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One of my favorite ways to explore a new city is through its food and drinks. You can learn so much about a place by dining at its best restaurants and sipping cocktails at its most unique bars.
During my visit to Quebec City, my days were filled with delicious meals, and my nights were spent discovering hidden gems in the city’s cocktail scene. One spot that stood out was Jjacques, an oyster bar & speakeasy tucked away in Old Quebec.
Make sure to visit my favorite 4 Hidden Speakeasies in Quebec City!
With its exclusive atmosphere, award-winning cocktails, and fresh seafood, this is one of the best hidden bars in Quebec City. So, let me take you inside and share my experience!
Jjacques
Jjacques is a hidden speakeasy and oyster bar located in Quebec City.
I spent one evening of my trip dining and drinking here, and I want to share my experience with you!
What Makes Jjacques Special?
Located along Notre-Dame de Québec, Jjacques is part oyster bar, part speakeasy, part cocktail lounge. Their motto is:
“Is Jjacques a restaurant, an oyster bar, or a cocktail bar? It’s up to you to decide.”
And honestly? It’s all three in the best way possible. But what truly sets Jjacques apart? Here are some things that make it special.
- Ranked One of Canada’s 50 Best Bars by Canada’s 100 Best since 2022.
- Holds the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
- Hidden location with a speakeasy-style entrance (more on that below!).
- Seafood-forward menu featuring oysters, seafood towers, and small plates.
- Creative cocktail “map” that categorizes drinks by taste & style.
Looking for more foodie spots? Here are the Best Restaurants in Quebec City. Where to Eat & What to Try.
Seafood Specialties & Small Plates
The cuisine is focused on sharing, focused on seafood, and consists of small dishes, but without neglecting good cuts of meat and seasonal products. Jacques is infamous for its tall Seafood Towers.
We tried the Beef Carpaccio, which had dried tomato, olive, rosemary, grana padana, and balsamic.
The Burrata, topped with pistachio and basil pesto, was also amazing. They served it with homemade focaccia.
Other menu highlights that I, unfortunately, did not get to try include the warm olives, caviar, blini & gravlax, and foie gras duo.
Want to visit another speakeasy? Visit Quebec City’s Elegant Speakeasy Is Hidden In A Hotel.
Their Map of Creative Cocktails
One of the most unique aspects of Jjacques is its cocktail menu. Rather than a traditional list, it’s designed as a map, making it a fun way to explore their drinks.
Since I love trying signature drinks, of course, I had to order a couple of standouts from the menu.
Their Maritime cocktails are bitter and complex, while their Aerien cocktails are sour and balanced. You can also try spirit-forward drinks or non-alcoholic cocktails.
The L’amazone has Rhum Plantation Stiggins’, Campari, Aperol, Amaro Lucano, Orange, Fruit de la passion, and lime.
Another tasty cocktail was the Jet Lag, it had Gin Citadelle, Rinquinquin, Anisetta, rry curaçao Pierre Ferrand and Citron.
The cocktail menu offers around twenty original cocktails, with and without alcohol, and many classics executed with elegance.
Book A Table at Quebec City’s Oyster Lounge
I recommend making reservations in advance since it does book up on most weekends and holidays. You can do that directly on their website.
How to Find This Hidden Speakeasy in Quebec City
The best part? Jjacques is hidden!
Unlike most bars, this one isn’t immediately visible from the street. Instead, you’ll need to follow a few steps to find it. To get inside, first, look for the alleyway with a distinct black-and-white mural—that’s your entrance.
📍 Address: Jjacques, Notre Dame de Québec, Quebec City
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[…] a few days to explore the city; my goal was to do everything Christmas, from Quebec City Food to Speakeasies and activities like Toboggaing. So, I was delighted when I found the city’s only pop-up […]