Lesters Deli s'impose comme une institution incontournable du smoked meat montréalais, proposant un bœuf fumé et mariné avec précision, coupé à la main pour garantir une tendreté optimale. Chaque sandwich présente de généreuses portions de poitrine épicée, empilées sur du pain de seigle et rehaussées de moutarde jaune traditionnelle. Le menu se concentre sur les classiques de la charcuterie, offrant des frites croustillantes et des cornichons acidulés pour compléter la profondeur savoureuse de la viande. Les clients découvrent un environnement dynamique caractérisé par un décor fonctionnel et une efficacité marquée, reflétant l'atmosphère authentique des charcuteries historiques. Cet établissement priorise la qualité de son processus de fumage, assurant un profil gustatif constant qui maintient sa renommée locale. Chaque sélection témoigne d'une maîtrise des techniques de préparation qui définissent cette spécialité culinaire emblématique depuis plusieurs générations.
Lester's Deli est largement reconnu comme une véritable institution montréalaise, apprécié pour son atmosphère de casse-croûte historique, son accueil chaleureux et ses sandwichs à la viande fumée emblématiques. De nombreux clients soulignent la tendreté et la saveur de la viande ainsi que l'excellente qualité des frites, comparant souvent l'expérience avantageusement aux endroits plus touristiques grâce à des temps d'attente réduits et un service attentionné. Bien que les avis sur les prix et la taille des portions varient et que certains suggèrent que quelques rénovations pourraient moderniser les lieux, la majorité des visiteurs vantent le personnel toujours amical et le charme nostalgique qui font de cet établissement une destination incontournable pour quiconque recherche une expérience locale authentique.
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 went to Lester's Deli, a historic Montreal restaurant located in Outremont that has been serving traditional smoked meat sandwiches since 1951, & they are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. It is considered one of the top smoked meat spots in the city. We ordered the Smoked Meat Special & Smoked Meat Sandwich. The signature classic Montreal-style smoked meats were served with bread, yellow mustard, accompanied by a side of fries & whole dill pickles. It was a casual deli experience but the food tasted delicious & appetizing!
8 avr. 2026
sur Google
🍽️
Sachez où manger à Montréal avant tout le monde.
Découvrez en primeur les ouvertures les plus branchées, des menus secrets et les coups de cœur de RestoMontreal.ca. Rejoignez plus de 50 000 foodies.
Visiting Montreal from Thunder Bay with my wife for the second time. I was looking forward to trying the smoked meats around the city. I hunt & prepare my own meats, so I like to see what locals eat when it comes to meats. I made a point to stop by Lester's because I only managed to hit Schwartz last time & I heard the consensus is split between which is better.
As a meat lover, I found the smoked meat here to be slightly better than Schwartz (I even made a trip back to Schwartz to compare because I needed another taste after 2 years). The moisture of the meat is well balanced, flavorful & not overly chewy or stringy. It has that classic smoked flavor that you only get in the high-quality product.
Experience with the three staff members was memorable & more personal than Schwartz. It was clearly a close-knit family dynamic with the staff which made the atmosphere very welcoming.
The young American lady at the counter greeted us & answered my questions about the menu as well as some friendly small talk with my wife. She was knowledgeable about the shop's history & showed great positive attention to my wife who likes to talk a lot (fortunately the store was empty so she didnt keep anyone from their job). The American woman recommended a hotdogs for my wife, which she loved & ordered a second. The young lady recommended a carrot cake. I dont usually eat desserts for my health, but I tried a bite of my wife's & had to take a few more. The cake was excellent as was the hotdog according to my wife.
Meanwhile, I chatted with the gentleman who prepared the meat, Louie, who told me a bit about the process. I could see he is a master of the craft.
Overall, the atmosphere, service, & flavor exceeded Schwartz, & I believe it was largely due to the care & attention paid by the workers. As a small business owner, seeing these types of people who are knowledgeable & passionate show that the business isn't hiring just anybody to do the most important work, preparing the high-quality smoked meat which Lesters is known for.
This Montreal smoked meat spot was absolutely delicious & instantly transported me into a scene straight out of a Brooklyn or classic New York TV series. From the moment you walk in, it has that old-school, no-frills charm that feels timeless & effortlessly cool. The hand-painted signs added such an authentic, personal touch-like the place has stories soaked into its walls. The smoked meat was rich, tender, & unforgettable, the kind of meal that makes you slow down & savor every bite. A true Montreal experience
Lester's Deli in Outremont is the kind of place that feels like it's been part of the neighborhood's heartbeat for generations-& for good reason. With over 65 years of history, this family-run spot delivers not just food, but a slice of Montreal's deli tradition with heart & hospitality.
We stopped in for a light lunch & were instantly charmed by the retro vibe: walls lined with memorabilia, a buzzing counter, & staff who treat you like an old friend. It's the kind of place where you settle in & feel time slow down.
Our meal was simple but superb. The smoked salmon was silky & rich, served with just the right balance of salt & smoke-no frills, just quality. The roasted turkey was tender & flavorful, sliced thick & piled generously. & the pickle? Crisp, tangy, & exactly what you want alongside deli classics. It's the kind of trio that reminds you how satisfying honest, well-made food can be.
Whether you're craving Montreal's famous smoked meat or something a little lighter like we did, Lester's delivers. It's not just about the food-it's about the feeling. A place where tradition meets comfort, & every bite tells a story.
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
Stepping inside feels like walking into a slice of local history-the walls adorned with photos, the friendly chatter of regulars, & that unmistakable aroma of freshly smoked meat drifting from the counter.
The service was warm & welcoming, the kind that makes you feel less like a customer & more like a guest in someone's home. I ordered their classic smoked meat sandwich, & it was everything I'd hoped for: tender, perfectly seasoned meat piled high on fresh rye bread, with just enough mustard to tie it all together. The portion was generous, the flavors bold, & every bite felt like a celebration of Montreal's deli tradition.
What I especially enjoyed was how authentic & unpretentious the whole experience was. It's a place where locals & tourists mingle easily, united by a shared love for great food. If you're exploring Montreal, Lester's Deli is not just a meal stop-it's a delicious piece of the city's cultural fabric that you shouldn't miss.
The classic smoked meat sandwich is simply phenomenal. The meat is tender, flavorful, & perfectly seasoned, making each bite a delight. It is one of the best sandwiches you can find. 🥪❤?
But don't overlook the sides! The dill pickles, potato salad, coleslaw, & peppers are all fantastic accompaniments. Each side is fresh & adds a nice variety.
& I have to give a special shout-out to their poutine! 🍟🤤 It is fantastic on its own, but when you add the delicious smoked meat topping, it takes this classic dish to an entirely new level. The combination of flavors & textures is simply irresistible.
We also had to wash it all down with the necessary cherry soda in their signature frosted mug, which hit the spot just right.
With its rich history, mouthwatering smoked meat, & great sides, it is a place that truly shows the history of our city through culinary traditions.
