The story
Since 2017, Chez Rioux & Pettigrew has anchored itself on the mythic rue Saint-Paul in Québec City’s Old Port. The space is deliberately vintage—a turntable spins comforting records, the decor feels like a well-curated attic—and the welcome is warm. This is a restaurant that wears its past lightly while cooking squarely in the present.
The name carries real history. Marcellin Pettigrew, taken in by the Rioux family, eventually took over their grocery business in the 1800s. The name Rioux was kept in honour of the widow who raised him, and Rioux & Pettigrew became Québec City’s largest wholesale grocer. Today’s restaurant pays homage to that legacy without being trapped by it. Chef and co-owner Dominic Jacques—winner of Les Chefs! in 2012 and named Chef of the Year by the SCCPQ in 2021—leads a brigade that translates that heritage into contemporary, seasonal cooking.
The food is anchored in Québec’s larder: produce, meats and seafood from local producers, prepared with an eye to the moment. The main menu, called la carte à Rioux, changes with the seasons and the market. For an element of surprise, there is the menu secret—a multi-course tasting experience where you trust the kitchen completely. Thoughtful wine pairings are offered alongside both options.
The atmosphere is relaxed but polished. Two private rooms—the white, elegant Salle Blanche (up to 100 guests) and the smaller, speakeasy-style Salle Porcelaine (25 guests)—make it a natural choice for celebrations, but the main dining room is where the daily magic happens.
Chez Rioux & Pettigrew earned a Michelin Recommended distinction in 2026, a nod to the clarity of its vision and the sincerity of its cooking. But what lingers is the feeling of being welcomed into a place that knows exactly what it is: a market-driven restaurant with deep roots, a chef’s hand, and a record player.
Recognition
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