The Best Christmas Yule Logs in Montreal
Winter is just around the corner and, if our Advent calendar is anything to go by, the holiday season is fast approaching. For many, this time of year represents a rare moment of respite — a well-deserved break from the everyday frenzy to share precious moments with loved ones. Between traditional feasts and bursts of laughter around the table, there’s one highlight everyone eagerly awaits: dessert. And in the pantheon of holiday treats, one star has stood out for generations: the Yule log.
But have you ever thought about the origin of this iconic cake? Why a Yule log, you might ask? Why not a sleigh or a star, symbols just as evocative of Christmas? The answer goes back to much older traditions than our modern festive dinners.
In ancient Europe, during the Iron Age, the Gaelic and Celtic peoples celebrated Yule, a pagan holiday marking the arrival of the winter solstice around the end of December. On this occasion, it was customary to burn an immense Yule log decorated with mistletoe, pinecones, and other natural ornaments. This log was meant to burn slowly in the hearth for several days, and its ashes were then collected to protect the house and its inhabitants. With the rise of Christianity, this tradition took on a more modest form as homes became smaller. Gradually, the wooden log was replaced by a more festive version—a rolled-up cake resembling the appearance of wood.
If we don’t know who invented the first Yule log pastry, what is certain is that this dessert, reinvented year after year, remains at the heart of our holiday traditions. Whether it’s classic, chocolate-flavored, fruity, or even frozen, the Yule log continues to delight sweet tooths and add a festive and indulgent touch to our tables. Here is a selection of the best Yule logs in Montreal, to please your taste buds and impress your guests during the grand feast! On the eve of Christmas 2024, a reader warmly recommends Pâtisserie Chopine in Tétreaultville, which offers exquisite Yule logs. Stay tuned. We’ll be following up…
If you’re more the panettone type for the holiday season (although one doesn’t preclude the other, nothing beats a slice of Yule log for dessert and panettone for breakfast!), you’ll find our list of the best artisanal panettone here. For galettes des rois, look here! And if you’re just looking for a sweet treat, check out our lists of the best pastry shops and chocolate shops in Montreal.
Happy Holidays!
Patisserie Rhubarbe
When it comes to pastry, Rhubarbe remains without hesitation one of Montréal’s most reliable favourites. Although their delights are now only available by order and through their catering service, their Yule logs are still irresistible. Chocolate–lemon or pistachio–apricot — just thinking about them is enough to make the holiday spirit dance on our taste buds. The holiday menu is available here for pre-order starting now.
Montréal
Arhoma
Arhoma spoils us every holiday season with their delicious logs! This year is no exception. You can choose from half a dozen logs to accompany your Christmas feast.
Montréal
Fous Desserts
Fous Desserts is a charming pastry shop on the Plateau Mont-Royal that offers delicious desserts – some of the best in town. The flavours at Fous Desserts are mainly influenced by the seasons, with the house making use of Quebec products in its confections. The shop’s warm, relaxed atmosphere makes it an ideal place to enjoy good desserts, and of course, excellent Yule logs are made for the festive season.
Montréal
Les Givrés Villeray
Les Givrés is a delightful Montreal ice-cream parlour that offers several ice-cream Yule logs every Christmas. The ‘Convoi de Macarons’ is deliciously chocolatey and vanilla-y, with a chocolate sponge cake and a panoply of chocolate-raspberry and vanilla-cherry macarons. The “Feu de camp” blends caramel, almonds and chocolate around a heart of toasted marshmallow. The “Juste du Sorbet” delights with flavours of mango, raspberry and lemon on a vanilla sponge cake with redcurrant jelly. Les Givrées also offers a vegan and gluten-free log, ‘La Végane’, with raspberry sorbet, caramel and chocolate ice cream and gluten-free sponge cake. And last but not least, the most creative of all, the “Bûche Iglu”, made with maple and vanilla ice creams, vanilla sponge cake and caramel sauce, and blocks of marshmallows assembled piece by piece. Discover them all and order yours directly on their website.
Montréal
Madeleine Pastry Shop
Pâtisserie Madeleine, a must-visit in Rosemont, crafts delicious pastries. For Christmas, they’re treating you to their indulgent Yule logs, perfect to enjoy with a good coffee or around the family table. You can choose between the Vanilla & Pecan Log, the Chocolate & Hazelnut Log, or the Signature Log. All are available for pre-order — don’t wait too long!
Montréal
Mlles Gâteaux
The charming pastry shop in Villeray, Mlles Gâteaux, is a true paradise for dessert lovers (like us). This year, Mlles Gâteaux offers five tempting delights: the classic chocolate-orange rolled Yule log, the strawberry-rhubarb Yule log, the Tropicananas Yule log, and the Romanoff Yule log. All of them are available for pre-order now for the holiday season.
Montréal
Pasticceria Alati-Caserta
Alati-Caserta is an iconic Italian pastry shop in Little Italy. Every year, the shop offers a fine selection of traditional Italian Yule logs. The flavours will be announced soon, so keep your eyes peeled! If you’re in the mood for something more traditional, but just as comforting, Alati-Caserta is the place for you.
Montréal
Boucherie Édouard et Léo - Ahuntsic
This holiday season, Hoogan & Beaufort’s chef Marc-André Jetté’s superb butcher’s shop is serving up a feast! In addition to two full menus (ballotine of stuffed turkey or roast filet mignon with foie gras), a number of exclusive products will be available at the butcher shop and online, including two succulent Yule logs. Reserve early!
Montréal
Pâtisserie Mélilot
When passing by the charming and bright Mélilot bakery, it feels as though it has been nestled on the beautiful Laurier West Avenue for ages, blending seamlessly into the neighborhood’s atmosphere. Three Yule logs are on the menu this year. Hurry, they are already available for pre-order and are selling out quickly!
Montréal
Pâtisserie Zébulon
Pâtisserie Zébulon needs no introduction: it has long been a go-to destination for vegan pastry lovers on the Plateau Mont-Royal. Their selection of creations, as beautiful as they are delicious, easily rivals the classic versions, and their Yule logs are among the most anticipated every year. All details are available on their website or by phone for last-minute information. This year, three flavours are being offered: Clementine & Hazelnut, Raspberry & Chocolate, and Double Vanilla & Black Garlic. They’re already available through their website, in limited quantities as always.
Montréal
Crèmerie Dalla Rose
Dalla Rose, one of our favourite spots, is offering stunning Yule logs this year — delicious, decadent and downright mouthwatering. This season, you’ll find Hazelnut & Chocolate, Pistachio & Strawberry, and Vanilla & Caramelized White Chocolate, all in ice cream form. Available online via the Dalla Rose website.
Montreal
Lecavalier Petrone
Lecavalier Petrone is the project of two lovely young women: Chloé Migneault-Lecavalier and Loïse Desjardins-Petrone. Together, they create high-end chocolates that are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to taste—one of the best chocolateries in the city. This year, they are crafting delectable Yule logs.
Montréal
Aube Boulangerie
Opened on April 10, 2023, Aube Boulangerie immediately sparked excitement among food lovers in the neighbourhood. This year, you can choose between two Yule logs: the Chocolate, Cranberry, Raspberry & Maple Log or the Pear, Crabapple, Mascarpone & Mulled Spice Log.
Montréal
Pâtisserie Ô Gâteries Vieux-Longueuil
Located in Old Longueuil, Ô Gâteries pastry shop and bakery has been a true South Shore institution since 1993. This family business continues to win hearts with its refined pastries, artisanal viennoiseries and fabulous Yule logs.
Longueuil
Chez Potier - Épicerie gourmande
As every year, Chez Potier—known for its superior craftsmanship, blending precision and creativity—delights us with its famous holiday logs. This year, they’re offering three creations: the Viennetta Log, with a soft hazelnut-studded biscuit; the Iced Café Liégeois Log; and the Kōshi, featuring a delicate sablé diamant and a vanilla madeleine biscuit, filled with a mandarin and Québec-grown yuzu cream. Online orders are now open.
Montréal
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Photography by Arhoma
