The Michelin Guide has unveiled the second Quebec edition of its prestigious selection, and many restaurants in the province have reason to celebrate. This year, four new restaurants have joined the list of starred establishments, confirming the rise of Quebec’s culinary scene.
Auberge Saint-Mathieu, Hoogan et Beaufort, Le Clan, and Sushi Nishinokaze each receive their first Michelin star. Meanwhile, Tanière³ remains the only restaurant in Quebec to retain two stars.
A long-awaited star for Sushi Nishinokaze
In Mile End, the team behind Sushi Nishinokaze is celebrating a major achievement after several years of hard work. Co-owners Julian Doan and Vincent Gee had long dreamed of opening a gourmet sushi bar inspired by the Edomae tradition.
Even though the Michelin Guide hadn’t yet launched in Quebec when their project began, the two restaurateurs were already aiming for excellence. Their approach seems to have resonated with Michelin inspectors, as reservations have skyrocketed since the announcement—despite a meal costing over $400 per person before appetizers and drinks.
A Memorable Day for Le Clan
In Quebec City, Le Clan experienced a particularly emotional moment during the unveiling of the selection. Chef Stéphane Modat and his team were expecting just a simple recommendation before learning the good news via a call from a friend.
To celebrate this first star, the restaurant decided to treat the first customers who arrived on May 6 to a complimentary dinner.
A dream week for some Quebec chefs
The restaurant Hoogan et Beaufort didn’t just walk away with a Michelin star. Its sommelier, Hugo Duchesne, also received the Michelin Sommelier Award, just days after winning the Laurier Sommelier of the Year award.
It’s the same story at Auberge Saint-Mathieu, where chef and co-owner Samy Benabed is having an exceptional week. Winner of the Laurier Chef of the Year award, he has now earned his first Michelin star as well as the Michelin Young Chef Award.
Located in Mauricie, the gourmet inn continues to focus on its identity and its people, notably with the purchase of a house to house employees and interns.
New places to discover across Quebec
The Michelin Guide has also added several establishments to the Bib Gourmand category, which recognizes restaurants offering excellent value for money. Among the new selections are Baumier, Bibine Buvette, Buvette Gentille, Coquette, Le Clocher Penché, Limbo, and Saindoux Restaurant BBQ.
The guide has also added 18 new spots to its “Recommended Restaurants” category, bringing the total to 85 establishments. Well-known institutions such as Schwartz’s Deli, Toqué!, and Le Mousso are among the recommended establishments.
While this new edition confirms the strength of Quebec’s culinary scene, some observers would have liked to see more boldness in the Michelin Guide’s choices.
Robert Laporte, a professor of restaurant management at ITHQ, believes the selection remains consistent with last year’s and primarily reflects Nordic cuisine or French-inspired traditions. In his view, the guide could have been more surprising by highlighting more unconventional or popular concepts that represent other facets of Quebec’s culinary identity.