The best food in Quebec redefines terroir-inspired comfort cuisine

I believe in making Mother Nature the main character of my vacations, especially for the food. Learning about a place through its culinary traditions offers a memorable connection with its geography, history and science.

For instance, just one sip of wine showcases the natural properties of soil and grapes, while veggies, cheeses, and locally sourced meats show off a region's unique culinary traditions. Together, the combination of craft, ingredients and flavor profiles transmits the essence of the land, along with our relationship to it. This nourishing blend of science and culture is so beautiful the French even gave it a word: terroir. "Terroir" refers to the specific environmental factors, such as soil, climate and topography, that influence the flavors and characteristics of locally produced food and drink.

No place in my travels has showcased its terroir better than the Quebec province, specifically Montreal and Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Montreal itself is an unpretentiously multicultural city, blending old European culinary traditions, Nordic sensibilities and new waves of Francophone immigration. Further outside the city, the Eastern Townships boast an impressive, yet cozy, dining scene that redefines comfort food with local flavors and sustainable practices.

Here are some must-visit spots to explore the best food in Montréal and Quebec’s Eastern Townships.

Restaurant Bivouac (Montréal)

Just the decor alone is enough to make Bivouac, an elegant mid-century modern establishment in Montreal, a place you want to sit and dine for hours. The restaurant is dedicated to Canadian terroir cuisine and local wines, with a seasonal menu that includes creative twists on classic cravings.

Look for seafood from the St. Lawrence River, a deeply satisfying poutine with hearty mushroom gravy and maple ice cream for dessert. Overlooking the festive Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal’s former red-light district turned arts and entertainment zone, Bivouac feels like a best-kept secret inside the unassuming DoubleTree hotel.

Butterblume (Montréal)

Butterblume is a bright, spacious cafe/restaurant with fresh-baked bread on site every day. The menu consists of soups, salads and light meals, but that doesn’t mean you won’t leave satisfied. The flavors are both rich and delicate at once. Every bite tastes familiar, featuring classic herbs and ingredients, yet unlike anything you’ve ever tried.

Like all establishments on this list, Butterblume focuses on using locally sourced ingredients and showcasing the region's fresh produce. You’ll feel … creative? … eating here. Located in the artsy, multicultural Mile End neighborhood, which reminded me of Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, Butterblume is just a short walk or drive from St-Viateur Bagel, Montreal’s most legendary bagel shop.

Gaspésie Brasserie Gourmande (Montréal)

While thoughts of Canada often evoke images of majestic moose roaming the wilderness, my visit to Gaspésie Brasserie Gourmande inside Montréal's Le Central marketplace surprised me with another side of the region's culinary treasures: succulent lobster freshly pulled from the icy waters of the Saint Lawrence River. There, I got to enjoy a foodie spin on poutine, Canada’s classic comfort food, with a lobster poutine that I still dream about.

Faisan (Montréal)

Caviar bumps with vanilla-noted vodka are the new tequila and lime — or, dare I say, better? At Faisan, also located inside Montreal’s Le Central Market, socializing diners can enjoy caviar as a vodka chaser with friends.

Ask for the bartender’s recommendation, of course, but you can’t go wrong with a frozen potato vodka from Canada’s Ubald Distiller paired with a Siberian caviar from Antonius. The briny but buttery caviar complements the vodka’s vanilla undertones impressively. And notably, Ubald prides itself on promoting a circular economy, conducting all parts of the process from growing to bottling on-site.

Chardo (Bromont)

Located in the heart of old Bromont, Chardo is a chic restaurant and wine bar that serves up local goodies like game, fish, seafood and fresh veggies. Its menu highlights mushrooms, berries, and other forest finds, all paired with some of the best organic and natural spirits from Quebec’s wineries and microbreweries.

L'Espace Old Mill (Stanbridge East)

L'Espace Old Mill is a charming country-style restaurant that serves up flavors that are so unique and delicious, you have to try them to believe. The menu is crafted with ingredients grown on site in the restaurant's sustainably cultivated garden. Chef Fortier grows the restaurant's produce according to principles of a field known as agroecology, defined as a holistic approach to food production that incorporates elements of plant science, ecology and sociology.

The food at Old Mill is mouthwatering and surprising. My absolute favorite dessert was the Jerusalem artichoke espresso tart, but according to Chef éric Gendron, the seasonal summer dessert currently features rhubarb and fennel. (That’s the thing about hyperlocal dining — the menu always stays fresh!)

Cabane du PicBois (Brigham)

No visit to Quebec’s Eastern Townships is complete without tasting its famous maple syrup. The best can be found at Cabane du PicBois, where traditional production methods make for an indelible flavor profile that simply can’t be found on supermarket shelves.

Try this Quebec food itinerary

To fully experience Quebec’s terroir-inspired comfort food, fly to Montreal, rent a car, and embark on a road trip through the Eastern Townships. Here’s a recap of the must-visit food establishments along the way:

1. Restaurant Bivouac (Montréal)

2. Butterblume (Montréal)

3. Faisan (Montréal)

4. Le Central (Montréal)

5. Le Chardo (Bromont)

6. L'Espace Old Mill (Stanbridge East)

7. Cabane du PicBois (Brigham)

The author’s passion for these travel experiences is sincere. Hosting organizations do not review or approve stories before publication.