Six Hours Each Way for Dinner: A Pilgrimage to Au Pied de Cochon’s Sugar Shack

My third year making a pilgrimage to Quebec to visit a
 very special Sugar Shack for the best meal of my life.

Some meals are worth traveling for. And then there’s Au Pied de Cochon’s Sugar Shack, a seasonal feast so indulgent, so outrageously rich, that we willingly drive six hours each way just to experience it. This year marked our third time dining at this legendary maple season pop-up, but for the first time, we made a weekend of it—spending the night in Quebec instead of heading straight home.

The meat-heavy, decadent Quebecois cuisine is the brainchild of chef Martin Picard.

What Is Au Pied de Cochon’s Sugar Shack?

Nestled in the Quebec countryside, the Sugar Shack (Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon) is the brainchild of renowned chef Martin Picard. Known for his love of foie gras, maple syrup, and over-the-top Québécois cuisine, Picard first gained international fame with Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal. The Sugar Shack, open only during maple season, takes his signature excess to another level. Reservations open on December 1st and sell out fast—within hours, if not minutes. We first heard about it from Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, and ever since, it’s been an experience we can’t resist.

The Feast: Maple, Foie Gras, and Everything in Between

If you’re picturing a casual pancake breakfast, think again. This is a multi-course extravaganza where every dish is a masterpiece of decadence. Highlights from our visit included:

• Foie gras-stuffed pastries drizzled with maple syrup

• Wood-fired meat pies drenched in rich, silky gravy, cheese, and organ meat

• Mouth-watering fish dishes like the shrimp and lobster omelet with hollandaise and squid ink sauce.

• Maple-smoked ham cooked to perfection

• A dessert spread that defied all logic—think maple taffy, maple crème brûlée, and crepes soaked in syrup and cooked in duck fat

Every plate arrives family-style, and by the end, you’re torn between never eating again and wondering when you can return. 

The sugar shack itself is a modest timber building - a one room dining hall.

Guests are seated for the time they sign up for - there are 1-3 serving sessions a day (Thurs-Sun during the season)

Getting There: Drive or Fly

For fellow USA adventurers willing to make the trek, here’s how to get there:

• By car: From Boston, it’s about a six-hour drive (longer with border crossings). From Montreal, it’s just over an hour.

• By air: Fly into Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) or Mirabel Airport (YMX) and rent a car.

** You need a passport to cross the Canadian border. Make sure you are familiar with border-crossing rules.

Stay

This year, we opted to stay overnight in an Airbnb in Saint-Julienne, a small rural town about 45 minutes from the Sugar Shack in Mirabel, and about an hour from Montreal. In years past, we've stayed in Vermont, and even driven back home on the same day.  Our friends have opted to stay in Montreal in the past since there's lots to do.

We shared an AirBnb about an hour from the Sugar Shack. 

Things to Do in the Area

While the Sugar Shack is the main event, there’s plenty to explore before or after your meal:

• Montreal’s Food Scene – If you have time, grab a meal at the original Au Pied de Cochon (we’ve dined there twice, and it’s always worth it).

• Old Montreal – Stroll through cobblestone streets, visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, and soak in the city’s charm.

• Mont Tremblant – If you’re up for skiing or outdoor adventures, this famous resort town isn’t far away.

Would we do it again? Absolutely. This wasn’t just dinner—it was an experience, a tradition, and a reminder that some meals are truly worth the journey.

Pro-tip: Bring your own tupperware/to-go containers. You will have leftovers!

Would you make a 12-hour round-trip for a meal? More video and photos at my Instagram: FreelanceAdventurer.

We've gone as a couple, a big group, and this time - good friends. Food is served family style - so it's fun to share!

Check out these similar adventures:

- Spring Weekend in the White Mountains
- Ogunquit, Maine overnight for families
- Affordable Family weekend in the Whites

Quebec's sugar shack culture and amazing food is as good as it gets

at Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon.