Skating and snacking in Montréal: our top picks

Esplanade Tranquille skating rink – Quartier des spectacles

This free refrigerated skating rink will quickly become your favourite place this winter. Located in downtown Montréal, this outdoormarvel measures some 1,500 m2 of ice surface to comfortably welcome up to 400 skaters. What’s more, the ice is cleaned every 1.5 hours, making it one of the best outdoor ice surfaces in town!  Need equipment? The counter operated by Patin Patin at the Repaire in the pavilion offers rental services for skates, helmets, support frames and padlocks, and skate sharpening. 

Don't miss the interactive on-ice experience Au bord du lac Tranquille that reveals the strikingly rich biodiversity of Northern marine flora and fauna. If you like to twirl to the beat of the music, head off every Saturday evening to show off your moves during Disco Fever, with a playlist of 70s music that's sure to get you going. What’s more, the Midis Classique musical breaks, every Wednesday, are a great way to liven up your lunchtime. As for good places to eat, the Quartier des spectacles has put together a top ten list of nearby cafés where you can take a gourmet break. Here are our favourites, just a few minutes from the rink.

• Café Tranquille,  in the Grand Salon in the Esplanade Tranquille pavilion at the end of the rink, 1442 Clark Street
• Café SAT, 6 Place du Marché
• Café Pista, 1587 Saint-Laurent Boulevard

Old Port of Montréal ice skating rink – Old Montréal

Under the winter sun or stars, two magnificent ice skating rinks – one refrigerated, one natural – await you at the foot of the Grande Roue de Montréal. After paying to get in, you can merrily glide and spin in an enchanting ambiance of twinkling lights and music as you soak in panoramic views of historic Old Montréal buildings and the St. Lawrence River. In collaboration with Igloofest, DJ on Ice nights get the crowd moving every Friday from January 10, 2024 until February 14, 2025.   If your legs get tired and you’re ready to unlace, enjoy a gourmet treat that includes delicious pastries and superb coffees at one of these locations.

• Tommy Café, 151 Saint-Paul Street West
• Café Olimpico, 419 Saint-Vincent Street
• Olive + Gourmando, 351 Saint-Paul Street West
• Paparmane Tea Room, 209 Notre-Dame Street West  
• Délices Érable & Cie, 84 Saint-Paul Street East
• Le Petit Dep, 179 Saint-Paul Street West 

Parc La Fontaine ice skating rink – Plateau Mont-Royal

Parc La Fontaine’s pond offers you an incredible fairy-tale setting of sparkling lights and soft music to enjoy absolutely free of charge. Not only this, but your festive and frosty outing includes skate rentals and sharpening services if you need it. There are tons of great spots in this lively corner of the Plateau Mont-Royal to grab a snack of olive or cheese ciabatta, honey raisin bread, viennoiseries, vanilla, pistachio or Nutella bombolini, vegan brownies and more. Here are our recommendations for your sweet stop-off:

• Robin Des Bois (in the Parc La Fontaine chalet), 3933 Parc-La Fontaine Avenue
• Parc Sans Gluten (perfect for the gluten intolerant), 4050 Parc-La Fontaine Avenue
• Boulangerie Mr Pinchot, 4354 Brébeuf Street
• Boulangerie les Co’Pains d’abord, 418 Rachel Street East

Parc Maisonneuve ice skating rink – Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie

Montréal’s east end is home to the city’s biggest free outdoor skating rink. Bring your blades and get ready to carve on this great oval surface, which is far away from the urban hustle and bustle. There’s even a designated area to help beginners build their courage, or kids to practice their twirls. If you’re feeling hungry after your skate, make your way down to Hochelaga to these handpicked eateries, where you can warm up with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a delicious pastry.

• Boulangerie Arhoma, 15 Place Simon-Valois
• Hélico Café, 4255 Ontario Street East
• Aube Boulangerie, 4715 Sainte-Catherine Street East 
• Supernat, 4316 Sainte-Catherine Street East 

Parc Jarry ice skating rink - Villeray

For gliding blithely along in wintry delight or zooming at top speed for the thrill of skating fast, Parc Jarry, which borders the Villeray and Parc-Extension neighbourhoods, has three skating rinks to satisfy every style of skating. It also offers cross-country ski trails and a toboggan hill for hours of sliding fun. An equipment rental counter is also open on winter weekends. As for snacks, head to these delicious spots to warm up with a good sweet or savoury snack.

TOHU Ice Rink in partnership with Le Patin Libre

Get ready to glide into a world of excitement at TOHU in the Saint-Michel neighborhood! A brand-new, free outdoor refrigerated ice rink awaits, where you can skate across 800 m² of perfectly smooth ice with up to 150 other skaters. Don’t miss VERTICAL, an incredible ice show by Le Patin Libre, showcasing breathtaking moves during March Break (March 4–8, at 7 PM). There’s also a chance to join in on fun participatory events, dance the night away on ice, and discover many more surprises. After a day of skating, unwind with a delicious meal at the TOHU Bistro.

• TOHU Bistro, 2345 Jarry Street East 

• Café Saint-Henri, (Mile-Ex - Quartier Général), 7335 Mile End Street
• Brasserie Harricana, 95 Jean-Talon Street West
• Boulangerie Le Pain dans les Voiles, 357de Castelnau Street East
• Café Vito, 151 Villeray Street

Head up the mountain to Mount Royal Park (Beaver Lake) and skate to your heart’s content for free on a 2,500 m² smooth, refrigerated ice surface that’s ideal for all skaters, from beginners to seasoned twirlers. Skate rentals are also available.

Worked up an appetite from all that exercise? You can pick up some nibblies at Café des Amis in the Beaver Lake pavilion, right next to the rink. 

Royalmount Skating Rink

Experience the magic of winter at this new skating rink in the Urban Park of the all-new Royalmount, an innovative concept focused on creating a unique shopping, dining and entertainment experience. Access to the rink is free of charge, with on-site skate rental available. Glide, spin, jump and twirl to your heart’s content, then check out the wide array of restaurants in a unique European-style gourmet hall that pays tribute to Montréal’s culinary scene. 

• Le Fou Fou, Royalmount, 5050 chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse

For another outdoor escape, try the Skater’s Trail in Parc Jean-Drapeau, a magical 500-metre-long path only a few minutes from downtown Montréal. You can rent your equipment on site and reserve a locker to store your personal belongings while you skate. 

Recently restored and transformed, the Verdun Auditorium is a historic and iconic building in the same neighbourhood as the Scotty Bowman and Denis Savard rinks. Book your time and enjoy free skating and hockey in an incredible, award-winning space. Located a stone's throw from the trendy Promenade Wellington, there are plenty of delicious places to enjoy a good snack.

• Janine Café, 3900 Wellington Street
• Sweet Lee’s Boulangerie Rustique, 4150 Wellington Street
• Café Jardin , 4437 Wellington Street
• Café Monk, 6270 Monk Boulevard
• Saint-Henri Micro-Torréfacteur, 4327 Wellington Street

Located at the heart of downtown, the Atrium Le 1000 indoor skating rink is open all year round, inviting visitors to skate to a variety of music. Situated on the first floor of Montréal's tallest building, the rink boasts a massive glass dome ceiling that allows the sun's rays to shine through. It's an architectural and sporty experience that you can end with a sweet treat and a hot drink once you're done skating.

• Le 1000 food court, first floor of Le 1000, 1000, rue De La Gauchetière
• Melk Bar à café Stanley, 1206 Stanley Street
• Marché Artisans, 900, boulevard René Lévesque Ouest

Original article in French by Laure Juilliard, adapted into English by Dawn Bessey-Gans.