto Los Planes
Included: Local market visit and tastings
Price: CAD 95
Recommended for: Market lovers who never skip the local market when they travel!
Website: spadeandpalacio.com/montreal-food-tour
Tasting Montreal Through Cocktails
Micro-Distillery and Mixology
Micro-Distillery and Mixology
This is a chance to be charmed by Montreal through its local spirits and cocktails. You will visit a local micro-distillery that produces high-quality spirits in small batches, learn about the distilling process and its history, and taste a variety of spirits and distinctive cocktails. In a class led by a professional bartender, you will also learn the basics of techniques ranging from classic cocktails to creative drinks. It is especially recommended for travelers who want to experience the city’s drinking culture by sampling Montreal’s local spirits and a range of cocktails.
Schedule: Inquire separately, about 5 hours
Included: Cocktail bar visit and tastings
Price: CAD 195
Recommended for: Travelers hungry for new experiences and knowledge, and anyone who enjoys a good drink
Website: roundtablefoodtours.com/tour/micro-distillery-and-mixology
A Sweet City, Montreal, and Its Chocolate
Montreal, Ultimate Chocolate Expedition
Montreal, Ultimate Chocolate Expedition
Did you know that Montreal is famous for chocolate? It is especially known for its bean-to-bar chocolate culture, in which makers oversee the entire process themselves, from selecting the cacao beans to processing and production. If you love chocolate, don’t miss this tour. You will taste nine chocolates made in Montreal, including single-origin chocolate, and learn about the history of chocolate and how bean-to-bar chocolate is produced. Beyond award-winning Montreal chocolate, you can sample bittersweet chocolate-themed treats and meet local chocolate makers to hear their stories. The tour takes place in Montreal’s Mile End, a neighborhood of trendy cafés and distinctive shops that is popular with young people and artists.
Schedule: Wednesday–Friday 9:45–14:00 / 12:45–17:00, about 4 hours 15 minutes
Meeting point: 5333 Casgrain Ave.
Included: Chocolate factory visit, chocolate tasting and sampling course
Price: CAD 165
Recommended for: Chocoholics who want to uncover the secrets of Montreal’s bean-to-bar chocolate!
Website: roundtablefoodtours.com/tour/montreal-ultimate-chocolate-expedition
Into the Flavors and History of Old Montreal
Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour
Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour
This urban exploration tour is run by Local Montreal Tours, a local operator built on a philosophy of sustainable travel that minimizes negative impacts on the community while contributing to the local economy. Visiting cafés, restaurants, and craft breweries, guests sample local fare such as smoked salmon bagels, nopales (cactus leaf) tacos, poutine, and canelés, gaining a broad taste of the area’s food culture. As you tour the historic sights and architecture of Old Montreal with an expert guide, you’ll also catch a glimpse of the city’s storied past.
Schedule: Mon, Wed, Thu 1:00–4:00 p.m.; Fri 1:00–4:00 p.m. / 1:30–4:30 p.m.; Sat 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. / 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. / 12:00–3:00 p.m.; Sun 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Approximately 3 hours
Meeting point: Crew Collective & Café
Included: A tasting course of local cuisine
Price: CAD 124
Recommended for: Food lovers who want to travel sustainably
Website: localfoodtours.com/montreal/tours/old-montreal-food-tour
A Look Inside Montreal’s Chinatown
Under the Surface : Montreal’s Chinatown
Under the Surface of Montreal’s Chinatown
Montreal is a city where many Asian communities live side by side. Curious which Asian foods are most popular here? A tour that digs into the charms of Montreal’s Chinatown may be your answer. Starting with the origins of a neighborhood formed by Chinese immigrants who arrived in the city in the late 19th century, and tracing its changes up to the present, the tour visits five restaurants serving authentic Chinese cuisine. At each stop, you’ll taste dishes and desserts that showcase the regional character of places such as Sichuan and Hunan, while hearing the immigration history and unique stories tied to Chinatown. By weaving together food, culture, and history, the tour offers a broad understanding of Montreal’s cultural diversity.
Schedule: Daily 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., approximately 4 hours
Meeting point: De Maisonneuve monument in Place D’armes
Included: Chinatown walking tour and tastings
Price: CAD 120
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to experience the inner life of Montreal’s Chinatown!