Kraken Cru in Québec City
190 Rue Saint-Vallier O, Québec, QC G1K 1K1, Canada
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A fantastic dinner and all around fabulous evening. You MUST eat here if you're in Quebec! Very accomodating to our dietary needs as well.
Kraken Cru was the delight of our trip to Quebec. I honestly think this was one of the best places that my wife and I have ever visited. The food was sublime and the friendliness of staff was true to form. The place is simply decorated and the kitchen actually resembles the kitchen of your next door neighbor. I marveled at how the Kraken Cru staff was able to balance a humble space with such amazing output. The man who was acting as bartender/server took the time the translate the entirety of their (small) menu for us so that we understood our options fully before starting to think about what we were going to eat. I will return to Kraken Cru every time I'm in Quebec.
Wow!!! What a wonderful meal, welcoming staff, and a great atmosphere. This place really hit the spot for me. From the moment I walked in, I was treated like I was in someone’s private home. Pampered by two hosts who were proud of their food, and knowledge in wines and cocktails. I put all my trust in them, with only one instruction - “whatever you recommend.” And did they deliver. I started with a plate of the freshest oysters, and sweetest sea urchin. A must! Then a foie gras with fresh brioche that melted in my mouth, and I am still thinking about. And for the main, black cod that tasted of butter. My only regret was not getting the dessert. Next time!!! By the end of the night, I was filled with tasty creations, good drink, and I had made four new friends. What a memorable night!!! Definitely recommend!!! Definitely going back!!!
Probably one of the best meals of my life. My husband and I along with a couple of friends went and told them to surprise us. Every dish was so good I seriously wanted to lick the plate. Cannot recommend enough if only I were in town long enough to try all the dishes on the menu I would.
What an amazing find in Quebec City. Don't be mislead by its unassuming look or a bit off the path (for tourists) location. Our meal was the best we had while in QC and we ate at some amazing restaurants. Alexis took wonderful care of us from the moment we arrived. He was super friendly, engaging and Very knowledgeable about the food, its preparation and just the right wine to accompany each dish. Thoughtful, creative and DELICIOUS food. We shared 4 dishes and each one was spot-on. Expect to be wowed in a casual yet delightful restaurant. Big shout to the 5 star performances of Gaspard and Hubert in the kitchen and Alexis and Gab at tableside. Not to be missed if you are a Foodie.
Exceptional food and fun cocktails. Feels like if your friends ran a restaurant. Food took some time, but worth the wait. Lobster cherry tomato salad, oysters and creamy seafood ravioli were all delicious!
My wife and I heard great things about Kraken Cru from a friend, and we enjoyed it so much we went back again during our week stay in Quebec City. Not only is the food and drink among the best we ever ate (and we’ve eaten a lot), but, even though we don’t speak French, we had many fun, interesting, and entertaining conversations with the other guests and servers. The place is tiny, and the bar area (which I recommend sitting if you want to be sociable) is U-shape so it’s conducive to conversation. If you’re in Quebec City Historic District, it’s well worth a short ride to this vibrant neighborhood and fabulous restaurant.
Stumbled up this awesome restaurant when the other place we wanted to check out had a long line up, this turned out to be such a great experience. The vibe here is very chill and relaxed, we sat at the bar and enjoyed many cocktails and oysters. Servers were very friendly and the drinks and food were absolutely delicious.
The chips and caviar was really good. Oysters were to die for. Drinks were very good. Skip the tuna tartare and the walleye.
Magnificent experience! The menu was absolutely delicious, the service and wine selection were excellent! I recommend sitting at the bar to be in the action and admire the merits of the team. Everything was perfect, thank you again!
After 4 months in Quebec my favorite restaurant. Ive been there twice, its a great restaurant!!
Immaculate righteous vibes. Delicious food.
The food, the service, the Staff! Everything was on point, warm and relaxed! I loved it! Shout out to Gabriel and Jeremy, I felt like I was in the company of old friends!
Good quality dishes, very attentive and friendly service. A real favorite for the staff, it seems that there are people who do this with their hearts. The only constructive comment to improve the experience is the place: upstairs it was crowded, hot and people were squeezed, and downstairs it was less warm and comfortable. Otherwise we had a very nice evening.
Excellent food. On the other hand, being in the basement, we felt forgotten: delays of more than 45 minutes between dishes, missing dishes, server not very present. The portions got smaller, we were still hungry
Excellent food, A1 service! Unreasonable price of food based on low quantity. The price of the wine offered is also unreasonable. $70 for entry-level wine!
One of those in the know kind of place.
Such a cool vibe, food is awesome kitchen is wholesome. Hubert was so sweet, Gabriel is a master at making cocktails and Jeremy makes you feel comfortable the second he comes to your table. They all give great suggestions and I was very happy with the whole experience. COME TO THE KRAKEN!
Amazing place with super cool stuff and awesome atmosphere!
Just Amazing cost place highly recommended The staff are so nice and friendly Tasty dishes Food : 5/5
Very nice evening! Thank you excellent service and delicious food!
What a wonderful spot. Everything was great from the service to the food to the drinks.
A hidden gem on St-Vallier Street! Yesterday, we were there to celebrate my brother Christians 60th birthday! He was surprised to see around twenty of his favorite people welcoming him in the intimacy of the room in the basement... We were all dazzled by the quality of the tapas imagined by Gaspard! What a creative and daring young chef! It tasted...heaven! I am writing this text with my mouth watering! It was a memorable evening with, not without neglecting it, the very friendly Alexis at the service! The Raw Kraken is a rare gem in the heart of the Saint-Sauveur district of Quebec.
I loved my time at this very nice little restaurant. The dishes were excellent and original. My margaritas were impeccable and the wine list was very varied. Stunning!!
Never had such a custom, intimate dining experience. Great selection of wine and drinks, amazing service by the waiters, and delicious, fresh and original seafood dishes.
Beautiful little restaurant service and pleasant atmosphere great culinary discovery loved Jeremie and Samuel service and honesty on the mark!!! well done a place to come back it was delicious if you want to eat very good fresh oysters go take a look there you dont will not be disappointed
Good service
One of my favorite restaurants in Quebec. Very nice warm atmosphere, a menu that always changes and is always excellent.
A great discovery, a favorite restaurant! What a beautiful atmosphere, what a DELICIOUS meal, and what can we say about the service and the French music which makes the atmosphere very pleasant.
Best oysters I have ever had in my life. The food was to die for, the cozy atmosphere as well as the service was extraordinary.
Courteous and friendly staff!!! Good quality of dishes/diversity!!! Beautiful welcoming atmosphere!
Definitely the most unique and special dinner we had in our 5 nights in Quebec. Just go!
Outstanding service and food
Nice seafood!!!
Small and warm restaurant! The staff is courteous and friendly and so are the customers. The oysters were delicious in taste and sight. The main courses were excellent, scallops and celeriac gratin and very well presented. Nice place to eat without stress.
A totally spontaneous find!!!! Very fresh oysters! Wonderful service! Beautiful and delicious dishes! Im a cheapskate lol, and I thought the price was fair!
Delightful little place with excellent sea food and great service
It started as a wonderful experience, waiters were friendly, and the food was excellent. We were having a great time and a few friends joined us later in the evening and we ordered more drinks and food. Unfortunately as we paid (a bill of 1000+ CAD) the owner (I m guessing) was extremely rude to us, I suppose blaming us for having friends join us and apparently he wasn t happy with the huge bill we paid at the end It s a shame, it left a bad taste when it could have become a favorite spot. We won t be going back.
Too nice evening!!!! Recommendation: establish a cadre of employees of the month Thank you!!! Excellent wine
Great atmosphere, good service, extraordinary food. We LOVE the kraken!
Great encounters, great quality moments, laughter and memories. Visiting Kraken Cru means shopping for a great evening. The staff is very friendly and the dishes are excellent. Thanks again
Family atmosphere - as if we were sharing a good meal with family! The oysters are delicious!
What a memorable evening spent as a couple this Friday! Although the space was intimate, this only amplified the charm of our experience. Of course, the place is not free from defects, the flies thinking they were invited to our dinner, and some health concerns concerned us. However, the real star of the evening was undoubtedly the cuisine. The oysters and sea urchin transported us directly to the seaside, evoking the freshness of a morning on the deck of a boat. Every bite was like diving into the depths of the ocean, savoring authentic and raw-stunning delights. A nod to the place with a name as evocative as the Kraken . The wine, subtle and balanced, perfectly accompanied these treasures of the ocean, and the dessert brought a sweet final note to this sumptuous meal. The staff, always ready to dive into this culinary adventure with us, was able to answer all our questions with courtesy and friendliness. This experience was authentic and memorable. It was as if we had traveled to the abyss, to taste marine delights at their purest...or should I say at their most raw. A timeless getaway, which left us with unforgettable memories.
Tapas. Small plates. Good for an aperitif.
Had a bananas good meal here.
Really wanted to like this place after researching oyster bars in Quebec City for our vacation. Left the restaurant upset, annoyed, and hungry. We were seated quickly, waited for drinks for 30 minutes, then asked if we wanted oysters, waited another 30 minutes until they arrived, then asked again if we wanted to order food and waited another HOUR until we had to confront our waiter if our food was coming soon and were given the wonderful response of I suppose so? And then after he checked, he said he forgot to punch in the order and that the food could be made in a couple minutes. Meanwhile he checked on our table multiple times and didn t realize we were waiting? And all of this on a Thursday night with the restaurant half empty. Really? Please hire competent and at minimum semi professional staff. Ruined our last night in Quebec City, ended up at a restaurant in Old Quebec with a friendly and helpful waiter and our food came out within 10 minutes of stepping inside.
Experience was insane! Food was great and our waiter was excellent! Enjoyed our time at this restaurant. Would recommend anytime.
Nice and well-oriented outdoor patio. Yummy oysters and delicious food!
Loved the food, cocktails, and friendly service. The bartender made us two new cocktails, one that he had just created that day and the second one based on what I said I liked in terms of alcohol, so it was a nice surprise. Food wise, we got the tomatoes aioli, boudin blanc - delicious, and the arancini moule which was a very innovative way of making arancini, it had kimchi and mussels.
The server who is always there is great! Trust him for your drinks. The place is unmissable.
All the staff members were very kind! The food was fantastic - all menu options, fresh, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Kid-friendliness: Even though the restaurant looked more like a bar, all the staff was very kind to give my 3 yo daughter a smooth experience: a good table, some drawings and adapted food (proposed by the cook himself).
Henry the best
I loved my dinner! Good service and good food.
A great gastronomic experience. Everything is thought out. The oysters are just sick! The service is excellent! Impeccable product quality! A beautiful relaxed or more chic atmosphere... the people are fabulous the food is wonderful to put in your top 3 choices! I am an epicurean, daughter of restaurant owners, very picky about the quality of products! You wont go wrong...donate en masse!
The scallops were super good!
One of the best meals Ive had in Quebec City. The menu at Kraken Cru is small and changes daily, written on a chalkboard beside the bar. We had the Tataki, a seared tuna prepared with marinated red peppers and beautiful yellow flowers and the Bar, a sea bass with crispy skin over squash puree with pickled carrots. Both were absolutely delicious and well surely be back.
Nothing to say about the food, still good. On the other hand, in terms of service, it was very disappointing this time. We were placed in the basement (I understand because we were a group of 6), the welcome was good but then it took a lot of time between services and we often had the impression of being forgotten (the servers came by very rarely). Note that the oyster bar atmosphere is non-existent in the basement. I suggest that the restaurant specifies in the reservation form that customers can choose the type of table: bar, table, window counter, basement if groups of 4+ etc.
We had a very nice evening. Beautiful atmosphere and great service. We had heard good things about this restaurant and their large selection of oysters did not disappoint. Great variety and original dishes. Favorite for the scallop dish. Very respectable price and generous plates. Nice selection of alcohols too. We will definitely return!
really friendly and knowledgeable staff, it takes a while to get the dish but i understand it s a busy night overall really fresh oysters and very delicious seafood comfort food! the music is pretty chill and i like the homey intimate vibe of the interior. i had a combination of these oysters valley pearl small meat, slightly salty, meat is kinda lose, not very memorable belle du jour small meat, salty brine, metallic and salty but not oceanic, slightly nutty finish willy small in size, meat lean, light brine, slight taste of cucumber, meat is bland and light at first, a little bit nutty later is it a kind of premium malpaque cheebooktok very fresh and slightly salty brothy brine, meaty and creamy, have a nutty after taste, huge size, my fav generally except for the cheebooktok, other oysters have very similar taste, the brine is more balanced, slightly salty, and meat is on the smaller and lose side, a little bit metallic, but overall the flavor profile is kinda similar. oysters are very fresh tho i love the halibut, the meat is juicy firm and flaky. and it goes so well with the sweet potatoe puree, charred carrots and lobster butter burmese sauce is absolutely amazing, it s so creamy, so bright and tangy and the earthiness of the tarragon goes really well with the rustic flavor of carrots and sweet potato puree. it s like a symphony, any combo of the two elements taste really good together. my only thing about it is that the puree could use a sweater sweat potato and make the purée slightly thicker to contrast the lighter burmese sauce. and there are a few more elements that could bring out the crunchiness of the dish aside from the sunflower seeds like fried fish skins, fried brussels sprouts to contrast the creaminess of other elements
good place. Nice staff able to communicate with English. Reasonable price.
EXCELLENT The oysters were perfectly prepared by a lovely, happily humming lady who obviously loves her work. The entree was intriguing with a striking blend of flavors. The attentive but unassuming Bartender presented the BEST orange zested Martini! All in all, (from the little remaining I can recall after the martini), it was the best dining experience in years!
A place not to be missed when coming to taste it!
Small seafood place with very friendly service. Delicious too!
Amazing experience! We had EVERYTHING on the menu and had absolutely nothing negative to say. Delicious. Excellent. To try and try again.
The friendliest staff in town. Great atmosphere and great food
Small charming restaurant, delicious menu and pleasant staff!
Some of the best oysters of my life. The server was so friendly and it s a cool little spot that should not be skipped.
Fresh, tasty, delicious! Excellent service!! To discover
What a nice place! The service team is always sua coche! Perfect when youre feeling festive and like to eat oysters! The menu is a little more varied but I admit I go there mainly for that.
Outstanding service and unbelievable food! Goes to show you should never judge a book by its cover.
I loved our dinner experience at Kraken Cru. It s a small restaurant with a very attentive staff. The oysters are a must, and it was also my favorite dish on their menu. They had a great natural wine selection as well as unique cocktails. The restaurant had Brooklyn feel, which made me feel right at home. It s a creative concept with a welcoming atmosphere.
Huge disappointment. No red wine on the slate. By the glass, only one choice, disappointing. The only bottle of red wine they offered me cost... $80! Same thing for the oysters: the waiter offered me the most expensive one first. I left after a drink and the oysters and I wont be going back.
The chef here is a brilliant genius. Incredible food, excellent customer service. We loved the import wine list and tried 2 very different orange wines. We were heading someone else for dinner so only tried the 24 oysters and sea bream - but we will definitely be back to try every menu item. Merci!
Incredible meal and vibe. Best food I ve eaten in awhile especially for the price!
A meal worthy of the gods in an ultra warm atmosphere. In addition, choice of different oysters as a starter.
Great place to enjoy oysters accompanied by delicious dishes. Salmon gravelax
So friendly!
Unparalleled culinary experience, a most ordinary little place with a most extraordinary gastronomic experience. I recommend it to everyone, we had all the dishes including the fancy strawberry dessert. It was so fresh and delicious, explosion of flavor. We have adored !!!
Excellent
Definitely a must! Fresh and spicy food from an original and competent chef. Gabriel our server recommended several wine pairings for us and was spot on every time. I would do the Chemin Saint-Clet Quebec to return there without problem.
Exquisite fresh, seasonal menu, seafood and the perfect wine selection!!! A great evening and one to return to often
Very cute little bar with wonderful staff and pretty good food. They serve whatever the bar tender feels like making (its good), wine, oysters, and some cute tasty seafood dishes. The vibe is one of an undergraduate reunion party making the experience of going here fun and comforting.
Good food and good welcome
Visiting Quebec City from Asia. Really enjoyed the food and service here. The Oysters are in high quality. Dishes are very nicely created and prepared. Amazing!
The best place off the map. The staff are amazing..great team work! The food is the best..we tried everything on the menu
My first oysters, and certainly not my last
The smallest restaurant with the biggest heart. You gotta look hard to find this spot but it is worth it. Luckily we had an AirBnb a couple of blocks away and went 2 nights in a row. The crew of Cru are stand outs. These guys know hospitality and are masters of their craft. Definitely start out with oysters and champagne. After that you cant go wrong with the light dishes on the chalkboard menu.
Very nice little restaurant on St-Vallier in Quebec. Everything was simply delicious, in fact perhaps the best fish and seafood meal we have had plus the very lovely staff.
To die for. Everything is delicious and extraordinary, not to mention the wines. Go there without hesitation!
A must hidden gem in Quebec. Go early and order a dozen oysters to start your evening. You ll be glad you did it. Service is great and you ll feel like in a very local bar tucked away at some harbor at the Atlantic Also has a very nice wine list to go along with your oysters. Place is small and fills up quick so go early
Fresh products and tasty cuisine. A little gem!
Nice little place out the tourist district, get there early as seating is limited. Food & drinks are exceptional.
The best oysters and a friendly atmosphere.
Very nice discovery for my lover and me, a delight, as they say, small pot, best ointment.
Came here for the after hours drinks. Great bartending, fun retro playlist.
Its one of the only bars in Quebec that truly offers an intimate experience with a clientele thats not too old. My experience is that of the clandestine bar in the basement. There are a lot of regulars and it feels good to meet people there.
So unpretentious and so so so good! Highly recommend. The oysters were spectacular!
Beautiful and very pleasant surprise! The oyster feast and the incredible ricotta. Wow!
Excellent oyster bar, and very good cocktail
Fresh oysters and a creative menu, great service and a really pleasant street terrace
If youre going to go anywhere to eat in Quebec city, go here. Incredible ambience, complex and delicious flavours, funky and tasty alcohol, truly a wonderful experience
Everything was perfect... the atmosphere, the wines, the food and the extraordinary service... go for it...
The oysters, the dishes, the service... WOW!! Everything was perfect The food is absolutely delicious Well done
5 stars both for the food and for the ambience. A nice little place with a few tables and a long bar that is used for dining. Theres no annoying music, allowing normal conversations in a relaxed atmosphere. We had a dozen of deliciously fresh oysters (incl. the Jumbo ones, a rarity), and some other dishes like foie-gras and smoked sturgeon. The meals are decently priced (oysters CA$2-2.50, meals CA$12-16), and the quality is excellent. Theres also a large selection of fine spirits on display, but we skipped them.
Perfect place for gin and oysters. Period.
Wonderful experience with great food
Small restaurant you have to know! Excellent oysters and good atmosphere!
Excellent service and atmosphere, delightful fresh seafood selection Helpful wine pairing suggestions
Great atmosphere, quality food, just a little lacking in presentation, try without hesitation!
Very good quality food good service. Quebec product. I really liked it, for the first time trying mussels I recommend it.
The oyster bar in the basement is a must experience!
Alcoholic and unpleasant waiter if you are a foreigner. Good atmosphere but the bad side of the server is difficult.
A home in the wall with great seafood. It has a personality of its own. Dine with the locals!
The oysters are excellent and they have a beautiful cellar at very fair prices. However... the service is very ordinary! Upon arrival, we had the impression of disturbing the waiter who was busy with the regulars at the bar, but did not have a smile for us. He was borderline unpleasant when asked for advice on a bottle. Given the number of good little restaurants in Quebec, we will definitely go elsewhere next time!
An excellent violin head dish and excellent service
Suuuuch a cool secret bar !! Looooved the bar selection and was absolutely smitten by the amazing oyster selection !! You absolutely should go there !!
This place is run by some of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. The food is life-changing as well. Do not miss a chance to come here.
WoW! Great discovery
The food is exceptional and so is the service. Thank you for entertaining us and making us have a good evening. See you next time !
Loved it. Food is delicious, fresh, seasonal and imaginative. Great wine list and reasonable prices. Staff are the best. Well definitely be back when were in Quebec City!
Delicious seafood dishes, very good wines, cozy atmosphere
The portions are very small: its not a meal, but the food was so so good! Warm welcome, Nice staff! Beautiful place! :)
Awesome
My discovery of the year! Excellent food!
Exceptional service, and great atmosphere.
Following advice from another (excellent) restaurant -see my other reviews in Quebec- we went to Kraken Cru. At first sight, I did not have great expectations. Place is small and does not look fancy at all But do yourself a favor: enter this small restaurant, sit down and just enjoy. Really great seafood. We had, 3 different types of oysters - all super fresh-, esturgeon - perfectly cooked, super tasty lobster arancini ... and a very friendly service. A true hidden gem. Highly recommended !
Ate a bunch of amazing oysters! If you are in Qc City and want to eat seafood, fish, oysters; this is the place to go! Quite a small restaurant, but amazing staff and ambiance.
One of the best restaurants in Quebec, festive but intimate, for shellfish lovers. To try: the hidden bar in the basement.
A superb experience in Quebec! Great dishes, good wines and a more than friendly atmosphere. I highly recommend, to discover!
Excellent but a little expensive...
You have to go!! Its an experience...perfect food and service. Dont forget... no reservations
Festive and personalized atmosphere. Fantastic culinary discovery and extraordinary staff. We will come back often. Thank you for this unforgettable experience, a real gem!
The oysters are excellent and the bar men are ingenious!
Smiling and welcoming servers. Good products but really expensive. The selection of viocs needs to be reviewed...
Really fun place if youre looking to be social. The oysters are great fantastic. Not the best place for my introverted self but I know when my brother and his girlfriend visit it will be the first place I recommend.
Super good dinner. Relaxed atmosphere and cool staff!
Hummm!!! good oysters!!!
Small restaurant, more akin to a wine/cocktail bar, with chairs clustered all around the central bar area. More a place for chatting all night long with a drink in one hand, or to end the evening with a last cocktail. The menu is short, with small plates to share (or not!), and the menu has many raw options, as the name of the restaurant implies. The place is simple and charming, cosy.
The best underground bar in lower town Quebec! Direct below the raw kraken. Enjoy this unique atmosphere with exceptional service and incredible products at all times!
Best location for oyster in Quebec City. Seafood selection vary according to what s available but is always fresh. It s unpretentious and friendly. Good selection of wine and spirits which makes it a great place for diner or just an apéro. If you want to make sure to have a spot show up early as there s no reservation.
Wow! Such a treat! Fresh, wonderful tasting food served with friendly gusto :) Would strongly recommend, will definately return.
Tasteful coziness
