The Ultimate Food Guide to Gaspésie

27 oct.

If you're planning a trip to the Gaspé Peninsula, you're in for a treat. With its stunning mountains, pristine mountain streams, and breathtaking landscapes, Gaspésie is a dream destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. But what often goes unnoticed is the region's culinary scene, which offers a delightful array of local delicacies. Let's explore the mouthwatering flavors that make Gaspésie a true food lover's paradise!

Seafood Specialties: Savoring the Freshest Catches

Gaspésie is renowned for its seafood, and when it comes to salmon, the region takes the cake. If you're interested in fishing activities, a must-try is the succulent salmon fishery experience on the Rivière Sainte-Anne. You can indulge in a salmon fishing trip while enjoying the serene waters. The once-scarce Atlantic salmon now thrives here, and you can make reservations to secure your spot. You can also savor fresh catches with the excellent food service provided by local restaurants, showcasing fish soup and fresh fish dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Here's a list of some of the top seafood specialties in Gaspésie:

Gaspé Peninsula Salmon: Gaspésie is renowned for its salmon, both wild and farmed. You can savor this delectable fish in various preparations, from smoked salmon to fresh fillets.
Gaspé Lobster: Lobster is a true delicacy in Gaspésie. You can enjoy it boiled, grilled, or as part of dishes like lobster rolls.
Snow Crab: Snow crab is another local favorite. It's often served steamed or boiled, with butter for dipping.
Mussels: Gaspésie's pristine waters are home to some of the best mussels you'll ever taste. You can enjoy them steamed, in a broth, or as part of a seafood stew.
Scallops: Scallops are a succulent treat. They're often seared and served with a variety of flavorful sauces.
Shrimp: Fresh Gaspesian shrimp are plump and flavorful. They're commonly served in dishes like shrimp cocktails or pasta.
Seafood Chowder: Gaspésie's seafood chowder is a hearty and creamy soup filled with an assortment of seafood, including shrimp, scallops, and fish.
Cured Fish: You can enjoy cured fish like marinated herring as an appetizer.
Seafood Pies: Gaspesian cuisine features delicious seafood pies made with a mix of local seafood, pastry crust, and a savory sauce.
Seafood Platters: Many restaurants in Gaspésie offer seafood platters that showcase a variety of local seafood items, allowing you to savor multiple specialties in one meal.
Fisherman's Brewis: This is a traditional dish featuring pieces of salted codfish softened with hard bread and served with a savory sauce.
Seafood Stews: Hearty seafood stews, often made with a variety of seafood, vegetables, and aromatic spices, are a popular choice for those looking for a filling and flavorful meal.

Local Delicacies: The Taste of Gaspé's Heart and Soul

Gaspé Peninsula's unique culinary identity shines through its local delicacies. The Gaspé Peninsula's Route 132, part of the Route Verte network of trails, is where you can discover many hidden food gems.

Here's a list of some traditional Gaspé delicacies:

Pouding chômeur: A beloved dessert made from white cake batter and a sweet, gooey maple syrup sauce, often served with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream.
Cretons: A flavorful spread made with minced pork, onions, and spices, commonly enjoyed on bread or crackers.
Tourtière: A hearty meat pie, traditionally filled with minced pork, veal, or beef, and seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices.
Tarte au sucre: A sweet sugar pie made with a filling of brown sugar and cream, creating a rich and indulgent dessert.
Rappie pie: A classic Acadian dish made from grated potatoes and chicken or pork, typically served with molasses or white sugar.
Ployes: Buckwheat pancakes that are versatile and can be served with both sweet and savory toppings.
Fricot: A traditional Acadian stew, often prepared with chicken, vegetables, and dumplings, delivering a satisfying and comforting meal.
Maple Syrup Delights: Gaspésie is known for its high-quality maple syrup, which is used to create a range of sweet treats like maple taffy, maple sugar pie, and maple butter.
Blood sausage: Blood sausage is a culinary specialty, usually in the form of a sausage, composed of minced meat, coagulated blood, onions, herbs and other ingredients.
Pudding Chômeur Cake: A variation of the classic Pouding chômeur, this dessert is presented as a cake, offering the same delicious flavors in a different form.

A Journey into Indigenous Food Traditions

When you're in Gaspésie, don't miss the opportunity to explore indigenous food traditions. These dishes can help you connect with the region's history and the flavors that have been cherished for generations:

Wild Game Stews: Indigenous communities often prepare stews that incorporate wild game such as moose or caribou, along with local vegetables and seasonings. These stews are hearty and flavorful.
Labrador Tea: This is a traditional indigenous beverage made from the leaves of the Labrador tea plant. It is often brewed as a tea and enjoyed for its unique flavor and medicinal properties.
Three Sisters Soup: This is a traditional indigenous dish made from the "Three Sisters" crops - corn, beans, and squash. These ingredients are combined to create a nourishing and flavorful soup.
Bannock: Bannock, a type of fried or baked bread, is a common food item in indigenous communities throughout Gaspésie, similar to its presence in other North American indigenous cultures.
Saskatoon Berry Jam: Saskatoon berries are indigenous to the region and are often used to make jams and preserves, which can be spread on bread or bannock.
Fish: Fishing is integral to indigenous food traditions in Gaspésie, where salmon, trout, and other local fish species are caught and prepared using traditional methods.

Gaspésie's Wide Variety of Alcoholic Drinks

Like other regions in Quebec, Gaspésie offers a variety of alcoholic drinks, including local and regional specialties. Here are some alcoholic beverages you can enjoy in Gaspésie:

Beer: Gaspésie has seen a surge in craft breweries in recent years. You can savor locally crafted beers from breweries like Le Malbord and Le Naufrageur. These breweries produce a range of beer styles, from IPAs to stouts, often incorporating local ingredients and flavors.
Cider: Quebec is known for its apple orchards, and Gaspésie is no exception. Local cideries like Cidrerie Verger Croque-Pomme and Cidrerie Le Somnambule produce high-quality apple and pear ciders. These refreshing beverages are a delightful choice, particularly in the warmer months.
Maple Products: Québec, including Gaspésie, is famous for its maple syrup. In addition to the traditional uses of maple syrup, you can also find maple-based alcoholic beverages like maple liqueurs and maple-infused spirits.
Caribou: A traditional Quebecois alcoholic beverage, Caribou is typically made from a mixture of red wine, hard liquor, and spices. It's a warming drink often enjoyed in the winter.
Spirits: Some local distilleries, such as Distillerie Fils du Roy, produce a range of spirits, including vodka, gin, and liqueurs. These spirits are crafted using both traditional and innovative techniques and may feature local botanicals and flavors.

Discover what to do in Gaspésie

Unique Culinary Experiences: Dining with a View

Gaspésie National Park is a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, and snowmobile enthusiasts, but it also offers a haven for food lovers. The park features various huts and lodges that serve unique culinary experiences. After an adventurous day in the mountains, you can refuel with hearty meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients.

A Feast in Gaspésie National Park: Mont Jacques-Cartier and Mont Albert

To take your culinary adventure to new heights, you can venture to Mont Jacques-Cartier and Mont-Albert within the Gaspésie National Park. Here, you can find attractive locations like the Gîte du Mont-Albert campground, which offers not only an excellent food menu but also a stunning backdrop of the majestic Chic-Choc Mountains. Dine amidst this natural beauty and savor dishes that elevate your senses, making your dining experience unforgettable.

Exploring the Gaspé Trail: A Road Trip for Food Enthusiasts

Embark on a road trip along the Gaspé Trail, Route 299, which runs through the Gaspé Peninsula's most scenic areas. Along this route, you'll discover a variety of services and restaurants that offer friendly and excellent service. Whether you're stopping for a quick snack or a full meal, you'll be greeted with a warm welcome.

Culinary Adventures on the Water: Percé's Marine Delights

Percé, a picturesque coastal town, offers an array of seafood specialties that are nothing short of incredible. After a day out on the water to explore the iconic Rocher Percé and its surroundings, you can dine at one of Percé's renowned restaurants that serve delicious food with a stunning view of the Percé Rock, offering excellent service and the freshest catches from the sea.

Plan Your Culinary Journey

Your culinary adventure in Gaspésie starts at Panora, your accommodation by the sea. Our lodges located in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts offer the perfect balance between the serene river and majestic mountains, providing a natural escape like no other. They provide the perfect escape for a relaxing or adventurous weekend.

Here are just a few perks of lodging with us:

Private beach access
Terrace with hot tub
High speed internet
Private parking
Full kitchen
Digital lock
JBL speaker
Nespresso machine
Etc.

Book your stay

Hubert Parent