Canadians are internationally recognized for their friendliness, but apparently, there’s something to be said about Quebec hospitality in particular.

In fact, a handful of cities within the province recently gained some attention thanks to Booking.com’s 13th annual Traveller Review Awards, which are based on over 360 million verified customer reviews.

These awards celebrate travel partners who provide exceptional hospitality and service. Among the honorees, Canada’s “Most Welcoming Places” were determined by the number of accommodation providers in each destination that received a 2025 Traveller Review Award — and three Quebec towns secured a spot in the top 10.

According to the 2025 rankings, the three Quebec destinations recognized for their exceptional hospitality are:

Quebec City

See on Instagram

A city known for its rich history and European charm, the province’s capital boasts award-winning accommodations such as Les Lofts Dorchester – Par Les Lofts Vieux-Québec and the Monastère des Augustines.

While it’s a breathtaking summer stop, the old Ville, which ranked second on the list of Canada’s “Most Welcoming Places,” also comes alive for the annual winter carnival every February.

Mont-Tremblant

See on Instagram

A year-round outdoor paradise, Mont-Tremblant placed seventh on the list of friendly spots.

Well-loved for its skiing, hiking, and vibrant resort village, top-rated stays in this hotspot nestled in the Laurentian Mountains include Le Westin Tremblant and Le 900 Tremblant Inn Café and Bistro.

La Malbaie

See on Instagram

Located in the stunning Charlevoix region, La Malbaie offers breathtaking views and cozy inns like Auberge La Châtelaine and Auberge La Marmite.

The area also offers easy access to stunning countryside, the Saguenay Fjord, and top attractions like Parc des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and whale watching in Tadoussac.

These three destinations join other Canadian hotspots such as Toronto, Halifax, and Victoria in earning recognition for their warm welcomes and top-tier hospitality. Here’s how the entire top 10 rounded out:

1. Toronto, Ontario
2. Québec City, Québec
3. Halifax, Nova Scotia
4. Victoria, British Columbia
5. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
6. Vancouver, British Columbia
7. Mont-Tremblant, Québec
8. Ucluelet, British Columbia
9. Canmore, Alberta
10. La Malbaie, Québec

So, if you’re planning a trip in 2025 and looking for a place that will make you feel right at home, you may not have to look much further than “la belle province.”

Love this? Check out our MTL Blog noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!

AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog’s Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.

This story originally appeared in Kids Today, Vox’s newsletter about kids, for everyone. Sign up here for future editions. Ever since Donald Trump won the presidential election last November, kids around the country have been scared about what his promise of mass deportations might mean for them and their classmates. “They come up and say, ‘What’s going […]

Preston North End fans joined a football team made up of players who have fled to the UK due to war in their home countries. They played a friendly five-a-side […]

If we are, as some city officials have said, in a war with rats, we are clearly losing. We’ve been losing for years. Although cities have ramped up their use of poisons and traps, the number of rats in places like New York City, San Francisco, and Toronto has increased in recent years, according to […]

An estimated 20 percent of the world’s population has some form of enhanced sensitivity to environmental or emotional stimuli. The feature-length documentary, Sensory Overload, explores the needs of the neurodivergent and sensory sensitive communities, and aims to raise awareness of the need for more sensory inclusive spaces.  The film follows Lola Dada-Olley, a mother of […]

If there was ever a time to indulge in Montreal’s signature dish, it’s right now.

The 13th annual edition of La Poutine Week is back from Saturday, February 1 to 7, bringing a week-long celebration of the city’s most beloved comfort food.

With over 50 restaurants across Montreal serving up unique and creative takes on poutine, this year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever.

And it’s not just Montreal getting in on the action. La Poutine Week has expanded nationwide, with 800 restaurants across 24 cities, including Quebec City, Gatineau, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Regina, Calgary, and Vancouver joining the gastronomic endeavour.

See on Instagram

La Poutine Week’s 2025 theme, “Around the World,” invites local foodies to experience a range of global flavours reimagined in poutine form.

With that said, here are seven of the most interesting variations of the Quebec delicacy Montrealers can try before Friday, February 7, 2025.

Poutine Oxtail Royale – Kwizinn

See on Instagram

Price: $25

Address: 311 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montreal, QC

Details: Made with homemade fries, smoked oxtail, katsu sauce, cheese curds, papaya pikliz, tempura bok choy, and green onions, this fusion dish brings elaborate Caribbean flavours to an otherwise simple recipe.

Kwizinn website

Poutz à la porchetta – Bossa (TIme Out Market)

Price: $14

Address: 705 Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC

Details: Widely considered one of the best sandwich shops in the city, Bossa recently unveiled their Poutz à la porchetta. The Italian twist on the Canadian classic features french fries, roasted porchetta, cheese curds , chicken stock gravy, chives, and crispy onions.

Bossa website

Poutine Tonkotsu Ramen – Le Gras Dur (Le Central)

See on Instagram

Price: $21

Address: 30 Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC

Details: After winning the ultimate prize at last year’s La Poutine Week, Le Gras Dur has returned to this year’s competition with an Asian-inspired edition that features a long list of ingredients: Fries, cheese curds, veal gravy with bacon, braised pork belly, crispy ramen noodles, chili oil, Asian pork sauce, fried egg, narutomaki, nori, and Furikake with salted eggs.

Le Gras Dur website

La Mont Royal – La Banquise

See on Instagram

Price: $16.50

Address: 994 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC

Details: While poutine is already their specialty, La Banquise is taking things up a notch with a new recipe that features pulled duck, a rich wine pepper sauce, and a sprig of parsley.

La Banquise website

Poutine Terre Mer – Maison St-Paul

See on Instagram

Price: $45

Address: 343 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montreal, QC

Details: Poutine is not typically considered a luxury food item. The culinary minds at Maison St-Paul have decided to change that with their Poutine Terre Mer — a beautiful mess of fries, gravy, foie gras, lobster and filet mignon.

Maison St-Paul website

Poutine Bánh Tôm – Le Petit Sao

See on Instagram

Price: $21

Address: 237 Rue Notre Dame O, Montreal, QC

Details: Inspired by Hanoi’s famous Bánh Tôm, this limited-edition poutine combines crispy sweet potato fries, juicy grilled shrimp, fresh herbs, homemade pickles, and gooey cheese curds, all drizzled with a fragrant turmeric, garlic, and fish sauce-infused gravy.

Le Petit Sao website

Shawarma Deluxe and Garlic Supreme – Boustan

See on Instagram

Price: $16.99

Address: 356 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montreal, QC (along with other locations)

Details: Boustan, Montreal’s most popular Shawarma chain, has joined La Poutine Week with two new creations.

Shawarma Deluxe: Garlic potatoes topped with gravy sauce, cheese curds, garlic sauce, pickles, turnips and shawarma beef or chicken.

Garlic Supreme: Garlic potatoes topped with gravy sauce, cheese curds, aioli vegan sauce, fried pita chips, shawarma beef or chicken, Boustan sauce, sumac onions and a scoop of garlic sauce.

Boustan website

Here’s the full list of spots in and around Montreal that will be dishing out unique poutines for the next week:

• Thai Express
• 3 Brasseurs (McGill)
• Chanthy Yen (Time Out Market)
• Chez Simon (Time Out Market)
• BOSSA (Time Out Market)
• CAMPO (Time Out Market)
• America’s BBQ (Time Out Market)
• Ibéricos (Time Out Market)
• Paul Toussaint (Time Out Market)
• Climats (Time Out Market)
• La Brasserie Milton
• La Belle et la Bœuf
• Boustan
• L’Œufrier
• Le Petit Sao
• Rôtisserie St-Hubert
• Burger Bar Crescent
• Poutineville
• L’Entrée (Le Central)
• Cantine Émilia (Le Central)
• Bab Kech (Le Central)
• Le Gras Dur (Le Central)
• Yia Yia Eleni (Le Central)
• Billy K’s Burgers
• Frite Alors!
• Brasseur de Montréal
• Kwizinn Vieux-Port
• Maison Saint-Paul
• Double Pizza
• Randolph Pub Ludique
• Émilia
• Roch Le Coq
• La Banquise
• La Bêtise Verdun
• Pub McCarold
• LABARAKE Caserne à Manger
• La Germaine Resto
• Trèfle de Limoilou
• La Belle Tonki
• Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine
• Casse-Croûte MangeDansMonHood
• La Baie des Fromages
• Chez Écrapou Smash Burger
• Paulo et Suzanne
• Edward Smoked Meat
• Bijou Resto Bar
• New York Fries
• Fromagerie Victoria
• Wayback Burgers

If you’re thinking of trying more than one of these bad boys over the next few days, you can create an account, vote for your favourite poutines, check in at a restaurant, or share your moments on Instagram with #PoutineWeek. That way you can collect YUM points and redeem them for delicious poutines at participating restaurants.

And if you needed another reason to dig in, $1 from every poutine sold will be donated to Food Banks Canada.

For the full list of dishes from participating restaurants and more details on La Poutine Week in Montreal, check out the festival’s official website.