Chez Tao!
Saint-Sauveur, Quebec City
Bar in Quebec City, Canada
Book with PearlThe Read
Upcycled Tropics, Dive-Bar Hours
Why go
Chez Tao! is worth shortlisting for an upbeat Quebec City bar night, especially if national recognition matters: it placed #31 on Canada's 100 Best Bars in 2025. Pick it for energy and a considered round, not for a quiet table or a budget beer stop.
About Chez Tao!
Should you go to Chez Tao! in Quebec City right now? Consider it if you want a casual Quebec City venue with a national accolade: Canada's 100 Best Bars ranked Chez Tao! #31 in 2025. Beyond that recognition and its casual dress code, plan with some flexibility around pricing, menu, seating, reservations, hours, and service format.
For a return visit, the main reason to prioritize Chez Tao! is the 2025 Canada's 100 Best Bars placement. If you are comparing options, La Korrigane - Brasserie artisanale, Jjacques, Albacore, Karibu, Vins du Québec et Buvette Asiatique, and Maelstrøm Saint-Roch are other named venues to consider depending on the kind of night you want.
Go for a recognized Quebec City venue
Chez Tao! is best framed simply: a casual Quebec City venue with national recognition in 2025. If the room, crowd, food, drink specialties, seating, or exact format are important to your plans, check directly before building the night around those details.
That makes it a better pick for travelers who are comfortable choosing a venue based on recognition and general night-out intent rather than a highly specific plan. If your night requires seating, a particular menu, or detailed accessibility, dietary, or reservation information, check directly with the venue before committing.
Where it fits in a night out
Use Chez Tao! as a Quebec City option when you want a casual stop with a Canada's 100 Best Bars #31 ranking for 2025. For comparison, Jjacques, Maelstrøm Saint-Roch, La Korrigane - Brasserie artisanale, Albacore, and Karibu, Vins du Québec et Buvette Asiatique are other names to weigh as you plan.
The verdict: go if a casual, nationally recognized Quebec City venue is enough of a reason to choose it. Skip it, or check directly with the venue, if you need firm details on price, hours, reservations, seating, menu, or service style. For broader planning, use Our full Quebec City bars guide, then branch into Our full Quebec City restaurants guide, Our full Quebec City hotels guide, Our full Quebec City wineries guide, and Our full Quebec City experiences guide if the night is part of a bigger trip.
Planning details
- Location
- 104 Rue Saint-Vallier O, Québec, QC G1K 1K1
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- cheztao.ca
- Phone
- +1 418-204-1850
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Chez Tao! reads like a working-neighbourhood dive bar that’s scruffy but welcoming. The room favors an industry crowd—people who’ve just finished their shifts—so the energy skews lived-in rather than polished. That warmth sits against a surprising, carefully executed food and drinks program: a long rum list and Southeast Asian street-food plates feel intentional rather than gimmicky. Lighting and décor aren’t staged for photos; the appeal is in earnestness and repeatability. Expect an unpretentious, casual place where the kitchen takes risks even when the room is low-maintenance and friendly.
Best For
This is a late-night destination for people who want solid, unfussy food with their drinks rather than a sleek scene. It works for after-shift crews, groups seeking a relaxed, affordable night out, and anyone chasing a late-night bowl or snack that’s more considered than typical bar fry. The menu’s shareable items and snackable plates make it easy for a small group to graze through a few dishes over beers or rum. It’s less about formality and more about reliable execution and atmosphere.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the contrasts that define the place: order straightforward drinks—cheap beer or a shot from the cheeky list—and pair them with the kitchen’s Southeast Asian snacks. The menu highlights bao, crispy shrimp chips and khao soi; the description flags khao soi as technically demanding, so it’s worth trying if you want a true example of the kitchen’s capabilities. Shrimp chips and other shareables are designed for casual passing-around, so plan to order a few plates to sample rather than a single entrée.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy narrow space with red paper lanterns, lively atmosphere, fun and welcoming vibe with 60s/70s music.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- 60s/70s Classics
Signature Pours
The Golden Cat
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 104 Rue Saint-Vallier O, Québec, QC G1K 1K1
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if it is not the right fit
Choose Jjacques if the group wants a more composed cocktail night with less emphasis on crowd energy. Choose La Korrigane - Brasserie artisanale if the priority is beer, ease, and a round that feels lower-risk for mixed groups.
Bar context
How it compares in Quebec City
Chez Tao! is the pick when the group wants a lively, recognized bar rather than a calm drinks room. Compared with Jjacques, it reads as the more casual, higher-energy choice; choose Jjacques when the night needs a more polished cocktail focus. Compared with Albacore, this is better for a drinks-first stop, while Albacore is stronger when food needs to anchor the plan.
For value, La Korrigane - Brasserie artisanale is the safer choice if the group wants beer, flexibility, and a lower-stakes round. Karibu, Vins du Québec et Buvette Asiatique is the better cross-shop for guests who want wine and a snackable buvette format. Maelstrøm Saint-Roch makes more sense when the plan is casual and easygoing rather than award-led.
Explore Quebec City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Chez Tao! guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Chez Tao!
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Chez Tao! | Quebec City | 2025 Canada's 50 Best Bars · #31 |
| Maelstrøm Saint-Roch | Québec | No published awards |
| La Korrigane - Brasserie artisanale | Québec | No published awards |
| Jjacques | Quebec City | No published awards |
| Albacore | Quebec City | No published awards |
| Karibu, Vins du Québec et Buvette Asiatique | Quebec City | No published awards |
How Chez Tao! Quebec City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the crowd like at Chez Tao!?
Plan around a casual dress code rather than a precisely defined scene. Chez Tao! is in Quebec City and was ranked #31 on Canada's 100 Best Bars in 2025.
Is Chez Tao! good for groups?
Do I need a reservation at Chez Tao!?
Plan ahead by checking directly with the venue, especially if your timing is important.
What is Chez Tao! known for?
Chez Tao! is a casual Quebec City venue with a Canada's 100 Best Bars ranking of #31 in 2025.
