Québec City Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, Drink & Explore in Old Québec
If you’re looking for a destination that feels like a European winter village without leaving North America, Quebec City is one of the most magical places you can visit.
With cobblestone streets, historic stone buildings, cozy pubs, festive markets, and incredible views of the St. Lawrence River, Old Québec feels straight out of a storybook—especially in the winter months.
Whether you're planning a winter getaway, Christmas market trip, or summer escape, this guide covers the best hotels, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, and things to do in Québec City based on our trips there.
Where to Stay in Québec City
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Staying at the iconic Château Frontenac is truly a bucket-list experience, to experience it for yourself book here. The historic hotel sits at the highest point in Old Québec and is one of the most photographed hotels in the world.
The rooms were beautiful and comfortable, and the lobby alone is worth seeing. It’s grand, historic, and incredibly elegant.
One thing that stood out during our stay was how helpful the staff was. Our suitcase wheel broke during our flight, and the hotel staff actually offered to duct tape the wheel so we could keep using the bag for the rest of our trip. It was such a thoughtful gesture right at the start of our travels.
We didn’t eat dinner at the hotel, but we did grab drinks at the bar one evening. The space is gorgeous and the cocktails were great but pricey (as I am sure you would expect). We did have lunch as well which had a great view and a pretty good burger!
Breakfast is buffet-style, which personally isn’t my favorite (I usually prefer a sit-down breakfast), but it’s definitely an elevated buffet experience with nice touches such as an omelet station.
Hôtel du Vieux-Québec
We loved this hotel so much that we have stayed here each time we have visited Quebec City. If you’re looking for something cozy and charming rather than grand and historic, this is an amazing option.
One of the best features is their breakfast basket delivery.
If you select the option, a picnic basket filled with breakfast items is hung outside your door in the morning (every room has a hook specifically for it). It’s such a unique and memorable touch.
The hotel also has a cozy communal space with:
A fireplace
Coffee available anytime (including even more involved coffees such as lattes, cappuccinos)
A puzzle that guests can work on together
Great location just down the hill from the Château Frontenac
It’s also very close to pubs, shops, and restaurants in Old Town.
Best Things to Do in Québec City
Wander and Shop in Old Québec
One of the best ways to experience Old Quebec is simply walking around.
The historic streets are full of boutiques, souvenir shops, bakeries, and art stores.
Some great streets to explore include:
Rue Saint-Pierre
Rue du Sault-au-Matelot
Rue Saint-Jean
You’ll find everything from handmade souvenirs to stylish clothing boutiques.
Visit the Québec City Christmas Markets
If you're visiting in winter, the Christmas markets are one of the best things to do in Québec City.
Unlike some cities that have one giant market, Québec City has multiple smaller markets scattered throughout Old Town, which makes exploring them even more fun.
Some highlights:
Incredible food stands
Holiday drinks and hot chocolate
Handmade gifts and winter accessories
Live shows and entertainment including a cute puppet show
One of my favorite drinks from the markets was hot chocolate with Amarula, which was absolutely amazing on a cold night.
There were also some fun surprises like Krampus characters walking through the crowd!
Tour the Château Frontenac
Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the guided tour of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is really interesting.
The guide we had was incredibly knowledgeable and added lots of humor and storytelling throughout the tour.
We had to leave a bit early but still enjoyed it. Tickets were around $15 USD per person, and we booked directly through the hotel.
Best Pubs and Bars in Québec City
Pub Borgia
This is our favorite pub in Québec City.
It’s small, cozy, and full of character. We’ve visited in both winter and summer and always make a point to stop here.
The food is typical pub fare (good for snacks or lunch), but the real highlights are the great drinks, the location, and the vibe of the place.
It’s one of those places where you stop in for one drink and end up staying for hours.
Pub Alexander
This pub is another fun stop in Old Québec and often has live music.
You may want a reservation for dinner if you plan to eat in addition to drinking.
If it’s full, the bar area or the pub next door can be easier for grabbing a drink (no reservation needed). They seemingly have the same menu as well as they are owned by the same company.
It’s lively and a great place to spend an evening.
Best Restaurants in Québec City
La Bûche
This restaurant has a really fun atmosphere inspired by traditional Québec culture.
We went for breakfast and loved it.
A funny detail: the sink in the shared bathroom is actually a bathtub, which definitely caught us off guard.
The food was great, and it’s a good option for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
Aux Anciens Canadiens
This historic restaurant is known for traditional Québec dishes and is located inside a charming old house.
The atmosphere is cozy, but overall the experience felt a bit more touristy than expected. The food was decent, but not our favorite meal of the trip.
Still worth trying if you want to experience classic local cuisine.
Q-De-Sac Resto-Pub
It sits on a corner and has a fun ski-lodge style vibe inside. It looks like a casual pub, but the food is actually supposed to be really good.
A solid option for a relaxed meal.
Mary’s Popcorn
Yes, it’s touristy — but it’s also delicious. If you walk by, it’s definitely worth grabbing a bag.
Best Coffee in Québec City
Café La Maison Smith
This café has multiple locations around the city and is a great stop for warming up during a winter trip.
One drink people rave about is the pistachio latte, however I did not try it personally.
Other Fun Things to Do in Québec City
Depending on the season, there are some other great activities to add to your trip.
Winter activities
Tobogganing near the Château Frontenac
Ice skating around the city
Visiting the ice hotel outside the city
Exploring more Christmas markets
Summer activities
Walking through the beautiful Plains of Abraham
Outdoor drinks and patios in Old Town
Scenic walks along the river