Michelin Guide in Québec: Here Are the First Stars

We had been eagerly anticipating this first edition of the Michelin Guide in Québec! It has finally arrived, bringing several surprises, a strong showing from the province’s regions, and also a few disappointments. This first selection is sure to spark discussion.

Chef François-Emmanuel Nicol has achieved his goal: Tanière3 in Québec City becomes the first restaurant in the province to receive two Michelin stars. Back in March 2024, he spearheaded an open letter calling for the Michelin Guide’s arrival in Québec, signed by about fifteen chefs and restaurateurs from the region. His efforts were heard by Destination Québec cité and the Québec Tourism Industry Alliance, which worked alongside the cities of Montréal and Québec, Tourisme Montréal, and several other organizations to bring the prestigious guide to the province. The initiative required a joint investment of over $2.1 million over three years.

The first selection of Québec restaurants was announced Thursday via press release. Unlike Toronto and Vancouver, which had official gala events, no ceremony was held for Québec’s restaurateurs—a disappointment for some, but a relief for those less fond of the spotlight. In total, 102 establishments across the province were selected. Michelin inspectors awarded stars to nine restaurants: two for Tanière3, and one each for ARVI, Jérôme Ferrer – Europea, Kébec Club Privé, Laurie Raphaël, La Légende, Mastard, Sabayon, and Le Narval in Rimouski. They also awarded 17 Bib Gourmand distinctions—given to restaurants offering high-quality cuisine at reasonable prices—including Battuto, Melba, Buvette Scott, Honō Izakaya in Québec City, Losange in Rimouski, and Côté Est in Kamouraska. In Montréal, Casavant, Annette Bar à Vin, Parapluie, and Le Petit Alep also earned this distinction.

Restaurants Alentours, L’Auberge Saint-Mathieu, and Espace Old Mill received a Green Star, recognizing their efforts in sustainable gastronomy.

Several iconic establishments, including Joe Beef, Toqué!, Au Pied de Cochon, Montréal Plaza, Le Clan, and Club Chasse et Pêche, received a simple recommendation but no star. Mon Lapin, which was named Canada’s best restaurant two years in a row (2023 and 2024), also did not receive a star. Additionally, restaurants from the Elena group (Gia, Nora Gray, Elena), Pichai, Parcelles, Chez Saint-Pierre, Faux Bergers, Jatoba, Hiatus, and many others were notably absent from the selection. However, many establishments outside major urban centers did receive recommendations, including Chardo in Bromont, Chez Mathilde in Tadoussac, La Porte Arrière in Rivière-du-Loup, Épi Buvette de Quartier in Trois-Rivières, Vin Polisson in Sherbrooke, and Hatley in North Hatley, among others. Even the iconic Schwartz’s Deli—famous for its smoked meat—made the list.

Finally, Michelin inspectors awarded four special prizes: an exceptional cocktails award to Véronique Dalle of Foxy, a sommelier award to Vanya Filipovic of Mon Lapin, a service award to Roxan Bourdelais of Tanière3, and the Young Chef Award to Cassandre Osterroth and Pierre-Olivier Pelletier of Kébec Club Privé.

This first selection is sure to spark conversation in the coming days! Stay tuned…

Also read: Our guide to the 101 must-visit restaurants in Québec

Here is the complete list of selected establishments:

Two Stars

Tanière3, Québec

One Star

Bib Gourmand

Green Star

Special Prize

Prix MICHELIN des Cocktails Exceptionnels : Véronique Dalle, Foxy
Prix MICHELIN de la Sommellerie : Vania Filipovic, Mon Lapin
Prix MICHELIN du Service : Roxan Bourdelais, Tanière³
Prix Michelin du Jeune Chef : Cassandre Osterroth et Pierre-Olivier Pelletier, Kebec Club Privé