Aux Anciens Canadiens — Restaurant in Quebec

We had the pleasure of dining at Aux Anciens Canadiens during our vacation in Quebec City, and it was a memorable experience that combined history, atmosphere, and traditional Quebecois cuisine. The restaurant is located on the main floor of a historic house, with low ceilings and thick stone walls that give it a warm, rustic charm reminiscent of the homes in Little Women. A central fireplace serves as a stunning centerpiece, adding to the cozy and intimate ambiance. The upper floor houses private dining areas and bathrooms, making it a versatile space for both intimate and larger gatherings. Its location in the heart of Old Quebec makes it a convenient and inviting stop for an authentic culinary experience.

We started with a selection of appetizers: the Fondue Parmesan au Bison Fumé et aux Fromages d’Ici was excellent — rich, smoky, and perfectly melted. The Coquille de Crevettes Géantes et Pétoncles au Gratin was good, though not as memorable as the fondue. The shrimp and lobster bisque was a bit underwhelming — not bad, but lacking the depth of flavor we were expecting.

For the main courses, we tried Les Trois Mignons — a trio of perfectly cooked and flavorful cuts of meat, which was the highlight of the meal. The Filet de Boeuf Wellington was well-executed and interesting, with a delicate pastry and tender meat. The Bourguignon de Bison was rich and hearty, showcasing the deep flavors of bison beautifully.

Dessert did not disappoint. The Tarte au Sirop d’Érable was a must-try for anyone who loves sweet treats — rich, sticky, and delicious. The Crème Brûlée à l’Érable was perfectly creamy with a crisp caramelized top. The Pain Perdu à l’Érable was another standout — perfectly cooked and balanced in sweetness.

The service was attentive and friendly without being intrusive, and the overall atmosphere was warm and relaxed, with low noise levels that made it easy to enjoy conversation. However, while the historical charm is part of the restaurant’s appeal, the décor and furnishings could benefit from an update to balance the old-world feel with modern comfort.

Overall, Aux Anciens Canadiens offers a charming and authentic Quebecois experience with a few standout dishes and a cozy atmosphere. It’s a place that leans into its historical roots while delivering a solid, if slightly uneven,...

If you are eating only one meal in Quebec City, you will do well to dine here. The decor is interesting, the service is great, and the food is quite good.

The restaurant is located in a converted old house that dated back to 16th century Quebec, with low ceilings and narrow corridors. Note though that the tables and seating areas are perfectly modernized and comfortable.

At first glance, I did not understand how the menu works because some items appear to have two prices shown, but it is actually simple. Basically, there are two options: (1) you can order a "set" consisting of an appetizer, a drink (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic), a main course, and a dessert. Alternatively, (2) You can just order any item separately.

A "set" has a minimum set price, but certain items cost a bit more on top of the set price. That is why some items are listed with two prices - the larger amount is if you order that item alone and not part of a set, while the smaller amount is the extra cost on top of the set price.

Here is an example (please see menu photos): The lunch "set" is Cdn$35.95. Supposed you selected as the appetizer the cretons, the drink as ginger ale, the main course as grandpa's treat, and the dessert as the blueberry pie. All the above items are included without extra charge in the "set" except for the grandpa's treat which has an extra charge of Cdn$9 if included in a "set".

So, your final bill (before taxes and tips) will be Cdn$35.95+Cdn$9 = Cdn$44.95.

If you choose to order each of the four items separately, the final bill will then be much higher at $10.95+$3.95+$38.95+$15.95 = Cdn$69.80, so it should be nearly always better to order by "set".

The dinner "set" is more expensive at Cdn$49.85.

The portions are sized reasonably for adults, and on top of that, bread is available by demand. If you still cannot finish your meal, they will be glad to give you a...

A must-visit in the center of Quebec City. My party stayed in the city for 2 days, during which we dined at several traditional and First Nation restaurants. This one pleasantly surprised us. Initially, we were unsure about it because the restaurant is often advertised in hotels, which can be a negative sign. However:

The staff was genuinely friendly and efficient. We opted for the lunch menu, priced at 40 Canadian dollars, which included an appetizer, main course, dessert, and a glass of wine. We chose to pay a bit more for the meats that are not easily found elsewhere, such as bison, elk, and deer. I wholeheartedly recommend it! These uncommon meats exceeded the quality we experienced at another, more expensive restaurant we visited the previous night. The puff pastry that accompanied the bison was crispy but not dry, complementing the meat perfectly.

The sides served with the bison, elk, and deer dish allowed us to pair each meat with vegetables that complemented them well.

And the traditional, remarkably simple and warm maple syrup pie was the perfect finishing touch!

The staff was always eager to answer our questions, and once they learned that we needed to rush to the train station, they promptly brought the bill, always with a smile.

Last but not least, experiencing the ambiance of the oldest restaurant in Quebec City was a remarkable part of our visit.

Out of my week-long stay in Canada, this was the first and only place where I was happy to leave a (generous) tip.

P.S. - food is larger and more filling than portrayed in the...