There are several summer festivities in Québec City, including the Grands Feux Loto-Québec, another great tradition in the tradition of the Festival d’été de Québec. The fireworks are a sight to behold every summer, whether on one side of the St. Lawrence or the other. And since the show takes place in the late evening, it’s a good idea to go out to one of the restaurants closest to the Grands Feux Loto-Québec before the sky is all lit up.

We’ve also prepared a list of the five best restaurants to eat before attending the Grands Feux Loto-Québec.

There are therefore two ways to participate in the Grands Feux Loto-Québec, the first being to position yourself very close to the River on the Quebec side, or to position yourself on the other side, on the South Shore, more precisely in Lévis. The event is free, but it is possible to reserve VIP seats in a special area ensuring ultimate comfort and an unparalleled view.

It is during the month of August that the sky lights up thanks to the festivities of the Grands Feux Loto-Québec.

Because of their position on the St. Lawrence River, the pyrotechnicians promise maritime and musical pyrotechnic feats, with meticulously chosen soundtracks.

For our part, we promise you informed choices of easily accessible restaurants before you go and see the Grands Feux up close! Here are the five best restaurants:

Sapristi

For lovers of local cuisine, with Quebec products overflowing from the plate, you should stop at the Sapristi restaurant. In addition, during your visit to the Champlain branch, you can enjoy a superb terrace with a view of the river. Above your head, you will see the Château Frontenac.

The other branch is located on Saint-Jean Street.

Once you are comfortably seated, you can first have a glass of wine (really sold by the glass, not just by the bottle) or a good beer or one of the house cocktails.

Then, you will have to make choices between the essential tartares (beef or salmon), the croque-monsieur, the nachos, the lobster risotto, the 10-inch pizzas (Neapolitan, Margherita, four cheeses, Americana, etc.), the pastas (meatballs, carbonara, mac n’cheese, two salmons, etc.) or the thin and elongated pizzas served on a board (buffalo, figs and chorizo, etc.).

A children's menu is also available (mini-pizza with cheese or pepperoni and cheese, spaghetti with tomato sauce or meat, chicken croquettes and matchstick fries, Caesar salad, a dessert (chocolate brownies) and a beverage).

Rafaella Ristorante

Let's stay in the Petit-Champlain district and discover the Rafaella Ristorante. You probably guessed that you’re in an Italian restaurant, and you’re right.

They say the atmosphere is reminiscent of the seaside resorts of the Amalfi Coast, but set in the heritage setting of Quebec City and its architecture.

Here, you can choose from pizzas that respect the purest of Italian traditions. Of course, the Margherita is on the menu with its tomato sauce, fior di latte cheese and basil, but also the Rafaella (tomato sauce, fior di latte, parmesan and dried pepperoni), the Diavolo (dried tomato pesto, fior di latte, Pecorino Romano, mozzarella, pepperoncini, pancetta and arugula) or the Sardinia (white wine sauce, garlic, parmesan, mussels, clams, squid and shrimp).

There are also choices of pasta, once again prepared as if we were directly in Italy, whether these pastas are long or short.

A large wine list is available, as are choices of beers and cocktails.

Matto in Lévis

Let us suggest another address of an Italian restaurant, but this time on the other side of the river, in Lévis. Il Matto in Lévis wants to bring Italy to life for people in the area, one ingredient at a time.

The chef actually offers to make you discover the authentic, tasty and comforting recipes of his mother.

So, as a starter, you will find polpette marinara (meatballs and tomato sauce), a bocconcini cheese salad (with fresh tomatoes and basil leaves), minestrone vegetable soup or beef carpaccio (with cipollini, fried capers, parmesan shavings and dijonaise).

For the main course, you will have to choose between pasta (meat sauce and mozzarella gratin, seafood linguini, homemade lasagna made by mama or manicotti stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach) and pizza (wild mushrooms and white truffle oil, four cheeses, prosciutto and fig jam or the classic margherita and Neapolitan).

Note that there are also two branches Matto in Quebec.

Restaurant l’Intimiste

Still in Lévis, why not discover a chic and lounge bistro that offers French dishes inspired by Asia. Yes, rather eclectic as a description.

But that is exactly what you will find on the menu.

See for yourself the starters: fried calamari (lemon, oregano, sesame nappa cabbage salad and sweet chili sauce), beef tataki in a spice crust (black garlic emulsion, candied tomatoes, parmesan shavings, marinated mushrooms and garlic flowers) or bone marrow, crispy sweetbread nuggets (gremolata, garlic and herb croutons).

Here are some examples of dishes: General Tao chicken (with rice vermicelli, vegetables and cashew nuts), marinated veal flank steak (with rosemary sauce or Le Rassembleu cheese, on pan-fried ratte potatoes and vegetables) or mushroom pappardelle (with smoked pork cheek lardons, truffle oil and aged cheddar).

The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday evening. On Thursday and Friday, it is also possible to go there for dinner.

Restaurant Levina

Finally, we invite you to head to the Levina restaurant, an establishment where it is possible to bring your own wine and beer. So, if you are looking for this type of restaurant, and you also like Asian dishes, you have just found your rare gem.

At Levina, you can taste authentic cuisine offering Vietnamese chicken skewers, a swallow's nest with shrimp and chicken, sautéed chicken with peppers and pineapple or lightly breaded shrimp in a sweet and sour sauce.

The table d'hôte is divided into two parts. The first will please all tastes, but the second is reserved for lovers of spicy Thai delicacies. The choices range from mild to medium and go from spicy to very spicy.

A children's menu is available.