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.
La quête du meilleur smoked meat de Montréal se poursuit!
4e arrêt : Lester's.
Le smoked meat de chez Lester's grimpe directement à la 2e place de mon palmarès, juste derrière Schwartz's. Une belle surprise!
Petit bémol : il n'est pas possible de commander une assiette, seulement des items à la carte. Je n'ai donc pas pu goûter au fameux pickle. J'ai plutôt opté pour les frites, qui étaient tout simplement excellentes.
Le sandwich est généreux, bien garni & préparé avec des ingrédients de qualité. Une adresse que je recommande sans hésitation pour les amateurs de smoked meat.
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.
This was exactly the kind of place I enjoy. The atmosphere was great, with a charming old-school decor & very friendly staff.
I came mainly for the smoked meat, & it was very good. We also ordered the roast beef, & it was excellent too.
I'll definitely be coming back the next time I'm in Montreal. Highly recommended!
Charming old fashion type deli,
The service is quite amazing considering the amount of people coming in & out of that place.
There was as many take out orders as people sitting.
The smoked meat is the best I have ever had. NOT KIDDING
