Bite into Québec’s summer: 7 food experiences to savour

Québec is brimming with local products, gourmet food routes, agritourism activities, and seasonal harvests that provide delicious adventures at every turn. Feel like indulging your appetite and your thirst for discovery on a mouth‑watering getaway? We thought we’d put together a fun, handy guide to help you learn all about our local summer flavours.

1. Feasting your way along themed routes

Whether you love hops, artisanal cheeses, local wines, berries, or are simply curious to sample what our regions have to offer, we’ve got just what you’re looking for! There’s no end to the fabulous places to eat and drink around here! And to help you find your way, we’ve lined up a few flavour-packed routes for you.

Embark on a journey of relaxation and culinary delights

Covering close to 120 km, this two-day route features vineyards, patios, rolling hills and spas in the Eastern Townships. Turn your visit into a longer getaway by exploring the Route des vins or head to the neighbouring region to follow the Montérégie Cider Route.

Set off to explore our microbreweries

Taste the hoppy creativity of our brewers by stopping in at any one of our hundreds of microbreweries. Not sure where to start? Plan a themed getaway by taking the Route des bières de l’Est du Québec—19 microbreweries from the Bas-Saint-Laurent region to the Îles-de-la-Madeleine—or the Circuit Brasseurs des Cantons covering 28 specialized establishments in the Eastern Townships.

Sample local cheeses alongside the artisans who craft them

To discover the artisanal cheese factories that we’re so proud of, plan your own itinerary to the participating businesses along the Route des fromages (in French only), which extends across Québec.

Ride along a bicycle route to your next snack stop

Whether it’s on the Véloroute gourmande in Montérégie, the Véloroute du Fjord du Saguenay, the Véloroute des Bleuets ou even the Véloroute des Appalaches, enjoy the perfect blend of cycle touring and delicious gourmet stops as you explore these beautiful regions.

2. Celebrating foods from here and afar!

Around here, every occasion is worth highlighting! Harvest season, sugaring-off season, the opening of outdoor patios: there are all kinds of gatherings where you can sample both time-honoured traditions and new local specialties. From the Grand BBQ Warwick and Expo agricole de Saint-Hyacinthe, to the Montréal Streetfood Festival and Festibière de Québec, which foodie event will you choose to discover our local culinary secrets this summer?

3. Exploring our flagship products and agritourism activities

Our summer season is packed with mouth-watering events and activities featuring our signature products. Whether you’re visiting a farm or meandering through a public market, you’ll discover a wealth of local flavours and experiences that will make you want to extend your vacation. Don’t miss out on these iconic local products that help shape the unique character of each of our magnificent regions.

4. Following the seasons to enjoy local seafood at its best

If the thought of sampling our prized seafood makes your mouth water, you’ve come to the right place. As the days grow longer, it’s time to enjoy lobster, crab and all those other delicious seafood delicacies that are the pride of our coastal regions. By planning your vacation around the fishing seasons, you can be sure to savour these products at their peak: fresh, local, and straight out of the water.

• Snow crab: usually available from April to May—sometimes into June—depending on quotas and sea conditions.
• Northern shrimp: its season follows immediately after snow crab—sometimes overlapping—and can last through the fall.
• Québec lobster: the season generally runs from early May to early July in Îles‑de‑la‑Madeleine, in Gaspésie and off the coast of the Côte-Nord region.
• Edible seaweed (sea lettuce, fucus, royal kombu, dulse): these items are mainly sold dried, so they’re available all year. With a bit of luck, it’s possible to find venues where you can enjoy them fresh in July, mainly in Côte‑Nord and Gaspésie.
• Atlantic and Greenland halibut: these two species are available in our fish markets from May through October.
• Oysters: available year-round, but the peak season is from September to December.
• Québec blue mussels: can be fished year-round—what a treat!

5. Savouring harvest season: what to enjoy and when

While Mother Nature has the final say, our fields usually explode with colour and flavour from June to October. By following the harvest calendar (in French only), you’ll know exactly when to enjoy our juicy strawberries, sweet corn, sun-kissed tomatoes and iconic blueberries. Every month has its featured highlights, for example:

• June: strawberries, rhubarb, lettuce, garlic scapes
• July: raspberries, blueberries, sweet corn, zucchini, cucumbers
• August: tomatoes, peaches (yes, they grow in southern Québec!), plums, bell peppers, melons, early apples
• Late August through October: apples, pears, pumpkins, squash, grapes, mushrooms, etc.

U-pick fruits and vegetables: a not‑to‑be‑missed summer experience

If you dream of strolling through our vast fields picking your own fresh fruit to fill your basket, then U-pick is definitely an activity to add to your list. With a few essentials in your bag and a dash of good cheer, you’re all set for a memorable day! To get the full benefit of this restorative experience, being prepared makes all the difference. Here’s a quick checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything.

• Closed-toe shoes: dry or muddy fields—not to mention the insects that are part of our vibrant biodiversity—are good reasons to leave your nice shoes in the car and wear a pair you won’t mind getting dirty.
• Hat, sunscreen and water bottle: the sun can be intense in the open fields with few trees or shade, so be sure to protect yourself and stay well-hydrated.
• Reusable containers: while some farms supply disposable cardboard baskets, many now prefer that visitors bring their own containers.
• Cash or card: accepted payment methods vary from one location to the next. Be sure to check this before heading out so you don’t end up going home empty-handed.
• Cooler and insulated bag: essential for keeping your fruit fresh during the trip home, especially if you plan to make a few impromptu stops along the way.
• Comfortable clothing: you’re going to be crouching, walking, picking and laughing! Wear unrestrictive clothing that will also protect you from branches, brambles and the sun.

6. Gathering together for a farm‑to‑table meal

Are you looking for authentic foodie experiences in a picturesque setting that showcase products grown or raised on site? Our many farm-to-table experiences are just what you’re looking for! The concept is simple: wonderfully fresh food from farm to fork!

The producers welcome you into their homes to serve you dishes made with their own produce, sometimes in collaboration with nearby neighbours. The menu changes from week to week and with each harvest. It’s an intimate encounter with local terroir, an immersion in the daily lives of local artisans, and a meal that tells a story—the story of the land and the people who cultivate it.

7. Indulging in a menu worthy of the MICHELIN Guide

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating your taste buds to something luxurious, head to one of our renowned chefs’ restaurants. Whatever your destination, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from!

This year, more than 120 restaurateurs earned their way into the illustrious MICHELIN Guide. Whether recommended, Bib Gourmand or Michelin-starred, these bistronomic and gastronomic menus will carry you away with every bite, revealing the finesse of our products and culinary expertise.

Whether you love freshly picked fruit, just-caught lobster, craft beers brewed on site or scenic routes dotted with foodie stops, a summer in Québec promises a feast of discoveries. By planning your outings around harvest seasons and themed routes, you’ll get to taste the best our regions have to offer and you’ll head home with memories as delightful as the products you’ve discovered.