Sutton, Quebec: a destination filled with culinary delights

Our visit to the Eastern Townships of Quebec could not be complete without a day in Sutton, a tiny community that is big on taste.

sutton-quebec

We loved strolling the streets of Sutton, Quebec, and dropping into the various local businesses. Note the Swiss flag as there are plenty of alpine activities in the area.

There are only 2,000 full-time residents in Sutton, Quebec, but the town’s population doubles in winter when skiers take to the nearby slopes. There is a notable presence of residents of Swiss heritage, which explains why the community has a strong focus on food, wine, craft beer, and European-style chocolate.

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The chocolate shop in Sutton, Quebec, offers handcrafted Belgian-style chocolate, freshly-made ice-cream, chocolate gift items, and a small chocolate museum.

We were fortunate to have a guided tour of the town’s creative and culinary highlights with Liane Bruneau, the general manager of Sutton’s Economic Development Corporation and welcome centre. Liane was the perfect guide for our tour. She knows everyone in town, what they’re up to, and the best tastes for any gourmande to enjoy.

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Muriel Norka and her son Marek Latzmann proudly display the chocolate they create in their shop in Sutton, Quebec. Pictured in the front centre of the tray are the almond truffles which I really liked.

chocolate in sutton quebec

An extra special addition to our tour was a visit to the Chocolaterie Belge Muriel, a small chocolate shop in the Belgian tradition run by mother and son team Muriel Norka and her son Marek Latzmann. Muriel originally hails from Bolivia, but has been gone a long time and was unaware that Bolivia is now growing some excellent cacao. I encouraged her to look into getting Bolivian cocoa to make her own South-American inspired chocolates. The shop is currently focusing on traditional Belgian-style chocolates. There is a small chocolate museum on-site that traces the history of cacao from its roots in Mesoamerica to modern-style chocolate in North America.

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The Auberge Sutton Brouerie has guestrooms on the upper level, and a brew pub and restaurant on the main floor.

In addition to the chocolate shop, we visited a European-style bakery, a gourmet cheese and culinary shop, a catering company with sought-after flair, and a wool shop, ending up at the local brewhouse where we enjoyed a delicious lunch with some locally made beer.

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The Porter beer (shown on the right) was delicious. The Auberge Sutton Brouerie does offer chocolate beer on occasion, so be sure to ask for it if you visit.

sutton-quebec

I really enjoyed my lunch at the Auberge Sutton Brouerie: fresh halibut fish served with fresh dill, rice, and pea pods.

There are three vineyards right in the Sutton area, and a total of 24 throughout the Eastern Townships. The region is home to a wine route festival and an arts festival during the summer months, so if you love handcrafted creations, do put Sutton and the Eastern Townships of Quebec on your radar–for the skiing and outdoor beauty, for festivals and local French-Canadian culture, and for the top notch culinary treats.

Doreen Pendgracs

Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I researched and wrote Volume I of Chocolatour that won a Readers' favourite Award in 2014. Always enjoy experiencing new destinations and flavours.

65 Responses

  1. Wow, I did not know that chocolate was as big in Canada. I’ve had a chocolate beer and Belgian chocolate is my all-time favorite. I grew up in the UK and European chocolate is the best!!

    I was going to ask how or if we can also visit. Then I saw the note about the place burning. Any chance they are back up and running. I hope so…. Nikki

  2. I haven’t been to Quebec since I went there with my family as a teenager. Reading your articles take me there and make me want to plan a trip there with my husband. Maybe next year!
    Sherryl Perry recently posted…Do You Sell Online? Want To?My Profile

  3. This is definitely the kind of day I could get into… love the chocolate tours. The village seems like such a great place to visit too, it is wonderful for them to have something that brings people in during the summer as well and see it from an insider’s point of view.

  4. Bola says:

    It is amazing that there are only 2,000 full-time residents in Sutton, Quebec. It must feel great to get away from the crowds!
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  5. How beautiful is it to know everyone in town. Such people are the best for tours of the city!

  6. That looks like a cute little town! I’ll have to visit someday! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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  7. Your posts always make me drool and those chocolate candies under the glass looked delish. I have to echo Donna’s comment that Sutton, Quebec looks like a great town to bring your appetite! Such a charming town!
    Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…Bohemian Rhapsody: Cesky KrumlovMy Profile

  8. Sandy N Vyjay says:

    Sutton seems to be a calm and tranquil place, where things are leisurely and everyone knows each other. Chocolaterie Belge Muriel looks like a great place to chill and also yield in to some chocolate temptations.

  9. Tami says:

    Totally pinning this so I can check out Sutton when I’m in Quebec next month! Those European chocolates really sold me!
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  10. neha says:

    I can only imagine a place with just 2000 people!! We in India have all the cities and even small towns populated. Nowhere is less than 10 million or so 🙂 The place is so beautiful too. I want to travel here one day
    neha recently posted…A day trip from Lucerne to GrindelwaldMy Profile

  11. Oh my I know I would love it here! I’ve been to Quebec years ago and wish I visited this place. The chocolate all looks so good!

  12. Doreen, Sutton really does have so much to offer. You’ve covered it well. Such a pretty , relaxing area. I like the idea of South American-inspired chocolates. Hope she takes your advice.

  13. Giselle says:

    Sutton looks very quaint and relaxing. I’ve only been in the Montreal airport as far as traveling to Quebec goes, but we really should hit the road and discover that wonderful province! I visited Doreen and was lucky enough to sample the Almond Truffels that she brought home with her. They were delicious and definitely a great treat from her travels!

  14. It looks like Sutton is one of those sweet places that punch above their population size when it comes to charms for visitors. Great foodie options, it seems!
    Kavey Favelle recently posted…Travel Quote Tuesday | Thomas MooreMy Profile

  15. What a wonderful post about Sutton, Quebec. It is great when I see places have particular stores, such as the European style bakery. Too many places have become “industrialized”, all having the same chain of restaurants. Glad to see some flavor in this town.

  16. A lot of this reminds me of small towns in NZ!
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  17. Sue Reddel says:

    Looks like Sutton covers all the bases. Chocolate, beer and great food. We love the Quebec region but somehow have missed Sutton. Guess we’ll need to return.
    Sue Reddel recently posted…5 Myths About Cuba DebunkedMy Profile

  18. Carol Colborn says:

    Just like Quebec City, this is a little slice of Europe! That is why we meet a lot of Europeans in Canada! So the chocolates must be there, too!

  19. You know how I love small towns, so Sutton would be just perfect for me. The meals and chocolate look ideal–toss in a cool brew on a hot day and yep–great!
    RoseMary Griffith recently posted…Wandering to Santa Margherita on the Red CarpetMy Profile

  20. Sutton looks and sounds like a very pleasant place, especially for eating. What caught my interest here the most was chocolate beer! I’ve never heard of it! I don’t like beer, but this I might!

  21. Emily says:

    I think it’s great how the chocolate shop is family-owned with the mother and son working together. The almond truffles sound delicious!
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  22. As a Sutton resident I should mention that we are now as much of a summer and Fall destination as a winter one. There is fabulous hiking, kayaking, cycling, vineyards and music festivals. It can get busy here at weekends so try and come midweek and for a local flavor dont miss Le Cafetier or the Saturday market.

  23. Jo says:

    I haven’t been to Quebec yet, but a chocolate extravaganza around the state and in Sutton would be right up my alley, so to speak. A chocolate and beer pairing would be divine.

  24. I had no idea there was a community of Swiss heritage in Quebec. It obviously makes for great food, and chocolate of course!
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  25. Jeri says:

    Sutton looks tasty! It would be interesting to explore beer and chocolate pairings. There’s a restaurant in my area that offers a beer and ice cream pairing flight of all things.

    • Hi Jeri! I hope you are doing OK. Yes, I have explored many chocolate and beer tastings. Pure dark chocolate goes best with a stout, porter, or savoury chocolate beer. Milk chocolate pairs best with a lighter beer like a prisoner or lager that might have some complementary flavour notes. India Pale Ale is more difficult to pair well with chocolate as it has such strong flavour notes of its own. More in volume II of Chocolatour–coming your way soon! 🙂
      Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…exploring the chocolate museum of Bromont, QuebecMy Profile

  26. Chris says:

    Canada certainly has a glut of cute little towns!

    That Halibut and rice dish has me hungry already 🙂

  27. Yum! This sounds like such a lovely town. And the chocolates look divine.

  28. Anda says:

    Sutton looks quite lovely and very relaxed. I’ve fallen in love with Quebec City, so I’m sure I could easily like Sutton as well. Do they speak French in Sutton as well?

  29. Phoenicia says:

    We have a “Sutton” in the UK! I doubt it is anything like Sutton in Quebec.

    What a small town of only 2,000 residents. I can imagine it is a tight knit community where virtually everyone knows everyone.

    The meal looks tasty and very well presented which always impresses me.
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  30. Linda says:

    It must be difficult for your tour guide, who knows everyone and cares about each business as if it were her own, to winnow out the highlights her town has to offer. Sutton looks like a perfect place to visit during the long,, slow days of summer.
    Linda recently posted…Photo blast of southern WyomingMy Profile

  31. I think a lot of people, including me, associate Sutton strictly with downhill skiing. I was pleasantly surprised when Liane mentioned that ongoing donations of private land to the nature conservancy have opened up miles of hiking and XC skiing trails too. I will be back.

  32. fly girl says:

    Quebec is one of my fave Canadian provinces and I’ve loved exploring the culinary culture but Sutton is now on my list!

  33. CandyAtlas says:

    We have fallen in love with Montreal, Quebec City, and the Laurentides but have not yet visited the Eastern Townships. Your article has put this region on our must visit list! Thanks for the great article introducing us to Sutton.
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  34. It looks like Sutton is a good place to go to hungry! I really do need to plan a trip to the Eastern Townships!
    Donna Janke recently posted…Museum of Magic and Illusion Off the Beaten Track in ManitobaMy Profile

  35. More fun places to put on my list to visit.

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