When it comes to the “gourmet” sugar shack experience, it’s often thought of as the kind of thing reserved for Montreal chefs pulling seasonal stunts. But La Tablée des Pionniers, near the Mont Blanc ski hill in the Laurentides, also delivers on that front, with a split pea soup made with kale and bacon; a pulled pork and mushroom puff pastry; and platters of foie gras, smoked duck, and fig croutons. It’s all-you-can-eat, and bookings go for $59 per person.

What started as a sugar shack serving 20 people at a time in 1941 has grown to include a candy factory and microbrewery, too. Situated in a gorgeous cabin northeast of the city, Constantin is one of the more popular sugar shack destinations surrounding Montreal. This season, it’s operating until April 24, serving up an all-you-can-eat menu of smoked pork jowls, pouding chômeur, sausages, and eggs cooked in maple syrup. They also offer vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and egg-free options. Prices range from $26 to $33.

The Ladouceur family had been making syrup for five generations before it opened this Mirabel sugar shack in 2014. This season, they’re primed to return to their normal activities like dancing and karaoke, as well as sizeable all-you-can-eat menus that come in traditional, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, and kosher options. Prices are $27.83 per adult and $9.14 to $14.79 per child depending on age. With its massive facilities, it’s one of the more family-friendly options around Montreal, with carriage rides and petting zoos with llamas and sheep at the ready.

It may be over a hundred years old, but Lalande doesn’t look it. One of the more manicured experiences when it comes to sugar shacks around Montreal, their massive facilities are open year-round as an event venue. But from March 16 to April 24, their sugar shack offering is available, with prices ranging from $23.48 to $31.31 per adult, depending on the time and day of the week. They excel at hosting large groups, so don’t shy away from bringing the whole (extended) family along with you. Prices per child range from $10.44 to $20.78 depending on age.

This 135-acre U-pick orchard in Oka run by the Labonté and Dufresne families is regularly and rightfully looked to for apple-picking seasons, but their sugar shack experience shouldn’t be neglected either: Their cabane à pommes proffers menus that come in either traditional ($42.50 per person) or gourmet ($55 per person) options, with the former serving all the usual suspects while the latter features dishes like the “étagé campagnard,” where applewood smoked ham, bacon, cheddar and Oka cheeses are all sandwiched between two waffles with applesauce, before the whole thing is covered in syrup. Reservations can be made online, and it’s BYOB.

This antique cabane run by the Faucher family is among the most lauded sugar shacks in the area surrounding Montreal. Located near the town of Rigaud and operating since 1978, founder Pierre Faucher and his son Stefan stand out for how they keep the rustic charm of their spot intact, right down to the sleigh rides and folk music. This season, they’re offering both indoor all-you-can-eat menus with all the trappings ($34 to $43 per person) as well as takeout boxes with Ma Cabane à la Maison; boxes are $145 for four and $290 for eight.

This Eastern Townships sugar shack’s centennial was disrupted by the pandemic in 2020, so hungry visitors can expect owners will want to catch up on lost time. Every day of the week features a discount or special that ranges from 50 percent off kids’ meals on Mondays to $1 off admission for wearing a plaid shirt on Wednesday evenings. Kids will love the all-you-can-eat maple taffy, while adults can tuck into all-you-can-eat menus of pickles and cretons (pork spread) before diving into sausages and eggs, plus waffles and homemade donuts for dessert. Prices go from $38 per adult to $14 to $25 per child depending on age; a nursery is also available on-site for toddlers.

Far from some stoic expression of rusticity, this sugar “shack” in the Laurentides embraces the festivities of the season whole-heartedly with a full-on fairground of activities that range from mechanical bulls and train rides to merry-go-rounds. First opened in 1948, before transferring to its current stewards of the Lampron family, they’re now going on six generations of boiling down sap and serving up feasts. Running from March 4 to May 1 and priced at $33 per adult and $10.44 to $13.91 per child depending on age, reservations get diners a meal as well as access to activities. Perfect for those looking for a sugar shack that the whole family can enjoy.

This sugar shack in the Montérégie region has been operating under the guidance of the same family for three generations now, and prides itself on its maple menu. There are all-you-can-eat menus of sweet and savoury dishes made up of classic options like pea soup and baked beans, as well as add-ons like a baked maple brie, to enjoy after working up an appetite with a walk through its sizeable maple groves. Prices are $38 per adult, and range from $13.50 to $26 per child, depending on age.

An orchard and winery in the warmer months, Domaine Labranche first found its footing as a sugar shack in the 1920s selling bottles to Montreal grocery stores. Operating until April 18, the sugar shack experience here takes place in a comparably smaller dining room, but sitting elbow-to-elbow is part of the fun. Hearty meals of crêpes, baked beans, pea soup, omelettes, ham, bacon, and pork rinds get served with maple desserts galore, and diners can expect to be handed a full wine list coming from the shack’s own cellar. Prices are $42 per adult and anywhere from $11.50 to $30 per child depending on age.

A charming location in the Eastern Townships operating from March 5 to May 1, folks flock in for the meals as much as they do for the view (hence the name). All told, over 15 different dishes make up the all-you-can-eat formula here, which comes with a BYOB option. The cabane’s own boutique makes all manner of taffy, candy, infused sugars, and pie from maple syrup. Prices are $35.66 for adults ($30.44 on Friday nights), and go from $11.31 to $21.74 for children.