We discovered Le Trèfle in Limoilou on a chilly Thursday evening in October, before heading to a show at the Centre Vidéotron, about a 25-minute walk away.

Opening in 2019 at the corner of 7th Street and 3rd Avenue, this Irish tavern boasts a wide selection of beers, 32 lines including 8 rotating keg lines, highlighting the work of Quebec microbreweries. Le Trèfle de Limoilou is the third of four locations, the others being in Hochelaga, Verdun and Trois-Rivières.

Upon entering, one immediately notices the welcoming decor made of woodwork, mirrors, antique decorations and a stuffed wolf. The place, rather narrow, is occupied by a corner bar surrounded by about twenty tables. At the back of the room is a faux library that enhances the warmth of the room. The hallway and staircase leading to the bathrooms are lined with fascinating old photos. One immediately has the impression of being in a typical Irish pub.

When we arrived, it was barely 5 pm and the restaurant was already almost full, giving off a cheerful and festive atmosphere. As we had failed to make a reservation via the internet, we concluded that the early hour we would show up would easily assure us a seat. We were wrong, as there were no tables available. Fortunately, the employee offered us two seats at the bar, in front of a big column, which we accepted.

The service was efficient, fast and courteous, and the staff seemed rather overwhelmed. Since we had a 6:30 p.m. show, we briefly looked at the menu and ordered a beer and our meal in one go.

The beer menu does indeed offer a wide variety, from draft, microbrew, canned, imported, ciders and non-alcoholic beers. In short, there is something for everyone: bitter, fruity, blonde, red, black, etc. For those who like strong alcohols, the pub offers different types of whiskey, Scottish, Indian, Japanese and others, as well as a cocktail menu and other alcohols.
Our choice was a Kilkenny for Nicolas and a blonde Clover for Julie. Both were appreciated although the Blonde Trèfle tasted a bit bland.

The food menu is divided into several sections: the dishes, the meals to share, Irish, the bar food and the desserts. Note that there is also a brunch menu, offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm. Once again, there is something for everyone. You can enjoy wagyu or chicken burgers, poutine, nachos, duck and fish/seafood, but the menu also offers a few vegan or vegetarian dishes. 

Nicolas opted for the tip + top burger, a burger made with crispy chicken, Gaspesian cheddar, maple bacon, coleslaw, pickle and spicy aioli, all served with fries and a seasoned mayonnaise. Julie chose the sin carne burger with a vegan patty, avocado, pico de gallo and micrograin, also with fries and seasoned mayo. She had an extra cheese added to her burger, enhancing the taste of the burger that might have been dull without it.

One negative point is the internet reservation process that misled us. Perhaps we should have called, which we did not know. Our seats, while grateful to have had them, offered us a view of the bar, largely obliterated by a large column, and a high position, squeezed against our neighbors.

On the plus side, Nicolas particularly liked the taste of his burger, which was different from those found elsewhere, partly with bacon that was more like a delicious thick-cut ham with a good maple taste. The avocado, which Julie is especially fond of, was a generous garnish on her burger. Our host took care to bring us mayonnaises of different flavors for each one, allowing us to share and taste both, which we really liked. However, we would have liked to know their flavors. In the end, the portions of each of the dishes were sufficient, allowing us to find enough energy to walk to, attend and return from our show as well! 

When we left, the pub was packed and the atmosphere was getting warmer and more jovial. If it wasn't for our show that was about to start, we would have ordered another drink and enjoyed the place, nice and warm!

Rating: 7.5/10
What impressed us the most during our visit: The typical Irish decor and the cheerful atmosphere
Most expensive main meal on the menu: Wagyu burger

The cheapest main meal on the menu: Pork and pickle rillette
Would we recommend this restaurant: Yes
What time of day did we visit: Dinner
Pros: 
Variety of beers
Offer of vegan and vegetarian dishes
Atmosphere and warmth of the place
Cons:
Exigency of the place
Online reservation process