Top 5 Sugar Shacks in Quebec
An unmissable symbol of Quebec spring, the sugar shack is much more than just a meal: it's a warm tradition, a gourmet celebration, and a moment of pure happiness to share.
Every year, between mid-March and the end of April, Quebec's maple groves come alive with laughter, folk music, and the sweet aroma of maple syrup.
The Authentik team went out to test the best spots for you, and here is our selection of the 5 favorite sugar shacks, accompanied by testimonials from our local experts.
Summary
- Map of the Best Sugar Shacks in Quebec
- 1. Sucrerie de la Montagne
- 2. Érablière du Cap
- 3. Érablière du Lac-Beauport
- 4. Chez Dany
- 5. Le Relais des Pins
- Sugar Shack Bonus: Au Pied de Cochon
- Comparative Table of Sugar Shacks in Quebec
Map of the Best Sugar Shacks in Quebec
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1. Sucrerie de la Montagne
📍 Sugar shack in Rigaud

Recognized as a Quebec Heritage Site, Sucrerie de la Montagne is located about an hour from Montreal, in the heart of a century-old maple forest. This family sugar shack, open since 1978, is absolutely stunning and the decoration is done in very good taste.
The founder, Pierre Faucher, and his son Stefan, offer guests a genuine cultural experience with staff that is passionate and dedicated. We talk about it in our Top 10 things to do in Canada... before you die. The collection of maple sap, as well as the transformation of sap into syrup, are done using old-fashioned methods.
On-site tourist attractions:
- Guided tours of the sugar bush with an explanation of the production process
- Horse-drawn sleigh rides (in season)
- Possible accommodation in four typical heritage cottages
On the menu, all-you-can-eat: pea soup, crusty bread, maple-smoked ham, baked beans, omelet, country sausages, meatball stew, "oreilles de crisse", mashed potatoes, meat pie, fruit ketchup, and homemade pickles.
Save some room for dessert, featuring sugar pie and pancakes with maple syrup.
2. Érablière du Cap
📍 Sugar shack in Saint-Nicolas
Open since 1984, the sugar shack is located about 30 minutes from Old Quebec.
Érablière du Cap is run by the Tardif family, for whom maple holds no more secrets: for 11 generations, the family has passed down and refined the basics surrounding the making of maple syrup.
All year long, the owners take pleasure in introducing this Quebec tradition to people from all over the world. On the menu, all-you-can-eat: pickles, pea soup, hash browns, beans with maple syrup, oreilles de crisse, sausages in maple syrup, meat pie, omelet, and pancakes.
After the meal, your hosts will show you around the facilities, and you’ll also get to try the famous maple taffy on snow.
3. Érablière du Lac-Beauport
📍 Sugar shack in Lac-Beauport

For over 150 years, the Lessard family has been continuing one of the greatest Quebec traditions. You could say sap runs in the veins of this family of maple growers! Located 20 minutes from Old Quebec, Érablière du Lac-Beauport offers passing tourists in the summer the chance to learn more about a part of our beautiful province’s roots.
On-site tourist attractions:
- Maple Museum: discover the evolution of maple syrup production from its Indigenous origins to today
- Trapper's camp: a unique interpretive center about Quebec's animals with more than 40 preserved species
- Musical entertainment of Quebec folklore with traditional dance
On the menu, all-you-can-eat: pea soup, hash browns, homemade ketchup, baked beans, oreilles de crisse, sausages, meat pie, oven-baked omelet, pancakes, sugar pie, and of course, maple taffy on snow!
4. Chez Dany
📍 Sugar shack in Trois-Rivières

Located halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, the Chez Dany sugar shack is certainly one of the most visited by tourists.
That said, despite its popularity, the sugar shack is nothing like big commercial maple groves and is internationally renowned for its excellent service. Guests are welcomed by Dany and his team in a charming country-style setting, with a warm, typically Quebecois atmosphere.
On-site tourist attractions:
- Guided tour of the sugar bush with interpretation of the maple syrup production process
- Maple taffy on snow tasting prepared in front of you according to tradition
- Shop selling local products so you can take home an authentic souvenir
At the table: pea soup, baked beans, oreilles de crisse, maple-smoked ham, pickled beets, meat pie, oven-baked omelet, and pancakes with maple syrup. Everything is all-you-can-eat.
Your meal will be accompanied by Quebec folk music, played by traditional musicians who know how to create that special atmosphere unique to Quebec’s sugar shacks.
5. Le Relais des Pins
📍 Sugar shack in Sainte-Famille, Île d'Orléans

Located in the picturesque setting of Île d'Orléans at Sainte-Famille, the sugar shack Le Relais des Pins stands out for its warm and authentic atmosphere. This family-run shack, operated for four generations by the Prémont family, offers an unforgettable culinary experience where the classics of the sugar season take center stage.
On-site tourist attractions:
- Maple taffy on snow tasting, prepared according to tradition, available even in summer
- Tour of the maple grove with explanations on how maple products are processed
- Shop selling artisan products featuring maple syrup, maple butter, and local souvenirs from Île d'Orléans
Visitors can enjoy a traditional meal including dishes like meat pie, oreilles de crisse, and of course, maple syrup made on site. Le Relais des Pins is also known for its friendly welcome and family activities, including sleigh rides and a visit to the sugar house. In season, the atmosphere is especially festive, with traditional music and dance adding rhythm to the meals.
A must if you want to experience the authentic Quebec sugar shack while discovering the charms of Île d'Orléans.
Sugar Shack Bonus: Au Pied de Cochon
📍 Sugar shack in Mirabel

The Pied de Cochon sugar shack belongs to Martin Picard, chef-owner of the highly reputed restaurant Au Pied de Cochon. Located in Saint-Benoît-de-Mirabel in the Laurentians, about 45 minutes from downtown Montreal, this gastronomic sugar shack is revolutionizing traditional codes.
Every year, Martin and his team reinvent the classics of the traditional Quebec sugar shack to wow food lovers, who of course will have reserved their spots several months in advance. Reservations for the sugar season open on December 1st at 9 a.m. and are snapped up quickly.
Arrive there with your stomach nearly empty. The portions are so huge that doggy bags are provided to guests to avoid waste. One thing is certain, your taste buds will remember this for a long time!
Comparative Table of Sugar Shacks in Quebec
| Sugar Shack | Location | Distance | Atmosphere / Style | Not to Miss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sucrerie de la Montagne | Rigaud (Montérégie) | ~1 h from Montreal | Heritage, centuries-old maple forest, period decor | Guided tour, horse-drawn sleigh (in season), old-time cabins, traditional all-you-can-eat menu |
| Érablière du Cap | Saint-Nicolas (Lévis) | ~30 min from Quebec | Family-friendly, craftsmanship for 11 generations | All-you-can-eat menu, tour of the facilities, maple taffy on snow |
| Érablière du Lac-Beauport | Lac-Beauport (near Quebec City) | ~20 min from Old Quebec | Living tradition, educational | Maple museum, trapper’s camp, folk entertainment, maple taffy on snow |
| Chez Dany | Trois-Rivières (Mauricie) | ~1 h 30 from Montreal/Quebec | Friendly and popular, country decor | Sugar shack tour, folk music, maple taffy on snow, all-you-can-eat menu |
| Le Relais des Pins | Sainte-Famille, Île d’Orléans | ~25–30 min from Quebec | Warm, family-run shack (4 generations) | Maple taffy on snow (even in summer), artisan boutique, tour of the sugar bush |
| (Bonus) Cabane Au Pied de Cochon | Saint-Benoît-de-Mirabel (Laurentians) | ~45–60 min from Montreal | Gastronomic, reinvented classics | XXL creative menu, doggy bags, experience by Martin Picard |
Quebec maple sugaring season: our final tips before booking
So here is our selection of the best sugar shacks in Quebec! Whether you go for the historic authenticity of Sucrerie de la Montagne, the family charm of Érablière du Cap, or the unique gastronomic experience of Au Pied de Cochon, each spot promises you unforgettable memories.
Our tip: reserve your table as soon as possible, as the best sugar shacks fill up quickly during the sugar season. And don't forget to arrive hungry—portions are generous and you'll want to try everything!
Ready to plan your sweet getaway? Our Authentik travel advisors will be happy to help you organize your stay in Quebec and include this must-see tradition in your itinerary.
Sugar Shack FAQ in Quebec
What is a sugar shack in Canada?
A sugar shack is a traditional establishment nestled in the heart of a maple grove where maple sap is turned into syrup. In Canada, especially in Quebec, these shacks welcome visitors from March to April to enjoy typical meals drenched in maple syrup in a festive and friendly atmosphere. Authentik Canada invites you to discover this must-try tradition during your trip.
What is the sugar shack season?
The sugar season generally runs from mid-March to late April, depending on weather conditions. For the maple sap to flow, you need cold nights (below freezing) and sunny days (above freezing). This freeze-thaw cycle is essential to trigger sap flow in maple trees, making each season unique based on spring weather.
What do you eat at a sugar shack?
You’ll enjoy hearty traditional dishes topped with maple syrup: baked beans, maple ham, sausages, "oreilles de crisse" (crispy pork rinds), omelets, and pea soup. Desserts include sugar pie, "grandpères" in syrup, and the famous maple taffy on snow which you’ll roll onto a stick.
What is the tradition of the sugar shack in Quebec?
The sugar shack tradition represents a family and social gathering that celebrates the arrival of spring in Quebec and has been passed down for generations. This ancestral custom, inherited from Indigenous peoples and later adapted by settlers, turns each visit into a moment of conviviality where young and old gather around shared tables to enjoy a hearty meal in a festive atmosphere with folk music and traditional dances.
How to experience a true sugar shack in Quebec?
To enjoy an authentic experience, choose a family-run maple grove in nature that offers guided tours of the sugar operation and traditional activities like maple taffy on snow. Reserve your table during sugar season (March–April) and opt for establishments recommended by Authentik Canada that respect ancestral Quebec traditions.


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