La cache à Maxime

This "den" (tanière) has, beneath its ancestral vaults, a series of four rooms, one of which affords views of the brigade at work, plus a counter surrounding the open kitchen. In what might be described as his gastronomic research laboratory, avant-garde chef François-Emmanuel Nicol explores all of the nuances to be derived from the immense terroir of Québec's boreal zone. All the ingredients are sourced from small-scale producers. Mushrooms, herbs, plants, and roots are an integral part of this creative cuisine. Sophisticated cooking methods, succulent sauces and a rigorous balance of flavors

Catalan chef Stéphane Modat has set up shop in this historical house in Old Québec. Above its glass-fronted kitchen on the ground floor, it has dining rooms decorated with hunting and fishing trophies (in keeping with the chef's passions). Leaning on fish, game and red meats, the tasting menu champions ingredients from Quebec and celebrates boreal traditions: Arctic char, smoked salmon, seal, seaweed and suvalik pay homage to the fishermen of Salluit (Quebec's northernmost village). The medallion of grain-fed veal with porcini, butternut squash and nettle showcases his creativity. It's enough

Located in Old Québec, alongside the Old Port, this restaurant exudes an elegant contemporary style thanks to a palette of beige tones, bubble-shaped pendant lights, and leather-covered tables. This is the Vézina family establishment, and it is Raphaël, the founder's son, who now holds the reins. This seasoned thirtysomething showcases seasonal produce and ingredients from Québec's terroir (bison, scallops from the Magdalen Islands, etc.) in modern dishes that often demonstrate a hint of creativity: spot prawn and pear marinated in wild ginger and burnt citrus; buckwheat tartlet with foie gras

In a contemporary setting characterized by clean lines, Elliot Beaudoin—once a finalist of TV's Les Chefs! and former associate of the restaurant Tanière³ —serves up a cuisine that is rooted in Québec's terroirs. This establishment sets itself apart with its strictly locavore approach, which sees it using only local ingredients and eschewing exotic ingredients such as chocolate, pepper, citrus fruit, and vanilla. The menu celebrates little-known indigenous ingredients, which are put to clever and creative use. Each dish is thoughtfully composed, demonstrating the chef's keen sensibility in put

Cassandre and Pierre-Olivier are a gifted young couple. Originally from France and Quebec, respectively, they met at restaurant Laurie Raphaël. They went on to transform this hairdressing salon with an industrial vibe into a unique table d'hôte. The concept: to welcome 10 guests at a fixed time, in a friendly atmosphere, around a majestic central table. Their cuisine, strictly Québécois, showcases local ingredients with delicate simplicity. The dishes are a testament to precise cooking, whether of the cod marinated in smoked oil, scallops in a herring bone jus or roasted quail breast. Herbs –

On bustling Third Avenue in the neighborhood of Limoilou, ARVI is the stomping ground of chef Julien Masia, a Frenchman from Lyon, who cut his teeth in kitchens in the French Alps. As for the decor in this open-plan space, urban edginess meets contemporary design (exposed brick and concrete). The chefs move between the kitchen and tables, as a trendy playlist sets the mood. Over the course of the set menu (available in "regular" and vegetarian versions), ingredients from Quebec's terroir enjoy their moment: scallops from the Magdalen Islands, lacto-fermented Jerusalem artichoke and local yuzu;

This bistro has reopened after a full-scale makeover that sports more comfort and elegance, new furnishings, modern light fixtures and a glazed wine cellar. The vibe is as warm and welcoming as ever, depicted by an open-plan kitchen offering a splendid view of the team at work. The chef now focuses on smaller but ever indulgent helpings, in a more forthright and less Gallic vein, but always courtesy of high-flying ingredients and attractive plating: steamed cod, caponata and puttanesca seasoning; lamb’s sweetbread sausages and foie gras; biscuit, ganache and chocolate ice cream. The owner’s ma