From speakeasies to buvettes, these are standout places to sip, snack, and linger over a great glass in Québec City
Québec City may be steeped in history, but its wine scene is anything but stuck in time. From moody speakeasies to polished bistros and candlelit hotel bars, this list isn’t about a “top 10”—it’s about the places that make you want to linger. Some lean natural, others classical. All serve up wines worth talking about, in rooms where food, atmosphere, and a great pour go hand in hand.
Whether you’re dropping in solo (as this writer did—all have bar seating) or settling in with good company, these nine—plus one—are some of the coolest places to drink wine in the city right now.
A Saint-Jean-Baptiste staple where natural wine flows and the playlist matters. This neighbourhood buvette marries market-driven cooking with low-intervention bottles, often poured by the glass and served with little pretense. The copper bar gleams, vinyl spins in the background, and the chalkboard menu leans seasonal with Quebec terroir at its core. The list boasts more than 100 wine references—including an unlisted reserve (don’t hesitate to ask)—and champions natural, low-intervention producers from near and far. In the kitchen, the team keeps things sharp, local, and high-quality without the fuss. Regulars were onto it long before the accolades rolled in.
Melba (photo by Etienne Dionne).
Set in the heart of Saint-Sauveur, Melba is a modern bistro that balances precision with charm. Veined ash walls, a sculptural island, and soft, Art Deco-inspired lighting warm the clean-lined space without fuss. The cooking is tight and technique-forward—French in backbone but rooted in Quebec. Dishes lean seasonal and expressive, with layered flavour and just the right amount of restraint. The wine list is deep—over 200 references strong—and spans classic French, skin-contact curiosities, and lesser-seen bottles from thoughtful producers. A well-kept secret it is not, but it still feels like one.
Battuto doesn’t chase attention—it earns it. This intimate Saint‑Roch address turns out handmade pasta, pristine crudo, and pitch-perfect Italian plates with Quebec sensibility. The wine list clocks in at nearly 100 references—curated, and thoughtfully framed around small producers and old-world benchmarks. The kitchen makes everything in-house—from bread to pasta down to their gelato. In the summer months, a terrace overlooks the tree-lined street. Reservations drop monthly and disappear fast—regulars know to set a reminder.
Chez Rioux & Pettigrew.
In the heart of Old Québec, Rioux & Pettigrew strikes the balance between charm and substance. The dining room is all exposed brick and warmth; the plates lean seasonal and story-driven. The wine list is wide-ranging—organic, classic, and everything in between—and stretches past 150 references, all thoughtfully paired and served. Service is friendly and knowledgeable, guiding you through each match. It’s the kind of place where locals bring visitors, and visitors feel like locals.
At Kraken Cru, seafood is king and the wine list is anything but predictable. This tight Saint‑Sauveur bar built its cult following on oysters—with over 5 varieties on offer—and tartares, with a short but solid private-import wine list that perfectly suits the seafood-forward focus, with nearly everything available by the glass. The vibe is lively and raw, the space is compact, and the pours lean natural and low‑intervention. It’s a party—one with razor clams, pet‑nat, and friendly bartender energy that makes every visit feel like an insider find.
Le Clocher Penche (photo by Felix Michaud).
Part wine bar, part bistro, all local. Le Clocher Penché has anchored Saint‑Roch’s food scene for more than two decades with its market cuisine and sharp wine program. The dining room is both modern and classic— preserved Edwardian mouldings and vaulted accents in a former bank building and deep forest-green walls create an inviting backdrop. Menus shift with the seasons, celebrating local farmers and artisans. The extensive wine list tops 300 references—classic and natural, global and local alike. Wines are chosen with care—always food-minded. It’s the kind of place every neighbourhood should be lucky enough to have.
A Saint‑Roch neighbourhood hit with serious wine IQ. Ouroboros leans farm‑to‑table in spirit—partnering with local farms for hyper‑seasonal ingredients that shift weekly—and offers a menu of seasonal small plates. There’s no printed wine list—just a conversation, a few thoughtful questions, and inspired pours based on your tastes. The staff know their juice, the food hits that casual-fine sweet spot, and the vibe is comfortably unpolished. The private-import wine list spans over 40 natural references, around half sourced from Québec producers. For natural wine lovers, it’s essential.
Bar 1608 (also pictured at the top).
Tucked inside the Château Frontenac, Bar 1608 is far more than a hotel lounge. At its centre, a glamorous circular brass bar under a sparkling hand-crafted chandelier anchors plush seating and fireplaces. With river views and candlelit corners, it pairs polished service with a globe-spanning wine list that taps into the full Champlain restaurant cellar—250 labels. The menu leans on local cheeses and charcuterie—along with small bite platters and oysters. They also feature a vast cocktail and whisky lineup. A rare find: elegance without stuffiness.
jjacques (photo by Samuel St Onge).
A speakeasy hidden behind a velvet curtain in Saint‑Roch. jjacques is all dim light, bar brilliance, and a wine list that ranges from grower Champagne to Jura rarities—an impressive selection by the glass and over 100 by the bottle, along with a travel-themed cocktail offering. The oysters move fast; the vibe leans luxe, not loud. The menu moves beyond the raw bar, with a range that calls for everything from lean whites to structured reds. (And yes, their cocktail program clocks in more than 15 originals, so there’s something for the non-wine crowd too.) Bonus: they’re open until 3 a.m. on weekends, and the cellar features mostly private-import wines chosen to pair with their seafood-forward (though not exclusive) menu.
With an all-Québec wine list that was too intriguing to pass—say hello to the plus one that earned its spot. Set on lively rue Saint-Jean in the heart of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Karibu offers a punchy Asian-fusion menu alongside a 100 percent Québec wine program. Opened in September 2024, it now features a curated list of up to 150 references from 43 different wineries, with many available by the glass. Rotating tasting flights change weekly, mapping the region in real time. The vibe is casual but sharp, with clever bites—dumplings, kimchi—and a lineup built for discovering Québec wines.
– Alana Lapierre is a regional editor with VineRoutes, and is based in Montreal
