Bistro

Ambience

The charm of a neighbourhood café

Located in the heart of the well known Montcalm district, on one of the most beautiful shopping streets in Quebec, the Krieghoff Café is not only the most popular bistro in town. It’s also an unforgettable experience, a meeting place and an invitation to indulge yourself.

Here, just steps away from the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, the Plains of Abraham, the Château Frontenac and Old Quebec, time stands still. For both regulars and travelers, the sweet fragrance of freshly ground coffee, lively conversations and the easygoing, cordial and sincere service is an invitation to linger. Whether you take a seat on the terrace or under cover, whether early in the morning or late evening, in the comfort of this establishment that is steeped in the warmth of yesteryear, plunge into the authenticity of a European café with entirely Québecois charm.

^ Back to top

Menu

Modern cuisine and pleasure in taste

The Café Krieghoff is an invitation to indulge yourself. This is continuously evolving cuisine that delights the most discerning palates. Our generous menu, prepared with the assistance of our chef Dominique Bérubé, who has been with us since 2002, is based on superior quality products, fresh every day and as varied as they are tasty. At the Café Krieghoff, it has always been important to us to include local products in our cuisine.

What will you treat yourself with?

Our Krieghoff great classics? For years, we have taken care to keep on the menu the dishes that are most in demand from our clients: the "croque-monsieur" toasted ham and cheese sandwich, croutons, house quiche, our famous fried calamari or our organic Toulouse sausage. Our trendy suggestions? At the Café Krieghoff, our main aim is to offer you a happy marriage of tradition and new things: tartare of filet mignon, fajitas with South American flavours, Angus flank steak or salmon gravlax.

Our morning menu? No better way to start the day than to stop by at Krieghoff to take in a coffee that is unique to Quebec! Once seated, delight yourself with our morning dishes with house flavours: crepe pancakes, French toast, fabulous Benedict eggs, our gruel made with a secret recipe or our multigrain bread, crafted right here with care.

Do you have a sweet tooth? You won't be able to resist our wide range of desserts prepared on site by our pastry chef Sophie Langlois. Her distinctive note is a touch of fresh fruit that is delicately pleasing and soft on the palate.

^ Back to top

Staff

The best of our own

Just like our clients, Café Krieghoff's staff is made up of loyal, friendly and genuine people. Passionate about coffee and good cuisine, they have all been at your service for many years. Our dedicated staff is waiting to offer you the best service!

The conductor! - Kathy Rioux, Owner

She made her entry into the Café's kitchens in 1991, as a pizza girl. In turn she took on the functions of assistant cook, barista and manager, before becoming the head assistant to the owner at the time. As her career attests, she has Café Krieghoff at heart and will contribute to its longevity and development for many years to come, with the unwavering support of her associate, Vincent Drouin. Her greatest wish is to provide exemplary service to a loyal and growing clientele in addition to revealing the charms of this neighbourhood café to passing clientele.

Kathy Rioux knows how to make her customers feel at home! Her philosophy: "It's good to have some satisfied customers. But it's better if they all are!" »

^ Back to top

History

The artist behind the name

In the summer of 1977, two students had the idea of opening a pleasant café with European touches on Avenue Cartier, in Quebec's Upper Town. The name they chose for their establishment is now a real landmark - Café Krieghoff. A name in honour of one of Canada's most popular 19th century painters, Cornelius Krieghoff.

Our founders did not arrive at their choice by chance. The artist settled in Quebec City in 1854 and, in fact, lived on the Grande Allee, at the Avenue Cartier intersection. Listed as a historical building, his house still exists and displays the address 155 Grande Allee Ouest, a few steps from the Café. A plaque and a bronze bust of Krieghoff stands in memory of this talented and prolific Dutch painter.

Paintings and a bistro

Like the Café's atmosphere, Krieghoff's canvases display a masterful and unpretentious style which sets forward warmth and humanity. Several reproductions adorn the walls of the café area and the Petit Hotel. The warm tones of his landscapes and his rural characters are what made Krieghoff famous. Today, his paintings are found in a number of private collections and in the major Canadian museums.

^ Back to top