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.
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.
I ordered a sandwich called the BML (Beauty's something… if I remember correctly) from the brunch menu. It was a very basic sandwich: one slice of Kraft cheese, an egg, bacon, tomato, & mayo, served on grilled bread. No side dish.
It cost the same price as my colleagues' full brunch plates, which included pancakes, bacon, egg, potatoes , a bagel & more.
I'm not saying the restaurant is bad overall - my friends seemed to really enjoy their meals. However, I strongly discourage ordering this particular dish. Paying $25 (tax, tip in) for what is essentially a $10 sandwich felt like a rip-off, & I was extremely disappointed.
The dish itself could easily be improved, but in its current form, it completely took away my desire to return. I didn't recommend the restaurant to my friends because of this experience.
The restaurant should seriously reconsider the portion size & value of this item. It doesn't make sense to charge the same price for a very plain sandwich as for a full, well-garnished brunch plate.
Dec 31, 2025
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Beauty's is a classic, Jewish restaurant, but definitely no kosher (you can tell from the very tasty bacon!)
The wait is usually 10-20 minutes(can definitely be more!), but it's well worth it & the line moves quickly.
Not the cheapest, however, the food is great & plentiful. The grilled banana bread is amazing, theirs smoothies are fresh & tasty. The salad was huge & very fresh.
Very accommodating & very friendly people & staff. When one family arrived & wanted a kosher experience, they worked very hard to find them somewhere that was - not many places would have gone out of their way to do so.
Family of 4 with 4 meals & 3 drinks came to about $160 (with tax & tip)
Modern, diner vibe. Service was very friendly & attentive. Very interesting venue. No eggs benny here if that's your thing but I thoroughly enjoyed the Paysanne omelet. Packed to the brim with ingredients. Bacon, potato, cheese & parsley. Very delicious. Home fries had a good texture. Not super crispy like they were deep fried but just a hint char from the flat top possibly. The Omelette was huge & well worth the value. We decided last minute to try to go early, get a walk in without resos & got lucky. From the sounds of it, they'll try to squeeze you in if they're full but probably a safer bet to reserve ahead of time. Thanks for the experience. Will definitely come again.
Just got back with my husband from Montreal & all I can think about is our experience at Beauty's TWICE! First, let me mention we were able to meet & talk with Elana, the granddaughter of the original owners & then we met her dad, Larry. To say we were charmed would be an understatement. They couldn't have been more gracious, down to earth & charming. We had so much in common, it was fun getting to know them! Oh…the food?? First rate & I'm from the NYC area. Both of us had the lox, eggs & onions aka LEO. I can tell you I've had them at The Rascal House, Nate & Al's & Katz's deli & trust me when I say there is no comparison. The eggs were perfect, the onions perfectly caramelized & the lox plentiful. In addition you get a St Viateur bagel & IYKYK…the bacon & home fries were swoon worthy. I can't recommend Beauty's enough. I'm dreaming of my next visit! Thanks again Elana for the wonderful experience!!
Je suis très partagée concernant ce dinner de Montréal. Si le burger était incroyable & les pancakes au bacon & sirop d'érable super bons, on ne pouvait pas en dire autant du bagel au saumon qui était franchement moyen. Pour l'ambiance...hummm... bah non, c'est un peu l'usine & le service ni souriant ni spécialement gentil (plutôt rare au Canada). Nous avons attendu & attendu avant qu'on vienne prendre la commande & je ne parle pas du temps qu'il a fallu avant d'être servis... on n'est pas arrivés à l'heure de pointe car il était déjà 14h & pourtant on n'a pas été bien servis. On a trouvé l'endroit un peu sale... un sol affreusement collant & sale & des tables qui collent aux bras.... non franchement, l'établissement m'avait été chaudement recommandé par quelqu'un de confiance mais perso, ma tribu & moi n'avons pas été séduits. Pour les bagels c'est certain, il y a beaucoup mieux & on a l'adresse.
Beauty's was a must-see for me, as a first-timer in Montreal. & I must say, as an American who is no stranger to breakfast sandwiches, this restaurant has some of THE BEST bagels & bacon I've ever tasted in my life! Their food is delicious & their service is socialable & attentive. They're obviously the kind of place where everyone does everything & I really respect that. When I come back to Montreal, I will make sure to visit them again- multiple times!
Oct 3, 2024
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What a throwback to the 50's You would think Marty McFly would walk in anytime .. arriving from the future !! Amazing diner with great American Style food !! The pancakes were great .. especially if you order them with the specially made maple syrup. Loved it ! The eggs & sausage with the potatoes were amazing too. I would probably liked a slightly larger option. But overall they were yummmy. This is a nice place for anyone visiting or living in Montreal. Plenty of food options & like the "all beef" bacon & sausage . My choice 💋👌🏼
Beauty's never fails to disappoint. I had the Beauty's breakfast with two pancakes, potatoes, sausages & bacon, two eggs & a bagel. It was a huge plate & as good as I remember from coming 15 years ago.
This rating is strictly about the french toast. The bagel is good, but you will leave with onion breath. I dont have french toast often, but the challah french toast is easily the best I've had. I should say I was expecting a little extra on the presentation because all the french toasts I've had come with toppings & whatnot. This one is presented on a warmed plate, naked, & bare with a small side of syrup. Fruit & bacon is optional & really not necessary at all. A superior display of simplicity at its finest. The challah.is.so.good. the maple syrup is the cherry on top. Clean restaurant & friendly service. No wait on a Thursday afternoon in May.
A Montréal land Mark ! A must go ! Order their Beauty's special which is a bagel with whipped cream cheese , smoked salmon, tomatoes onions! add crispy bacon for additional fun !
Mar 24, 2024
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J'ai fréquenté le resto Beauty's durant plusieurs années au cours des 1990 & plus particulièrement en 1992 4 matin semaine &, comme je n'y était pas retourné depuis environ 10 ans je suis tombé des nues. Plus rien à voir avec le bon vieux Beauty's. Les oeufs brouillés qui sont présentés en omelette, les pommes de terre rissolées n'ont pascla même saveur & le bacon infecte. Que s' est-il donc passé avec les bonne vieillescrecettes & l'ambiance de ce must de Montréal Définitivement malheureux car di les anciens clients sont honnêtes & non snobs, ils admettront que ce n'est plus à la hauteur de la réputation pour ne pas dire que ce fut une institution.
