Where to Eat Well on a Budget in Quebec City
Quebec City: A Foodie Destination… on a Budget! Here are our top picks for great, affordable eats in Quebec City.
It’s no surprise the Michelin Guide has fallen for Quebec City — and with good reason! The capital is home to top-tier restaurants, both starred and not, like Tanière3, Kébec Club Privé, Melba, Arvi, and Laurie Raphaël. But beyond the fine dining scene, there are plenty of spots where delicious food comes at a friendly price.
The key is to venture beyond the main tourist areas and explore the city’s surrounding neighbourhoods. Montcalm, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Roch, Saint-Sauveur, Limoilou, and Sillery are full of affordable gems waiting to be discovered. And for the more adventurous, we’ve even tracked down a few great finds further afield! Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, mac n’ cheese, gourmet sandwiches, poutine, pizza, pho or ramen, fried chicken, or hearty salads — we’ve got all the best budget-friendly bites in Quebec City, perfect for a quick lunch or a festive dinner. You won’t be short on options!
For even more delicious spots in Quebec City, check out our lists of the best restaurants, best lunch spots, best brunches, and best cafés. You’ll find all these recommendations — and many more — in our Quebec City Food Guide and on the Tastet+ app.
Happy eating!
Franky Johnny Limoilou
The must-visit sandwich shop on Saint-Vallier Street opened a second location in Limoilou in summer 2024. The concept remains the same — Johnny’s (Jonathan Marcoux) delicious sandwiches, Franky’s (François from de Borderon & Fils) beautiful breads, and excellent coffee from Cantook — now served in a more spacious, modern setting. We love it!
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Babeurre Délicatesses
Since opening in 2022, Babeurre Délicatesses has become one of our favourite spots in Quebec City. This charming neighbourhood diner serves up a menu of sweet and savoury delights: donuts, brioches, scones, quiches, breakfast sandwiches, and other treats, along with a lovely selection of wines to go and excellent coffee from Fantôme Café. It’s a fantastic option for a weekday lunch or brunch. We love it — and it definitely earns its spot in our guide to the 101 must-visit places in Quebec!
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MAUDE épicerie/laboratoire culinaire
Located in the Maizerets area of Limoilou, Maude épicerie/laboratoire culinaire is one of Quebec City’s hidden gems — and one we absolutely love. Alongside a fine grocery section filled with local products (including seasonal vegetables from nearby farms), chef Maude Desroches (formerly of Le Voisin and Pied Bleu) prepares a variety of ready-to-eat dishes. The spot also offers excellent weekday lunches, one of the best brunches in town on weekends, and dinners on Thursday and Friday evenings. It’s well worth the trip!
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Buffet de L'antiquaire
For over 40 years, Buffet de l’Antiquaire has been serving the same generous and comforting traditional Quebec cuisine in a setting that feels like a step back in time. Breakfast is served daily starting at 6 a.m., and the service is always warm and attentive. Pure comfort, through and through!
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Super Super
It’s hard not to be drawn in by the colourful storefront of Super Super. Located on Racine Street in Loretteville, this grocery-counter hybrid offers a selection of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook dishes, artisanal charcuterie from La Charcuterie Fermière, homemade preserves, and plenty of other delights. At lunchtime, stop by for a decadent mac & cheese (served with your choice of toppings) or a tasty sandwich. Quick, delicious, and just the way we like it!
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Honō Ramen
A sister spot to Honō Izakaya, this Saint-Roch restaurant quickly became a go-to for both locals and visitors thanks to its excellent ramen inspired by traditional Japanese recipes. It’s a great option for lunch or dinner.
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Tora-Ya Ramen
For more classic — but equally delicious — ramen, head a bit further east on Saint-Joseph to Tora-Ya Ramen. A Saint-Roch staple since 2012, this cozy restaurant has built a loyal following — and we totally get why!
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La Boite à Lunch Ekidon
Not only can you stock up on treats, noodles, sauces, and other Japanese staples here, you can also enjoy authentic, delicious, and affordable Japanese cuisine. We’re especially fond of the shrimp tempura udon soup, katsu-don, and karaage chicken.
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Chez Tao!
Looking for something more playful? Expect Asian street food and cocktails inspired by Southeast Asia, all in a space that feels part tiki bar, part Asian dive bar. The neon glow in the window is a promise of good times and a quick escape. We love it!
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Chanhda épicerie asiatique
This Asian grocery store in the Saint-Sauveur neighbourhood hides a tasty little canteen with a separate dining room. From Thursday to Saturday at lunchtime, Maxime Chanhda and Olivier Parent serve up a daily-changing menu — always delicious! No reservations required.
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Chicken & Bap
And what if we told you that the best Korean fried chicken in Quebec City might just be in… Beauport? Sukmin and Yuri, who moved to Quebec a few years ago, had the brilliant idea of sharing a piece of their culture with locals. First-timers should try the original (no sauce) or the creamy onion version, but we highly recommend the yangnyeom fried chicken, coated in a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce — a popular Korean fermented chili paste.
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Bati Cantine Cambodgienne
Right next door to its older sibling Bati Bassac, Bati Cantine Cambodgienne serves up delicious Southeast Asian street food. The “KFC” — Khmer Fried Chicken — is downright finger-licking good, to borrow a famous slogan.
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Gao comptoir vietnamien
Bánh mì, Vietnamese soups, fresh and fried rolls — all in a clean, modern space. Don’t miss the house specialties: the mì Quảng noodle bowl and the Bò kho beef stew.
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Nina Pizza Napolitaine St-Roch
In our opinion, Nina serves nothing less than the best Neapolitan pizza in Quebec City. We’re partial to the Piselli e Pancetta — with peas, pancetta, mascarpone, mint, and lemon olive oil — though the classic margherita is excellent too. Nina now has two locations: the original on Saint-Anselme in Saint-Roch, and a second on Saint-Jean Street in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhood.
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Tonino Pizza
While Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Saint-Roch have Nina, Sillery has Tonino Pizza, the little sister of the Italian restaurant Tonino. You’ll find excellent wood-fired pizza (we’re big fans of the Mortadella!), and super generous panuzzini — a sort of hybrid between a sandwich and a pizza. Va bene!
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Attaboy, pizzeria de quartier
Fans of New York–style pizza should head to Attaboy, on the bustling Saint-Jean Street. This is the kind of neighbourhood pizzeria we love — good ingredients, pizza by the slice or whole, perfect for a quick bite. Open seven days a week, for lunch and dinner.
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Morso Pizzeria (Limoilou)
A little sister to the No.900 Neapolitan pizzerias, Morso Pizzeria offers Roman-style pizza al taglio — square-cut pizzas that are delightfully crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. These little squares are simply divine. While every variety is worth trying, we recommend starting with the classic margherita with stracciata di burrata, the oyster mushroom and cheddar, or the amatriciana with guanciale and pecorino. And since the portions are fairly small, you can easily sample several in one visit!
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Julio Taqueria
The joyful team behind Chez Tao and jjacques is back at it with an excellent taqueria where everything is made in-house — from the tortillas to the queso fresco, not to mention the dreamy churros with dulce de leche. Bonus points for the stunning, ultra-modern and colourful décor and excellent cocktails.
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Le Mexicain
Le Mexicain, a Latin American grocery store located slightly off the beaten path in Charlesbourg, is the spot for authentic Mexican food in Quebec City. Case in point: when we visited, a group of Mexican workers was shopping for staples from back home. As for us, we devoured tacos al pastor and barbacoa, washed down with classic Jarritos sodas.
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Jalisco Tacos & Drinks
With vibrant walls, luchador masks, calaveras, Mexican flags, and a portrait of Frida Kahlo, everything in this cozy taqueria run by Georgina Valadez and Enrique Rocha — a Mexican couple who settled in Quebec about 15 years ago — exudes authenticity. The short menu keeps things simple: tacos are the stars here. Go for the carnitas and bistek, paired with a zesty lime margarita.
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Restaurant Chez RITA
A passionate traveler and lover of Mexico, Alexandra Doucet wanted to bring a slice of it back to Quebec City. Already the owner of Épicerie Scott, she opened Restaurant Chez RITA, a colourful 15-seat taqueria just steps away. The menu includes tacos (with vegetarian options!), quesadillas, burritos, and tortas, all prepared with a real commitment to authentic Mexican flavours.
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Chez Carlos Café
Tucked into a semi-basement on a quiet Limoilou street, Chez Carlos Café was once a well-kept secret — but not for long! Carlos himself prepares delicious Colombian treats: arepas, chicharrón, picada, and his not-to-be-missed blood sausage empanada.
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Colibri
Looking for a healthier option? Located in Cap-Rouge next to Sushibox, Colibri offers a sustainable fast-food concept using fresh, local ingredients. Expect tasty, energizing sandwiches, salads, and bowls — available for dine-in, takeout, or delivery.
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Zeus gyros Grec
Finally, all the expertise of Le Mezzé distilled into a compact gyros counter. Soft, pillowy pitas filled with juicy, spiced meat, creamy house-made tzatziki, and fries — just like in Greece. Definitely a hidden gem worth celebrating!
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Regal Kreyol
One of the few Haitian restaurants in Quebec City, this spot serves up classic Creole dishes like griots (fried pork), pâtés, plantains, tassots (fried beef), and lambri. Wash it all down with a cola champagne and don’t forget the extra piklis — a must-have spicy pickled vegetable condiment!
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Casse-Croute Chez Gaston
Just steps away from L’ANTI bar & Spectacles and open until the wee hours on weekends, this is the go-to place after a night out to soak up your drinks with the Gaston poutine (ground meat, bacon, and fried onions) or the Incroyable hot dog (topped with bacon, cheddar, ketchup, and mayo).
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Diner Saint-Sauveur
An excellent vintage-style diner serving up an upscale comfort food menu. You’ll want to try everything, starting with the Diner Burger (loaded with fried onions and bacon) and the decadent mac ’n’ cheese topped with fried Brussels sprouts flambéed with a torch (!). Don’t miss the nearby Supérette du Diner, just two blocks away, to stock up on local beers, ciders, and wines.
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La Midinette
If you’re passing through Île d’Orléans, a stop at La Midinette is a must. A newer project by sisters Catherine and Anne Monna of Cassis Monna & Filles, this charming bakery-diner is set in the former presbytery that once housed La Boulange. Head to the terrace at lunchtime or for aperitifs for an unforgettable experience!
Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
Chez Mag, La Fine Cantine
Completely renovated in 2024, the one-of-a-kind fanctine Chez Mag remains a must-visit on every trip to Île d’Orléans. Rain or shine, people from all over Quebec — and beyond — line up outside the small shack to get their hands (and teeth!) on the decadent lobster rolls and poutines that have made the place famous. “But $25 for a lobster poutine or roll? That’s expensive!” you might say. We reply that for the generous lobster portions and quality ingredients, it’s a real bargain! Plus, this canteen is part of our guide to the 101 must-visit places in Quebec.
Sainte-Famille
