Our definitive history of Montreal's Gibeau Orange Julep

It is no Great Pyramid of Giza, Sydney Opera House, Notre-Dame Cathedral, or Burj Khalifa, but it is ours: Few structures command attention like our three-story orange sphere on Décarie Boulevard.

Gibeau Orange Julep, equal parts kitschy roadside attraction and bona fide historical relic, has been a part of Montreal since 1932, and today is known for its presence and place in our arteries as it slings its signature frothy beverage and casse-croûte fare (including some of the best poutine in the city and a reliable bet for late-night dining).

The history of Gibeau Orange Julep

Gibeau Orange Julep’s story starts in 1932 when Hermas Gibeau launched his signature drink, the Orange Julep, at an amusement park at the time: Belmont Park. The drink was a creamy, frothy concoction made with a mix of fresh-squeezed juice, powdered milk, and vanilla. The drink’s popularity quickly outgrew the park, prompting Gibeau to open a storefront near Montreal’s Old Port. 

But weekday success didn’t solve the weekend slump. Inspired by his product, Gibeau made a move that would cement his name in Montreal: He built his first orange-shaped building in 1945, a two-story concrete sphere that was as much a spectacle as it was a place to grab a burger. Not content with mere functionality, Gibeau and his family reportedly lived inside the orange.

Cruisin’ MTL

By 1947, Gibeau moved his operation to Décarie Boulevard, where his eatery became synonymous with Montreal’s car culture. Roller-skating waitresses delivered hot dogs and Juleps to diners’ cars, literally feeding the era’s fascination with speed, style, and convenience. The parking lot was alive with the hum of V8 engines. Business was good.

But progress came at a cost. In the 1960s, Montreal’s preparations for Expo 67 necessitated the expansion of the Décarie Expressway, forcing the original orange to make way for the city’s growing infrastructure. Undeterred, Gibeau seized the opportunity to go even bigger: That’s when the current, 60-foot-tall orange was erected on a nearby lot in 1964.

From the moment it opened, the Orange Julep became more than a snack bar; it became a backdrop for Montreal’s changing social fabric. During the countercultural explosion of the ’60s and ’70s, its parking lot hosted what Juan Rodriguez of the Montreal Gazette called “the great asphalt drama”: Teens in muscle cars blasted 8-tracks, cruised for dates, and turned the site into an epicentre of suburban rebellion.

As Natalie Vineberg originally wrote for The Main: "Although customers may now be accustomed to ordering at the window and eating at the picnic tables, until as recently as the 2000s, the quaint practice of waitresses on roller-skates survived. Short-skirt-clad waitresses would roller-skate their way to each customer’s car, carrying their order on a tray that would attach to their car window."

The spirit of those days of muscle cars remains however through Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., from mid-May to early September: Gearheads and car collectors transform the parking lot into a carnival of classic automobiles and motorcycles.

A small reminder of that old scene, it’s a living tribute to the mid-century fascination with chrome, horsepower, and rock ‘n’ roll with gleaming Corvettes to roaring Harleys. DJs blast hits from the ’50s and ’60s, and spectators vote for their favourite rides, turning the site into a cultural hub.

Mimetic architecture that defies convention

The present-day fibreglass sphere representing an orange, designed by architect Olius P. Bois, once glowed at night and reportedly served as a landmark for pilots landing at Dorval Airport. With a diameter of 40 feet, the structure is an oddity that defies convention while drawing attention; or at least a reminder for locals to go grab a bite there sometime.

That bright orange exterior is unmistakable against the trenches of Décarie Boulevard. The building itself is a rare example of mimetic architecture, where the structure’s shape mirrors its purpose—a playful defiance of architectural norms in an era of glass-and-steel modernism.

Behind the fiberglass façade, the three-story space is more functional than one might expect: An unexpected labyrinth of stairwells and storage top a kitchen on the main floor, which once included showers, lockers, and enough takeout containers to fuel Montreal’s late-night cravings for weeks.

While originally designed to glow at night, the translucent panels no longer light up, but the building remains an iconic piece of mimetic architecture, proudly representing its purpose with unapologetic flair. As what we’re pretty sure is the largest orange sphere in the world, it’s not just a landmark—it’s a playful, enduring reminder of Montreal’s embrace of the unique and the unconventional. 

Deep in the juice

The Orange Julep’s creamy, frothy drink was one of Montreal’s most tantalizing mysteries, with its recipe fiercely guarded by the Gibeau family. People would speculate different ingredients—powdered milk, vanilla, secret citrus blends—as attempts to imitate were made.

Keyword here is ‘was’: The veil was partially lifted in 1993 when Canadian patent number 2083584 revealed a recipe of reconstituted orange juice, skim milk powder, pectin, and a touch of natural vanilla. While the patent clarified the science behind the drink’s velvety texture and addictive “top note,” it hasn’t diminished the appeal or spawned a bunch of knock-offs.

This is the Gibeau Orange Julep’s recipe from patent #2083584:

• 556 ml water
• 364 ml reconstituted orange juice
• 80 ml sucrose
• 2.8 g skim milk powder
• 0.13 ml natural vanilla
• 0.03 g pectin

Whether it’s the exact ratios or the nostalgia behind it, something about drinking the real deal served via pneumatic-style tubing into iconic paper cups bearing the words “Fait de jus d’oranges fraîchement pressées” keeps people coming back for that blend of citrusy zing and creamy sweetness.

Those looking for the menu beyond the Julep drink: The Gibeau Orange Julep offers a mix of comfort food classics and signature staples. Burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches take center stage, with vegetarian options and all-day breakfast items like French toast and a breakfast poutine adds some variety.

Trios pair mains with fries and a medium Julep, while kids’ meals include options like chicken nuggets and grilled cheese. Desserts include pecan pie and brownie sundaes, among other options. 

Do we know many people who have ordered much beyond a drink, some steamies, and a poutine? Not really. But we digress.

Gibeau Orange Julep is a legend

The Gibeau Orange Julep has endured wars, expressway expansions, and changing tastes, remaining a beacon of Montreal’s love for the eccentric and the nostalgic. The Julep’s cultural reach extends far beyond its orange walls, having appeared in music videos, inspiring Lego replicas, and been immortalized in countless posts. Locals and celebrities from casual diners to MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre love the unpretentious comfort it offers. 

It’s part of the collective memory, through summer traditions of admiring classic cars with a Beach Boys soundtrack, grabbing a bite, or just sipping a Julep under the shadow of the giant sphere.

As the last standing part of Hermas Gibeau’s original empire, the Orange Julep is a monument to vision, persistence, and simple pleasures.

Check out Gibeau Orange Julep.