Montreal Pool Room is described as a nostalgic Montreal staple where steamies, poutine, and burgers star in a simple, flavorful lineup with gravy-rich sauces and crispy fries. The atmosphere is divey and charming, with walls proudly showing the restaurant's history, and the service is consistently fast and friendly, with prices considered fair and payment sometimes noted as cash only. Overall, reviews converge on an authentic, old-school experience that delivers comforting, satisfying fare, though a few mention occasional inconsistency.
Montréal pool room est une institution & je suis content d'y avoir été. C'est définitivement le meilleur steamé que j'ai mangé depuis longtemps & la poutine est solide également. C'est le fun de voir les photos historiques/cadre sur les murs aussi dont un chandail de Maurice Richard. Le seul bémol pour moi est que c'est argent comptant seulement. C'est une aberration en 2026 de ne pas accepter aucune carte en plein centre ville de Montréal.
Apr 26, 2026
on Google
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Classic Montréal eatery with Steamés, poutine, burgers. Great vibes, great aesthetic. A real piece of history. Stick with the all dressed, you won't regret it.
Great poutine in a great establishment. The gravy is super flavourful & the fries are crispy & delicious. This restaurant has a bunch of history & proudly displays it on the walls, it's not everyday you get poutine from a 100 year old restaurant. Overall, a great poutine for anyone searching for an authentic poutine.
Tried the poutine at Montréal Pool Room & we were blown away by how packed with flavor the gravy was rich, savory, & loaded with sweet onion notes. Simple food done extremely well. The atmosphere is divey but full of charm & character. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside, which makes it easy. A classic spot that's absolutely worth a stop.
So when I came to visit Montreal from Alberta, this was the place I was told to come & have steamer & poutine. Best experience ever. Yes I know it's a hot dog & french fries with gravy & cheese but holy man do they ever do a great job & the atmosphere hashistory? It's a great little stop for a quick bite to eat. Thank you for my amazing Montreal poutine experience.
Poutine - really good. perfect on the curds & gravy (has a bit of kick which I liked) but fries are bigger than what I would like. Much better than what I've had so def recommend.
Steamies were disappointing - dogs were small & toppings lacked flavour.
Lacks atmosphere - very bland & not clean. Quick in & out.
Growing up in the Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie neighborhood, there was a little restaurant that made the best steamed hot dog I've ever had. It was a taste that stayed with me long after I moved out west. On a few return visits to Montreal, I've driven by the old neighborhood, but that spot is gone now. The sign is still up, though I'm not convinced it's the same restaurant of my youth.
A couple of years ago, while visiting with my brother, I finally made it to the Montreal Pool Room-& this place has absolutely nailed that classic steamed hot dog. Both the bun & the dog are steamed to perfection. The hot dog itself isn't big or overly flavorful, but that's exactly the point-it's the steaming, the simple mustard & relish, & what I once thought was shredded onion & lettuce (after years of trying to recreate it myself). Turns out, it's coleslaw-& they don't skimp on it.
Prices are still fair, & it's cash only. The fries & poutine are okay here, but today it was all about the hot dogs-one for me & one for my daughter. She agreed it was one of the best she's ever had. We'd already eaten earlier in Chinatown, but didn't even finish that meal because I knew this was the one I really wanted.
A true Montreal institution. If you're in town, you've got to try it.
SEPTEMBER 2023
What can I say other than it is a must visit when in the area, & there are so many great stops to eat at in Montreal.
This greasy spoon does delight, I had the steamed dog w/onions, poutine & a pop.
The dog was good but my brothers looked better (toasted), it was my brother who insisted we come. I chose steamed because that's how I grew up ordering, from the old La Scala on Papineau (circa 1976).
I also had the standard poutine & it did not disappoint. I inhaled it & to my surprise, I was not clutching my chest for the next four hours! Good ingredients.
If you do not go to Schwartz's, come here, there is no pool table, eat standing & you can then truly say that you visited a Montreal institution.
Nov 2, 2025
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