Sweets Season in Old Montreal

This year, the good weather’s return has brought something magical to Montreal. The sun’s caressing rays, the cool breeze flowing through our hair that has been finally liberated from its pompom tuque prison, the reopening of many of our favourite businesses… And among our top spring traditions: the sugar shack and its countless delights! But there’s no need to travel out to the country to satisfy a sweet tooth. Several businesses in the historic neighbourhood are offering myriad variations on spring’s liquid gold.

1- Breaking Bread

Les Glaceurs, 453, Saint-Sulpice Street

You simply must visit this cake wonderland and try out their new and particularly decadent miniature treat. The team at Glaceurs have concocted a cupcake just for the season: a moist vanilla cake with a creamy maple syrup glaze and a decadent maple swirl. Nothing less than the finest!

L’Amour du pain, 369, Place d’Youville

Now we make a small detour to see the passionate folks at L’Amour du pain to pick up one of their sweet season specialties: a pecan and maple tartlet, maple eclairs, and maple cannelés.

Les Moulins La Fayette, 245, Saint-Jacques Street

In this Old Montreal bakery, they take maple season seriously! This year, they’re selling many desserts: maple scrunchie, maple napoleon, maple sweet and maple muffin. From Moulins La Fayette, you can also expect other delights to please your taste buds.

Chez Potier, 630, Wellington Street

This gourmet grocery store is selling a savory dessert created just for the season. Chez Potier's a signature maple Kouignamann with butter croissant dough, organic sugar & maple syrup and an extra touch of butter. Yum!

Le Petit Dep, 461, Saint-Sulpice Street and 179, Saint-Paul Street West

In the charming locations of Petit Dep, you can find so many gift ideas for your friends and family… and even yourself! You have so many choices: nut butters with a touch of maple syrup, an original pine maple flavoured dark chocolate bar, chocolate-themed postcards, or the La Bûcheronne box, which includes beer, chocolate, syrup, mustard, honey, and more…

Mr. Puffs, 438, Place Jacques-Cartier

We all know these little airy desserts that come in several exquisite flavours. If you’re a fan of sugar shacks, you can order a box of Mr. Puffs’ traditional Greek donuts in maple crème flavour.

Terrasse William Gray, 421 Saint-Vincent Street, 8th floor

You want to live the sugar shack experience, while staying in town? The Terrasse William Gray offers a unique experience with an evening menu and a brunch menu in a heated dome located on the 8th floor of the William Gray Hotel. The beet carpaccio and maple-smoked goat cheese with a Sortilège whiskey vinaigrette or the pancakes with ricotta, maple caramelized pecans and a maple syrup coulis should make your mouth water.

Délices érable & cie, 84, Saint-Paul Street East

Our list would not be complete without this restaurant dedicated to this liquid amber gold! At Délices érable & cie, you will find dozens of variations on this flavour that is dear to our hearts: butters, candies, caramels, cookies, popcorn, mustards, spices, syrups, teas, vinaigrettes, and so many gift sets.

2- Time For A Coffee Break

Boutique Chocosina, 406 Saint-Sulpice Street

What a wonderful marriage of flavours chocolate and maple is! That’s why it’s no wonder the creations from the experts at Chocosina really catch our eye! When we want something to go with our coffee, or to make an impression at a gathering, we immediately go for their dark chocolate, caramel maple, and raspberry maple ganaches, or their maple pecan fudge.

Café Van Houtte, 20, Notre-Dame Street East and 100, McGill Street

Café Van Houtte is celebrating the grand arrival of the good weather! Our heart wavers between =different chai teas, their cold-brew coffee, the vegan Ruby latte, the matcha, and their classic latte, all of which are elevated by maple! And if you want a snack, they have a maple Croque-Monsieur as well as a rustic pecan tarte.

Paquebot Café, 520, Saint-Laurent Boulevard

At this charming place, they serve an unforgettable maple and toasted hazelnut flavoured café au lait, prepared with a syrup made in-house. Paquebot Café definitely knows how to get our attention!

Café Dépôt, 500 Place d’Armes and 383, Saint-Jacques Street West

You should stop by Café Dépôt this spring for a cold brew, some matcha, a latte, or one of their maple syrup treats. Something sweet to get you recharged for the day!

3- A little shopping

La Boutique boréale, 8, Saint-Paul Street East

To express your love for all things maple, you can get yourself one or several pieces of jewellery made with real leaves from these majestic trees. La Boutique boréale sells maple-themed rings, earrings, and pendants, available in silver, gold, or stainless steel.

Boutique Bonjour Montréal, 421, Place Jacques-Cartier

This cave of wonders isn’t just for tourists! It’s the perfect place to uncover original finds. This spring at Bonjour Montréal: a Mlle Catherine crêpe mix set with their branded syrup, maple bacon flavoured hot chocolate mix, maple leaf printed shoes, as well as a sugar shack candle with a warm, crackling wooden wick.

Le Magasin général du Vieux-Montréal, 34, Saint-Paul Street West

In this well-stocked business, a small aisle has been devoted to this gastronomic treasure found in our neck of the woods. We like to come to Magasin général to stock up on syrup, but also for home goods, like soaps and candles.

Marché Saint-Laurent, 503, Place d'Armes

The Marché Saint-Laurent has gone into sugar time mode with syrup and beautiful jars, table linens, reusable bags and chocolate, all featuring Quebec's famous maple syrup.

Ateliers & Saveurs, 444 Saint-François-Xavier Street

Take a cooking workshop at Ateliers & Saveurs offered by passionate restaurant professionals. During the sugar season, maple syrup can be found in many recipes, as its rich taste goes wonderfully with everything.

N.B.: Would your business fit into this list, but is not mentioned here Don’t hesitate to write to us at info@sdcvieuxmontreal.com and we would be happy to add it here.

Photo credit 1 & 2 : Les Moulins La Fayette

Photo credit 3 : Les Glaceurs

Photo credit 4 : Café Van Houtte