As the second-fastest growing community in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cowansville’s population soared between July 2020 and July 2021, bringing an influx of newcomers and subsequently, a much-welcomed new wave of restaurants and cafés. While Cowansville, a city of 15,000, is known for its small-town charm, lakeside views and revered arts scene, it’s traditionally been lacking innovative, healthy food options.
That’s until now: A new spate of eateries are shaking up the dining scene in Cowansville, serving up everything from globally inspired poke bowls to savory, adaptogenic mushroom–infused soups.
We’re kicking off The Purple Gem‘s series of culinary spotlights with the healthiest new restaurants and cafés in Cowansville that bring tantalizing flavours and boldness to rival any big-city restaurant.
The Healthiest New Restaurants and Cafés in Cowansville
Sauce Prune
Chef-Owner Félix Antoine Parenteau first opened Sauce Prune as a grocery store specializing in ready-to-eat meals and frozen Asian products, including its customer-favourite dumplings and wontons. It wasn’t long before the idea for a restaurant took hold, so Parenteau recently launched Sauce Prune’s dine-in service with a rotating weekly menu of freshly made dishes, complete with meat and vegan options. Parenteau sources organic ingredients from local farms and vendors, transforming produce and free-range meats in an artisanal way to apply Chinese cooking techniques and flavours.
Some of the more recent menu offerings included Lion’s Mane mushroom soup with tomatoes, rice noodles and sunflower; marinated seaweed salad with sesame seeds; Green tea with dates and goji berries; and braised pork soup with fermented mizuna, bok choy and wheat noodles. There are also take-home tofu noodle bowls and poached chicken rice bowls, often paired with ingredients like fresh herbs, kimchi, chili sauce and an assortment of pickled vegetables.
Sauce Prune: 126 Rue Principale, Local 102, Cowansville, QC
LA Café
Housed inside a former Loblaws turned gorgeous interior design hub, LA Café brings sophistication and innovative design to Cowansville.
The food menu includes yogurt parfaits, sandwiches, wraps and zesty poke bowls dressed in a light ginger sauce, which pair perfectly with a foamy matcha latte, fresh-brewed coffee or fizzy fruit-infused sparkling water from Bedford Cie. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, there’s a selection of delectable baked goods such as banana bread and raspberry scones.
Located just an hour outside of Montreal, the café is also home to a chic and cozy coworking space, offering some small-town respite if you’re looking for a quick escape from the city.
LA Café: 1122 Rue du Sud, Cowansville, QC
Cyncuisine
Earlier this year, Chef Cynthia Fortier expanded her catering service into a restaurant and take-out joint, opening Cyncuisine in the heart of Cowansville on Rue Principale. Fresh, seasonal ingredients form the basis of Fortier’s monthly menus, which offer a plethora of unique, tasty meals inspired by Japanese, Mexican and Mediterranean cuisines.
On the menu, you’ll find mouthwatering fare such as caramelized apple salad with walnuts, tempura and halloumi, crab cakes, chickpea-vegetable wraps with spicy mayonnaise, bubble tea and a variety of scrumptious poke bowls (including salmon and bang-bang shrimp). To top it all off, Cyncuisine’s dishes are accented by luscious, flavourful dressings such as beet mayonnaise, maple avocado cream, teriyaki-sesame and truffle sauce.
Cyncuisine: 136 Rue Principale, Cowansville, QC
Verveine et Cie
Verveine et Cie‘s newly renovated health-food store debuted a bright and airy café in late May. In addition to coffee and croissants, you’ll find smoothies, salad bowls by Allard Traiteur, and a selection of colourful, nutrient-rich lattes (matcha, turmeric, beet and chai). With gluten-free and vegan options available, we love that the menu spotlights local, organic and plant-based ingredients as much as possible.
Whether you’re meeting a friend for coffee or treating yourself to a creamy, superfood smoothie after your shopping trip, it’s a beautiful new gathering space you’ll definitely want to check out.
Verveine et Cie: 101 Rue Albert, Cowansville, QC
Opening soon
Sauge Café
Sauge Café is set to open their dreamy new lakeside eatery on June 13, just in time for summer. While the exact menu has yet to be revealed, expect a delicious assortment of fresh sandwiches, soups and salads, plus specialty, ethically sourced coffee from Sutton-based Yamabiko Coffee Roasters. Some of the farm-to-table dishes will be supplied by L’Archipel.
For those warm summer nights and 5 à 7s, there’s a selection of local wines and beers you can enjoy alfresco on the waterfront terrasse. By nightfall, the café will feature music by local bands and sets by stand-up comedians.
Sauge Café: 406 Rue Principale, Cowansville, QC
