Our 5 Favorite Spots for a BBQ in Montreal | Opinion
5 Best Places for BBQ Picnics in Montreal
We are fortunate enough to have a number of parks
The temperature barely surpasses 0 degrees in Montreal before you can already smell the tempting aroma of backyard/balcony BBQs. Some brave souls even keep theirs going all winter long!
If you don’t have the space for your own BBQ at home, or if you want to host a picnic and need a lot more lounging room than your balcony provides, Montrealers are fortunate enough to have a number of parks open for testing their BBQ skills.
Photo by Ataberk Güler on Unsplash / Original Creators https://carnivorestyle.com
Be cautious and respectful of the people and environment around you
Which ones are you allowed to BBQ in? That gets tricky. Regulations vary from borough to borough and park to park. The boroughs of Anjou and Saint-Léonard prohibit BBQs in all their parks, but most parks elsewhere in the city allow BBQs in designated picnic areas, so if you see picnic tables, go there. Some allow propane-only, with charcoal not permitted, so do your research before you start your marinade.
Above all, be cautious and respectful of the people and environment around you, and you should be ok to get your grill on.
Here are 5 of our favourite spots for a BBQ in Montreal:
1. Angrignon Park
Angrignon is the only park in Montreal that supplies the BBQ pit for you. You have to bring your own charcoal and lighter, but you don’t have to lug a grill around.
Angrignon is a huge, gorgeous park located right beside Angrignon metro station. The beautiful trees, winding paths and calm stream running through it make this the perfect place to grill up some kebabs and throw the frisbee around.
More info: Angrignon Park
2. Jarry Park
Former home of the former Montreal Expos, Jarry Park is one of those places that is iconic to Montreal. The spacious park features walking trails, a duck pond, sports fields, a playground, an outdoor swimming pool and even free wifi so you can do some last minute googling of correct grilling times.
The Villeray borough does not specifically prohibit charcoal BBQs, so if you exercise caution, you should be ok with either propane or charcoal.
More info: Jarry Park
3. Saint Zotique Beach
This charming beach about an hour’s drive west of the city offers on-site BBQ rentals to beach goers, so if you don’t have your own, all you need to bring is your food.
You can also rent kayaks, pedal boats, canoes or even Yogakayaks, which are kayaks specially designed for yoga on the water, meaning they’re incredibly stable and perfect for beginner kayakers to get a feel for the sport.
Of course, you can also just relax on the beach with a burger, fresh off the grill.
More Info: Saint Zotique Beach
4. Parc Jean Drapeau
BBQs are permitted in the beautiful picnic areas of Parc Jean Drapeau, but they must be propane only (no charcoal allowed).
Be sure to bring a lot of food because you’re going to get hungry with all there is to do! You can watch (or even join in) the boating activities on the Olympic Basin, go for a swim, join a volleyball game, get a workout in at the Trekfit park, go for a hike, take in the lush gardens, challenge yourself to the Aquazilla floating obstacle course, visit the Stewart Museum and much more!
More info: Parc Jean Drapeau
5. Parc La Fontaine
Parc La Fontaine is another a propane-only park. In fact, charcoal is prohibited at all parks in the Plateau, so don’t drag in your briquettes!
Parc La Fontaine is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Montreal, especially with the large fountains, connected ponds and winding trails. Yet, it is somehow never overcrowded, making it a great place to safely fire up your grill and have plenty of lounging space for everyone.
Just don’t feed those leftover buns to the ducks.
More info: Parc La Fontaine
Montreal BBQ Pro Tip:
Want to take your BBQ up a notch? Most Montreal parks allow alcoholic beverages in designated picnic areas (a picnic table generally means that’s the picnic area) as long as they are consumed with a meal. Sangria, anyone?
Photo by Sergei Akulich on Unsplash