QUéBEC CITY
Village of Saint-Jean on Île d’ Orléans Below: Québec is a premier destination for cider making images: alamy cut fries, squeaky cheese curds and a good dousing of gravy— beyond that, anything goes. Take the lobster poutine at island favourite Chez Mag, a cheery little red-splashed cantine( roadside snack bar) on the island’ s northern flank serving elevated takes on Québecois comfort food. Topped with chunks of lobster and a homemade bisque sauce, it’ s an example of how Québecois chefs love getting creative with poutine. Post up on one of their outdoor picnic tables and order a juicy Big Mag burger with your crustaceous feast. Chez Mag is only open from May to October, so outside of those months, the best lunch option on the island is La Monnaguette, a terracefronted restaurant set on a family-run cassis( blackcurrant) farm. Almost everything on the menu incorporates the berry in some way— from cassis-spiked cocktails to blackcurrant soft serve from the on-site creamery. Thanks to its abundant apple orchards, Québec is often touted as one of the world’ s best cider regions. There are several excellent cideries on Île d’ Orléans, including Domaine Steinbach, where visitors can taste a range of artisanal ciders— from sparkling to the locally invented ice style— while overlooking the river. Before heading back into town, pause in Saint-Pierre— the last town before the bridge, featuring several boutiques selling locally made food products and other souvenirs.
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