
Chez Boulay-bistro boréal
Experience upscale Nordic-inspired cuisine in a stylish setting, showcasing local Quebec ingredients and culinary innovation.

Highlights
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Chez Boulay-bistro boréal

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience upscale Nordic-inspired cuisine in a stylish setting, showcasing local Quebec ingredients and culinary innovation.
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for popular times, to secure your table.
Try Seasonal Specials
Ask about or try the seasonal specials for a unique taste of the freshest local ingredients.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Nordic-French
Price
$$$
Phone
+1 418-380-8166
Address
1110 Rue Saint-Jean, Québec City, Quebec G1R 1S4, Canada
Website
chezboulay.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Nordic-Inspired Cuisine
Experience unique Nordic-inspired dishes crafted with local ingredients from northern Quebec, offering a taste of the boreal region.

Signature Braised Beef Cheek
Savor the incredibly tender and flavorful braised beef cheek, a dish that consistently earns high praise.

Charming French Brunch
Enjoy a delightful French brunch experience in a charming atmosphere, with excellent dishes like mushrooms and steak.
Plans like a pro.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for popular times, to secure your table.
Try Seasonal Specials
Ask about or try the seasonal specials for a unique taste of the freshest local ingredients.
Share Plates
Consider sharing multiple dishes to sample a wider variety of the diverse and creative menu.
Visit Off-Peak
For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during less busy hours.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for popular times, to secure your table.
Try Seasonal Specials
Ask about or try the seasonal specials for a unique taste of the freshest local ingredients.
Share Plates
Consider sharing multiple dishes to sample a wider variety of the diverse and creative menu.
Visit Off-Peak
For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during less busy hours.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Chez Boulay-Bistro Boréal offers a refined dining experience with its innovative Nordic-inspired cuisine and chic ambiance. Diners rave about the exceptional flavors, tender braised beef cheek, and outstanding service, making it a highlight of Quebec City. However, a few reviewers noted occasional issues with over-salting and feeling rushed, suggesting potential inconsistencies.
"came for the brunch menu and all the dishes we got were excellent! huge latte or espresso and bread + jam came with our brunch. all the dishes were perfect in their own way. words cannot begin to describe! highly recommend the mushrooms and steak
i’d recommend making a reservation"
Hanna Kim
"First day reveal of their new 3 course lunch menu, and the food was terrific! We had the fish of the day (local rainbow trout) over a mash potato, and braised beef cheek, after our starters.
The service was also outstanding thanks to Jean-Michel. We are looking forward to our next meal! Thank you."
Samuel Neves
"The experience here is top shelf. French and English are spoken welcomingly. There is a focus on local spirits and cocktails, with strong farm to table sourcing.
Our entrees were good portions, leaving room for their dessert. Our waitress provided great suggestions which we selected nearly every time.
This is a must visit, a find we discovered on our walking food tour which was also great!!"
Jason Botts
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It's known for its unique Nordic-inspired cuisine using local Quebec ingredients and its stylish, modern atmosphere.
Yes, making a reservation in advance is highly recommended due to its popularity.
Diners often praise the braised beef cheek, bison tartare, and seasonal specials.
Yes, they offer a delightful brunch menu with excellent vegetarian options and classic brunch items.
Absolutely, the restaurant emphasizes using entirely local ingredients from northern Quebec and the boreal region.
Yes, the brunch menu includes vegetarian options like the 'Le Petit Bonheur'.
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Chefs Jean-Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand, who are both revered in this town, delight patrons with elegant interpretations of cuisine inspired by northern Québec and made entirely from local ingredients, including reinvented classic desserts, such as iced nougat with cloudberries. A mix of locals celebrating special occasions and tourists fresh from shopping rue St-Jean dine in this elegant dining room on bison tartare, braised beef ravioli with candied red cabbage, and salmon in a flavorful cranberry glaze. The somber color scheme, rustic-meets-modern graphics, and dark wood trim make this one of the more sophisticated bistros in the neighborhood.
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Chefs Jean Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand opened Chez Boulay—Bistro Boreal to highlight Quebec’s unique regional and seasonal products from the boreal region: elk, trout, elderberry flower (I love elderberry juice, by the way) and Labrador tea. Cranberry seed oil, hemp oil, and apple cider vinegar can all be found in the Nordic-inspired blend of Quebec culinary traditions and international influences. I went for the braised beef cheek with Labrador tea, potato purée with brown butter, roasted cabbage, oyster mushrooms, and fresh herbs.
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A unique concept in the city, Chez Boulay makes its own, casual version of Nordic cuisine, using “boreal” ingredients such as venison and game meats, foraged vegetables and seasonings, and locally made oils and syrups. Backed by one of the city’s finest chefs, Saint-Amour’s Jean-Luc Boulay, and led by another. alum, French-trained Arnaud Marchand, the restaurant serves dishes that are bold in flavour and generous in size, but refined in taste.
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Address: 1110 Rue Saint-Jean, Québec, QC G1R 1S4, CanadaPhone:+1 (418) 380-8166Website:chezboulay.comDetails: $$$, Restaurant. Chez Boulay-Bistro Boreal in Quebec City offers an incredible dining experience with its delectable food, inviting atmosphere, and exceptional service. The brunch menu offers a variety of options, including the mouthwatering Le Petit Bonheur, a vegetarian dish featuring tofu sausage, potatoes, eggs, and melted cheese.
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Despite a location within the walls of the old city, this “boreal bistro” is distinctly au courant with its celebration of hyperlocal ingredients such as smoked bison breast, Saint-Laurent redfish and foraged sea buckthorn. Even at weekend brunch, you might see fir tips in the hollandaise slathered over a seared steak, hay whipped cream on the French toast or smoked mushrooms atop eggs Benedict. (chezboulay.com, 418-380-8166, brunch CA$26-32)
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Une publication partagée par Chez Boulay - Bistro boréal (@chezboulay). Direction Bistro Chez Boulay, pour une version plus abordable et décontractée du restaurant signature du grand chef Jean-Luc Boulay, Le Saint-Amour. Le resto est ouvert 7 jours sur 7 et propose tout ce que l’on aime: un décor moderne et chaleureux, une ambiance conviviale et sympathique, un menu bistro invitant et exécuté à la perfection, et des prix intéressants.
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Chez Boulay specializes in Nordic Cuisine, drawing inspiration and flavour from the lands surrounding Quebec. They’ve infused this approach into their completely unique cafes, which serve pastries, lunch foods and specialty flavoured coffees. Even those who need to refuel on the go won’t have to sacrifice on taste, the food and drinks here are treated with the same creativity and care that goes into the fine dining restaurant.
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The last one on the list of the best restaurant in Quebec City is this upscale restaurant on rue Saint-Jean in Old Quebec City is a comfortable place to eat. Head chef Jean Luc Boulay is largely viewed as one of Canada’s top chefs, and he takes great pride in offering classic French-style food with a modern twist. Elk, trout, elderberry flower, and Labrador tea are all creatively spotlighted in their menu.
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This restaurant combines the richness of northern gastronomy with the freshness of Quebec products in an innovative menu. The cuisine is inspired by the unique foods of the northern territory, the abundance of the boreal forests and some French techniques to create a unique blend of flavors. The exceptional fusion of French and Boreal cuisine by chefs Jean-Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand will impress many.
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Chez Boulay may just be the best table in the heart of the old city. This premier dining establishment has earned an incredible reputation through its commitment to culinary excellence and a dedication to showcasing The Quebec City region’s best flavors. Led by renowned chefs Jean-Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand, Chez Boulay has become one of the most popular fine dining experiences in Quebec City.
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For lunch, I ventured to Chez Boulay Boreal Bistro, which is located just a short walk from Il Teatro on Rue Saint-Jean. This was a meal I had long been anticipating because the Boreal Bistro features what I love the most when it comes to dining out during my travels: local cuisine with a twist!. Sourced from the boreal forests and local producers, the food is inspired by Nordic traditions.
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La réputation de Chez Boulay-bistro boréal n'est plus à faire. Vous trouverez maintenant l'option de mets à emporter sous forme de boîte-repas pour deux personnes sur commande à l'avance. Au Comptoir Boréal vous trouverez des mets sous vide, congelés ou du comptoir, des charcuteries et des fromages et des sandwichs pour le midi : tout y est pour satisfaire les fins palais.
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Chez Boulay restaurant in Quebec City embodies Nordic culinary excellence, offering a refined gastronomic experience rooted in local traditions. Founded by chefs Jean-Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand, the restaurant stands out for its creativity and its commitment to local Quebec ingredients. Inspired by unique foods: freshwater fish, wild fruits, forest mushrooms, lichen.
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Located in Old Québec, one of the most tourist-friendly neighbourhood in town, Chez Boulay stands out among tourist shops and souvenir stores. For brunch, Chef Arnaud Marchand portrays rich aromatic flavours of the boreal forest; a direct contrast with its lively location inside the city walls. On the menu: fish, meat and rich flavourful dishes served in savoury sauces.
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Indulge in the exquisite culinary experience at Chez Boulay - bistro boréal, where every aspect is a notch above the rest. The delectable food offerings, impeccable service, and generously portioned dishes make it a must-visit. Be sure to savor the unforgettable scotch egg and the exceptional meatloaf, which stands out as the best I've ever tasted.
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Inspired by Nordic cuisine and the wilderness of northern Canada, here you’ll find delightful options like confit goose and duck leg parmentier, potatoes, with mushrooms and fir tree essence, and birch syrup vinaigrette. The staff is knowledgeable about every detail, portions are perfectly sized, and the rustic atmosphere is absolutely charming.
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At Chez Boulay – Bistro Boréal, chefs Jean-Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand work with vegetables, cheeses, herbs, and meat culled from local fields and forests, while the freshest fish comes from the Gaspé Peninsula, a little farther east. Try the epic weekend brunch, savory or sweet, including housemade bagels and waffles.
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It is one of the best restaurants in Quebec City, attracting hundreds of tourists every day. Old Quebec is a family-friendly and tourist-friendly neighborhood in the city, and Chez Boulay stands out for its delectable food and aromatic flavors. In addition, you will enjoy the mix of traditional and modern interior décor.
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Chez Boulay welcomes you for lunch only twice a week, on Thursdays and Fridays, but the wait is absolutely worth it. The dishes on the lunch menu are so flavorful, delicate, and well-crafted that you might find yourself already thinking about your next visit as soon as you leave the table. 1110 Rue Saint-Jean Québec
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Une publication partagée par Chez Boulay - Bistro boréal (@chezboulay). Le menu Boréal du restaurant Chez Boulay indique clairement les mets pouvant être préparés sans gluten et sans risque de contamination croisée. Sortie gastronomique et paix d'esprit vont de pair dans cet établissement primé du Vieux-Québec.
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We enjoyed the variety of dishes at Chez Boulay-Bistro Boréal in Quebec City, which used ingredients mostly from northern parts of Canada. The restaurant was cozy, and our table had a nice street view. The food was delicious, with dishes made from local ingredients like wild berries, fish, and game meat.
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Via quebec-cite.com/en/restaurants-quebec-city/nordic-cuisine. Located on Old Quebec’s St-Jean Street, Chez Boulay‘s cuisine is inspired by the abundance of the boreal region and the exceptional quality of local products. Think wild game meat, fresh water fish, wild fruit, forest mushrooms, and lichen.
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Despite it's popularity with visitors most everyone had good things to say about Chez Boulay. Bc it was a Monday many other spots were closed so we decided to try this spot where the menu is focused on turning local ingredients into Nordic cuisine. The dining room is a big open space which I liked.
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Discover unique tastes of Quebec’s northern forests at Chez Boulay-bistro boréal. This popular Old Quebec bistro, led by renowned chefs, specializes in “boreal cuisine,” highlighting ingredients sourced from Canada’s northern landscape. Get ready for flavors you won’t find anywhere else!
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Located on the busy street of Saint-Jean, this trendy bistro whips up Nordic dishes with fresh ingredients that are unique to the region. Not only will you see elk, trout and Labrador tea spice being used creatively in dishes, you will also appreciate what nature can bring to the table.
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Facing rue Saint-Jean, Chez Boulay is a popular Old Quebec City restaurant for nordic/boréal cuisine. Dishes feature ducks, fowl, wild game meats, and fish like salmon, char, walleye, and trout. There are also plenty of root vegetables, berries, and herbs foraged in the boréal forest.
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Friendly staffers will make you feel welcome in this smallish spot with big flavor. Try Boulay’s excellent coffee accompanied by a beautifully crafted pastry or superb croissant. Velvety hot chocolate (concocted with a rich, dark variety of cocoa) never disappoints on a brisk day.
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Le menu Boréal du restaurant Chez Boulay indique clairement les mets pouvant être préparés sans gluten et sans risque de contamination croisée. Sortie gastronomique et paix d'esprit vont de pair dans cet établissement primé du Vieux-Québec. 1110, rue Saint-Jean, Québec
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A few years ago, this restaurant opened which features boréal (northern) cuisine. It is named Chez Boulay-bistro boréal after Chef Jean-Luc Boulay, owner of Le Saint-Amour, another of the highly regarded Quebec City restaurants. What is northern boreal forest cuisine?
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A comfortable room with a working A/C turned out to be a surprise luxury in QC. Lunch specials come with soup (excellent leek and potato on this day) or salad (nice seed action). Cavatelli with broccoli and local cheese was light and perfectly executed.
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The owner at Snackbar suggested we check out Chez Boulay Bistro for our Saturday night dinner. She said that if she had one meal left, it would be the meat cheek from Chez Boulay. I guess I agree with her as this was my last meal as a single man.
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I tried my hand at it, at the local packed Chez Boulay bistro boréal. Their brunch menu had a few different selections, all showcasing Quebecs northern cuisine with local ingredients. You’ll definitely want to make a reservation in advance here.
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If you’re looking for a taste of the wild and vintage, Chez Boulay: Bistro Boréal is the one for you. What makes this little restaurant the first one on our list is its choice to make the food with ingredients found in Canada’s Boréal forest.
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Une cuisine dite « boréale », extrêmement bien maîtrisée par le chef exécutif Arnaud Marchant et sa brigade. On aime particulièrement les saveurs nordiques, sublimées par les techniques françaises, avec une pointe de gourmandise.
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Leave the kids at home and dine at Chez Bouley-Bistro Boreal, where celebrated chefs employ regional ingredients to create upscale Nordic cuisine. (Think fir tree essence, Trout carpaccio with seaweed, and pickled daisy capers.)
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A post shared by Chez Boulay-bistro boréal (@chezboulay) on Dec 9, 2017 at 6:50am PST. This boreal Bistro has a unique niche: Nordic cuisine. The restaurant especially highlights products from the northern wilderness of Canada.
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Bistro, Restaurant gastronomique, Québecoise, Fine cuisine, Décontractée. complice, Arnaud Marchand, d'offrir à un large public une cuisine d'inspiration nordique mettant en valeur les... Restaurants gastronomiques, Restaurants
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We have been going to Chez Boulay ever since he opened several years ago. Always a top notch meal!. In fact, in all of our world travels, Chez Boulay is in our top 5 favorite restaurants.
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A fairly new addition to Old Québec’s Uppertown, Comptoir Boréal is part of the restaurant Chez Boulay, Comptoir Boréal is a delightfully small comptoir (French for counter) and café.
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It’s almost as if chefs Jean-Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand anticipated the reviews when naming their restaurant: “Chez Boulay Bistro à Boréal is more than a mouthful .
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On the pricier side, if you have one fancier restaurant to try, I'd recommend either Chez Boulay or La Planque. Probably my two favorite restaurants in the city.
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For dinner, dine on Boreal cuisine in the upscale yet warm atmosphere of Chez Boulay. Then, sip some vino at Le Bedeau as a nightcap to end your day.
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It is often served with crusty bread and is available in many restaurants throughout the city, including Restaurant Chez Lévêque and Chez Boulay.
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Pork or beef, spiced just right—I had a slice at Chez Boulay that warmed me to my toes. It’s big around Christmas, but you’ll find it anytime.
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Some key stops along the road in Québec City include chocolate shop Érico, Chez Boulay Bistro, and grocer Maison J. A. Moisan.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit