The best dining near Lac-Simon is about 10 minutes away in Chénéville, Lac-Simon and Duhamel — from a Texas-style BBQ smokehouse and inventive bistros to a casse-croûte right on the water — with more options in Saint-André-Avellin (25 min) and Montebello (45 min), home to the Fairmont Château Montebello's renowned Sunday brunch.
You don't have to cook every night. Within about 10 minutes of the chalet, Chénéville and the lakeside villages range from craft-beer bistros to classic casse-croûtes; a short drive opens up French gastronomy, smokehouse BBQ, microbreweries, and Montebello's historic dining. Here's where to eat, grouped by drive time — and stock the kitchen at the Metro in Chénéville (about 10 minutes) for the nights you stay in.
10 minutes away — Chénéville, Lac-Simon & Duhamel
- Fabrik Café-Déjeuner — Local breakfast café — homemade breakfasts and brunches.
Chénéville - La Villa Du Bifteck — Canadian restaurant, steaks and grills.
Chénéville · 819-428-3240 - Bistro Bar le 321 — Friendly bistro-bar — pub fare, local beers, occasional live music.
Chénéville · 819-428-3044 - Rendez-Vous Du Chevreuil — Sandwiches, pizza and smoked meat in a warm atmosphere.
Duhamel · 819-428-3333 - Casse-Croûte Lac-Simon — Poutine, pizzas, and sandwiches with a lakeside terrace.
Lac-Simon · 1-888-661-6786 - Chez Seb — Inventive cuisine, local products and craft cocktails. Brunch and dinner in a friendly atmosphere.
Chénéville · 819-428-1250 - Carbo Barbecue — Texas-style BBQ smokehouse: brisket, pulled pork, ribs, mac and cheese. All homemade. Riverside terrace.
Duhamel · 819-428-9085 - Cantine-Bar Le P'tit Chéné — Cantine-bar in the heart of the village — casual canteen fare, bar, and terrace.
Chénéville · 873-725-0062
20 minutes away — Duhamel & Namur
- Auberge Couleurs de France — French gastronomic cuisine — fresh local products, daily-changing menu. Warm atmosphere on Petit Lac Preston.
Duhamel · 819-743-5878 - Au Moulin du Temps — Family restaurant — pizza, Canadian cuisine, breakfast and dinner. Casual atmosphere.
Namur · 819-426-3300
25 minutes away — Saint-André-Avellin & Ripon
- Café des Orties — Non-profit community café — local organic products, fresh food, and cultural events in Ripon's former rectory.
Ripon · 819-981-1666 - Le Café du Bistrot — Relaxed café-bistro — pizzas, pasta, gluten-free options. Summer terrace.
Saint-André-Avellin · 819-983-3966 - Casse-croûte La Dame de Cœur — Classic roadside snack bar — burgers, poutine, hot dogs. Popular pit stop.
Saint-André-Avellin · 819-983-6211 - La Toquade — Bistro-bar — duck confit, flank steak, fresh pasta, house-smoked salmon and gourmet burgers. Terrace, cocktails, and private dining room. Popular breakfasts.
Saint-André-Avellin · 819-516-0555 - Au Vieux Chaudron — Family bistro — grills, filet mignon, brochettes, walleye and fondues. Weekend table d'hôte.
Saint-André-Avellin · 819-983-4414 - Kîsisam Pâtisserie — Indigenous café-bakery — barista coffee, stuffed croissants (bison, smoked salmon, wild mushroom) and an artisan boutique.
Saint-André-Avellin · 819-743-8281 - Casse-croûte La Bouchée Double — Hearty snack bar — classic menu with keto and gluten-free options. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Saint-André-Avellin · 819-516-1109 - Crémerie 321 — Soft-serve and hard ice cream, sundaes, dairy bar. Open seasonally in summer.
Saint-André-Avellin
35 minutes away — Papineauville
- Chez Angèle — Warm family diner — breakfast and lunch, friendly welcome. Open daily.
Papineauville · 819-427-9119 - Microbrasserie Uncle Broue — Microbrewery + bistro — craft beers, local-ingredient bistro fare, and house cocktails.
Papineauville · 450-258-2467
45 minutes away — Montebello
- Les Brasseurs de Montebello — Craft microbrewery — tap room and patio. Beers inspired by regional history.
Montebello · 819-309-0607 - Le Bistro Montebello — Wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and creative poutines in a 200-year-old building. Quebec pub atmosphere. Evening delivery.
Montebello · 819-423-6900 - Le Napoléon — Quebec bistronomy — seasonal dishes, local meats, fish and vegetables, house desserts and a curated wine list.
Montebello · 819-423-5555 - Fairmont Château Montebello — Fine dining in a historic setting. Renowned Sunday brunch.
Montebello · 819-423-6341
Frequently asked questions
What's the closest restaurant to the chalet?
Chénéville is about 10 minutes away and has the most options (Chez Seb, La Villa Du Bifteck, Bistro Bar le 321). On the water, Casse-Croûte Lac-Simon serves poutine and pizza with a lakeside terrace, and the Carbo Barbecue smokehouse is in Duhamel (~10 min).
Where can you buy groceries near Lac-Simon?
The last full-service grocery before the chalet is the Metro in Chénéville, about 10 minutes away. Stock up on arrival — Chénéville also has a pharmacy and a gas station (Ultramar).
Is there fine dining for a special occasion?
Yes — Auberge Couleurs de France (Duhamel) serves French gastronomic cuisine, Le Napoléon offers Quebec bistronomy in Montebello, and the Fairmont Château Montebello (45 min) does fine dining in a historic setting, with a renowned Sunday brunch.
Are there gluten-free or special-diet options?
A few spots note them: Le Café du Bistrot (Saint-André-Avellin) has gluten-free options and Casse-croûte La Bouchée Double offers keto and gluten-free choices. In a rural area it's best to call ahead to confirm.
Are restaurants open in the off-season?
Hours vary in a rural area, especially November–April, and some seasonal spots (ice-cream stand, patios) close for winter. Call before heading out. Le Bistro Montebello offers evening delivery.