THE COFFEE JOURNAL · WINTER & OUTINGS
Going out in Quebec City in winter: mulled wine, heated patios, and snowy streets
April 2026 · 5 min · Carrera Café · The Coffee Journal
There are two ways to experience winter in Quebec City. The first is to stay home and wait for it to pass. The second is to embrace it wholeheartedly: stroll through snowy streets, sip something warm in a fragrant café, and sit on a heated patio with a mulled wine in hand. The second option is by far the best.
Old Quebec in winter is one of the most beautiful sights Quebec has to offer. Here's how to make the most of it.
Mulled wine: Quebec City's winter drink
Mulled wine has almost become the symbol of winter in Quebec City. In cafés, on Carnival patios, in Christmas markets: mulled wine is everywhere during the cold season. At Carrera Café, we make a serious one, with well-balanced spices and a carefully selected wine base. Not too sweet, perfectly flavored, and warm to the bottom of the cup.
Hot chocolate is a close second in popularity. Creamy, intense, with a hint of vanilla or cinnamon: it's the morning drink when it's really cold. At Carrera Café, our hot chocolate is homemade, and it's different from the sachet cocoa you might be used to.
Heated patios in Old Quebec
Several establishments in Old Quebec have invested in heated patios that allow you to eat and drink outdoors even in very cold weather. It's a unique experience: the cold all around, warmth close to your body, snow on the rooftops, and a glass of something delicious in your hand.
Le Petit Champlain, transformed by the snow, is particularly beautiful. Christmas lights sometimes remain there until March. The narrow streets are protected from the wind. This is the most pleasant area for a winter stroll in all of Old Quebec.
Things to do in Old Quebec in winter
Winter in Quebec City isn't just about the Carnival (although it's an event not to be missed). There are also the Plains of Abraham, perfect for long walks in the snow. The ice-covered ramparts. The funicular offers a spectacular view of the frozen St. Lawrence River below. And the museums are less crowded than in summer.
The toboggan runs on Dufferin Terrace have been an institution for generations. Skating rinks are set up in several areas of the city. And at Carrera Café, the winter atmosphere is carefully curated. Mulled wine is ready, hot chocolate too. Espresso is always there for those who don't compromise on their coffee.
Quebec Carnival: the unmissable event
The Quebec Carnival takes place in February and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It is one of the largest winter carnivals in the world. There are numerous activities: parades, ice palaces, play areas, and snow sculpture contests. The atmosphere is festive despite the sometimes severe temperatures.
During the Carnival, Old Quebec is bustling. Cafés are packed, heated patios overflow, and mulled wine sells like never before. If you're planning a winter visit, this is one of the liveliest times of the year in the neighborhood.
Our winter tip
Dress warmly, go out often, and start with a coffee or hot chocolate at Carrera Café before heading out on your adventure. With the right gear and a good coffee in your system, winter in Quebec City becomes one of the most beautiful experiences the city can offer.
Your warm refuge this winter
Mulled wine, hot chocolate, signature espresso — Carrera Café welcomes you to the heart of Petit-Champlain, even in severe cold.
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