Reviews describe Beautys Luncheonette as a Montreal institution with an old school diner vibe, beloved for its classic breakfast fare, fluffy pancakes, bagels, the Beauty's Special bagel with lox, and hearty dishes like Mish Mash, while the nostalgic atmosphere and friendly service are highlighted when experiences go smoothly. The place is praised for consistency, lively energy, and the sense of history that shows in the crowds and decor, though wait times on weekends are common. However, opinions on value and portions vary: some argue pricing is high for relatively simple plates or smaller portions, and a few meals arrive with minimal sides or ingredients, making certain dishes feel less worth the cost. Service quality is also mixed, with many reviews noting warm, attentive staff and others recounting unprofessional attitudes or rushed seating as lines form. Despite these differences, Beautys Luncheonette is widely regarded as a must visit for breakfast lovers and a nostalgic Montreal icon, offering iconic items and a memorable, busy dining experience that reflects its long standing presence in the city.
Good spot. It's a cute Jewish diner type vibe & the staff was very friendly. The milkshakes are AMAZING & our burgers were also great. Beauty's is a household name for a reason. Will say it was very expensive (80+ for 2 burgers & 2 milkshakes)
We go here often. Service is always great, food is simple & tasty. The place is small & you may have to wait, but we've never waited more than 15 minutes.
Really disappointed in my first trip to Beauty's. I've heard nothing but good things but maybe this was just a bad day. Server didn't say more than 5 words to us outside of taking our order. Didn't check up on us once. The food was pretty gross & cold; especially the'homefries' that are more or less just re-heated boiled potatoes.
EDIT:
I made this initial review while waiting for our bill. This story gets way crazier. After waiting nearly half an hour to pay at the table, we ended up making our way to the front payment desk asked to take care of our bill there, as we had post-brunch plans.
A member of our party had been displeased by the lack of service we had received, & asked that the 18% auto gratitude be removed from their bill. The waitress quickly printed off the bills we had been waiting for when she saw us make our way to the front counter, & met us there.
This is where the theatrics begin. She began by saying that we are threatening her livelihood, suggesting that we must do this often, & repeatedly accusing us of attempting to scam the restaurant. We had repeatedly reassured her that we were willing to pay for everything we had ordered, but that we'd just like the tip removed. This situation continued to escalate to the point that the waitress began cussing at our group. Her most shocking comment was that we all must live a'Miserable Existence'.
I had intended to pay the 18% added to my personal bill despite the poor service, but the waitresses bizarre accusations & outbursts changed my mind. I can't remember the last time I have not left a tip, so this really stands out to me.
The manager watched this entire interaction. She only once stepped in to'remind' us that this is how waitresses pay their bills. She did also snap her fingers at the waitress in an attempt to calm her down. Overall, this whole experience was humiliating & classless.
Reading through the reviews, I can see that'tip-shaming' seems to be common at this restaurant. Needless to say, I will never return. Definitely the craziest dining experience I've had.
Mar 7, 2026
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Waiter was very tip-hungry. & rude about it. A 15% tip is perfectly acceptable just to bring an 18$ bagel. Maybe the owners should pay them a liveable wage if that makes them upset & mean to clients!
Food & atmosphere were alright, but you can definitely make the bagel at home easily.
I hesitated writing a review about their service, but after reading that some customers were ALSO asked by the waiters to reconsider their tip, I felt compelled to add my own experience. I paid for my friend's orders & my own. Personally, it feels a little ridiculous to have paid over 60$ for what you see in the picture. The food was great! But the service wasn't impressive - simply average, yet the waitress had the audacity to ask for more in a condescending tone. We left another 7$ in cash to appease her, but I honestly should have kept it. Asking customers for more tips is classless. I'd consider going to another brunch place.
I was really surprised with my experience here at beauty's. I was really excited to visit since it's a household name in Montreal however the quality of their food & service was not reflective of their reputation. I'm surprised a basically meal was super expensive with nothing special on it. Second my friend got the gravlax sandwich with one piece of salmon & 3 tomato pieces to make the sandwich appear thicker. When I asked our waitress for my eggs over easy & well done yolks she gave me a face & came back with runny yolks. I will say tho the restaurant it self was well decorated with a nostalgic vibe. But I would look at other breakfast restaurants to try.
They already started off by bringing me the wrong smoothie. I didn't even complain because it actually tasted fine, so I let it go. But what really ruined the experience was the attitude.
When the bill was printing, the waitress literally sighed out loud after seeing the tip amount - clearly implying it'wasn't enough.' That alone was incredibly unprofessional. Then when I said'thank you, have a good day,' she flat-out ignored me & walked into the kitchen. From our table, we could see her & another coworker looking at us, pointing, & talking about us.
If you're going to work in hospitality, act like it. No customer should feel judged or mocked for the tip they leave. Completely immature & unprofessional behavior. I won't be coming back.
Feb 16, 2026
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I was unfortunately underwhelmed by my visit. The food quality itself was acceptable, but the portions did not justify the price. My salmon bagel sandwich had very little salmon - it seemed bulked up with tomatoes to create the appearance of a fuller filling. Similarly, the egg sandwich contained what felt like half an egg, overloaded with cheese & bacon, which made it heavy but not satisfying.
What impacted the experience most was the service. As soon as we finished eating, we were asked to pay & leave because it's a fast-service breakfast spot. We politely asked if we could stay a little longer, but the response was unfriendly & we were told we needed to leave soon - despite there being open tables & no lineup.
Overall, it felt rushed & disappointing. With better portion balance & a more welcoming approach to guests, the experience could be much improved. My friends & I will not be returning to this place.
Everything you want from a legendary neighborhood dinnette. The service is always with a smile whether it's the owner serving you a cup of coffee or the waitress suggesting their favourites. Perfect to dine in at but wait times can be expected on weekends (understandably), the breakfast bagel is one of the best in the city.
Hands down one of the best breakfast spots in Montreal for classic brunch done right. Their pancakes are incredibly fluffy, & the bagels are absolutely amazing-perfect every single time. This place is truly an institution, & you can feel it in the atmosphere, the consistency, & the quality of the food. I always love coming here for brunch, & it never disappoints. A must-visit for breakfast lovers! 🥞🥯
If you're looking for a place to eat breakfast or brunch.& like the old school diner feel I highly recommend this place, & the staff is extremely friendly.& very quick
