Fall is well underway in Lanaudière, and on rainy days, you’ll often find yourself wanting to stay home. Still, we’re trying to tempt you to leave the comfort of your home and treat yourself to a meal at one of our 10 restaurants, where we serve the best comfort food to chase away the gloom.
Creamy mac and cheese, hearty grilled cheese, decadent burgers, pizza, poutine, or slow-cooked dishes: when it comes to comfort food in Lanaudière, there’s no shortage of options to treat yourself. Here are a few great places to eat when you’re looking for a delicious, unpretentious, and above all comforting meal.
1. Le Gordies | Rawdon, Lanaudière
At Gordie’s, located at the Rawdon Golf Resort, you’ll find bistro-style cuisine that’s just what you need after a day outdoors… or simply when you’re in the mood for a hearty meal. The menu changes with the seasons and features local ingredients and flavours from the Lanaudière region. Depending on the time of day, you can stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with dishes ranging from hearty classics to slightly more refined options.
2. Albion Pub et restaurant | Sainte-Mélanie et Joliette, Lanaudière
For comfort food with a touch of British pub charm, L’Albion is a sure bet in Lanaudière. At Brasserie Artisanale Albion, in downtown Joliette, you can settle into a magnificent century-old mansion to enjoy hearty cuisine inspired by European pubs. Poutine with house-made fries and dark beer gravy, fish & chips breaded with Albion Bitter, ribs, or beef quesadillas: the menu is full of comfort food. And of course, everything is paired with a house-brewed beer. To get even closer to the source, you can also stop by L’Albion in Sainte-Mélanie, where the beers are brewed and where several exclusive brews are available at the pub.
3. Aux 3 copains | St-Donat, Lanaudière
In the heart of the village of Saint-Donat, Aux 3 Copains is the kind of place you stop at when you’re in the mood for a hearty meal in an unpretentious atmosphere. The extensive menu offers something to satisfy every craving, from lunch to dinner, with comfort food and affordable table d’hôte specials. The family-friendly, laid-back atmosphere extends to the heated patio, while in winter, the fireplace adds just the right amount of warmth after a day outdoors. And on Friday nights, a singer adds a festive touch to the experience!
4. Le Tusker cuisine et pub | Berthierville, Lanaudière
Here, you’ll find a varied menu featuring delicious dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, perfect for sharing with friends over an excellent craft beer. And at the pub, the atmosphere is always lively: live music on Fridays and Saturdays, themed nights, and special promotions to discover for festive, fun, and memorable nights out.
5. la bine | mascouche, Lanaudière
For hearty, comforting brunches, La Bine is the obvious choice to chase away the gloom and start the day off on the right foot. Its menu changes regularly, but its French toast bar, gnocchi, and grilled cheese with braised ham are just a few examples of the delicious dishes you’ll find in the perfectly Instagrammable setting of this cozy, historic home located in the heart of Mascouche.
6. Le vice caché | L'Assomption, Lanaudière
For comfort food with a twist, Restaurant Le Vice-Caché in L’Assomption offers a tapas menu that’s perfect for sampling a variety of dishes. Here, classic comfort foods take on a more sophisticated twist: truffle and Parmesan fries, a Wagyu beef smash burger with Oka cheese and truffle-infused Dijon aioli, rosé risotto, or the famous Vice nachos topped with mac & cheese sauce and house-made pulled pork. The menu changes with the seasons and based on what’s in season, with a strong emphasis on Quebec-grown ingredients. Enjoy it all in a warm and festive atmosphere, just a few minutes’ walk from the Théâtre Hector-Charland.
7. Bistro La Belle Excuse | Joliette, Lanaudière
No excuses, you simply must stop by this charming little restaurant located in a nearly century-old building in the city of Joliette. It promises a warm atmosphere, a refined menu, and a variety of dishes featuring local ingredients.
8. Taboo Cuisine Rebelle | l'Assomption, Lanaudière
As the name suggests, you have to be a bit of a rebel to decide to go out on a rainy day instead of staying in the comfort of your own home. Still, you’ll feel right at home here, since they offer a great selection of comfort food in a spacious setting. After all, what could be more satisfying than a good poutine or a well-loaded burger to bring a little sunshine to a gray day?
9. L'Albatros, brasserie artisanale | Mascouche, Lanaudière
In the heart of Mascouche’s village center, L’Albatros Brasserie Artisanale combines on-site brewed beers with hearty cuisine in a warm, inviting setting featuring wood, metal, and brick. When it comes to comfort food, the menu features simple, delicious dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, perfect for pairing with one of their craft beers. On nice days, guests can settle in on their wooden patio, the only one of its kind in Mascouche, to fully enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. It’s a well-established neighbourhood spot where eating and drinking local go hand in hand.
10. L'Échappée - Grill et Bar Sportif | Saint-Charles-Borromée, Lanaudière
For comfort food in a sports bar atmosphere, L’Échappée focuses on generous portions and crowd-pleasing classics. Burgers, poutine, nachos, chicken wings, and other indulgent dishes make up a varied menu, perfect for enjoying while watching a game on one of the giant screens. The atmosphere gets especially lively on game nights, but the spot is also worth a visit for its heated patio, open year-round. It’s a laid-back spot to hang out with friends, grab a bite to eat, have a drink, and cheer on your favorite team.
What should you choose for a comfort meal?
- A hearty burger
- Mac and cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich
- A pizza to share
- A decadent poutine
- A slow-cooked dish or a classic with a twist
And why not finish off with dessert?
When is the best time to enjoy it?
After a fall hike, a day of skiing, an outdoor outing, a getaway to Lanaudière… or simply when you’re craving some comfort food!
So when Mother Nature decides to act up, don’t hesitate to come discover the culinary scene in Lanaudière. Sometimes, you’re just looking for a restaurant where you can eat well and treat yourself. These restaurants in Lanaudière have exactly what it takes to satisfy a craving for hearty, comforting dishes. Who knows, maybe you’ll bring the sunshine home with you on the way back?
To see our other recommendations, click HERE.
