Dunn's Famous

Ernest

4.0

If you are looking for an authentic taste of Montreal's famous smoked meat history, Dunn's Famous delivers a wonderfully nostalgic experience.
During my recent visit, the star of the show was undoubtedly the classic smoked meat. The grilled meat arrived tender, juicy, & perfectly spiced, melting in the mouth with every bite. It is exactly what you hope for when visiting a legendary local deli. While the Cajun chicken was unfortunately a bit overcooked & dry, the meal quickly rebounded with the French onion soup. It was excellent, featuring a rich, savory broth & a perfectly melted layer of cheese.
The service was another high point of the evening. The staff was attentive & welcoming, operating with an efficiency that was well above average for a busy downtown spot.
What truly sets this location apart, however, is the fantastic restaurant ambience. The space captures a great retro feeling that transports you back in time. The interior design elements pair beautifully with the soundtrack of 80's music playing in the background, creating a fun, relaxed, & upbeat vibe. It is the perfect backdrop for a casual dinner with friends or a late-night comfort food craving.
Despite a minor hiccup with the chicken, the combination of spectacular smoked meat, top-tier service, & a nostalgic atmosphere makes Dunn's Famous a must-visit staple in Montreal.

Steve

4.0

Some spots have so much history, you feel you're in a movie set as soon as you walk inside. That was definitely the case at Dunn's, where every booth felt like a place where the story's exposition had unfolded & the dialogue exchanged. Excellent, classic vibes!

Food was great. The smoked meat sandwich is what they're known for & it came out tender & juicy. The classic Jewish deli treat: a brisket, dry-cured for 14 days in a blend of peppercorn, garlic, coriander, & mustard seed, then slow-smoked, steamed, & hand-sliced onto fresh rye bread. Pair it with the tang of sauerkraut & a dill pickle & you're in business.

Pro tip: go with the'super combo' large smoked meat sandwich, upgrade the fries to poutine, & just share that with your partner in crime. It's perfect!

I was on the hunt for Dunn's black cherry drink to complete the meal, but they had run out. Hopefully you'll have better luck ordering one.

Kevin

5.0

You can't visit Montréal without going to Dunns - it is a must-do on any itinerary. Whether I can say they do the best Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich is entirely subjective as I never made it to its main competitor - Schwartz's Deli - but what I can say is that Dunns was absolutely great on both occasions we visited. I went for the Classic Combo on the first visit & the Reuben Combo on my second. Based on both those occasions it definitely lives up to the hype....it's good!! Personally I prefer the leaner meat (you are given a choice) as the standard one is rather greasy for my pallet & you end up with oily fingers which isn't nice but that's a matter of taste.

On both occasions we were welcomed by the lovely staff & given help with the menu. Particularly on the first visit when we went at peak period & there were people standing in line at the door there was no pressure to pay up & leave once we were finished which is often the case with'popular' restaurants/diners. On the second visit we tried their in-house pickle flavoured ketchup & it was fantastic. We were offered a bottle for CA$9.00 but sadly our luggage was already full!

Although it is small-ish restaurant you don't worry about finding a table as it is open 18 hours a day, but do get there as soon as it opens at 11am as the local lunch crowd will soon fill it up.

Grant

4.0

A classic Montreal pub, everything you need, beer on tap, open late, solid Rubens, & I did I mention? beer on tap, 3am

Steve

5.0

Ordered the smoked meat poutine & it was so good! The gravy was super tasty & they piled a ton of smoked meat on top. It's the perfect classic Montreal comfort food. The place had a cool vibe & the staff was really friendly too. Definitely hitting this spot up again!

Sarah

4.0

Very nice & cozy restaurant! We visited from Toronto & tried their classic poutine. It was very yummy, I would recommend adding more cheese curds if you're ordering! Also, the portion sizes are HUMONGOUS!! 1 plate can be shared by 2 people! Very nice atmosphere, & the servers are very nice!

Viktor

5.0

Classic place, expensive, but you pay for the experience & quality 👌

Colleen

5.0

A Montreal classic for a reason! Always hits, every time.

Ryan

5.0

Very much enjoyed our meals. Friendly, fast service & classic atmosphere. Will go again next time we're in Montreal.

Pierre

4.0

Classic Montreal smoked meat as you'd expect. Tasted good. One of the top smoked meat places in the city. Quick service, our group of 12 were out before 1pm on a weekday.

Small issue with their own black cherry coke. Tasted watered down, despite the high sugar. Keep working that recipe.