Our Favourite Gourmet Addresses in Gaspésie
Here are our suggestions for gourmet addresses in Gaspésie!
There are places you come back to for the scenery, and others for what’s on the plate. In Gaspésie, the two go hand in hand. Between the cliffs plunging into the river, the coastal villages, the mountains, the beaches and the roads that seem to never end, the region offers a spectacular backdrop where every stop becomes a fine excuse to eat well.
Gaspésie has a strong culinary identity, shaped by the sea, the seasons and the know-how of those who farm it, fish it and cook it. Here, local products aren’t a trend: they’re part of everyday life. Lobster, snow crab, northern shrimp, freshly landed fish, wild berries, artisanal cheeses and local products make up a generous cuisine that fully celebrates the land.
After revealing our address suggestions for the Charlevoix region and those for Île d’Orléans, there was no way to skip over the places where you eat best in Gaspésie. Year after year, this peninsula in east-central Quebec draws an ever-growing number of visitors — whether for its magnificent seaside, its mountains for outdoor activities, its rivers for rafting or, of course, for the distinctive flavours of its gastronomy. From Matane to Carleton-sur-Mer, by way of Percé, Gaspé and the many villages that line the coast, the good addresses follow one after another. You’ll find destination restaurants, emblematic canteens where you stop on a whim, welcoming cafés, neighbourhood bakeries, microbreweries and producers who are worth the detour all on their own.
Thanks to all our readers for their address suggestions. If you know other spots that would deserve a place on this list, don’t hesitate to write to us.
Take a look as well at our favourite address suggestions in Quebec City, for a gourmet round trip to the capital. Happy discovering!
Cantine Ste-Flavie
The first food stop on the road toward Gaspésie, this canteen in Sainte-Flavie has built a reputation that reaches well beyond its counter. You wait patiently in line — often a long one — before settling in at the picnic tables outside, near the river. Northern shrimp and lobster lead the way: the shrimp poutine is buried under a briny, generous topping, while the guédilles (Quebec-style rolls), fresh and overflowing, rank among the most celebrated in Quebec. The lobster club and its shrimp version are worth the detour too. An address that justifies a stop all on its own before you take on the peninsula! For all these reasons, Cantine Ste-Flavie is on our list of the best snack bars in Quebec.
Sainte-Flavie
Buvette Thérèse
In Percé, Buvette Thérèse pairs the easygoing feel of a wine bar with carefully considered cooking. You sit down for seasonal food that follows the rhythm of the daily catch and deliveries, backed by a well-built wine list and thoughtfully made cocktails. The mood is warm and chill, exactly what you’re after following a day spent roaming the Rocher. Its central location, right in the heart of the village, makes it an easy meeting point for apéro as much as for supper. Just the right stop to eat and drink well in Percé!
Percé
Brûlerie du Quai and Chaleur B Chocolat
A coffee institution in Carleton-sur-Mer, Brûlerie du Quai roasts its beans a few steps from the sea, in a space as bright as it is welcoming. The cup here is among the most accomplished in all of Gaspésie, served by people who know their craft. You pair your espresso or filter with little sweets that, to us, are as worth the detour as the coffee itself. The view over the water and the smell of roasting that fills the room do the rest. Hard to imagine a finer caffeine break in the region!
Carleton-sur-Mer
Marin d'eau douce
Set in an 1820 heritage house in Carleton-sur-Mer, Marin d’eau douce has, since 1999, cultivated a hospitality that has everything of a meal at a friend’s place. The Benhamidou family serves up terroir-driven cooking that puts Gaspésie’s products front and centre, in a history-laden setting with a Moroccan touch. Everything here breathes care and warmth: you feel welcomed into a home rather than seated at a restaurant. The charm of the place, both pretty and authentic, extends the pleasure of the plate. An endearing table that gives a human face to regional gastronomy.
Carleton-sur-Mer
Boulangerie Pâtisserie La Mie Véritable
Perched in Carleton-sur-Mer, the café La Mie d’en Haut extends the La Mie Véritable bakery in a cozy setting that makes you want to linger. You have breakfast or lunch around carefully made bakery products, with a croque-monsieur that steals the show: gratinéed, comforting, to order without hesitation. The viennoiseries and bread, straight out of the oven next door, round out the stop. The spot, thoroughly charming, has that village-café appeal that you leave with regret. A lovely sweet-and-savoury stopover on the Baie-des-Chaleurs.
Carleton-sur-Mer
Tempête Café
In Percé, Tempête Café has set up right by the water, in a delicate, simple space that catches the light off the open sea. It’s the morning address par excellence: you grab your coffee before heading out for a walk along the shore, the Rocher as a backdrop. The place, as beautiful as it is peaceful, invites you to slow down for the length of a cup. Whether for a tight espresso or a latte to go, you leave with a light step toward the sea.
Percé
Cafe Des Artistes
La Brûlerie du Café des Artistes is an excellent place for breakfast, lunch or brunch. The house is also an exhibition space for the work of several Gaspesian artists. The décor and bohemian atmosphere certainly won’t leave you indifferent! It’s an excellent address to start the day in the town of Gaspé!
Gaspé
Brise Bise
This charming Gaspé bistro has hosted plenty of live shows since it opened in 1986. At the table, seafood is naturally the star, as much in the fisherman’s shell (coquille du pêcheur) as in the Gaspesian bouillabaisse. The shrimp poutine and the lobster nachos are absolutely worth trying. No doubt about it: Brise-Bise is a convivial spot where you eat well.
Gaspé
Tosca
This Italian restaurant in Carleton is the project of Giovanni Sorsi, a chef of Tuscan origin. You dig into several Italian classics such as spaghetti alla carbonara, eggplant alla parmigiana, or veal escalope with Marsala. With the help of his wife and their son, chef Sorsi set out to recreate the taste of Italy here, in Gaspésie. On top of that, the restaurant’s all-wood interior really adds a rustic, warm side to the place.
Carleton-sur-Mer
Casse-croute chez Cathy
Recommended by several of our readers, Casse-croûte Chez Cathy proves an essential for anyone who insists on a canteen stop during their Gaspésie road trip. Located in Rivière-au-Renard, this retro snack bar is one of the rare few that still offers drive-in service, just like back in the day. The lobster sandwich and shrimp poutine are staples, alongside the more classic items that any self-respecting canteen serves.
Gaspé
Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur
Le Naufrageur is another exceptional microbrewery, located in Carleton. This establishment has been offering its high-quality beers since 2008, along with several small plates such as the smokehouse tasting board. Spread over two floors, Le Naufrageur also enjoys a very pretty terrace. It’s a well-known bar in Gaspésie, and there’s always a lively atmosphere.
Carleton-sur-Mer
La Fabrique - Brasserie Artisanale / Microbrasserie
In this very cute craft brewery, you’ll find pub-style dishes like an excellent fish ‘n’ chips, along with burgers, salads, sandwiches and an impressive number of small bites. What’s more, the seasonal products are sourced as much as possible from local producers — we love that! The number of beers and whiskies available on La Fabrique’s menu is frankly impressive; enough to satisfy each and every one, right across the board!
Matane
La Maison du Pêcheur
La Maison du Pêcheur is an excellent seafood restaurant in Percé. Originally, back in the ’70s, the building was a place of political consciousness-raising and gathering. The restaurant’s interior is stunning, and there’s nothing to say about its terrace opening straight onto the Bay of Percé except that it speaks for itself. It’s definitely an address you won’t want to skip if you’re in the region and in the mood for a memorable supper!
Percé
Projet La Ruche - Table Champêtre
In Baie-des-Sables, at the gateway to the Gaspésie, Projet La Ruche offers an immersion into food at its source, from production to plate. This Table Champêtre™ showcases products from the farm and the land through an evolving menu, dreamed up according to the seasonal harvests, the day’s arrivals, and the team’s inspiration. On the terrace deep in the forest, guests can savour small plates to share in a charming, intimate atmosphere, paired with a selection of craft beers, natural wines, and other local products. Before you leave, be sure to stop by the boutique to discover the farm’s products, including their delicious honey.
Baie-des-Sables
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Photography by Carolyne Parent
