Savouring the Townships by Bike

The Eastern Townships are a dreamy setting for both cyclists and foodies. This 60-kilometre loop, equal parts athletic challenge and gourmet experience, is designed for those who love riding and eating. Together, Oberson and Tastet have mapped out a route strewn with local gems to enjoy at your own pace. The backdrop? The quiet charm of Brome-Missisquoi’s back roads. The only two rules are to take your time and try everything.     

Departure: Stanbridge East 

With its historic homes, old mill, and quiet roads, the village of Stanbridge East makes an ideal starting point. You’ll find public parking at the town hall, the library (both on the north side of Route 202), and along a few nearby streets.  

Note that this starting point is suggested so that you can finish the day at Espace Old Mill. That said, since the route is a loop, you can just as easily begin wherever you prefer.  

Café Blinn — 12 rue River, Stanbridge East 

Still in Stanbridge East, just a few minutes after setting off (sometimes you can get thirsty fast!), you’ll find a must-visit stop: Café Blinn. Housed in the village’s former general store and located beside the Rivière aux Brochets, it’s run by Julia and combines third-wave coffee with simple, local fare. Think blueberry lattes, espresso milkshakes, fresh lemonade, homemade pastries, hearty sandwiches, soups, pizzas, and salads to kick-start your ride. Our personal favourite? The iced matcha with strawberry jam.    

Hours 

Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Friday to Sunday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Vignoble de l’Orpailleur — 1086 rue Bruce, Dunham 

Head to an essential stop for Quebec wine aficionados: Vignoble de l’Orpailleur in Dunham. Founded in the early 1980s, they’re one of the province’s winegrowing pioneers. They bring tradition, modernity, and remarkable expertise to the table. Here you’ll find crisp white wines, festive bubbles, and even an award-winning ice wine.   

And then there’s the sparkling wine: it’s lovely, delicious, refreshing, and made in the traditional method from local Quebec grapes. Perfect as an apéritif, it rivals bubbles from anywhere in the world.   

The visitor centre is well organized, and the site itself is magnificent. You can stop by the winegrowing interpretation centre to learn more or simply take in the view while sipping a glass on the terrace. Bike racks are available at the entrance, but be sure to bring what you need to secure your bike. There’s also a repair kit on site to help you secure or fix your bike if needed. 

Hours 

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Brasserie Dunham — 3809 rue Principale, Dunham 

Nine kilometres down the road, after riding through picturesque countryside, you’ll reach Brasserie Dunham, a pillar of Quebec’s craft beer scene. You’re sure to work up a thirst on the gradual uphill between the previous stop and the brewery. It’s a great place to stop for a local beer and an excellent burger. The beer selection is varied. Our favourite? La Dilettante, a session IPA with grapefruit notes. Somewhat bitter with a dry finish, it refreshes without hitting you too hard at just 3.5% ABV. 

Located in a century-old building in the heart of the village, Brasserie Dunham is renowned for its creative beers, often barrel-aged and inspired by the local terroir. From hoppy IPAs to rustic saisons and Belgian-style brews, there’s always something new to discover. The atmosphere is laid-back, and the summer terrace is wonderful. It’s hard not to linger.    

Hours 

Sunday and Monday: 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Thursday to Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Maison agricole Joy Hill — 85 chemin de Richford, Frelighsburg 

After riding just over 13 kilometres, often on unpaved roads, and climbing a fairly steep hill, you’ll reach Maison Agricole Joy Hill, perched high above Frelighsburg. It’s the perfect time to relax with a refreshing drink on the shady terrace. Founded by a group of passionate friends, this natural winery offers up a breathtaking setting: rows of vines beside the mountain, panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, and a modern wooden cottage with a tasting room.   

Here, the vines are grown biodynamically, and the wines are made with the utmost respect for living ecosystems. The lineup—pet nats, textured whites, and light reds—is as vibrant as the welcome is warm.  

Hours 

Thursday to Monday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Beat & Betterave — 41 rue Principale, Frelighsburg 

A 3.7-kilometre descent with 150 metres of elevation loss (keep your fingers on the brakes!) separates Joy Hill from Beat & Betterave. This nano-brewery and cultural café, founded in 2015, sits in the heart of Frelighsburg just a few kilometres off the main road. Warm and welcoming, it combines community spirit, live music, and farm-to-table cuisine. Expect simple, flavourful dishes—falafel, gravlax, vegan or pork-beetroot burgers alongside house-brewed beers and refreshing drinks.    

The atmosphere is bright and relaxed, ideal for recharging, with a terrace overlooking the grand Mount Pinacle, musical programming, an inspiring vegetable garden, and a selection of homemade drinks ranging from specialty coffee to rhubarb lemonade. 

Hours 

Thursday to Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Restaurant Aux 2 Clochers — 2 rue de l’Église, Frelighsburg 

Just 300 metres past Beat & Betterave, if you still have the appetite, stop at Restaurant Aux 2 Clochers, located in the heart of Frelighsburg. This country bistro serves simple, comforting fare—exactly what you need at the halfway point. The menu, rooted in local products, features reimagined classics alongside more refined dishes, such as salmon tartare, homemade gnocchi (with a gluten-free option), and their famous French onion soup. The signature dessert is a dulce de leche brownie that people come running (or pedalling) for. After all those kilometres, you’ve earned it.     

The atmosphere is warm and authentic, with a rustic-yet-modern décor, a riverside terrace, and a wine wall at the entrance. And the view? Simply breathtaking.     

Hours 

Tuesday and Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Thursday to Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Comptoir Moutarde — 46 rue Principale, Bedford 

Head toward Bedford and ride a little over 18 kilometres (ideally avoiding busy Route 202) before stopping at Comptoir Moutarde, a friendly neighbourhood café-caterer serving dishes that change with the local harvests. The place radiates community spirit, with brick walls, vintage dishware, and a lively seasonal menu that showcases the producers of Brome-Missisquoi, including vegetables, cheeses, meats, and wines.  

Hours 

Friday and Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Sunday and Monday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Fromagerie Missiska — 100 rue Wheeler, Bedford 

Just a kilometre down the road from Comptoir Moutarde, the focus shifts to Missiska, an artisanal cheesemaker that is certainly worthy of a place on our route. Here, the cows are pampered and fed a non-GMO diet, and it shows in cheeses that are rich, creamy, and downright addictive. By this point, your appetite may have eased, but nothing’s stopping you from picking up a cheese or two to tuck away in your saddlebag for the ride home (if you can resist the temptation until then).    

Among the offerings are the Missiska Doux, the grilling cheese, fresh curds, and the ever-popular chocolate milk and artisanal yogurts. The shop is bright, and the terrace, inviting. It’s definitely worth the detour.   

Hours 

Saturday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Espace Old Mill — 7 chemin Caleb Tree, Stanbridge East 

Last but not least is Espace Old Mill. Back in Stanbridge East, after having ridden nearly 10 kilometres from Bedford, you’ll arrive at this exceptional spot that’s both a farm and a gourmet restaurant. A true regional favourite, it brings refinement and simplicity to your plate in a pastoral setting amid their gardens. Passionate about culinary arts and agroecology, the team goes above and beyond to highlight know-how, a sense of place, and local sourcing. It’s no surprise, then, that Espace Old Mill has earned a Michelin Green Star, a distinction awarded to restaurants that set the standard for eco-friendly gastronomy. The kitchen prioritizes ingredients from their own farm, located directly behind the restaurant, while showcasing local products through contemporary, earth-inspired cuisine.       

Treat yourself to the five-course dinner and take your taste buds on a journey through the region. If time and weather allow, Espace Old Mill welcomes you starting at 4:00 p.m. for an exceptional apéritif on the terrace and a farm visit. It’s a dream place to end your day of cycling in style.   

Given the popularity of this enchanting spot, we strongly recommend making reservations.  

Hours 

Thursday to Sunday: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

After dinner, it’s just a few pedal strokes back to your car. With a full belly and nothing left in the tank, it’s time for a well-earned rest. Between inspiring vineyards, farmstead cheeses, neighbourhood cafés, craft beers, and rustic gastronomy, this 60-kilometre loop in the Eastern Townships has amazing riding—but even better eating. Download the Strava route, get your bike (and your appetite) ready, and let the flavours of Quebec’s terroir lead the way.