So now we know where to stay in Quebec City and Montreal. Next up, where to eat and drink in Quebec City and Montreal.
Love wine, croissants, crepes? This vacation spot is a must for you. They both have plenty of sidewalk cafes to indulge in some macarons and a glass of rosé.
Unfortunately, French fare can be challenging for those with a gluten allergy.
In case you haven’t read some of my other travel guides, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a year and a half ago. That has made traveling more difficult, and a lot more research intensive. I spend a lot of time emailing and calling restaurants ahead of time to ensure they can accommodate a Celiac diner. Both of these cities had quite a few places that not only were some of the best restaurants the city had to offer, but were also gluten free friendly.
Where to Eat and Drink in Quebec City
Restaurants
Le Billig Creperie-Bistro: Our first stop in Quebec City was lunch at Le Billig Creperie-Bistro. I was going to be VERY disappointed if I left these two cities without some crepes; fortunately, I found Le Billig, which offered plenty of buckwheat crepe options. I had the egg and cheese crepe, which was quite tasty.
Note: They do cook the crepes on the same surface as the regular crepes, so Celiac folks who are super sensitive to cross-contamination should be careful.
Lapin Saute: Onto dinner at Lapin Saute! This spot was highly recommended and sits in the heart of the Petit Champlain neighborhood. It boasts French country cuisine in a cozy and romantic setting, and even had a gluten free menu.
I had the cod with a tomato sauce, which I thought was actually only ok, but my friends loved the pork chop and the grilled cheese. The maple syrup creme brulee made up for the so-so entree!
Bistro Le Sam: This spot is inside the Fairmont and was our favorite meal in Quebec City. The restaurant is perfect for a special occasion and offers spectacular views of the city at night. We shared a charcuterie board with a selection of tasty local cheese. They also were able to make me French onion soup with gluten free bread that was to die for.
Bars
Pub L’Oncle Antoine: Situated in the heart of old Quebec, this is the city’s oldest bar. And it really feels like you’re stepping back in time with it’s low, curved stone ceiling. Standard and solid drinks here; the hot chocolate with maple whiskey is a must. Also, one of my favorite things about this city: board games in every bar!
Artefact: We’re suckers for any spot with a fireplace. Great bar inside the Auberge Saint-Antoine.
1608 Wine & Cheese Bar: This spot inside the Fairmont had the feel of an old library. We went there on our final night in Quebec City to celebrate our friend’s birthday.
In addition to an extensive wine list, they have a lot of really interesting, fruity cocktails. It doesn’t get much better than their white cranberry cosmopolitans, which tasted like straight fruit punch…it went down WAYYYY too easy!
Where to Eat and Drink in Montreal
Restaurants
Now, onto Montreal! I’m sharing some favorites not only from this trip but also my one last year.
L’Avenue: A brunch spot that is well worth the wait. This hip spot is in the Plateau- Mont Real neighborhood. They have mimosas with all different kinds of interesting juices; try the strawberry watermelon or the blueberry-basil!
Lots of interesting choices for gluten free eaters including GF buns for eggs benedict, and if you’re not, they have carrot cake pancakes and Grand Marnier french toast. No other information needed. 🙂
La Champagnerie: I discovered this place on my trip last year with Jake and was dying to take the girls back. How many other places do they let you open your champagne bottle with a sword?!
La Champagnerie is a “bar à sabrage,” which means you use a saber to cut off the cork and tip of the bottle in one swoop. They take you through step by step, and then you get to drop the cork in a wish wall.
The bottles are a little pricey, but totally worth it to splurge for a special occasion. It has a very upscale, hip vibe and turns into a club with a DJ spinning tunes on the weekend later in the evening.
Our waitress was incredibly sweet and accommodating with my Celiac Disease.
Le Cartet: We had brunch at Le Cartet before heading back to Quebec City. They offered huge breakfast plates here with french twists on classics like breakfast potatoes cooked in duck fat.
I had the poached eggs on gluten free toast with a side salad.
Mandy’s : Can we get a Mandy’s in Portland? Do they offer franchises? This is my favorite place in Montreal. They offer massive, gourmet salads served in the cute, colorful bowls (which of course I had to buy to bring home). All of the salads are really interesting and tasty. This is a great spot for a quick lunch in Montreal.
Bars
We only had one night in Montreal this trip and spent it at La Champagnerie. Here’s some of my favorite spots for a night out from my trip last year:
Anywhere on Rue St. Denis if you’re looking for a rowdy night!