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Restaurant Top Pick

Lesters Deli

Montreal deli heritage lives in every slice of our legendary smoked meat.

Outremont
4.5$
CLOSEDOpens Tomorrow at 11 am
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Photo of Lesters Deli, Outremont - Montreal
DeliSandwichesSmoked Meat
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About

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.
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5★
72%
4★
14%
3★
6%
2★
7%
1★
1%

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Reviews for Lesters Deli

Food
Service
on Google4.4 (1400+)
*as of 2026-08-15
5★
72%
4★
14%
3★
6%
2★
7%
1★
1%

Review Summary

Lester's Deli is widely celebrated as an authentic Montreal landmark, cherished for its historic atmosphere and classic diner charm. Many patrons praise the smoked meat for being tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, often describing it as the best in the city. The menu also features standout items like poutine, crispy fries, and homemade coleslaw, all served in generous portions. Beyond the food, the restaurant is frequently highlighted for its warm, welcoming, and energetic staff who contribute to a memorable and personalized dining experience. It serves as a beloved local gem where visitors and residents alike can enjoy a nostalgic, no-frills meal that captures the true spirit of Montreal's deli tradition.
Page 1 of 3 - 27 Reviews

Went there on a rainy day to have a takeout. The staff was so friendly. Smocked meat was delicious. I had a poutine with it & everything was really tasty.

Aug 16, 2026
on Google

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.
😋😋😋

Jul 24, 2026
on Google

One of the top five great classic Delis in Montreal serving Smoked Meat sandwiches, Poutine, etc...Amazing lunch in a wonderful neighborhood.

Jun 15, 2026
on Google

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.

Jun 2, 2026
on Google

As a child growing up in Montreal in the fifties & sixties I would go to Lester's with my family as my grandparents lived around the corner on Querbes. I left Montreal after university .
Fast forward 50 years to today.
My wife & I are currently in Montreal visiting family & as I craved smoked meat, we decided for nostalgic reasons to go to Lester's for take out. Great decision.
We were greeted by the Alaina who is an absolute delight! So friendly & helpful. It was truly a pleasure telling her our story & listening to hers.
The story just keeps getting better, The giant smoked meat may have been the best I've ever had; certainly the biggest. The meat was perfect.
The karnatzel & the poutine were also as good as it gets.
We are going to buy a whole vacuum sealed brisket before leaving Montreal take it with us to Ontario.
Thank you Alaina! You are terrific!

Apr 22, 2026
on Google

Been here three times now the poutine was pretty bad burnt tasting & rubbery cheese but the hot dogs are great & smoked meat was comparable to Schwartz not my favourite either way

Mar 27, 2026
on Google

The smoked meat & poutine were top notch. The pickles were pickly. Service was very fast. We were in & out in 30.

Oct 22, 2025
on Google

Lester's is a Montreal classic & I recommend anyone to go. The friendliness, humour, & relaxed enthusiasm was a great start to our trip. I loved how they guided us through ordering & their interactions with us. This coupled with the vintage interior is an experience on its own. Amazing customer experience. Ask about their house mustard!

The unfortunate part of Lester's was the smoked meat sandwich, in comparison to Schwartz's it's bland, the bread is bland, & the meat lacks punch & bite. The poutine was quite good so it brings the overall a bit higher
2.3/5

Sep 4, 2025
on Google
5.0

First of all, this restaurant is very friendly, I visited alone.
The man who served me & the woman who brought me the menu were both very friendly, & it was probably the most pleasant meal I've had in Montreal!!
It was a simple meal but I was impressed with their service.
& when I talked to my friend who I met some time later, he said this place is the best. I will try the poutine next time I visit!

Thank you very much for your friendly service

Aug 11, 2025
on Google

Best poutine in Montreal

Aug 7, 2025
on Google