The best fireplaces to warm up by in Montréal this winter
Warm and toasty might not be the first words that come to mind when you think of winter in Montréal, but ask any local and they’ll tell you, cuddling by a fireplace is just as authentic an experience as anything you can do in the snow. So, to help elevate your winter game, here are some of the best fireplaces in town.
Whether you’re searching for Montréal restaurants with fireplaces, a romantic hideaway, or simply a cozy Montréal winter spot, these are some of the city’s most inviting places to thaw out.
It’s no secret: Montréal’s best fireplaces can be found in historic hotels, timeless restaurants, and neighbourhood cafés that offer warmth and local character all winter long. Across the city, from Old Montréal to Downtown, fireplaces in Montréal are more than just elements of décor. They’re winter sanctuaries locals return to year after year.
Hôtel St-Paul - Old Montréal
It’s sleek and chic and magnifique! What more can be said about this modern fireplace so visually appealing that it could be an art installation? Open on both sides and surrounded by a semblance of marble lit from the inside, forget about going up to your room, it just makes you want to hang out in the lobby.
This sleek boutique hotel on picturesque McGill Street features one of the city’s most striking modern fireplaces. Open on both sides and wrapped in softly lit stone, it feels more like an art installation than a heat source. Visitors and guests often linger in the lobby longer than planned, especially after winter walks in the neighbourhood.
355 McGill Street
L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel - Old Montréal
This veritable institution of hospitality was the first in North America to obtain a liquor license… In 1754! With one foot rooted in history and the other boldly stepping into the future, this place blends old and new in a way that can only be done in Montréal. Imagine yourself sitting in the restaurant’s sumptuous dining room, sipping a delicious cocktail, with the heat of the stone fireplace on one side and the frosty windows dripping with melting snowflakes on the other. That’s what I call winter bliss!
Dating back to 1754, this historic Old Montréal institution pairs candlelit ambience with a grand stone fireplace that feels tailormade for winter nights. It’s a favourite winter hideaway for locals who continue to visit North America’s first licensed inn after activities like skating in the Old Port, window-shopping art galleries along Saint-Paul Street, or catching the Aura show at the spectacular Notre-Dame Basilica.
426 Saint-Gabriel Street
Maison Saint-Gabriel – Pointe-Saint-Charles
Not to be confused with the Auberge with the same name mentioned above, this is an historical museum that guides you through the world of rural Montréal of the 1600s. Rich in history and a perfect example of the traditional architecture of the times, a visit leaves nobody unimpressed. The stunning fireplace might be beautiful to admire, but rest assured its purpose had more to do with survival than with aesthetics.
Located just southwest of the city centre, this historic museum offers a rare look at rural Montréal life in the 1600s. The impressive fireplace here takes visitors on a trip back in time, serving as a reminder of how essential fire once was to surviving winter life in New France.
2146 Place Dublin
Bar George – Golden Square Mile / Downtown
Tucked inside the mansion that used to belong to railway baron and financier, Sir George Stephen, this dapper bar sits in the Mount Stephen Hotel. As you walk in your breath will be taken away by the intricate details of the architecture. Let yourself be swept away to a time when gold plated door handles and stained-glass windows were how the bourgeoisie decorated its not-so-humble homes. Oh, and this fireplace, you ask? It’s just made of marble, custom onyx and hand painted tiles, that’s all.
Inside the former mansion of Sir George Stephen, railway baron and financier that made his fortune in the 1800s—undeniably a contributing factor in this area of Downtown later being named the Golden Square Mile—this lavish bar boasts one of the most opulent fireplaces in Montréal. Open year-round, this remains a popular choice for locals warming up after a winter shopping run along nearby Sainte-Catherine Street.
1440 Drummond Street
Hoogan et Beaufort – Angus / Rosemont
This sleek and stylish restaurant is an oasis of fine dining in the vast, sparse industrial landscape of Angus Village in the city’s southeastern quarter. They’re famous for their grilled meats, roasted on an open flame—that counts as a fireplace, doesn’t it, when you can watch the high flames lick the food from within the comfort of your seat? Saddle up to the U bar and order their famous charred focaccia and whipped butter to get the party started.
Set in a former railway workshop in Angus Village, this recently renovated restaurant leverages its open-flame grill to create a fireside experience that feels primal and inviting. Sitting at the bar, watching flames dance around expertly cooked meats, is especially comforting on sub-zero nights. The thoughtfully curated wine list isn’t too bad, either.
4095 Molson Street
Gibbys – Old Montréal
The massive grey stone fireplace in this classic Montréal steakhouse sets the tone for the whole place: cozy, ancient and oh-so comforting. Walking into the downstairs dining room is like stepping through time, to a century when Old Montréal was all made up of buildings like this, with low ceilings for better heat distribution and stone walls thick enough to barricade away from the elements. The rib-eye is something to write home about, along with the Monte Carlo potatoes and chocolate mousse for afters.
A veritable institution, Gibbys’ massive stone fireplace defines the atmosphere of this Old Montréal steakhouse. Low ceilings, thick walls, and glowing embers make it feel like stepping into another century—exactly what you want when winter feels relentless. Diners can (and should) indulge in classics like the rib-eye steak, Monte Carlo potatoes, and Rockefeller oysters.
498 d’Youville Place
Hurley’s Irish Pub – Downtown
Cozy on up at this downtown Irish pub, where during the winter months, the upstairs bar has nice fireplace to sit around while you down your pints and warm your cockles. Time your visit right by checking their online calendar and you can hear some live music too, or even participate in open mic sessions, if the mood strikes.
This welcoming Downtown spot offers an upstairs fireplace that serves as a gathering place during winter months. It’s a cozy spot for pints of Guinness, live music, and spontaneous conversations around the firepit. Really, what more could you want from an Irish pub?
1225 Crescent Street
Brasserie 701 – Old Montréal
This glittering brasserie in Old Montréal’s Hotel Place d’Armes is all chandeliers, polished silverware and shine, and in wintertime, the fireplace adds an extra flicker of light. Soak in the neoclassical décor as you hit the brunch menu: a cornucopia of tasty indulgences including chicken & waffles, all sorts of Benedicts—even a morning burger, complete with bacon and a side of breakfast potatoes.
Located inside the elegant Hôtel Place d’Armes in Old Montréal, this glittering brasserie pairs its refined décor—think shimmering chandeliers and polished silverware—with a softly flickering fireplace in winter. Brunch by the fire is a local favourite, especially on snowy mornings when the historic streets outside give off a particularly cinematic feel.
701 Côte de la Place d’Armes
Kréma Café – Downtown
Located right in the lobby of the downtown grande dame hotel, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Kréma is a great spot for a top-notch quick espresso, but also a quiet, drawn out sip next to the contemporary open fire. Pick your seat so you can people watch while you’re getting toasty—there’s nothing like a teeming hotel lobby for a peek at a cool international crowd.
900 René-Lévesque Boulevard W.
Tucked into the lobby of the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Downtown Montréal, Kréma offers a contemporary open fireplace that pairs beautifully with a well-pulled espresso. It’s a great spot for people-watching and warming up between meetings or winter errands—plus, it provides access to the RÉSO, a vast indoor network spanning over 33 kilometres (20+ miles).
900 René-Lévesque Boulevard W.
Sarah B. – Old Montréal
Even when it isn’t on the fireplace at this warm and inviting absinthe bar within the Hotel InterContinental adds a vibe of homey conviviality. Take a moment to appreciate its glowing embers in the wintertime before plopping yourself on one of the amazingly patterned banquette seats nearby. Order an absinthe, some Provençal nibbles, and make this a tête à tête kind of experience.
Inside the InterContinental Hotel, this absinthe bar becomes especially inviting in winter when the fireplace is lit. With patterned banquettes and glowing embers, it feels intimate and relaxed, ideal for a quiet drink away from the cold.
360 Saint-Antoine Street W.
Hotel Gault – Old Montréal
The open concept of this Old Montréal boutique hotel’s lobby matches the contemporary design of its glorious rooms. A fireplace towards the back of the lobby warms the space up, as do the colourful throw pillows that invite lounging for a moment before getting down to the business of travel. Take a chill pill to plan your next move within the glowing flicker of the flames.
This minimalist boutique hotel in Old Montréal features a fireplace that anchors its airy lobby, somewhat secretly tucked away from the check-in desk. Locals and tourists are invited to stop in and warm up while planning their next move through the neighbourhood, especially after museum visits or snowy walks along the waterfront.
449 Sainte-Hélène Street
Maison Boulud – Golden Square Mile / Downtown
As if you needed another reason to go to the Ritz! Maison Boulud in the Ritz-Carlton Montréal’s ground floor has award-winning food, a legendary garden (pretty to look upon even in the winter season) and a welcoming central fireplace to add to the luxurious feel. The seasonal dishes are inventive and French influenced—for the whole nine yards, treat yourself to the tasting menu.
Located in the Ritz-Carlton Montréal, at the heart of the Golden Square Mile, Maison Boulud combines refined French cuisine with a welcoming central fireplace. In winter, the fire adds warmth to the elegant dining room, making it one of the city’s most luxurious escapes. Treat yourself to the tasting menu to relish in the full experience. (Pro tip: a second fireplace can be found in the Palm Court area of the hotel, where guests can book afternoon high tea.)
1228 Sherbrooke Street W.
Vieux-Port Steakhouse – Old Montréal
At this old fave Old Montréal steakhouse it’s not a matter of whether you’ll get a seat next to the fireplace—it’s a matter of choosing WHICH fireplace you want a seat by. The Sunday brunch is a crowd pleaser here, but you can’t go wrong any time of day with the sizzling steaks and the selection of seafood. Why choose? Go with the pick-your-own surf ’n’ turf.
Few places offer as many fireplace options as this Old Montréal staple. Multiple dining rooms almost guarantee guests a spot by the fire, making it a reliable favourite for winter brunches and long, indulgent dinners by the fire.
39 Saint-Paul Street E.
État-Major – Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
French flair and the warming flames of a fireplace emanate in the winter months from this BYOB Hochelaga restaurant. Enjoy a satisfying plateful of duck cooked sous-vide with tender seasonal vegetables, or the fresh pasta dish du jour—local ingredients are the star here, fashioned with elegance.
This bring-your-own-wine gem in the city’s east end offers French-inspired cooking and, in winter, the welcome glow of a fireplace. It’s a neighbourhood favourite for diners seeking warmth, comfort, and beautifully executed seasonal dishes in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium.
4005 Ontario Street E.
Le Grand Salon – Quartier des spectacles
Located above a large, illuminated skating rink, this indoor public space really shines in winter. The large central fireplace anchors the room and sets the tone: calm, welcoming, and unhurried. From long benches to small café-style tables, it’s easy to settle in while watching skaters circle the rink below. Whether you choose to leaf through books from the self-serve library along the back wall or simply warm up before heading back out into the cold, it’s a nice reminder that some of Montréal’s coziest winter spots exist as civic spaces meant to be shared.
1442 Clark Street
Written by Daniel Bromberg, a Montréal-based tour guide who spends winter leading walking tours through Old Montréal, public markets, and the city’s historic neighbourhoods.
Daniel Bromberg
As a proud native of Montreal, Daniel channels his education in history and his work as a tour guide, writer, and photographer to share his love affair with the city. His passions include the local street art scene, sipping an allongé at a local cafe, discovering new green alleys, biking, and reading at home.