Located a mere 5 km from Quebec City, Île d’Orléans is a true paradise for food lovers. From downtown, you can easily get there by car, or even by bike for the more daring (and to burn off the calories you’re likely to consume).
The Île d’Orléans tour
Once you have crossed the Île d’Orléans bridge—the only land link to the island—the best way to discover the island is to follow the Chemin Royal, which runs all around the island and through its six charming municipalities.
We start in Sainte-Pétronille, also called “Bout de l’Île”, which offers some of the most beautiful views in the region; you will have an incredible view of the Montmorency Falls, Beauport Bay and Cap Diamant.
Next, pass through the village of Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans. Here, you will find the Manoir Mauvide-Genest, built in 1734, as well as other houses of the XIXth century. In Sainte-Famille, you will have a breathtaking view of the Côte-de-Beaupré and Mont-Sainte-Anne.
While summer is a beautiful season to explore Île d’Orléans, fall is just as enjoyable. The orchards overflow with apples, the landscapes take on blazing colours and the generally quieter crowds let you take in the island’s charm and its many food stops in full.
Finally, Saint-Pierre—the municipality closest to the bridge—offers many boutiques where you can find plenty of treasures to bring home. This is also where the Espace Félix-Leclerc is located; a museum and broadcasting centre dedicated to the work of one of the island’s most famous inhabitants, Félix Leclerc
Where to eat on Île d’Orléans
Between the nature, countryside, and villages, Île d’Orléans offers a multitude of places to visit—including great places to eat. There are many restaurants, B&B’s, and inns on the island where you can eat very well. Here are some of our favourite places:
- Cassis Monna & Filles / La Monnaguette (1225 Chemin Royal, Saint-Pierre) — Founded by Louis Monna more than 30 years ago, the family business is now run by sisters Catherine and Anne Monna. In addition to a wide range of blackcurrant products sold at the boutique, they also offer a gourmet menu at their restaurant, La Monnaguette. The soft serve blackcurrant ice cream is also a must!
- Goéliche Hotel-Resto (22 Rue du Quai, Sainte-Pétronille) — Without a doubt one of the most gourmet restaurants on the island. Order at the counter of the shack on the dock to eat on the terrace with a breathtaking view.
- Chez Mag, la Fine Cantine (2460 Chemin Royal, Sainte-Famille) — The reputation of the lobster roll at Chez Mag extends far beyond the region. Or perhaps you’ll be tempted by the equally decadent lobster poutine? Either way, you won’t be disappointed!
- La Midinette (4624 Chemin Royal, Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans) — Newly opened in the former presbytery that once housed La Boulange, this charming bakery-bistro is the latest project of the Monna sisters. Meet on the terrace at happy hour for an unforgettable evening!
- Microbrasserie de l’île d’Orléans – Pub le Mitan (2471 Chemin Royal, Sainte-Famille) — We stop here for the uncomplicated pub-style food, but especially for the excellent craft beer and the terrace.
- Resto du Sud (3681 Chemin Royal, Saint-François-de-l’Île-d’Orléans) — A traditional snack bar in a picturesque red-roofed cabin perched on a hill overlooking the river. We recommend the poutine Filles de l’île, with pepper gravy and cheddar from the Isle d’Orléans fromagerie.
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Casse-Croûte Roquette (7014 Chem. Royal, Saint-Laurent-de-l’Île-d’Orléans) — Born in the kitchens of Chez Rioux & Pettigrew in 2020, Roquette set up near the marina in Saint-Laurent-de-l’Île-d’Orléans in the summer of 2025. This casse-croûte reworks the great classics of the genre with a creative approach, built on fresh ingredients and a number of products from the surrounding area. For lunch in the sun with a view of the river, Roquette is about more than its poutines and burgers: you’ll also find seasonal products handled street-food style. The ice cream counter and its selection of frozen treats round out this laid-back stop, ideal on a getaway to Île d’Orléans.
Wineries & cider houses
One of the main attractions on the island is undoubtedly its many vineyards and cider houses. Most are open to the public and offer tours and tastings to visitors. Here are our favourites:
- Les Ouches (1811 Chem. Royal, Saint-Pierre) – Les Ouches vineyard is one of the fine new additions of summer 2026 to discover in Saint-Pierre-de-l’Île-d’Orléans. The vines take root in sand and clay soils shaped by the ancient marine deposits of the St. Lawrence River. The vineyard is farmed regeneratively, without synthetic inputs or tilling, while exploring the potential of vinifera and hybrid grape varieties in a northern climate. On site, you discover the cuvées on a beautiful terrace with one of the finest views on Île d’Orléans, paired with seasonal cooking inspired by the harvest, the vineyard and the work of local producers. The estate also brings its terrace to life with occasional events, including the popular Thursday evening apéros: a superb food stop to add to your route on the island, very close to Québec City.
- Vignoble Ste-Pétronille (8705, chemin Royal, Sainte-Pétronille) – A superb estate with a sweeping view of Montmorency Falls, this vineyard serves summer fare built around Neapolitan pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven, to enjoy with the property’s own wines.
- Saint-Pierre Le Vignoble (1007 Chemin Royal, Saint Pierre-de-l’Ile d’Orléans) — Open since 2019, this small winery is already a success. Renowned chef Laurent Godbout creates beautiful plates to accompany the wine tastings.
- Vignoble Isle de Bacchus (1335 Chemin Royal, Saint-Pierre) — One of the pioneers of viticulture in Quebec, the vineyard takes its name from the name Jacques Cartier gave to the island in 1535: Isle de Bacchus.
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Domaine Sainte-Famille (2388 Chemin Royal, Sainte-Famille) – Set on the hillsides of Sainte-Famille, Domaine Sainte-Famille brings together a vineyard, orchards, a vat room and a charming period boutique. You’ll find a fine range of wines, ciders, liqueurs and spirits made from the apples, grapes and pears grown on the property. Tastings carry on out on the terrace or in the picnic area set up in the heart of the orchard, with a superb view of the St. Lawrence River, the Laurentians and Mont Sainte-Anne. An enchanting place to take the time to discover the terroir of Île d’Orléans!
- Domaine Steinbach (1865 Chemin Royal, Saint-Pierre) — Domaine Steinbach’s terrace—with its bonus cider bar—offers one of the most beautiful views on the north side of the island. You can also spend the night in one of the four rooms of the ancestral home next to the cider house.
Shops & markets
Île d’Orléans is also full of shops and market stands where you can stock up on local products, most of which are grown and processed on site. Several producers also offer the pick-your-own option for strawberries, apples and berries. Don’t miss out on the fun!
- Marché Plante (8684 Chemin Royal, Sainte-Pétronille) — Strawberries from the island, pick-your-own, fruits and vegetables grown on site, maple products, home-made jams and ketchups, etc.
- Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans (8330 Chemin Royal, Sainte-Pétronille) — A large selection of chocolates and sweets, and a popular dairy bar upstairs!
- Les Fromages de l’Isle d’Orléans (2950 Chemin Royal, Sainte-Famille) — This small artisanal cheese factory makes its cheeses according to the traditional method of the early days of the colony. You will be greeted in period costumes in the shop.
- La Ferme Du Capitaine Noël – Vinaigrerie Distillerie (on the coast, 4748 Chemin Royal, Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans) — Vincent Noël creates delicious balsamic vinegars and fruit vinegars (especially with blackcurrant and gadelle!). The boutique is located on Chemin Royal, but you can also visit the farm and the vinegar-distillery (by reservation) by following the path behind the boutique.
- Fromagerie Ferme Audet (554 Rue Lemelin, 3501 Chem. Royal, Saint-François-de-l’Île-d’Orléans) — Farm specializing in goat milk products: cheeses, soaps and body products, but especially goat milk soft serve! A must-try!
For more addresses across Québec, take a look at our list Charlevoix: Where to Eat Well in Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, as well as the best addresses in the Eastern Townships.
Enjoy your visit!
