In Quebec, it is well known that many of us have ancestors of Irish origin and that is why St. Patrick's Day, celebrated in March, is so popular. However, we have much more than ancestors from Ireland and that is why the Festival Celtique de Québec exists: to celebrate all our Celtic origins. Below, we have provided an overview of this event while adding a list of restaurants where you can eat during the festival.
Indeed, after attending the various activities offered, you will hurry to find the restaurant closest to the Festival Celtique de Québec to continue the celebrations with friends.
The festival, held for about ten years, now takes place during the Labor Day weekend.
It should be noted that most restaurants are open during the Labor Day holiday.
But first, what do we mean by Celtic origins? These are ancestors who come from Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall or Brittany, namely the Scots, Irish, Manx, Welsh, Cornish or Bretons.
And you, do you know if you have Celtic origins?
During this event, you will be entitled to various activities, whether musical, sporting, gourmet or cultural.
For example, several shows feature Celtic bands, offering Irish or other music and songs, in an atmosphere of drinking songs, with intoxicating rhythms and a colorful and unique festive energy.
But there is also a Celtic-flavored quiz night, conferences, including one on the history of the Vikings, dance performances and workshops on Celtic rituals.
Finally, there are the Highland Games which take place at the Domaine de Maizerets and which include seven typical sporting events: Braemar stone throwing, free stone throwing, heavy shot throwing, light shot throwing, heavy hammer throwing, log throwing, straw bale throwing and bar shot throwing.
If you take part in one of these events, they will whet your appetite! And even if you only watch them, you will also want to go for a drink and a good meal in one of the restaurants below.
La Souche Microbrasserie
Our first suggestion shouldn't disorient you too much, you who are arriving from the Celtic Festival with Irish tunes in your head. The Souche Microbrasserie promises an equally fun atmosphere.
In addition, you can taste one of the 18 locally brewed beers. If the weather permits, you can sit on the terrace and enjoy a new moment of respite in nature, but in the heart of the city.
To satisfy your appetite, the menu includes all the bistro essentials: cheese curd croquettes, served with the house BièreBQ sauce, onion rings, a hummus and tzatziki duo, salads, burgers and a plate of fish n' chips.
There are also poutines, with a total of five choices, all composed of red potato fries, cheese curds and their homemade beer sauce.
Children also have their own menu.
La Planque
Here is now La Planque, a gastro pub with a chic and rustic decor, also offering an atmosphere reminiscent of the Festival. The restaurant is well established in the heart of the Limoilou district and is a delight for locals and visitors alike.
The menu gives pride of place to local and seasonal products. For example, there may be oysters, scallops, liver mousse or gnocchi as a starter.
For the main course, beef (with fried broccolini and ranch sauce), fish of the day (with corn and jalapeno), lamb (with grilled vegetables and Italian Labneh) and octopus (with chicken and bacon) are among the options.
If you want to go there early in the week, know that on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, La Planque offers two appetizers, two starters, a main course and a dessert to share, the chef's choice, at a reduced and inviting price.
La Signature
If you choose the La Signature restaurant, don't forget to stop by the SAQ (or the convenience store) first! Yes, the restaurant has opted for the bring your own wine or beer formula for weekday lunches and evenings.
You can also go there early in the morning to enjoy their brunch menu. At lunchtime, on weekdays, a daily menu is offered and often changes.
For dinner, you can choose from the five-cheese fondue, buratta with tomato chutney or grilled octopus starters. For the main meal, there are tartares (beef or salmon), steak frites, pork tomohaw or seafood risotto.
In the summer, a large terrace allows you to enjoy the sun's rays.
Resto L'intuition
Our next suggestion for restaurants to visit after spending a few hours at the Festival Celtique de Québec is Resto L'intuition. Here, the atmosphere of the snack bar dominates!
You can take a seat in their large dining room or opt for a take-out or home delivery.
The restaurant offers a special dish every day of the week for only $10, whether it’s the mini-poutine, the half-steak hamburger, the Caesar salad starter, the half-club, the half-spaghetti or the meatloaf trio.
On the menu, L’intuition offers poutines (a guide is provided at the restaurant to help you compose the poutine of your dreams), club sandwiches, steak hamburger plates, burgers, pizzas and pastas,
By the way, will you dare to try the Spaghettines? It’s a regular poutine, but where the fries are replaced by spaghetti...
Shady Café Lebanese Restaurant
Finally, the Shady Café Lebanese Restaurant completes our list of suggestions. Lebanese food lovers will be delighted with the traditional Shish Taouk, shawarmas, falafels, salads, hummus and small garlic potatoes.
The Shady is located just a few steps from the Maizerets Park, where the Highland Games and some shows of the Celtic Festival take place.
It is therefore possible to create your own sandwich with your choice of protein: Shish taouk (marinated chicken breasts grilled on a spit), shawarma (marinated beef), falafel (crushed and fried legume balls), merguez lamb sausage, gyros (thin slices of beef and lamb), kefta kebab (seasoned minced beef) or tabbouleh (parsley, tomatoes, onions and bulgur).
If you still have room, why not have the baklava plate, this typical almond dessert?
