Spring in Quebec signals the start of something sweet: sugar shack season. Cabanes à sucres are institutions where the sap of the sugar maple gets its moment of glory, transformed into the syrup we all know and crave. If you're imagining a kitchen in the middle of the woods, the air thick with the scent of boiling sap, you'd be getting warm.
At these shacks, the menu reads like a celebration of all things maple. Everything is hearty, indulgent, and drenched in syrup. From the soup starter to the meat-heavy main courses, everything gets a touch of the sweet stuff. And don't forget about the pièce de résistance: tire sur la neige. The maple taffy pulled on snow is the kind of DIY dessert that has kids and adults alike lining up for a second helping.
It's communal dining wrapped in a no-nonsense, rustic atmosphere. Long tables, bench seating, and no-frills decor set the stage for a meal that's less about the presentation and more about tradition. It's loud, it's lively, and it's laden with carbs — the perfect antidote to the last vestiges of winter chill.
We've rounded up some of the best spots near Montreal to get in on the maple syrup madness and savour the essence of spring. Some offer tours, showing off the sap-to-syrup process. Others might throw in a wagon ride or a spot of snowshoeing for those looking to burn off the meal's considerable calorie count.
Hitting up a sugar shack is your springtime pass to feast like a lumberjack, learn a bit about Quebec's liquid gold, and maybe find out exactly how much maple syrup it takes to induce a sugar coma. Here's where to start:
Ferme Aux Vieux Chênes
Cost: $45/person
Where: 2, rue du Panorama, Laval, QC
Reason to go: Located 35 minutes from downtown Montreal, this family-run sugar shack offers all of the traditional favourites, including a delicious sugar pie and pudding chomeur, or maple-drenched cake batter. Many guests have noted how much they enjoyed the family feeling of this sugar shack and the friendliness of the owners. Quebec folk music is played as people enjoy their meals in the cozy, rustic space.
Cabane A Sucre Au Milieu Des Champs
Cost: $38 to $43/person, depending on which night you attend
Where: 7000, rang St Vincent, Mirabel, QC
Reason to go: This spot, about an hour from Montreal, has a truly intimate feel with goats, chickens, and horses on the property for guests to visit. The menu has all your favourites and there's an outdoor eating experience that really sets this sugar shack apart. Guests can book their own small cabin on the property too and enjoy their meal outdoors in the maple grove. This is the perfect spot for those looking to have a traditional meal outdoors among beautiful scenery.
Au Pied de l'Érable
Cost: $35 to $39/person, depending on which night you attend
Where: 8785, rang Saint-Vincent, Mirabel, QC
Reason to go: This sugar shack meets all the traditional criteria and is the best option if you are visiting with a vegetarian or someone who is gluten-free. You can let the kitchen know of any dietary restrictions and they will bring specially prepared dishes to make sure everyone in your party can enjoy the experience. The property is stunning with walking trails and old-fashioned maple syrup manufacturing machinery on display close to the dining room. The old wooden interior, gingham tablecloths, and twinkle lights hanging from the beams will make you feel like you're in a Hallmark movie.
Cabane á Sucre Famille Ethier
Cost: $39/person
Where: 7940, rang St Vincent, Mirabel, QC
Reason to go: This sugar shack has superb food, a warm family-style service and a take-out option if you’d like to enjoy your meal at home. The intimate dining room is on the smaller side but has a cozy atmosphere and traditional bench seating. Something that sets this sugar shack apart is that guests are invited to bring their own beer and wine to the dining area to enjoy their meals. There are also very cute, photogenic deer on the property that many patrons like to photograph as part of the experience.
Erablière Charbonneau
Cost: $42/person
Where: 45, Chem. du Sous-Bois, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC
Reason to go: This spot under an hour from Montreal may be the ultimate sugar shack experience. Guests noted the excellent food and service as well as the tasty wine and cocktails that are available for an extra charge. Visitors can partake in numerous activities such as mountain hiking, outdoor play areas for children, shopping, a snack bar (open May to October), a mini farmhouse (open March to October), snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. You can also bring your dog on the trails. It's a great destination for anyone looking to spend a few hours on the property and make a whole day out of visiting the sugar shack.
Érablière Meunier
Cost: $36/person
Where: 325, rang des Cinquante-Quatre, Richelieu, QC
Reason to go: This sugar shack is an excellent choice for families with young children. You can visit the small petting zoo on the property or take your kids to the bouncy houses for some extra fun to bring down the sugar rush from all the maple syrup. Érablière Meunier has five-minute tractor tours of the property and takes guests on an excursion of the maple syrup manufacturing area. Guests noted the generous portions of the meal and tasty homemade donuts that are available until noon! If you are looking for a sugar shack that has lots of extra activities to keep the little ones busy, this spot is for you.
More at erablieremeunier.com
The Huit 100 Vingt sugar shack menu.Courtesy of Time Out Market Montreal.
