City: Downtown Quebec City
Top Things to do in Downtown Quebec City
Countries
The 7 Best Neighborhoods in Downtown Quebec City, Canada
Quebec City may be the only fortified city north of Mexico, but it welcomes visitors with open arms. Explore the Citadel, where you might catch Canadian troops staging a military ceremony. As for food, you could splurge on afternoon tea at the Chateau Frontenac, or do as the locals do and snack on poutine—french fries with gravy and cheese curds.
Restaurants in Quebec City
1. Old Quebec
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13,360 reviews
Reviewed By nowpacking - Dallas, United States
Walk through one of the city gates and you will be transported back in time - wander the cobblestone streets, ride in horse drawn carriages, dine at sidewalk cafes, shop in the artist's alley way, and photograph countless historic buildings. The huge boardwalk overlooking the historic lower town stretches across the front of the beautiful Chateau Frontenac providing the perfect place to sit and enjoy - especially if you can get up early and beat the crowds! Lots of restaurants, shops, beautiful churches (don't miss Notre Dame and the church in Place Royal) and so much charming architecture. Take the stairs down to the lower city or ride the funicular ... stroll the streets, take lots of photographs and have lunch. In the lower city visit Place Royal and Notre-Dame-des-Victories church to see the huge model ship hanging from the ceiling - then eat pizza at La Pizz or a snack at Maison Smith. If you need a ride back up catch the funicular! Don't miss the gorgeous fountain outside the gate and across from the beautiful Parliment building.
2. Terrasse Dufferin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,593 reviews
This elevated area offers panoramic views of Old Quebec and the St. Lawrence River. Winter adrenalin junkies line up by the thousands at Les Glissades de la Terrasse to experience the rush of zooming downhill from 270 feet high (82 meters) in a toboggan speeding up to 60 mph (90 kilometers per hour) to the bottom 500 feet (152 meters) away. Located on the Dufferin Terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River behind Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, the ride is open from mid-December through late March.
Reviewed By mrl325 - Mumbai, India
Terrasse Dufferin connects the upper town wirh the lower town by staircase or furnicular. You can sit on benches and see the street performances, marvel at the massive chateau fontenac, see the beautiful park and statues,look down on beautiful river and see the lower town, climb on the outer walls of the citadel
3. Quartier Petit Champlain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,917 reviews
Dating back to the 17th century, the Petit Champlain street is the oldest commercial artery in North America. Quartier Petit Champlain counts today more than 47 shops and restaurants.
Reviewed By gdmontana - Deltona, United States
There are beautiful cobblestone streets, gorgeous old buildings, excellent restaurants and many interesting shops! Don't miss this area!
4. Upper Town (Haute-Ville)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,030 reviews
The hilly section of the city known as Upper Town developed later than the original settlement it overlooks.
Reviewed By JLC-mtl2015 - Montreal, Canada
The delimitation of the old Quebec, the Haute-Ville and the other areas is not clear to me. I had to google it to understand something so obvious. Downtown Quebec City is divided into two parts, Upper Town and Lower Town which only depends on altitude. Lower Town is mainly the old port and the Petit-Champlain area – between the cap and the river. The Upper Town is a wide area that sits on top of Cap Diamand. Old Quebec is part of the Haute Ville (Upper Town), so is the Parliament Hill, the Plains of Abraham and many more historical buildings. Many religious infrastructure are in the haute-ville. This is why you will find in this area a fewer religious buildings like: the cathedral, the Séminaire de Québec, the collège des Jésuites, the couvent des Ursulines, to name a few. Forts and castle, like the famous Chateau Champlain (Castle) is in this area. There is also many parks and square. Some parks in the Upper Town includes De l'Esplanade, Des Gouverneurs and Montmorency parks just to name a few. The City Hall is also part of this neighbourhood. You can explore around for hours and I recommend on foot, it is the best way.
5. Lower Town (Basse-Ville)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,375 reviews
The location of the city's original settlement, historic Lower Town is situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence.
Reviewed By hayesone - Pinner, United Kingdom
This is the heart of old Quebec very busy great shops and galleries and a lovely feel to it all Place royal is the heartbeat and everything is very and accessible even if disabled if you use the funicular This area must not be missed at any time if the day
6. Place Royale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,884 reviews
This famous town plaza is the heart of historic Lower Town and has been an important social center since the city's founding.
Reviewed By Curlgolf - Toronto, Canada
There was a deep blanket of snow because of a blizzard the day we arrived, but it's amazing how quickly they get the snow out of the narrow old roads in lower town. Beautiful square with stone buildings up to 300 years old capped by snow, pedestrians only, almost like a fairy tale. There's even a modern, clean public washroom just off the square.
7. Saint-Roch
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 55 reviews
The St-Roch district is located at the heart of downtown Quebec. You will find in this lively neighborhood many local breweries, restaurants, boutiques and attractions. Come try one of our culinary tours, visit the largest church in Quebec, take a cocktail class or play an escape game in this urban district. You will find a ton of activities to fill your schedule while in St-Roch.
Reviewed By Go816961
St Roch Quebec was where we stayed, after our cruise that ended in Quebec City. Honestly, after being there, I think I would have been happy staying almost anywhere. I loved the city. I loved the steps to get to the different levels, of the city, and we walked it all. But, St Roch was a great decision. We happened to be there the weekend of their annual festival and there was free live music in many locations, booths with food and drink... It was a fun festive time. And, by Sunday morning they had cleaned everything up! The area had great shops. If I had had room, I would have bought a ton of things. The restaurants were wonderful. We had a few great meals, in the evening, and good coffee, in the mornings. We enjoyed sitting at a few bars and taking to the bartenders. My favorite restaurant was Kraken Cru. It is small, but incredible. Not only was the food great and the drinks wonderful (get him to make you a cocktail, he is a real mixologist!). They have an extensive wine list (whites mostly), but I wish I had skipped the wine, and just had cocktails. There are oysters, but it is not just oysters. There is a nice assortment of creative, flavorful dishes. To top it all off, he was such a nice guy. (He being the owner, I assumed,)
