All aboard the train for a food tour in Montréal and Québec City

If the way to visitors’ hearts is through their stomachs, Québec has all the right ingredients for a lasting love affair. From Montréal’s sizzling dining culture to Québec City’s fresh takes on traditional favourites, each local food scene is well worth the trip! MICHELIN-starred restaurants, lively markets and farm-to-table experiences add up to a delicious adventure—just the ticket for a car-free getaway departing straight from our VIA Rail stations.

Read on for an appetite-whetting tour of the top spots in Montréal and Québec City, two flagship destinations where flavour sets the direction.

Montréal: A feast for the senses

Montréal’s legendary cultural diversity is proudly displayed on every street corner. The city’s chefs deftly mix and match local products with global influences to create unique dining experiences for the gastronomically curious and discriminating foodies.

Jellyfish, jellyMontréal © GouvQc / J.-F. Frenette

Farm to table

Montréal is one big living laboratory for local, sustainable cuisine. From the colourful stalls of Jean-Talon Market—a venerable local institution—to the Palais des congrès rooftop garden (open to groups, by reservation), the city is a treasure trove of fresh flavours that inspire seasonal menus.

Café Parvis (just steps from the train station) is a perfect example. With a friendly ambiance and refreshing dishes made from organic produce grown with love at La Fermette, Café Parvis is the perfect place to start sampling local creativity the moment you arrive.

Renowned chefs, iconic restaurants

Montréal is awash with culinary talent. Think Normand Laprise, whose work at Toqué! ushered in a new era of contemporary Québec cuisine. Dyan Solomon is the local luminary behind the inviting establishments Olive + Gourmando and Foxy, while Mathieu Masson-Duceppe’s ingenuity is front and centre at Jellyfish and Pubjelly. Other distinguished chefs include the inventive Charles-Antoine Crête at Montréal Plaza, Massimo Piedimonte, whose Italian roots and French techniques make sparks fly at Cabaret L’Enfer, and Antonin Mousseau-Rivard, known for his refined touch at Le Mousso. Of course, these are but a few of the virtuoso chefs redefining Montréal’s culinary identity.

Getting there: Toqué! and Olive + Gourmando are within comfortable walking distance of Montréal’s Central Station, and the other restaurants are an easy metro ride away.

Montréal Plaza © D. Lafond

Montréal in the MICHELIN spotlight

The just-released 2025 MICHELIN Guide confirms an open secret: Montréal’s reputation for creative cuisine shines both at home and abroad. This year’s picks include Mon Lapin in Little Italy, celebrated for its market cuisine and natural wines, along with MICHELIN-starred restaurants like Jérôme Ferrer – Europea (within walking distance of Central Station) and two destinations well worth a small detour, Mastard and Sabayon.

Québec City: Terroir and artistry

A capital city with fabled historic charm, Québec City eats to the beat of its distinct local flavours. Products like berries and ciders from nearby Île d’Orléans, fine cheeses and delectable charcuterie make for a cuisine that fuses authenticity and creativity.

Responsible dining

Québec City’s farm-to-table scene boasts a wealth of spots where local ingredients take centre stage. In a historic building dating back to New France, Coteau restaurant is a showcase for the bounty of its partner farm on Île d’Orléans. Nearby, Bistro Hortus blends local produce and creative flair in a warm, unpretentious ambiance. La Tanière³ also features responsibly produced foods—this gem in the historic Petit Champlain district takes patrons on a succulent journey of exploration. Unsurprisingly, it’s ranked among the city’s best restaurants—one of only two establishments in Canada with two MICHELIN stars.

Getting there: All three restaurants are within easy walking distance of the Gare du Palais train station.

Tanière³ restaurant, Québec City area © Groupe La Tanière / S. Ferland

Celebrated chefs

No need to go far afield from Québec City’s train station to encounter chefs who are raising the bar with skill and aplomb. Perennial award-winner Stéphane Modat of Le Clan transforms local ingredients with flair—his refined, inventive cuisine leaves lasting taste memories. Arnaud Marchand invites guests at Chez Boulay – Bistro Boréal to enjoy a contemporary yet comforting take on the riches of Québec’s boreal forests. And chef Elliot Beaudoin revisits Indigenous and northern traditions at Légende in the Old Port, winning accolades with delicacies like venison heart tartlet and charcoal-grilled halibut.

A MICHELIN star-studded capital

The 2025 MICHELIN Guide attests to Québec City’s culinary excellence and creative élan. From Kebec Club Privé, awarded a MICHELIN star for its memorable intimate supper club experience, to Alentours, honoured with a Green Star for environmental excellence, the provincial capital is a beacon of delectable diversity. Local favourites include the refined Italian cuisine at Battuto, the outstanding Melba and the cozy Japanese tavern-style Hono Izakaya, all of which earned the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction. Keep in mind that Battuto remains one of the city’s most coveted reservations, so book well ahead.

How to get there: These restaurants are all within walking distance of Gare du Palais, except Alentours, which is a short bus ride to the Saint-Sauveur neighbourhood.

Battuto, Québec City area © Destination Québec cité / É. Dionne

Gourmet experiences with a twist

Following your taste buds also means having novel experiences and meeting people who are truly passionate about food.

• Guided food tours: Take a leisurely stroll through the charming backstreets of Old Montréal or Old Québec for the inside scoop on each city’s best hidden treasures.
• Microbreweries and distilleries: From craft distilleries to well-known microbreweries like Dieu du Ciel! in Montréal and La Barberie in Québec City, local beers, wines and spirits are having a moment.
• Urban agriculture: Every summer, Repaire de Biquette livens up Montréal’s Parc Maisonneuve with sheep, chickens, vegetable gardens, and beehives—a delightful and delicious slice of nature in the city.

With a convenient rail link, Québec City and Montréal are the perfect places to keep it simple and go with the flow. Embracing the art of slow travel means savouring every destination to the fullest!