Old Quebec restaurant in 1675 house serving traditional Quebecois cuisine. Features tourtière, pea soup, maple desserts in heritage setting with costumed servers.
Aux Anciens Canadiens occupies the Maison Jacquet, one of the oldest surviving residential buildings in Quebec City, dating to around 1675 and located at the corner of Rue Saint-Louis and Rue des Jardins in the heart of Old Quebec's Upper Town. The restaurant has operated in this historic house since 1966 and has made traditional Québécois cuisine its defining purpose. The menu reads as a catalogue of Quebec's culinary heritage: tourtière du Lac-Saint-Jean (the deep-dish game meat pie specific to that region), pea soup, ragoût de pattes de cochon (pig's foot stew), maple-glazed game meats, and maple sugar pie. Servers are costumed in 17th-century Québécois dress, and the dining rooms maintain the character of the historic house with exposed beams, low ceilings, and period furnishings that create an atmosphere entirely unlike any modern restaurant. The experience is unambiguously touristic but also genuinely committed: the food is prepared with care and represents an honest attempt to preserve and present Quebec's culinary roots to visitors from around the world.
Signature dishes
- Tourtière du Lac-Saint-Jean — $24
- Maple Sugar Pie — $9
Good to know
- Hours
- 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM daily
- Reservations
- Recommended
Location
34 Rue Saint-Louis, Quebec City, QC G1R 4P3
46.8133, -71.2104 View on map
Highlights
- Set in the Maison Jacquet, one of the oldest surviving buildings in Quebec City (c.1675)
- Traditional Québécois cuisine: tourtière, pea soup, maple sugar pie, and ragoût de pattes
- Costumed servers in 17th-century dress and period-style dining rooms with exposed beams
- Located on Rue Saint-Louis in the heart of Old Quebec's Upper Town
- One of Canada's most historically immersive dining experiences
Tips for visiting
- The tourtière du Lac-Saint-Jean is the definitive order — a deep-dish game pie unlike standard versions
- Lunch is less expensive than dinner and the food quality is identical — a better value option
- Book ahead for summer dinner — Old Quebec is extremely busy with tourists from June to August
- The maple sugar pie is the best dessert for experiencing a Quebec classic
- Combine with a walk along the adjacent Rue Saint-Louis and Parc des Champs-de-Bataille afterward
Accessibility
The Maison Jacquet is a 17th-century heritage building with low ceilings, narrow doorways, and uneven floors that reflect its age. Full wheelchair accessibility is not possible in the historic dining rooms. Visitors with significant mobility requirements should contact the restaurant in advance to discuss available options.
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Frequently asked questions
How old is the building that Aux Anciens Canadiens occupies?
The Maison Jacquet dates to approximately 1675, making it one of the oldest residential buildings in Quebec City. It is a protected heritage property and adds significant historical atmosphere to the dining experience.
What type of food does Aux Anciens Canadiens serve?
Traditional Québécois cuisine, including tourtière (meat pie), pea soup, ragoût de pattes de cochon, maple-glazed game meats, and classic desserts such as maple sugar pie.
Is the restaurant touristy?
Yes, openly so — costumed servers and historic décor are part of the concept. However, the food is genuinely prepared and represents authentic Quebec culinary traditions rather than a simplified version.
Should I book in advance?
Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner in summer when Old Quebec attracts very large visitor numbers. Lunch tends to be slightly easier to walk into.
Where is Aux Anciens Canadiens located?
The restaurant is at 34 Rue Saint-Louis in Old Quebec's Upper Town, walking distance from Château Frontenac and the main tourist sites of the Vieux-Québec fortification area.