Whenever we travel somewhere new, we want to experience the destination by trying tasty traditional treats. In Quebec City, visitors can enjoy food with French, British, American, and Indigenous influences. Here are the 6 tastiest traditional treats to try on your next trip to Quebec!
1- Poutine
Poutine is perhaps Quebec’s most quintessential dish, with no fuss or fancy fanfare. The classic comfort food dish mixes french fries, gravy, and fresh, squeaky cheese curds. Some restaurants pride themselves on new twists, adding bacon, smoked meat, or hot chicken, but purists swear by the simple original flavor combination. (traveler tip: check out Chez Ashton or La Bûche)
2- Tourtière
If your visit to Quebec City falls during Christmas or New Year’s Eve, tourtière will certainly be on the menu. The traditional meat pie can be enjoyed any time of the year, combining seasoned ground pork, beef, veal, and potatoes. (traveler tip: try Buffet de l’Antiquaire or Aux Anciens Canadiens)
3- Sugar Pie (tarte au sucre)
Quebec’s version of sugar pie has its sweet roots in French and Belgian cuisine. A splash of maple syrup is often added to the Canadian dessert. (traveler tip: a stop by Le Cochon Dingue is required to taste their sugar pie!)
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4- Pea Soup (soupe aux pois)
Quebec’s traditional pea soup also goes by another name: habitant soup (les habitants). This is a hearty and nutritious meal that dates back to the early settlers during the 17th century, thus its name. Nothing like a hot porridge-like soup of yellow split peas, puréed vegetables, and ham to warm you up during cold, harsh Canadian winters.
5- Pudding Chômeur
This Québécois dessert gets its name from the Great Depression era in Canada when workers were struggling for employment. Pudding chômeur translates literally to the “unemployed’s pudding.” It is a decadent mixture of bread pudding, maple syrup, and cream.
6- Maple Taffy (tire sur la neige)
Canadian winters and springs mean maple syrup season! Known as the sugaring off season, late winter and early spring are when the trees are tapped and some of the world’s finest maple syrup is made. For something sweet that’s a traditional treat, be sure to try maple taffy (tire sur la neige). After being heated and condensed, maple syrup is poured over snow. As it cools, the sticky taffy is rolled onto spoons or sticks and eaten like a lollipop! Bon appétit!
