3 Days in Outaouais: The Ultimate Quebec Food and Adventure Road Trip Itinerary from Chelsea to Montebello

Chelsea Getaway: Active Gastronomy in Outaouais

Spending 2 nights is an absolute must for your Chelsea itinerary. Located just a twenty-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, the village of Old Chelsea is the undisputed engine of the active lifestyle in the region.

Thriving on a brilliant concept of active gastronomy, this means intense outdoor recreation is perfectly balanced by high-end artisanal food. My kind of balance!

The community is incredibly quaint, and most of the main attractions for visitors are entirely walkable. I was amazed by how busy this village gets, with the street parking already filled up by lunchtime. Locals told me this bustling energy is completely normal every weekend and intensifies during the beautiful fall season.

Best Things To Do in Chelsea

Camp Fortune: Zipline and Mountain Coaster Thrills

Camp Fortune is a monumental adventure hub situated precisely on the boundary of Gatineau Park along Chemin Dunlop. This destination traces its origins back over a century to Garret Fortune’s logging camp. It officially evolved into a ski resort in 1920, where early thrill-seekers would take a train into Chelsea and cross-country ski their way home.

Visiting Camp Fortune is easily one of the top things to do in Chelsea. They added a massive Mountain Coaster in 2021 and their famous Peak to Peak Ziplines in May 2023.

I tackled the ziplines, which span 4,478 feet across three high-speed dual lines and a 50-ft drop tower. I’ve ziplined in Costa Rica, Florida, and the Philippines before, but those were mostly treetop courses. Here, I took a chairlift up the Marshall ski run and zipped directly across the massive Camp Fortune Valley over to the McDonald ski run.

The zipline experience ends with a drop tower with three different drop options, plus the stairs if you don’t want to drop. I’ve done rappels and Tarzan swing as part of a zipline experience but it’s my first time doing a drop tower. Opting for the middle option, the one-meter free fall ended so quickly I barely felt the fall that I wished I did the two-meter free fall instead.

I then rode the Mountain Coaster, Ottawa and the Outaouais’ only gravity pipe coaster featuring a one-kilometer monorail track. It operates exactly like an actual rollercoaster, twisting and turning, and even going through a tunnel. I got lucky and had zipliners zip by me as I was riding down.

Mackenzie King Estate: Historical Ruins

Domaine Mackenzie King, or Mackenzie King Estate, provides a profoundly unique historical experience deep within Gatineau Park. Purchased the land in 1903, this expansive lakeside property served as the beloved country estate of Canada’s longest-serving Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King.

The grounds are divided into distinct zones including Kingswood, Gardens and Ruins, and the Moorside section where the main cottage sits. It is recognized nationally for its historical significance and its meticulously curated English and French gardens. Estate Parking is conveniently available at Lot P6.

Don’t let the official map intimidate you! Covering the entire Moorside and Gardens and Ruins sections takes much less time than it appears. The property offers incredible variety for a single hike, taking you past historical chalets, vibrant gardens, and winding forest paths.

We hiked out to the estate’s Bridal Veil Falls, but the water flow was quite weak during my summer visit. Locals advised me that the optimal time to witness the falls roaring is during April and May when the winter snows are actively melting.

The estate is highly celebrated for its brilliant collection of architectural salvage. King famously rescued stone ruins from demolished buildings in Ottawa and reassembled them into romantic focal points like the Abbey Ruins and the Arc de Triomphe. While I was there, a beautiful wedding was actually being set up right beneath the Arc de Triomphe.

Gatineau Park: E-Bike Adventure with Nomades du Parc

Gatineau Park is affectionately known as the green lung of the Outaouais region. Spanning an astonishing 361 square kilometers across the Canadian Shield, I was surprised to learn that it’s actually the second most visited park in Canada right behind Banff National Park.

The National Capital Commission manages the territory with a strict focus on ecological conservation, working actively to protect at-risk species while formalizing a massive network of approximately 200 kilometers of official trails. It is a premier destination for hiking, road cycling, and gravel biking, drawing around 1.7 million visitors annually.

I was absolutely blown away by how many cyclists come here. I’ve visited a lot of parks in my travels, and Gatineau Park had the most cyclists I’ve seen from my experience.

Nomades du Parc: Outdoor Hub

Exploring this massive park is a mandatory part of any Quebec getaway. Because the topography features steep, sustained ascents up the Eardley Escarpment, I highly recommend taking a guided e-bike tour to see the sights.

The parkway routes are frequently closed to motor vehicles, reserving the smooth asphalt entirely for cyclists and runners. Enter Nomades du Parc.

Nomades du Parc is the premier logistical facilitator for active tourism in the Outaouais region. Located right in the heart of Old Chelsea, this specialized outdoor gear rental and guided experience center sits directly at the main entrance to Gatineau Park.

Opened in 2021 and co-owned by Vincent Bergeron, Nomades du Parc built a heavily engaged community hub offering monthly subscription models for locals while organizing massive athletic events like the Gravelle du Parc.

Their fleet includes high-end electric bikes, gravel bikes, enduro mountain bikes, and paddleboards, effectively democratizing access to the region’s challenging topography.

They also serve local craft beers at their bike shop, and I even noticed several cyclists having a quick pit stop to enjoy some beers before hitting the trails again.

E-Bike Tour

While most visitors simply rent bikes and explore on their own, booking a guided tour with Nomades du Parc is an invaluable experience. If it’s your first time visiting the area, the guides provide incredible context about the park’s history and biodiversity.

Vincent was my guide for my Gatineau Park e-bike adventure, and his deep knowledge of the local ecosystem was incredibly impressive. My guided journey allowed me to effortlessly conquer the hills and visit several iconic landmarks.

We stopped at the Huron Lookout and the Étienne Brûlé Lookout, which offers a stunning panoramic view over the Ottawa River. We also reached the famous Champlain Lookout, presenting the most popular and breathtaking view in the entire park. Vincent said this was a cyclist’s bucket list lookout.

Finally, we visited Pink Lake, a rare meromictic lake that is actually vivid green. It features prehistoric anaerobic organisms that use sulfur instead of oxygen to survive at the bottom, making it an incredible ecological site.

Best Places To Eat in Chelsea

Biscotti & cie: Morning Rituals

Biscotti & cie is an absolute institution located right in the heart of Old Chelsea. Operating out of a vibrant red building known for its eclectic tilework on Chemin Scott, this spot serves as the morning gathering hole for locals, cyclists and tourists alike, and offers a dual identity by functioning as a robust coffeehouse by day and a bustling pizzeria by evening.

The space feels incredibly cozy, exactly like you’re stepping right inside a rustic cottage. I also love their massive outdoor dining garden where you are surrounded by nature.

I stopped here for breakfast, and they have a fast casual service type setup. You order at the front counter, receive a buzzer, and pick up your meal when it’s ready. Travelling Foodie Tip: Check the side of the cashier for the a la carte food menu, because you won’t find it written on the main chalkboard.

Because they have a dedicated Neapolitan pizza oven, I had to try their Benny Pizza. This unique creation features a creamy cheese sauce, avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, asiago, ricotta, herbs, a poached egg, and rich hollandaise.

It was my first time ever seeing an Eggs Benedict Pizza, and it is a must-eat! The dish is fully vegetarian, though I do wish there was an option to add protein like bacon as an extra topping. I also tried the Smoked Salmon Toast on sourdough bread to kickstart my morning.

Cafe Palmier: Modern Brunch

Cafe Palmier introduces a bright and contemporary atmosphere to the traditionally rustic Outaouais region. Located at 40 Chemin Scott near the main entrance of Gatineau Park, this stunning cafe officially opened in July 2018.

During my food trip in Ottawa, I met Chris Petrie, the owner of Bower Coffee Co. When I asked him where he eats when he isn’t working, he immediately recommended Cafe Palmier, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Chef Justin Champagne-Lagarde of Perch Ottawa also recommended Cafe Palmier.

The space is impressively large, featuring two floors and an incredible al fresco setup. Beyond the attached patio and balcony seating, you can walk out the back to discover an outdoor dining area that makes you feel like you’re eating deep inside a forest.

They maintain a highly specialized beverage program, offering rotating featured espresso beans, craft beers, and modern cocktails. I started my meal with a flawlessly executed Cortado. For food, I ordered the Avocado Toast served on Bread By Us country bread, topped with vegan garlic mayo, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil oil.

The absolute star of the meal was the Chez Edgar French Toast, topped with brown butter apple compote, Balderson cheddar cheese, crispy pork belly, a sunny-side egg, fresh blueberries, and maple syrup. It’s such a unique sweet and savoury combination that I consider it a mandatory order for anyone visiting Chelsea.

Distillerie du Square: Craft Spirits

Distillerie du Square is an incredible agritourism destination located at 248 Chemin Old Chelsea. Serving as the very first distillery in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais, this operation stands out for its deep dedication to nature-inspired local spirits.

The facility functions simultaneously as an artisanal distillery, an economuseum, and a cocktail bar. It’s quite rare to find a craft distillery prioritizing gin production over whiskey, making this a highly unique stop for your Chelsea itinerary.

Outside the main building is the Terrasse du Square, a central open-air bar and outdoor kitchen where the community gathers for drinks and casual food.

Guided Tour at Distillerie du Square

I joined their guided tour, which kicked off with their Bellagroni welcome cocktail, brilliantly mixing their Gin du Jardin with Bella Ciao! Aperitivo. We then had a comprehensive tour of the production floor, where I learned how they utilize a hybrid pot and column still configuration.

For their signature gins, they infuse vibrant flavors by passing vapors directly through ingredients. Following the tour, we retreated to La Cocktailerie, their stunning speakeasy-style indoor bar, to sample all their spirits.

I really enjoyed their Gin du Jardin Méditerranéen, which is created using a complex fat-wash method with La Belle Excuse olive oil and pistachios. It was my first time trying fat-washed gin, and the lemon and pistachio aromas were completely captivating.

Another highlight was the Picbois, a salted maple cream liqueur blending pure maple syrup with a hint of fleur de sel. Created in collaboration with Vodkow, it evokes the spirit of Quebec sugar shacks, and I dare say it’s better than Baileys.

La Cigale: Artisanal Ice Cream

Best ice cream in Outaouais? La Cigale is a legendary artisanal ice cream shop that commands immense regional loyalty across the Outaouais. Operating out of a vibrant, colorful house with a beautiful wrap-around porch at 14 Chemin Scott in Old Chelsea, this spot has been satisfying sweet tooths since opening its doors in 2001.

Their production utilizes a specialized 10-liter copper churns to produce small batches of ice cream with exceptionally low overrun. This painstaking process results in a dense, rich texture that closely mimics historical ice cream making techniques.

Their master menu boasts 72 unique rotating flavors utilizing 100 percent Quebec dairy, with 26 options available daily. If you have dietary restrictions, they also offer vegan sorbets and gluten-free rice flour cones baked fresh on Friday mornings.

I had heard this place was popular, but I was still shocked to see massive lineups even at 9:00 PM. Thankfully, the wait feels like a fun communal social event because they provide an enormous outdoor space. The massive garden features multiple seating options like boxed cabana-type seating and unique tables equipped with built-in chess boards.

I ordered a massive Banana Split featuring generous scoops of Chocolate Hazelnut, Pralines and Cream, and Pecan Pie. The Pecan Pie flavor was my favourite, featuring large, delicious chunks of actual pie crust folded right into the ice cream.

I also tried their Ice Cream Sandwich, which came with three flavor options so you can’t choose from the regular list. The Chocolate Chip Cookie paired with Raspberry White Chocolate ice cream offered a nice mix of sweet and tart notes.

Les Fougères: Fine Dining

Les Fougères at 783 Route 105 stands easily as one of the top Chelsea restaurants, an absolute titan in the realm of Canadian fine dining. Founded in 1993 by Chefs Charles Part and Jennifer Warren Part, it has consistently earned places on prestigious lists like Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants and Canada’s 100 Best Recommends.

Helmed by Head Chef Simon Beaudry, Les Fougères is deeply rooted in a farm-to-table philosophy, expertly utilizing the finest regional terroir of Western Quebec.

Located just outside Old Chelsea, the property boasts a huge outdoor garden complete with an apiary and a set of swings. The dining room feels fine dining while keeping a relaxed atmosphere, and I particularly love the wavy bar seating overlooking the kitchen.

As I love my egg white cocktails, I started with a Hibiscus Sour cocktail featuring vodka, Galliano, absinthe, and egg white. It was my first time trying absinthe in an egg white sour, and the combination was spectacular. Highly recommend!

My top two recommended dishes: the Confit of Québec Duck, a fixed staple on their highly seasonal menu. Served with roesti potato, Papineauville chèvre, and Venosta cranberry compote, it was quite literally one of the best duck confits I’ve ever eaten in Canada. The crispy skin gave way to incredibly tender, juice-bursting meat.

I also highly recommend the other fixed staple, Mouth of the St-Lawrence, an incredible medley of seared Grand Banks scallop, Matane shrimp, and salt cod ravioli soaking up the PEI mussel fumet. It’s not surprising that these two are the only dishes that have never changed on the menu.

End the night with the Vanilla Creme Brulee which was super creamy with thick crispy caramelized sugar. This was hands down my favorite meal on my Outaouais trip.

L’Orée du Bois: Classic French

L’Orée du Bois has been a foundational pillar of the Outaouais food landscape since it first opened its doors in 1978. Founded by Chef Blain, this esteemed establishment specializes in blending refined classic French techniques with incredibly robust Québécois ingredients.

Located at 15 Chemin Kingsmere, the restaurant is set inside an enchanting, rustic farmhouse situated right on the very edge of Gatineau Park. There is even a scenic nature path connecting the property directly to Old Chelsea Square, which we took walking from Lofts du Village.

The interior is beautifully cozy, intimate, and deeply romantic, making it the absolute perfect venue for a date night.

I started my meal with their Escargots in a rich cream sauce, heavily elevated with local Le Coprin farm mushrooms, a confit tomato coulis, and delicate puff pastry. It was a brilliant deviation from the standard garlic butter escargot you’d typically find on French menus.

Next, I enjoyed perfectly pan-seared scallops plated with a warm corn salad, creamy corn espuma, chorizo, and hot pepper oil for a slight kick.

However, the absolute showstopper was the Cataclysm Poutine. Because we were in Quebec, we wanted a poutine experience, and this wood-burning grill specialty delivered. This massive, shareable dish features homemade fries, a whole duck confit leg, fresh cheese curds, pan-seared foie gras, and a phenomenal green peppercorn sauce that added mild pops of heat.

Olivia Bistro-Boutique: Healthy Fast-Casual

Olivia Bistro-Boutique perfectly satisfies the massive regional demand for modern, highly aestheticized, and health-conscious dining. Located at 193 Chemin Old Chelsea, the interior atmosphere is fantastic, making you feel like you’ve just stepped into a high-end wellness spa layered with relaxing jungle and forest vibes.

They even operate an in-house market where you can purchase their proprietary marinades, dressings, and smoothie bases to cook with at home.

This is easily one of the top Chelsea restaurants for a quick, revitalizing lunch. Their menu is highly accommodating to modern dietary restrictions, featuring an array of gourmet bowls, signature salads, and fusion tacos.

I ordered a variety of tacos, and overall, everything tasted incredibly fresh, light, and healthy. The Chorizo Tacos paired nicely with pickled onions and spicy mayo, but my absolute favorite was the Fresh Salmon Tacos. Served on soft wheat tortillas, the salmon was perfectly balanced with rich guacamole, spicy mayo, and a generous sprinkle of cajun pumpkin seeds.

To wash it all down, I grabbed Sunny Yellow Smoothie. Blending mangoes, pineapple, ginger, and yogurt, it was the refreshing healthy boost I needed to continue my Outaouais road trip.

Roberto Pizza Romana: Authentic Italian

Roberto Pizza Romana, or simply Roberto’s to locals, introduced a hyper-specific regional Italian culinary art to the Gatineau hills. Located at 241 Chemin Old Chelsea, the origin story plays out like a romantic movie.

Canadian tourist Geneviève Parent traveled to Italy, fell in love with a dish, and subsequently fell in love with the chef who cooked it. That chef was Roberto Catervi, who had earned his first Michelin star at the remarkable age of 27. Unwilling to let her leave, Chef Roberto moved to Canada, and together they launched this incredibly successful artisanal pizzeria.

Typically for Italian pizza, the most common you’ll find is Neapolitan pizza so I loved seeing their strict specialization for Roman-style pizza, utilizing organic Quebec flours undergoing a rigorous 48-hour sourdough fermentation process.

The atmosphere inside feels incredibly cozy, exactly like you are dining inside someone’s private home, and their outdoor patio was bustling.

What Pizza To Try at Roberto Pizza Romana

They utilize a three-part ordering system. First, you visit the pastry section to pick your pizza al taglio (pizza by the cut) instead of whole round pies. Next, you move to the drinks and desserts section, and finally, you pay at the cashier.

The pizza by the cut format is brilliant because it allows you to sample multiple incredible flavor profiles. Travelling Foodie Tip: Since we were two people dining and the staff knew we wanted to try more flavours, she asked if we wanted the slice to be further cut in two, which meant we got to try double the flavors!

I loved the classic Amatriciana featuring guanciale and pecorino romano, as well as a highly unique seasonal Chanterelle Mushroom pizza using mushrooms foraged directly from Gatineau Park that very morning.

My absolute favorite was the Potato and Truffle pizza. The potatoes melted in my mouth and never felt heavy on the highly digestible, crispy crust. For dessert, the Tiramisu Bombolone is a non-negotiable must-order.

Where To Stay in Chelsea

Lofts du Village: Boutique Stay

Lofts du Village provides the ultimate boutique accommodation experience for anyone looking for where to stay in Chelsea. Situated right at the Chelsea Square and walking distance to the entrance of Gatineau Park, this modern property caters specifically to the active and eco-conscious demographic with immediate access to the surrounding trailheads or walk five minutes to the famous Nordik Spa-Nature.

My e-biking guide, Vincent from Nomades du Parc, confidently told me this is unequivocally the best hotel in Chelsea. Staying here was so convenient because you are situated right in the heart of the village, making almost every major dining spot easily walkable. This means you never have to worry about securing street parking after a long day of exploring.

I stayed in their Large Loft, and I was in awe when I walked through the door. The open-plan space was completely massive, carrying the distinct vibe of a luxury penthouse apartment with two queen beds, a living room with a sofa-bed, a fully-equipped kitchen, a modern bathroom and a balcony.

The architecture embraces the surrounding nature brilliantly. Stepping out onto my private balcony made me feel like I was in some remote forest area surrounded by trees. I love that they also provide premium coffee grounds in the loft that’s sourced directly from their sister restaurant, Biscotti & Cie.

Gatineau Guide: Urban Culture in Outaouais

Transitioning from the active wilderness of Chelsea, Gatineau serves as the entry point for deep cultural tourism in the Outaouais region from Ontario, sitting directly across the Ottawa River from Ottawa. If you are searching for the best things to do in Gatineau, the urban core delivers an incredible mix of national museums and brilliant heritage bistros.

Best Things To Do in Gatineau

Canadian Museum of History: Most Visited National Museum

Canadian Museum of History is the undisputed institutional anchor of Gatineau and the most visited national museum in all of Canada. Located at 100 Rue Laurier, directly facing Parliament Hill, this monumental facility is tasked with preserving and interpreting over 15,000 years of social, human, and Indigenous history.

Formerly known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, it underwent a massive mandate shift in 2013 to focus more explicitly on deep Canadian heritage. The building itself is an architectural masterwork.

Designed by the globally renowned Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal, the sprawling curvilinear limestone structure intentionally mimics the undulating forms of the Canadian Shield, the retreat of ancient glaciers, and the flowing waters of the Ottawa River. I loved how the curvy, organic architecture strongly reminded me of Casa Mila in Barcelona.

Inside, the visual centerpiece is the breathtaking Grand Hall. I had no idea before visiting that the Canadian Museum of History houses the absolute largest indoor collection of totem poles in the world.

The museum chronologically details the socio-political evolution of the nation through the Canadian History Hall and the First Peoples Hall, deliberately refusing to shy away from complex historical truths regarding Indigenous relations.

Pro Tip: Make sure you step outside to explore the Japanese Zen Garden. From there, you can walk up to the elevated viewing deck to capture some of the most beautiful, uninterrupted views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.

Best Places To Eat in Gatineau

Maison Charron: Riverside Bistro

Maison Charron is a striking testament to the region’s early 19th-century shipbuilding history, operating right inside one of the absolute oldest surviving buildings in the National Capital Region historically known as Christiana’s House or Chrissie’s House.

The structure is a recognized Federal Heritage Building, beautifully showcasing the architectural transition between traditional maison québécoise and 19th-century aesthetics with its thick stone walls and bell-curved eaves.

Located in Jacques-Cartier Park at 164 Rue Laurier overlooking the Hull Marina, this spot is the definition of pure al fresco dining. The open-air terrace is incredibly relaxing, and they have the ability to quickly cover the space if it rains.

The menu heavily emphasizes fresh, terroir-driven plates designed for communal sharing and is a simple one pager with appetizers, pizzas and desserts. I ordered their highly popular Enzo Pizza, a magnificent wood-fired pie loaded with Roma tomatoes, pepperoni, soppressata, chorizo, and fresh mozzarella.

I also highly recommend the incredibly unique Carbonara Pizza. This white pie features rich guanciale, pecorino, and is brilliantly topped with salted egg yolk. For dessert, their house-made Rum Raisin ice cream packs an impressively strong punch.

Travelling Foodie Pro Tip: Order their Chef’s seasonal burrata on the side and manually add it to your pizza slices for an unbelievable flavor upgrade.

Saint-André-Avellin: Boreal Renaissance in Outaouais

Leaving the urban energy of Gatineau behind, I drove east into the agricultural heart of the Petite Nation territory to visit Saint-André-Avellin. This area is actively spearheading a profound boreal renaissance, integrating deep Indigenous storytelling with world-class culinary techniques.

Best Places To Eat in Saint-André-Avellin

Kîsisam Patisserie: Indigenous Culinary Destination

Kîsisam Patisserie is one of the most unique and culturally important cafe destinations you can possibly experience in Canada. Located at 133 Rue Principale, this bakery operates as a powerful vehicle for cultural storytelling and reconciliation through high-level gastronomy.

It was opened post-COVID by pastry chef Dominique Lalonde, who in 2019 formally received her spiritual name Neu Uasstessiu Nipish. In the Oji-Cree language, Kîsisam translates to “she who bakes with fire,” perfectly describing a shop that does something I’ve never seen before: fusing ancient Indigenous knowledge and boreal ingredients into traditional desserts using highly sophisticated French pastry techniques.

Dominique is incredibly passionate, having won the Public’s Choice Award at Outaouais en cuisine, and her work makes ancestral ingredients deeply approachable. Meeting Dominique, learning her story and getting to try her creations was special.

She has so much passion in cooking and baking, and I’m so glad she’s shining a light to Indigenous food and culture that makes it more easily approachably by the public.

Food & Drinks at Kîsisam Patisserie

I tried a wide array and I absolutely loved that her desserts are not overly sweet, which is the highest form of praise you can get from Asians when it comes to desserts. Many of her pastries carry subtle savory notes due to the foraged medicines and ingredients used.

The Wanadoh Brownie was so unique, featuring a decadent dark chocolate chaga mushroom base topped with chanterelle mushrooms and buckwheat honey caramel. The creative use of chanterelle mushrooms in a dessert was exquisite.

I also fell in love with the Duo Macarons Mahihkan Tpiski-Pîsim, which paired a porcini-infused cocoa macaron with 72 percent Peruvian dark chocolate for a perfect umami balance. I also sampled the Dune Pepper Spice Squash Cake, garnished with pepitas and a balsam fir buttercream that offers natural notes of citrus.

Do not leave without trying her Black Mountain Maple Tarts. They taste like an elevated butter tart, utilizing a specific syrup the Algonquins of Kitcisakik revere as the “syrup of friendship”.

Beyond the desserts, the cafe also offers comforting savory options. I tried the Three Sisters Soup, which is a traditional agricultural combination of three main Indigenous ingredients: squash, corn, and beans.

This soup serves as a symbolic depiction of faith, love, and perseverance. This vegan soup was incredibly hearty, flavourful, and delicious. I loved it!

They also have unique coffee drinks. I tried the Chaga Latte, utilizing medicinal chaga mushrooms to awaken all five senses. It was my first time trying this fungus that grows on birch trees.

Montebello Guide: Rustic Luxury in Outaouais

After an incredible experience in Saint-André-Avellin, it was a short drive southwest to the historic municipality of Montebello, the last village in the eastern border of the Outaouais before reaching The Laurentians.

Here, the landscape transitions into an atmosphere of deliberate, rustic luxury. Planning an overnight stay for your Montebello itinerary is highly recommended.

The core of the town centers along the main downtown strip, a deeply quaint area filled with local boutiques, heritage buildings, and incredibly authentic eateries. I enjoyed walking around and be sure to pass by the Fabrique Notre-Dame de Bonsecours, one of the iconic landmarks in Montebello.

Best Places To Eat in Montebello

Aux Chantignoles: Signature Dining

Aux Chantignoles is the signature fine-dining restaurant operating deep inside the iconic Fairmont Le Château Montebello at 392 Rue Notre-Dame. The dining room itself provides a dramatically epic setting for a meal.

As you enter from the main lobby, you are greeted by soaring ceilings, monumental stone columns, and an incredible atmosphere that immediately reminded me of The Great Hall from Harry Potter. I had dinner here, and the service was impeccably attentive.

I started with The Bluefin Tuna appetizer. Marinated with clementine, grapefruit, avocado, and shallot, and served with a sesame tuile, it felt like a brilliant fusion of Mexican and Asian flavor profiles.

For the main course, I loved the massive 10 oz Beef Prime Rib. Slow-cooked and served with chimichurri sauce, a rich potato gratin, and local farm mushrooms, the meat was flawlessly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. I also tried the scallops paired with Gaspor farm bacon and Campari.

To finish the evening, I highly recommend ordering the Paris-Brest Pistache Framboise. Their house-made pistachio praline paste is absolutely delicious.

ChocoMotive: Artisanal Chocolate

ChocoMotive operates as the very first certified Chocolate making ÉCONOMUSÉE in the Outaouais region. Located at 502 Rue Notre-Dame, this incredible artisanal business is uniquely housed right inside the historic Montebello cedar log heritage train station built in the 1930s.

Run by master chocolatiers Luc Gielen and Mabel Callas, the establishment is deeply committed to ethical sourcing, holding a strict Transfair Canada license that mandates the exclusive use of certified organic and fair-trade chocolate.

They use about 8 tonnes of couverture chocolate per year, utilizing 2 to 3 crates of 10 kg each day. As an ÉCONOMUSÉE, the facility is designed to showcase authentic heritage techniques to the public.

When you walk inside, you will find a massive chocolate fountain and a large viewing window where you can watch the chocolatiers manually crafting pralines and seasonal moldings.

One-of-a-kind Chocolate at ChocoMotive

The store is an absolute dream for any chocolate lover. They specialize in pralines with a wide variety of flavours like caramel and fleur de sel, maple butter, maple liqueur, and seasonal ones like a mango cream one that I enjoyed.

I was immediately drawn to their Cave d’Affinage. This was my first time ever seeing this specific technique, where chocolate blocks are aged in a container and infused with specific botanical aromas like rose, espresso, mint, and chamomile.

I was deeply impressed by how well the aging process infused not just in the aroma, but the actual taste profile right into the chocolate. I highly recommend trying these as you’ll most likely have never had a chocolate like this before.

The owners are constantly experimenting with new ingredients to infuse, and they were kind enough to let me sample a couple secret test flavors they are preparing for global awards. While I cannot reveal the specific flavor, I can confidently say one of them was the best flavor of Cave d’Affinage I tried.

Le Café Entre Amis: Cozy Breakfast

Le Café Entre Amis provides a charming, highly localized counterpoint to the monumental scale of the nearby Fairmont. Located in the heart of downtown Montebello at 491 Rue Notre-Dame, this beloved bistro serves as a quintessential community gathering space.

Run by owners Léo and Chantal, the cafe is renowned for serving hearty, refined breakfasts and lunches in an incredibly unpretentious atmosphere. The interior feels exactly like you are inside someone’s cozy dining room, and they also offer lovely patio seating out in their beautiful garden.

I stopped here for breakfast before exploring downtown, and the food was fantastic. I enjoyed their unique take on French Toast, utilizing Chantal’s famous cinnamon brioche.

Interestingly, despite being made from brioche, the bread was pressed and cooked in a way that made it resemble a pancake. It was delicious, especially after I added a side of crispy bacon for a much-needed savory component.

I also tried the Home-Made French Crepes Platter, which comes with three massive crepes and a fun array of DIY toppings including maple syrup, Nutella, fresh fruit, whipped cream, and grilled almonds. Paired with a strong Cortado, it was the perfect last meal on my final day in the Outaouais region.

Where To Stay in Montebello

Fairmont Montebello: Iconic Log Cabin

Fairmont Le Château Montebello is a majestic architectural marvel located directly on the banks of the Ottawa River. Built in 1930 originally as a highly exclusive private club, the resort is globally famed as the largest log cabin in the world, utilizing over 10,000 massive red cedar logs.

This premier luxury resort features 210 guestrooms and offers a fully self-contained ecosystem of amenities, including an 18-hole golf course designed by legendary architect Stanley Thompson.

I’ve stayed at other Fairmont properties like Fairmont Tremblant and Fairmont Royal York before, but Fairmont Le Château Montebello is the biggest one I’ve stayed at.

Walking into this property feels like you are entering a sprawling private estate. The grounds feature multiple separate chalets, a private yacht club, and even an indoor curling facility.

The central lobby is dominated by a massive six-sided stone fireplace that anchors the entire building’s rustic charm. During my stay, I made sure to utilize their health center, relaxing in the jacuzzi and gendered sauna.

This log castle resort does a fantastic job of keeping guests refreshed, providing infused water stations throughout the property that change flavors daily. Travelling Foodie Tip: Bring your own reusable water bottle so you can easily fill up before heading out to explore the property’s massive trail network.

I stayed at their Moderate Room which is ideal for single occupancy with one double bed.

Your Outaouais Vacation Getaway Awaits

This 3 Days in the Outaouais, Quebec itinerary perfectly combines incredible outdoor recreation and cultural heritage with world-class, terroir-driven dining. While I spent 4 days and 3 nights in Outaouais, it technically ends up being 3 days in-region since 1 day went travelling to and from the region, after which I continued my road trip to Lanaudiere-Mauricie.

From the vibrant al fresco culture and massive e-bike trails of Chelsea to the heritage museums and gastronomy of Gatineau, the boreal pastries of Saint-André-Avellin, and the deeply rustic luxury of Montebello, you will easily find some of the absolute best restaurants and things to do in Outaouais.

By prioritizing hyper-local ingredients, historical and natural preservation, and Indigenous culinary arts, this region offers an incredibly unique mix of travel experience that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else.