Chez Boulay-bistro boréal

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

Service was friendly, professional and attentive. The food was all incredible, except for the maple creme brulee. It is the first time I ever had to send desserts back. I pleaded for them to try it, as it tasted off, but they doubled down saying it was fine. I'm a hardened creme brulee addict and Foody. It was a bruise on the experience that was otherwise terrific.

An interesting and memorable place. For appetizers, we tried the foie gras and their seasonal salad made with a rare type of fish. I’ll be honest — the salad wasn’t for me at all and left me a bit disappointed. But the foie gras completely redeemed the moment. Its flavor was remarkably close to what we’ve had in top restaurants in France, which gave me hope for the main courses. What truly stood out, however, was the professionalism of the staff. Our waiter was exceptionally knowledgeable, patiently explaining every dish in detail, leaving no questions unanswered. He checked in on us with genuine care, asking how we felt about each dish — that’s a rare level of service. Now to the mains — I was honestly blown away by how incredible the food was, made from seemingly simple ingredients. I had the scallops and pork, while my wife chose their famous beef cheeks. Both dishes were executed with stunning precision — a true example of high-level European cuisine. Please, if you have the chance, do visit this place and see for yourself how food can truly become an art form.

Lovely, lovely place for brunch. The cuisine is sooo good. I love every single dish! They are all delicious and beautifully presented. The atmosphere is charming too. Highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a delightful French brunch

I would give this place more than 5 stars if I could! Food was incredible, wine was top notch, service was amazing and the vibe was great- couldn't ask for more! The French onion soup and the lamb are a must!!!

Lovely service. Reasonable prices for the quality of the dishes. Went for lunch and enjoyed every bite and creativity. Would recommend.

Oh this restaurant has some of the best food I’ve ever had! Service is attentive and helpful. Food is phenomenal. We started with the shrimp as an appetizer. My partner had bison as the main and I had the scallops. It was one of the best meals. We ended off with two desserts, one was recommended by the server which is a berry meringue and the other was a chocolate opera cake. Both of them were really good. Highly recommend this restaurant!

Very delicious food, especially the seasonal specials. The braised beef cheek is a classic, we also loved the tuna gravalax. Onion soup had a delicious foam. Best we’ve had in Quebec so far! Seabuckthorn tart was the best!

Absolutely perfect. Came in earlier than our reservation and seated immediately. Fun way to get bread skewered on a rod and butter. The best onion soup ever. Server was wonderful to recommend this to us as you can't find this kind of onion soup served elsewhere. I had the slow roasted beef and it was delicious. I didn't particularly like the yellow sauce that much but my preference. My mom had the butchers cut beef steak and she said it was the best steak she's ever had. It was a perfect medium (our preference). There was an option for bison but we weren't that adventurous. Steak with delicious vegetables perfect for her. We had the maple mousse and it was the perfect dessert to share. Quiet, clean, and fast service.

We went in today for a brunch, heard a lot of great things about it, and made a reservation a few days prior. The food was wonderful, one of the most interesting in our eight meals in Quebec City. However, the service was not a match with such quality of food. For most of the times I give 15%-20% tips and sometimes 25% for truly exceptional services (not a ton but a normal range). I gave 5% today because of the following reasons: 1. The server who is designated to serve our table only stopped by three times throughout our 70-minute meal: two times at the time of ordering and one at the time of paying the bill. It's understandable if the restaurant is so packed and busy, but 50% of tables were empty at the time we left. Additionally, in contrast, he visited the table next to us much more frequently. For example, we saw him purposely came over to that table after the food the served by a different server and asked if they need anything and wish them bon appetit. 2. We asked for some bread when another waitress delivered the food. She was very nice, but the bread didn't come until the second request. She was very professional and apologized for the delay and brought the bread not soon after. 3. We ordered all food to share. Another waiter who delivered our food was very kind to ask if we would like some plates to share the food. However, the plates never came. 4. We were not happy with the service of the waiter who was supposed to serve us and gave 5%. When we entered the tip amount on the POS machine, he stared at what we entered and sarcastically did we know we only tipped 5% and question us if this is normal. We replied by saying "the food is wonderful but the service was okay". Instead of asking what we are not happy about, he sarcastically said at this point, we should've just not tip. And then he stared at us and said thank you twice very loudly and completely stopped us from sharing why we are not happy with the service. When we were pushing the door to exit, he said once more thank you so loud and clear behind us with a sarcastic tone. So we ended up writing our situation and feelings here. Overall, I would recommend the restaurant if you are looking for great local food. But I would warn those who expect or look for the same quality of service as their food.

Came to Chez Boulay for our last Quebec City dinner and it did not disappoint. Once again, I had the chance to try something new - Seal parfait. Yes, you read that right. It was surprisingly not too gamey and just as smooth as any game bird's pate. For other apps, we tried the French onion soup which was chock full of onions. The crostini with Religieuse cheese was chef's kiss. It was nutty and buttery and paired perfectly with the soup. The arctic char carpaccio also came with many bells and whistles but I really liked its symphony of textures and flavors despite how busy it looked. In addition to this, we pretty much ordered the menu trying everything from the beef cheeks to the scallops and nearly everything in between. My personal favorite was the duck. It was cooked perfectly in my opinion! Second favorite was the beef cheeks. It was remarkably tender! We paired our meal with a bottle of Sangiovese which was drier but still fruity and a little floral. Pleasant! We also added two desserts to this meal, trying the sea buckthorn pie and the crème glace. I personally liked the pie more both for texture and flavor. The only part of the meal I didn't enjoy was the skewered bread. It was both cut too thick and stale so it was just hard. It's weird a restaurant of this caliber would send it out....even dipping it in the soup didn't help.

Great dinning room. Warm and inviting. Excellent food and dessert. Attentive service.

Menu was elegant but still approachable. We tried seal for the first time--can't say I loved it but the crispy edges were nice. The beef cheek was divine, and the ice cream dessert was perfect. Our best meal in Quebec.

I loved this restaurant. I made reservations ahead of time, but it seems that you don't always need a reservation. I got the beef cheeks and foie gras. The presentation and the service were superb. Everything was perfect! Highly recommend for a great meal! *A couple got engaged the night that I was there!

We went to Chez Boulay during our recent trip to Quebec City after it was recommended time and time again by the locals. The restaurant was one of our best dining experiences in the city. Our waitress was kind and offered recommendations that we took and did not regret! We had the onion soup cappuccino style and then my boyfriend had the butcher's cut, which was bison that day and came with steak fries, and I had the braised beef cheek, which I was told was their signature dish. Everything was very, very good. We also ordered a couple cocktails - I had an Aperol Spritz which they put their own spin on and my boyfriend had a drink off of their cocktail menu. We wanted dessert so badly, but we were so full from our meals! The restaurant was very chic. It had a very clean design. I would recommend Chez Boulay to anyone visiting Quebec City. It is an upscale restaurant, so it is pricey, but it is some of the best food that you will have in the city - take the locals' advice!

The best carrot soup that I have ever had. I had two bowls but I could not get enough. The signature dish is beef cheek( it was not my thing). However, I ordered the halibut which was cooked to my specifications and the broth and veggies were a great accompaniment. The service was helpful, friendly and courteous. They provided homemade bread and salted butter which had a nice flavor. I was solo on this visit and they had not problem accommodating me with a table. I can see why this place is recommended by many in Quebec. It is stand out in service and food.

Man ended up being my favorite meal in Quebec City. Came here for lunch on our last day of the trip and what a meal to end on. FYI they have different menus for lunch and dinner but lunch menu was still delicious. With an entree you get a free coffee and they provide you with a complimentary smoothie shot as well. The dishes we got were amazing. Both absolutely delicious and their fish was light and moist. Really regret not eating here earlier as I think we would've came back. My wife really regrets not getting the waffle after seeing it brought to another table. Overall amazing food, amazing location, amazing service. Please try!

The food & service was amazing. I would highly recommend this restaurant! Try the seal meatloaf, it is delicious!

I had one of the best meals at Chez Boulay-Bistro Boréal a while ago. The restaurant was welcoming for dining alone or with SO. The server was enthusiastic and knew a lot about the menu. It's best to make reservation days in advance. In terms of food, I had a glass of Marquette from Quebec, Seal and Foie Gras Mousse, Beef Cheek, and Seabuckthorn Pie. I'd give them a 9.5/10. - Wine: Fruity, slightly bitter, not too dry, and had a clean aftertaste. - Mousse: Each component on their own were: Four spices bread on both sides (Refreshingly sweet), Foie gras mousse in the middle (Fatty, umami, smooth), Seal mousse in the middle (Sea/salty, dense), Blue honeysuckle chutney on top (Fruity, sweet, rich, nice crunch, good mix), a bit of onion on top (Extra spice), Roasted barley on top (Refreshing). Everything together brought out multiple layers of flavour and texture. - Beef Cheek: Tender, crunchy, beefy. good thickness, nice flavour (Some flavour in the meat that was amazing when mixed with the sauce). The Mashed potatoes and marrow were creamy, rich, and smooth. The Burgundy Accompaniment had a variety of flavour and texture (Fresh, veggies maintained a bit of a crunch on the outside but soft on the side, mushroomy, sour, a bit of spice, nice carrot flavour, and the diced meat was salty and nice). The sauce with labradors tea went well with everything (Salty, beefy, distinct, rich). Everything in the entree complimented each other. Also, the portion was right as a bit more would have felt too greasy and a bit less would have felt like it was not enough. - Seabuckthorn Pie: The sauce was sweet, clean, and refreshing. The fruit on the side was fruity and cute. The pie was soothing (creamy, slightly sour, and the level clean/refreshing taste felt like it was its signature) and had a nice crust (crunchy with a solid good dense texture and flavour). There was also a bit of cream on top that had a slight roast and was not too sweet. Overall, the dessert was a nice finish to the meal.

My wife and I have been here twice and each time it is great. Once for dinner and once for brunch All the food is locally sourced and perfectly cooked , the menu is creative and delicious

Chez Boulay was a very solid dining experience. The restaurant itself is very large and open although we were lucky to snag a table by the window which lent it a smaller feel that I imagine one would have in a booth. Lighting is nice, ambient and ample and the decor is tasteful and on theme. Service was extremely professional, prompt and friendly. We were never wanting for a beverage. The food is delicious and the kitchen clearly has it down to a science. We had arctic char carpaccio, which was delightfully adored with Boréale flavors and textures--not your average sliced fish on a plate. The foie was tasty, but not the highlight of the meal. The blood sausage/cabbage sausage duo was delicious. Another good opportunity to try some Canadian wine - we were impressed with an Ottawa gamay that could easily have been a nice Beaujolais. One note for those who like to share at restaurants, Chez Boulay takes a more old school people get their own appetizer/main approach to dining. It's not a flaw necessarily, but not the way we prefer to eat. Needing to deconstruct a beautifully plated dish that can't logistically be put in the middle of the table due to plate sizing is a little awkward, especially without a spoon.

Celebrated New year's eve here and were not impressed at all..Looks like typical touristy spot with a lousy service (had to ask for bread,water,more wine,desert menu). Fish tasted super fishy..Glad l didn't get food poisoned..Again- there was no check on us to bring this up to server's attention. Atmosphere was somewhat cozy.. Mushroom and potatoes sides were good. Might be ok just for drink at the bar before heading elsewhere for dinner

When we first walked in, we were a little concerned we made the wrong choice. The ambiance is not what we were expecting. Tables are also close together. The food was good and service was fast, so that made up for the initial impression. I had the Halibut and it was cooked well. The cheese plate was simple. It wasn't as good as some other restaurants we dined at during our stay, but it's a solid restaurant choice with a more casual vibe.

I will never forget the taste of French onion soup and everything else we ate. It's a top notch restaurant with great food and great service.

Our food was an experience. There was so much passion and creativity, and the taste was perfect. Every single bite was pleasing. Our server Melanie paid close attention to detail, was passionate about food and explained how food was prepared to a T! Thanks Melanie...you're a true professional!!! Everyone here made this evening what fine dining should be!! Thank you for all your food love!!!

Melody was kind, knowledgeable, agreeable, fantastic, sweet, and friendly. Her food recommendations were excellent She took the time to explain flavors, texture, and the cooking process. She is a gem. I would definitely recommend this restaurant 100%. Merci. Melody était gentille, compétente, agréable, fantastique, douce et amicale. Ses recommandations alimentaires étaient excellentes Elle a pris le temps d'expliquer les saveurs, la texture et le processus de cuisson. C'est un joyau. Je recommanderais certainement ce restaurant à 100%. Merci.

Great service. Delicious variety. The first time I had eaten Artic Char. So different, unusual.

We ordered the attic char carpaccio, sous vide chicken wish a butternut squash mash, a salad, some drinks (I forget the name but something with mezcal), and scallop linguine. This place was like heaven. The chicken melted in my mouth. The scallops and the cauliflower where to die for. Everything I put in my mouth at this place sent my tastebuds into pure bliss. Our server was delightful and we were seated promptly upon arrival. The restaurant was a bit crowded. Lastly, our drinks tasted exactly how they were supposed to :)

The food was divine - cocktail, appetizer, main course, wine, dessert, and digestif. Service was great with excellent recommendations from our waitress. The fact the restaurant was full the whole time we were there tells you how good it is. Great ambiance.

I had been looking forward to this restaurant all day based on reviews. The menu looked fantastic and the chefs definitely have a solid reputation. The restaurant itself was a little bit more crowded than I had hoped to have for this type of dining experience. It fit a few too many tables in its space. I ordered an appetizer with wine, and entrée, and dessert with a digestive. The appetizer, Arctic Char, was mediocre. It was thin sliced, as appropriate, but dressed looking like a thin crust pizza with toppings. I order scallops as my main. They were unfortunately undercooked and not seared enough. The crème brûlée was only mediocre. The only saving grace was the alcohol. I left feeling bloated, and disappointed. My only guess based on all three courses was the chef had a substitute on this day, or a learning chef preparing meals on a weeknight off travel season, because I could not imagine I ate at their best or even acceptable standards. My hope is with this being a recommended restaurant in travel books that they didn't add more tables and reduce the efficacy of their meals. I rate it a 3 for a crowded restaurant and quality of food over three different courses, but the cost for a 5 star restaurant equivalent to restaurants, brought my overall rating to a 2. Final judgement: 63%, D- I search the world for the best 5 star restaurants. Quebec has received one, in a Montréal. Boullion Bilk.

The best meal we ate during our long weekend in Quebec City! Would highly recommend this for fine dining if you're in the city. What a delight. We were happy to be seated near the front window so we could look out at all the people walking down the busy street on a hot summer day. The restaurant is in a great location in the city center, and very close to great ice cream (Chocolats Favoris) and a cute bookstore with a spiral staircase. We heard the Arctic Char Carpaccio was great, so we got that for an appetizer and loved that and the bread. Then, we shared the Beef Cheek and Halibut for dinner. Both were very good and cooked to perfection, but I can't lie... the beef cheek was far superior. Hands down, 10/10, would order every time. If you're a braised meat lover, that is. We skipped dessert in favor of going for soft-serve ice cream, but what we saw at tables around us looked good. The service here was great, and I can't recommend it enough!

Came here for our Quebec Christmas Dinner. It's located in the same building as a hotel, so hard to find parking, suggest riding an Uber or walking. Our waitress was very nice and offered her suggestions on what to order. Loved all of our drinks and food. Must order was definitely the beef cheek!

A great first night dinner here in Quebec City. Reservations are recommended for sure, especially if you're going to be dining in as a larger party. I ordered the beef cheek as my entree and I have to say that it was very tender and tasty. The meat was flavorful as it was accompanied with a camelina purée and veal sauce. I tried a little bit of the onion soup as it was not a traditional one and was more of a cappuccino style. Cheese was very heavy (but tasty) so if you're cheese-sensitive, I would avoid this one. Overall, pretty solid dinner here at Chez Boulay. Would recommend dining here during your stay in this great city!

Coming in, we were so impressed by the location. The food presentation was beautiful. The flavors were amazing. It is a really well put together dinning experience. So why 4 stars instead of 5? The service was not up to par. We had reservations, it took a minute to get us seated. After that, we believe they may have forgotten about us because after sitting there for about 30 minutes, we finally got the attention of one of the servers and asked if we could place an order since no one has come up to us. Our server just came up short on the serving front. Towards the end, another server came to our table and told us he will be taking over. The new server was great! He had energy and he was on top of it. We were sad we didn't get to have our experience with them for the entire duration of our meal.

Came here for dinner and it was very good. I had the beef cheeks and they were as expected. Not knock your socks off special but good enough. The wine, atmosphere and general vibe to this place made for a nice evening.

Lovely decor, great food, and our waiter Antoine was terrific. Yet another charming spot to enjoy in beautiful Quebec City.

We unfortunately could not go to the restaurant due to our timeframe but the little bistro was amazing! Best cookie we have ever had in our life. Highly recommend a visit!

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. It really could not be better. We really enjoyed our meal here and would dine here again. Rarely do you find this combo of great everything in any restaurant anywhere especially post-covid with employee shortages so we wanted to know why and we found out: They attract select quality employees because people like working here so much we were told. It's not cheap but for the quality of everything it was worth it. When I told the waiter the type of wine taste I was looking for he delivered exactly what I wanted. They also have local wines from Quebec--a wine growing region. We also shared French Onion Soup (hey, it's a french restaurant), squash soup, french fries (cut thick the way I love em), cod, arctic char, a bunch of veggies, and the house desert. All perfect. This was a great restaurant to wrap up our visit to Quebec City. If you are okay with about $75 pp CAD for wine, soup, dish, and desert--come here! (This is a slow dining restaurant--don't come here unless you have 2 hours.)

We went here for Sunday brunch, with a 12:30 reservation. We were seated at a window seat inside, so we got the cool of the air conditioning while still being able to people watch. We started with cream of broccoli soup and the terrine of foie gras. The foie gras was good, but the broccoli soup was incredible. Our mains were a tomato/strawberry/feta salad with artisan bread with a watercress pesto (a daily special) and boar meatloaf on poach egg and bread with salad. Both were terrific.

Our go-to place for dinner when in Quebec City. Their braised beef cheek is lovely, so is their butcher cut . They vary the garnishes from time to time which is a nice touch. The onion soup is probably one of the best I have had. The chocolate mousse cake was pretty good. Staff is very friendly, especially the last time we went. Forgot his name but he was from the south of France. If you're in Quebec City, strongly recommend this place. They also have a counter for coffee/ breakfast/ lunch which I have not tried yet. Will leave that for another trip ;-)

Chez Boulay is the place to go to for something out of the box, they specialize in boreal bistro, taking inspiration from nordic-inspired cuisine and harvesting from regional goods. All that to say, they have some pretty special items on their menu! The onion soup was not the traditional French onion soup, but light and a little foamy, resembling a cappuccino. Guinea fowl and seal aren't something you see on the menu often, so we went with those two. I preferred the guinea fowl more, it'a very similar to chicken and was quite tender, while seal is hard to describe how it taste, but had a distinct fishiness.

Great local restaurant in old Quebec City. We made a reservation a week earlier based on the reviews from Yelp and was only able to get an 8 pm reservation but when we got there, there was available tables. However, this was not prime tourist season and was rather cold for early June. The food was amazing. The arctic char carpaccio was so good and the pairing with elderberry gave it a nice sweetness. The bison tartar was excellent, however the crispy corn layer on top was not very crispy and a bit chewy. The beef cheeks was amazing and was so tender and tasty- this is to die for. The lamb was good, although I'm not a lamb fan but the cream of roasted tomatoes and the crispy herb tulle was really good and tasty. The ice cream sandwich was very interesting but a bit heavier for me and I preferred the seabuckthorn meringue pie which was really good.

Had reservations and I was seated right away. Service was great and the waitress gave great recommendations. Their braised beef is so good!!

We tried making a reservation for7pm but was only able to get seats at the bar. Luckily all the street side tables are open. We ordered the onion soup, foie gras salad, the beef cheek ( signature dish ), halibut and the chicken. The onion soup is strong and very thick with wine. The foie gras is great. All the entrees are interesting. The barley that came with the chicken is great. The halibut is excellent, very fresh and cooked to perfection. The beef cheek is very unique too. I would not give five stars as it is not perfect. But there is no way to give 4.5 stars.

Buzzing atmosphere but not lacking in service or food quality. Great vibe and wine selection

Another solid recommendation by our concierge at Auberge St Antoine. The food was top notch and loved that it was boreal food. Great value and also friendly service. The standout was the char carpaccio. Flavours and texture were unmatched.

Amazing food quality, great service and super ambiance. Never been disappointed cant wait to be back

What a great meal!!! Fantastic dinner and ambiance.. my hostesses/ manager Pascal was no accommodating and friendly. I had no reservations nd he manage to find me a spot. Alex my bartering/server was AWESOME!!! He help me pair my wine with my dinner. French onion soup, froi grass and lemon desert. Come hungry!!! So many delicious options to choose from.. hands down the best french bistro in Quebec

Excellent food there for decent price Everything was top really Favorite were leek salad and beef cheek stew so good Seatimg can be a little packed but other than that perfect

Vibe: modern and cozy. I had the scallops, my husband had the beef cheeks, we both had the onion soup. Food was delicious. Onion soup is my go-to, and this one was different from any other I've had (from New York to Paris). I would put it in my top 5. All of the portions were a nice size (I'm tiny). The wait staff was great. We don't speak French, but they still made us feel right at home!

Enjoyed a delicious meal at Chez Boulay with locally sourced ingredients. A tomato buffarella appetizer, a beef dish and arctic char. The service was great, as well, attending to our requests. Popular tourist location and it was a bit loud on a Saturday night but would definitely go back!

Clean modern restaurant with a great price point. Beautiful interior. The servers are understated and polite. We had a cappuccino French onion soup which is very weird (why bother messing up a great French onion soup to begin with?). My partner ordered the recommended skirt steak. (I had my reservation because skirt steak is quite cheap in the US) but to our surprise, it was well executed and delicious. I had the seal/pork meatloaf for appetizer which I find it gamey but otherwise delicious. For the main course, I ordered the house special "braised beef" or another word, pot roast (lol) that the waiter highly recommended. Ok. I have had 3 braised beef in the last 6 months. They are all well executed. But.... They are running amoks among the restaurants. A cube of pot roast sitting on top of creamy white mashed potatoes or whatever vegetables then drips with rich sauce. If this is Chez Boulay's signature dish then I think the restaurant is in trouble cause it's everywhere. Oh the house bread that comes on the office memo stick is just funky and weird. The bread is nothing special either but the price overall are very very good.

This is one of the best restaurants I've been in Quebec City. The decor is modern in the old Quebec City and the restaurant has lots of staff. The waitress was very nice and knowledgeable. The food was amazing! My advise do not skip dessert. The chocolate cake I've ever had. Highly recommend.

Didn't like the food ... the place was very nice wait staff pleasant. Just didn't like the food, party of 4 and none of us enjoyed the dinner. Been to Quebec City 4 times ate at various establishments and this was the worse by far.

Fabulous service food and great vibe! Onion soup, braised beef cheeks and scallops all delicious. One of Quebec's finest. We will be back.

Very good resturaunt on a bustling street. This spot avoids being a tourist trap amongst a sea of tourist traps. The food was delightful throughout. The arctic char carpaccio was probably my highlight. The chicken entree was also very well cooked. And the other highlight was the creme brulee - god damn! The creamiest creme brulee i've ever had. Overall a very solid meal.

Delightful food in a stylish dining room. We had chicken and beef cheeks, both amazing. Cheese and terrine starters were delish, really liked the bark served with the cheese, nice change from bread or toasts.