16 Tasty Things to Do in Southern Quebec
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Discover the tastiest things to do when you travel to Southern Quebec. Options include visiting a sugar shack, farm-to-table dining, cider sipping, wine tasting and more.
In Southern Quebec, apple orchards and sloping vineyards fill the landscape. A burgeoning farm-to-table movement has ushered in new restaurants that utilize local products with finesse. Meanwhile, traditions, like drilling maple trees for precious amber sap, still abound across the pastoral tree-filled landscape away from the region’s two major cities – Montreal and Quebec City.
After spending time in both of those cities, we were hungry to dig deeper into Quebec. So, when the opportunity arose, we jumped at the chance. While we’ve always been drawn to Montreal, the verdant landscape in the nearby areas of Montérégie, Eastern Townships and Centre-Du-Quebec beckoned.
We got a good taste of Southern Quebec in just five days, quickly learning that food and drink are integral to both generations-old traditions and modern-day life. Sure, Quebecois staples like maple syrup and poutine are easy to find. Intrepid food travelers, however, can enjoy so much more.
Our Favorite Experiences in Southern Quebec
From a sugar shack visit to wine tastings and farm-to-table dining, discover our favorite ways to sip, savor and connect with Southern Quebec while soaking in the region’s bucolic charm.
1. Embrace Maple at a Traditional Quebecois Sugar Shack
No culinary tour of Southern Quebec is complete without a visit to a sugar shack. It’s something we’ve wanted to do ever since we watched Anthony Bourdain explore Cabane à Sucre in a No Reservations episode back in 2006. But the timing never worked out since most sugar shacks are only open in the spring. We finally accomplished this goal at Sucrerie de la Montagne where Stefan Faucher welcomed us to his family’s not-so-humble sugar shack tucked inside Southern Quebec’s Rigaud forest.
Purchased by Stefan’s father, Pierre, in 1978, Sucrerie de la Montagne produces 500 gallons of maple syrup every year during the months of March and April. The Fauchers accomplish this feat with metal buckets, following traditions started by indigenous people centuries ago. They also bake bread in an oven that’s 12-feet deep and welcome guests on a year-round basis.
It’s fascinating to learn about maple syrup. But let’s be real – visiting a sugar shack is all about the food. The folks at Sucrerie de la Montagne clearly know this since they serve A LOT of food inside their ginormous log cabin dining hall.
During our visit at Sucrerie de la Montagne, we ate an array of traditional Quebecois foods including pea soup, maple ham, baked beans, tourtière, fluffy pancakes and maple sugar pie. Skipping other condiments, we poured maple syrup on everything. It sounds a bit extreme but it’s what you do at a sugar shack.
Pro Tip
You can buy all things maple at Sucrerie de la Montagne’s gift shop. Options include
maple butter, maple candles, maple candy, maple popcorn, maple sugar, maple syrup and more maple yumminess.
Sucrerie de la Montagne is located at 300 Ch. Saint-Georges, Rigaud, QC J0P 1P0, Canada.
2. Experience Farm-to-Table Dining in the Fields
Living off the land isn’t feasible for most of us; however, we can all partake in a true farm-to-dining eperience in the fields at Les Cocagnes, an agro-ecological collective farm in Frelighsburg, during the summer. This is the season when Les Cocagnes opens its farm each weekend night for two table champêtre (i.e. country table) dinners cooked by a rotating roster of notable Quebecois chefs.
The chefs behind our Les Cocagnes dinner were Émile Tremblay & Sylvain Dervieux from Faux Bergers in Baie-Saint-Paul. The duo served us a creative multi-course meal that seamlessly incorporated hyper-seasonal ingredients and paired well with a variety of locally sourced wines. But, first, we nibbled on hand sliced ham, sipped crafted cocktails and the toured the farm. The entire experience was pure magic.
Pro Tip
Reservations for Les Cocagnes’ weekend dinners fill up quickly. Consider going for Tuesday night country apertifs if you don’t score a weekend dinner reservation.
Les Cocagnes is located at 33 Chemin de Dunham, Frelighsburg, Québec J0J 1C0, Canada.
3. Chow Down on Poutine
Quebec locals have been eating poutine at snack bars and diners as well as at breweries and restaurants since the 1950s. While they might not agree on exactly where poutine was invented or who currently makes the best version, most concur that squeaky poutine is the best poutine.
After eating multiple poutines at Quebec City restaurants, we continued our poutine journey at Brasserie Dunham. We then went a step further by attending the Musée des Cultures du Monde‘s temporary poutine exhibit and bought a poutine hat.
Pro Tip
Elevate your poutine expeirence by adding toppings like duck confit, smoked meat and wild mushrooms.
Poutine is located everywhere in Southern Quebec.
4. Sip Sparkling Cider in Montérégie
While poutine is Quebec’s signature food, cider is the region’s signature drink. Locals have been drinking the tasty beverage since the 17th century. Sparkling cider is a different matter – Michel Jodoin introduced the bubbly version in the 1980s using techniques he learned in Champagne, France.
Decades (or is it centuries?) later, cider enthusiasts flock to Ciderie Michel Jodoin to sample and buy a range of apple ciders as well as apple-forward spirits and liquors. We sampled five during or lunch-time visit at the fifth-gereration Mont Rougemont ciderie. Our two favorites were the sweet cidre de glace (i.e. ice cider) and dry rosé cider made from red-fleshed apples.
Pro Tip
Find and buy your favorite cider during a tasting in Ciderie Michel Jodoin’s tasting room. The only cider bottle you’ll regret is the one you didn’t buy.
Cidrerie Michel Jodoin is located at 1130 Rang, 1130 La Petite-Caroline, Rougemont, Québec J0L 1M0, Canada.
5. Get Inspired with Nordic Cuisine
It turns out that you don’t have to fly to Copenhagen and dine at Noma to experience the Nordic lifestyle. Quebec chefs don’t shy away from the region’s boreal location. Instead, they embrace local ingredients plucked from the waters and foraged from the land to create Nordique cuisine, i.e. Nordic cuisine with a French Canadian spin.
After encountering boreal elements during multiple meals in Southern Quebec, we got the full experience at Bistro Nord. Currently helmed by Chef Raphaël Podlasiewicz, the light-strewn restaurant utilized local ingredients like aspaagus, duck, rhubarb and sea buckthorn to create boreal dishes that surprised and delighted us with their fresh creativity and distinct flavors. Plus, eating the restaurant’s maple Paris-Brest dessert was pure pleasure.
Pro Tip
Pre-game your Bistro Nord meal with a chill out session at Strøm Spa Nordique Mont-Saint-Hilaire.
Bistro Nord is located inside Strøm Spa Nordique Mont-Saint-Hilaire.
6. Chill Out at Strøm Spa Nordique Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Eating and drinking your way around Southern Quebec is as tiring as it is rewarding. Luckily, the region’s best hotels have on-site spas. However, for those seeking total relaxation, Strøm Mont-Saint-Hilaire is the place to go.
Located in Montérégie’s Gault Nature Reserve, the nordic spa has multiple pools, plunge baths and saunas. Adding to its zen vibe, much of the spa is silent. If you can’t relax here, then you can’t relax anywhere.
Pro Tip
While robes, water and spa products are provided, you need to bring a swimsuit, flip flops and a water bottle.
Strøm Spa Nordique Mont-Saint-Hilaire is located at 641 Chemin de la Montagne, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC J3G 4S6, Canada.
7. Go Green at a Michelin-Rated Restaurant
The Michelin mania that’s gripping Quebec has made its way to the Eastern Townships thanks to Espace Old Mill, a 2025 recipient of the red book’s green star. The verdant star recognizes the restaurant’s sustainability commitment that starts in an expansive garden and continues in the kitchen. This commitment is nothing new – Chef Jean-Martin Fortier literally wrote a book (The Market Gardener: A Successful Grower’s Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming) about the concept back in 2014.
Those who choose to dine at Espace Old Mill will view the mill that inspired the restaurant’s name and tour the garden. They’ll also eat a meal featuring items grown in that garden or at nearby farms. As Chef Eric Gendron explained during our garden tour, the restaurant’s mission is to put vegetables “in the light.” Based on that green star, that mission has been accomplished.
Pro Tip
Don’t assume that Espace Old Mill is a vegetarian or vegan restaurant. While most of our meal was meat-free, our main dish included chicken as its primary ingredient.
Espace Old Mill is located at 7 Chemin Caleb Tree, Stanbridge East, QC J0J 2H0, Canada
8. Eat at a Chef-Driven Restaurant
Talented Chef Chloé Ouellet embraces Quebec’s local terroir. Her culinary intensity shines at Au Pâturage, a restaurant that grows many of its ingredients in a three-acre garden. What she does with those ingredients is marvelous.
Served in Au Pâturage’s vaulted dining room, our Friday night tasting dinner started with scallop ceviche served with radish and croutons and then proceeded to smoked arctic char atop a verdant spinach sauce. Next came seasonal asparagus cooked in a fire pit and topped with hollandaise and pumpkin seeds. Our final savory course was a ballotine of braised rabbit cooked to exquisite tenderness. Finally, the meal ended with a delightful dessert that paired lavender ice cream with strawberry, parsnips and caramel sauce.
It all added up to our favorite meal of the trip.
Pro Tip
Au Pâturage serves its tasting menu three nights a week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and brunch on Sunday. Plan your visit accordingly.
Au Pâturage is located at 2581 Rang Saint-Joseph, Sainte-Perpétue, QC J0C 1R0, Canada.
9. Taste Wine at Vineyards in the Eastern Townships and Montérégiennes
Despite its frigidly cold winters, Southern Quebec is an up-and-coming wine region with dozens of hardy wine varieties including Frontenac, Vidal and Seyval Blanc. Perhaps wine is so prevalent in the region because of a microclimate that’s impacted by the wide St. Lawrence River and the Appalachian Mountains. Or maybe Quebecois winemakers simply like a challenge.
Travelers who venture to the Eastern Townships and Montérégiennes can taste the fruit of those winemakers’ labor at wineries like Coteau Rougemont, Domaine du Ridge and Vignoble de l’Ardennais. We tasted a variety of wines at all three wineries. Some were red, some were white and some were rosé. We also tasted ice wines and late harvest wines.
Pro Tip
Since many Quebec wineries have picnic tables with mountain views, bring a picnic lunch to your vineyard tasting.
Coteau Rougemont is located at 1110 La Petite-Caroline, Rougemont, Québec J0L 1M0, Canada.
Domaine du Ridge is located at 205 Chemin Ridge, Saint-Armand, Québec J0J 1T0, Canada.
Vignoble de l’Ardennais is located at 158 Chemin Ridge, Stanbridge East, QC J0J 2H0, Canada.
10. Cycle the Brome-Missiquoi Wine Route
The Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route features 25 wineries including Domaine du Ridge and Vignoble de l’Ardennais. Depending on your appreciation of Quebecois wine, you can visit a few wineries during a fun afternoon or plan a multi-day vineyard itinerary. You can also build in stops in charming villages like Dunham, Frelighsburg and Sutton.
Pedaling the scenic 140-kilometer / 87-mile wine route is a great way to experience viticulture in Quebec. However, those seeking a more civilized, sweat-free option can rent an e-bike from E Mobilite Café for the hilly journey.
Pro Tip
Pause to appreciate the view whether you traverse this wine route by bike, e-bike or car.
The Brome-Missiquoi Wine Route is located 40 kilometers from Montreal.
11. Say Oui to Fromage
With more than 100 cheesemakers producing hundreds of cheese varieties, Southern Quebec is a treasure trove for cheeseheads whether they prefer fromage produced with cow, sheep, goat or buffalo milk. As is the case in France, Quebec cheese laws permit the production of many raw milk cheeses. Local favorites include ooey gooey raclette and firm Alpine-style tommes.
While an artisan cheesemaker’s cellar is the best place to sample cheese in Southern Quebec, the next best option is to combine the experience with a wine tasting at a winery like Vignoble Côtes du Gavet. The cheese selection from Fromagerie du Presbytère enhanced our tasting of the family-run winery’s white, rosé, fortified and sparkling wines. Plus, since we added cured meat to our cheese plate, the dual tasting doubled as lunch.
Pro Tip
You can find the varied cheese selections at local Quebec markets.
Fromagerie du Presbytère is located at 25 Rue Principale, Sainte-Élizabeth-de-Warwick, Québec J0A 1M0, Canada.
Vignoble Côtes du Gavet is located at 1690 Chemin de l’Aqueduc, Tingwick, Québec J0A 1L0, Canada.
12. Shop for Local Food at a Local Market
Quebec farmer’s markets are great places to stock up on local staples like fruits, veggies, cheese and charcuterie as well as artisan bread, pastries and organic honey. They’re also great places to interact with artisan producers while sipping a hot cup of coffee. However, farmer’s markets aren’t open every day of week and many are seasonal.
Ferme Guyon is open every day regardless of the season. Located just 20 minutes from Montreal, this market has an extensive selection of everything you would find at a farmer’s market plus all sorts of maple treats, gourmet mustards, kitchen gadgets and plants.
Ferme Guyon also sells a comprehensive selection of Quebecois wines, ciders and beers to go with its freshly baked bread, raw milk cheese cheese and charcuterie. The excellent beer selection should be no surprise since André Dion founded the wonderful Unibroue Brewery before he opened the market.
Pro Tip
Bring the gang to Ferme Guyon. Not just a store, the market has an educational animal farm and a butterfly center.
Ferme Guyon is located at 1001 Rue Patrick Farrar, Chambly, QC J3L 4N7, Canada.
13. Chug Beer at a Microbrewery
Despite the proliferation of cideries and wineries, craft beer is as popular in Southern Quebec as it is in the rest of Canada. This is nothing new – the region has been the home of the iconic Unibroue Brewery since 1991. Sadly, Unibroue doesn’t welcome visitors. However, the region has plenty of breweries and brew pubs that are open to the public.
The best Southern Quebec breweries take advantage of the local terroir by adding ingredients like spruce, maple and wild yeast to their brews. Open since 2011 and located on the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route, Brasserie Dunham is one of those breweries. As we discovered during our lunchtime visit, their sours and saisons pair well with burgers and poutine.
Pro Tip
Soak in the sun at an outdoor table if you visit Brasserie Dunham on a summer day.
Brasserie Dunham is located at 3809 Rue Principale, Dunham, Quebec J0E 1M0, Canada.
14. Take a Hike at Bromont’s Parc des Sommets
With 14 kilometers / 87 miles of useable trails, Parc des Sommets matches the length of the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route. It an auspicious trail system for all levels of hikers as well as mountain bikers, horseback riders and snowshoers. We fit into the hiker category during our summertime visit.
Food travelers who visit the park can take a hike between meals. It’s a great spot to connect with nature while burning off some calories, a true win-win situation.
Pro Tip
Bring a filled water bottle so that you stay hydrated during your hike.
Parc des Sommets is located at 44 Chemin des Carrières, Bromont, Québec J2L 1J6, Canada.
15. Start Your Day with Canadian Breakfast
Canadian breakfasts vary in the country’s ten provinces but its hard to imagine a better version than the breakfasts in Quebec for one key reason – maple syrup.
When you eat breakfast at a Southern Quebec hotel, fill your plate with eggs, crispy bacon, savory sausage, crispy potatoes, baked beans and cretons. If you’re not familiar with cretons, it’s a spreadable pork product that’s reminisicient of France’s rillettes. Add a side of pancakes or waffles if you’re extra hungry.
Pro Tip
Generously pour maple syrup over your entire breakfast dish. Your taste buds will thank you later.
Some of the best breakfasts are found at Southern Quebec hotels.
16. Visit a Heritage Flour Mill
With a history dating back to the 18th century, the Moulin Michel flour mill is notable for several reasons. First and most impressive, its historic building still operates as a mill. Visitors can watch the milling process and purchase organic buckwheat flour, hand-ground on stone, at the on-site store.
Moulin Michel also hosts various festivals, runs a Friday farmer’s market during the summer and serves sandwiches and soup at its year-round cafe. However, the best thing to do here may be nothing at all – it’s a great spot to relax with drink in hand.
Pro Tip
Attend the Blues et Gin festival in July. The annual event blends the eclectic music genre with cocktails crafted with local gin.
Moulin Michel is located at 675 Boul Bécancour, Bécancour, Québec G9H 3S9, Canada.
Planning Your Visit
Visiting Southern Quebec completes any food-focused trip to Montreal or Quebec City. Plan your trip in advance to ensure an optimal experience.
Best Time to Visit Southern Quebec
- Early Spring (March-April): Maple Syrup Season
- Late Spring (May–June): Colorful Blossoms, Fresh Greens and Foraging
- Summer (July–August): Seasonal Produce, Green Markets, and Vineyard Events
- Autumn (September–October): Apple Harvest, Fall Foliage and Cider Season
Getting Around
You’ll need a car to drive to the different restaurants and sites; however you can ride a bike or e-bike when you explore the Route des Vins and the Route des Cidres.
Where to Stay
We stayed at four different Southern Quebec hotels and recommend them all.
L’Hôtel Montfort Nicolet
Why You Should Stay Here: Thermal Spa, Nordic Pool, Sauna, Relaxation Area, Massage Therapy, Nature and Tranquility
Book a Room: Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com
L’Hôtel Montfort Nicolet is located at 1141 Rue St Jean Baptiste, Nicolet, QC J3T 1G8, Canada.
Hôtel Château-Bromont
Why You Should Stay Here: Pools, Hot Tubs and Comfortable Loft-Style Hotel Rooms
Book a Room: Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com
Hôtel Château-Bromont is located at 90 Rue de Stanstead, Bromont, Québec J2L 1K6, Canada.
La Cache du Lac Champlain
Why You Should Stay Here: Noah Spa, Room Amenities and Easy Access to Lake Champlain
Book a Room: Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com
La Cache du Lac Champlain is located at 325 Avenue de Venise O, Venise-en-Québec, Québec J0J 2K0, Canada.
Hotel Rive-Gauche
Why You Should Stay Here: Restaurant Le Coureur des Bois and Easy Access to Montreal
Book a Room: Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com
Hôtel Rive-Gauche is located at 810 Rue Richelieu, Beloeil, Québec J3G 4S4, Canada.
🇨🇦 Southern Quebec Travel Checklist
⚙️ Disclosures
Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.
Sponsorship
We thank the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Quebec, under the Bonjour Quebec brand, and its regional partners for sponsoring our trip to Southern Quebec.
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