13 day festival embodies spirit of Martinique at 50+ restaurants and bars across Quebec
Montreal, July 17, 2025— While waiting for your next Caribbean escape, Martinique is coming to you: right to your neighbourhood, your favourite restaurants, and even your glass. From September 9 to 21, 2025, the Martinique Gourmande Festival returns for its 18th edition with one simple promise: to take you on a taste-filled journey. For 13 days, around fifty restaurants and bars across Quebec — from Montreal to Quebec City and through several regional towns — will offer menus, cocktails, and experiences inspired by the Island of Flowers. A generous, festive, and flavorful edition, just like Martinique itself.
“This festival embodies the spirit of Martinique: a land of sharing, generosity, and flavour. With Martinique Gourmande Festival, we want to offer Quebecers a true immersion into our culinary culture, and beyond that, in our way of life ,” says Bénédicte Di Geronimo, President of the Martinique Tourism Committee. She adds: With Martinique Gourmande Festival, our ambition goes beyond showcasing gastronomy: each bite, each aroma, and each ingredient tells a story, the story of Martinique. This initiative is part of a broader desire to shine a light on Martinique as a rich, welcoming, and multifaceted destination”
Over 50 restaurants celebrating the colours of Martinique
Just five hours by plane from Quebec, Martinique offers a unique experience where culinary traditions meet stunning landscapes. Among the local specialties: cod fritters, smoked chicken, or conch, dishes that reflect the richness of our gastronomic heritage.
More than 50 participants inspired by Martinican flavours
This year, Martinique Gourmande Festival once again goes all out, with more than 50 participants inspired by Martinican flavours. New addresses are joining the adventure, both in large cities and in the regions. Each menu, each plate, each cocktail becomes a bridge between Quebec and Martinique, a story of passion, spices, colours, and human warmth.
Olivier Perret, Executive Chef, member of the Académie Culinaire de France and Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit, from Le Renoir and Le Nini, shares:
“It’s always a pleasure to share joyful, sunny, and flavorful moments in my kitchen alongside chefs from Martinique. Their vibrant products and generous culinary heritage bring a bold and delicious energy to every creation. It’s a culinary encounter full of colour and emotion,” said Perret.
And to make the celebration complete, some establishments will also offer musical entertainment with sounds from Martinique to enhance dinner (program to come): violin, saxophone, drum, and DJ. A Martinican atmosphere guaranteed!
A mocktail competition to raise a glass together
A brand-new feature this year: the Martinique Gourmande Mocktail Challenge. Quebec’s bartenders and mixologists are invited to create festive, alcohol-free drinks featuring a rare and precious ingredient from Martinique: Volkanik Vanilla.
Image : Vanille Volkanik @DR Facebook Vanille Volkanik
This initiative reflects three key values dear to Martinique:
- Inclusion: Everyone can raise a glass, young and old alike
- Creativity: Mixology as a form of artistic expression
- Authenticity: Spotlighting local ingredients grown with care
Some mocktail creations will be featured on menus in select participating restaurants, a bold and refreshing way to discover Martinique!
Win a trip to Martinique!
“For over two decades, the Martinique Tourism Committee has been actively committed to raising the destination’s profile in the Quebec market. This commitment is supported by the collaboration of strategic partners — airlines, travel agencies, tour operators — who help make the island more accessible than ever,” explains the CMT President.
Thanks to our partners Air Canada and Club Med Les Boucaniers, several one-week trips for two to Martinique will be available to win throughout the festival.
Draws will be held for:
- The general public (register here)
- Travel agents
- Participating restaurants and bars
- Mocktail competition winner
An invitation to travel for all Quebecers
Starting December 7, a new direct flight from Quebec City to Fort-de-France with Air Canada will be added to the existing Montreal routes. This new connection will make it even easier for travellers from the Capitale-Nationale region to access the island.
“This air route between Quebec City and Fort-de-France symbolizes the strengthening of ties between our two regions. It will allow Quebecers to access our island more easily and experience the full diversity of Martinique,” concludes Bénédicte Di Geronimo.
Through Martinique Gourmande Festival, we reaffirm our desire to build lasting connections between Martinique and Quebec, based on what brings us together: authenticity, warmth, and a love of good taste.
“I’m delighted by this renewed momentum, and I warmly invite all Quebecers to come and discover the full splendour of MARTINIQUALITÉ — through its cuisine, its hospitality, and its exceptional natural beauty!” shares the CMT President.
All about the festival
A bilingual website provides all the details: participating establishments, upcoming events, contests, recipes, and inspiration: www.martiniquegourmande.ca
About Martinique Gourmande
Founded in 2008, Martinique Gourmande is a culinary and community-oriented festival led by the Martinique Tourism Committee in Canada. Each year, it invites Quebecers to extend summer around a welcoming table and to discover or rediscover the vibrant flavors and culture of Martinique. A meeting point between two passionate, creative, and open-hearted cultures.
Other articles from mtltimes.ca – totimes.ca – otttimes.ca
