Picnic Destinations Outside Montreal

Summer is upon us, and Quebecers everywhere can be seen picnicking with friends and family, with a drink in hand. In the city, the parks have been taken over by people who seeking to finally enjoy the beautiful weather. Several restaurants offer picnic boxes to be enjoyed in the city’s parks. But picnics can also be enjoyed out of the city, in beautiful countryside landscapes. That’s why many establishments outside Montreal also offer a picnic formula so that you can enjoy the summer days without having to prepare a meal yourself. Given the popularity of this activity, it’s important to reserve your place as soon as possible, so you don’t miss out!

Here are a few suggestions of places that offer a picnic formula outside Montreal:

La Bullerie – Saint-Joseph-du-Lac

La Bullerie is a winery in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac that offers a picnic experience on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The baskets for two contain products such as local cheeses, charcuterie, bread and more. The meal is accompanied by your choice of wine or bubbles. A basket for children is also available. The picnic can be enjoyed in the quiet of the vineyard to fully take in the landscape. For more information, click here.

Roger Picnic X Projet Saint-Mathieu – Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu

Roger is both a local grocery store and a take-out bistro, where we find picnic areas (reservations required) in the Mouton Noir garden, as well as walking trails. Every Saturday and Sunday, the team from Projet Saint-Mathieu is on site with their smokehouse, where they prepare excellent ribs. For more information, click here.

Parcelles – Austin

Passionate about organic agriculture, Dominic Labelle welcomes you to his land in Austin, in the Eastern Townships, where he grows vegetables that he sells to restaurants. The Parcelles project was born in 2020. In the winter, it’s a farm-to-table style restaurant, and in the summer, they offer a picnic formula. “The spot is so beautiful that everyone can enjoy it. People will be able to order at the register and eat at picnic tables on the grounds, and in the garden as well.” A wood-fired oven has been built on site, and Dominic plans to serve pizzas topped with different vegetables and cheeses. Natural wines will also be available on site. 

Miels d’Anicet – Ferme Neuve

Miels d’Anicet is located at the foot of Montagne du Diable (Devil’s Mountain), in Ferme-Neuve in the Upper Laurentians. Here, Anicet Desrochers and Anne-Virginie Schmidt work passionately, while actively contributing to the development of Quebec’s honey culture. The Cantine Pollen & Nectars is located on the farm and allows you to take the honey experience even further. The idea? Bring honey to the table and enhance the value of honey both in cooking and in honey wine. No other sugar is used in the dishes. The address has about fifty seats in the dining room, and welcomes visitors for lunch and dinner. For those who want to enjoy the site, the address proposes a patio with some picnic tables.

On the menu, Pollen & Nectars uses vegetables from the garden, products from neighbouring farmers, tasty cheeses from here, and some rare products from the region. The menu changes depending on what’s available, but some dishes are fixtures. Among the most popular are the fried chicken, the tartare, the burger, the veggie burger, and the delicious wood-fired pizzas, not to mention the Quebec cheese platter. The address also always offers one or two summer salads made with the freshest products.

La Cabane d’à Côté – Mirabel

La Cabane d’à Côté is a sugar shack located in Mirabel. Its summer picnic formula is incredibly popular. The products featured in the Cabane’s picnic baskets are, like the rest of the products promoted by the Pied de Cochon, local and very well-prepared. The tried-and-true formula (since 2020) is back this year, and it is necessary to make a reservation in advance—two months in advance. A reservation guarantees a picnic for two people. You can also add a bottle of wine to the meal once you’re there. The season ends in October, and new reservations open every week. To reserve, click here.