We visited Les Ancêtres Auberge Restaurant on Île d’Orléans on our last night in Quebec, and we are so glad we did. We’ve gone to the island many times in the past for wineries, but had never gone for dinner and this experience completely exceeded our expectations. The restaurant itself is stunning. You walk into a beautiful dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Montmorency Falls and the city. The views are incredible. We were seated in a smaller, cozy room to the right, part of the original building. It was filled with historic photos and old wooden tables, and you could truly feel the history in the space. We were warmly greeted by Mireille, who runs the restaurant with her husband. She shared the story of her mother-in-law, whose grandparents purchased the land and built the property in the 1600s. She even showed us old photos and took the time to talk with us and our kids, which made the experience feel really personal and special. We asked Mireille for recommendations, and everything she suggested was outstanding. I ordered the tasting menu (meat pie, meatball, maple pudding, and coffee), my wife had the warm goat cheese starter and the chef’s special (beef in a mushroom sauce) and our kids shared the chicken dish. Everything was excellent, but the chef’s special was hands-down the best thing we ate during our entire vacation. The meat was cooked perfectly, and the mushrooms and sauce were incredibly flavorful, truly unforgettable. Mireille encouraged us to walk around and explore the property and continued to share stories and history with us throughout the meal. Her warmth and hospitality made the evening even more memorable. We’ve been coming to Quebec every year for ten years (usually around New Year’s) and we will absolutely be returning to Les Ancêtres. It is 100% worth the short trip outside the city, and we’ll be recommending it to our family and friends as a must-visit.