Lesters Deli stands as a definitive institution for Montreal style smoked meat, serving meticulously cured beef that is hand sliced for maximum tenderness. Each sandwich features generous portions of spice rubbed brisket stacked high on rye bread with traditional yellow mustard. The menu focuses on deli classics, offering crispy french fries and crunchy pickles to complement the savory depth of the meat. Patrons experience a bustling environment characterized by simple decor and efficiency, mirroring the authentic atmosphere of historic city delis. This establishment prioritizes the quality of its curing process, ensuring a consistent flavor profile that maintains its standing among local food traditions. Every selection reflects a dedication to preparation techniques that have defined this iconic culinary category for generations, providing an essential experience for enthusiasts of smoked beef.
Lester's Deli is widely celebrated as an authentic Montreal institution, cherished for its historic diner atmosphere, warm hospitality, and iconic smoked meat sandwiches. Many patrons highlight the tender, flavorful meat and excellent fries, frequently comparing the experience favorably to more tourist-heavy spots due to the shorter wait times and personal service. While opinions on pricing and portion sizes vary, and some suggest minor renovations could enhance the facility, the majority of visitors praise the consistently friendly staff and the nostalgic, old-school charm that makes it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a true local experience.
Linda made our first visit to Lester's such a memorable experience! 🥹💖 The moment we walked in, she welcomed us with the biggest smile & was so accommodating. We told her we were tourists & had already visited another deli earlier, but Lester's was highly recommended by a friend & we just had to try it. She immediately gave us different options & recommendations, making the whole experience so fun & easy.
Her friendly personality & genuine kindness made us feel so welcome. & the FOOD… WOW. 🤤 It absolutely lived up to the hype & did not disappoint! Everything was so delicious, & you can tell why this place is so highly recommended.
If you're in Montreal, Lester's is definitely a must-visit & if you get Linda, you're in for an even better experience! We'll definitely be back the next time we're in town. ❤?
Old school, friendly, busy smoked meat deli. Had a'Super Smoked Meat' combo. It was very tasty with a mountain of perfectly smoked meat, tart dill pickle spears & delicious, authentic'dirty fryer' French fries.
It was expensive, $33 + tax & tip.
(There is a little bathroom in the back. Small but clean.)
Street parking only.
Finally I decided to try a smoked meat sandwich at Lesters on Bernard at the terrace to see what the fuss was all about . As a smoked meat comnnaisseur , I was disappointed with the sandwich that was served basically cold . Th cook was too lazy to srve a hot sanndwich at 3 pm . Lesters is over rated and no offense to the people who liked it, they havent tried real smoked meat at Shwartz, and Dunns . To ad insult to injury, I saw the cook when he came out outside to smoke a cigarette, a disgusting display of lack of hygiene. I thought I was in Bengladesh , and I was served a sandwish by a cook with a gross beard that was not coverd by a net .That person manipulatd my sandwich . Gross I mentionned it to the asian waitress, which it wasnt her fault. If you want a smoked meat , make sure you dont find facial hair .. The price wasnt worth it . It took me hours to digest it , and got sick after eating it . Not sur he washes his hands.
La poutine au smoke meat est délicieuse, (mais genre vraiment). Le fromage s'étire, la sauce est parfaite, pareillement pour les frites 🤩.
Les employés sont super gentils & dynamiques 🔋🔋🔋.
Il y a un grand choix de boissons, il y a du ketchup, moutarde & vinaigre directement sur la table.
Si je reviens dans ce coin, j'irai sûrement ici.
😋😋😋
My New Favorite Smoked Meat Spot in Montreal!I visited Lester's Deli for the first time last weekend during a trip to Montreal, & it was an incredible experience from start to finish. If you want a classic, old-school diner vibe without dealing with the massive, exhausting lines at some of the other famous tourist spots in the city, this is absolutely the place to go.The highlight of the meal was, without a doubt, the iconic Montreal smoked meat sandwich. I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the beef. The meat was stacked impressively high between the rye bread, & it was incredibly tender & juicy. Every single bite practically melted in my mouth, which is exactly what you hope for in a top-tier deli. What really stood out to me, though, was the seasoning profile. A lot of places tend to over-salt their briskets, which can quickly overpower the flavor & leave you constantly reaching for a glass of water. Lester's gets the balance perfectly right. It was savory & deeply spiced, but not that salty at all. It hit the absolute perfect sweet spot for my personal taste. It lets the natural flavor of the high-quality beef & their 72-hour homemade brine shine through.On top of the fantastic food, the service was fast, warm, & highly welcoming, & the retro decor gives the whole restaurant a wonderful charm. It is a true local gem. I will absolutely be coming back the next time I am in town!
We decided we needed to try a smoked meat sandwich during our visit to Montreal in mid-May 2026 & wound up visiting Lester's Deli in the Outremont area. As a side note, if you're trying to get here & are looking at street numbers on Bernard Ave, the numbers skip from 300s to 1000s due to the old numbering system they used (we thought we were 7 blocks away but then saw the signs for Lester's & were confused).
We ordered the Smoked Meat Sandwich ($16), All Dressed Hot Dog ($4.5), Regular Poutine ($10.5) & added a dill pickle for good measure.
The shop wasn't very busy at the time, which is a definite plus... didn't want to wait in a huge line like some other places.
The sandwich itself was pretty good. It was piled high with meat & the meat was tender & not dry. The hot dog was better than expected too with a thin bun, mustard, sweet relish, & crisp onions. The poutine had lots of gravy & cheese & was well balanced. We wound up taking some of the smoked meat from our sandwich & mixing it with the poutine & that kicked it up a notch. If we weren't already so full, we would have eaten more.
