World famous Schwartz's, serving the best smoked meat from the original recipe of spices since 1928. Imagine walking through the door and taking a step back 75 years into "Main Street" history in Montreal. A "true" Montreal landmark that has welcomed celebrities and visitors from all over the world.
Schwartz's Deli is described as a Montreal icon with a legendary smoked meat sandwich that is tender, generously stacked on rye and often paired with pickles and a cherry soda. The atmosphere is old school, bustling, and communal, with long lines that move quickly and shared tables that add to the nostalgic vibe. The sandwich is repeatedly praised as top tier or the best many have tasted, with meat that is flavorful and juicy and options to choose lean, medium, or fatty cuts, though a few reviews note occasional dryness or uneven fat distribution. Poutine and fries are common accompaniments, sometimes great but occasionally criticized for being soggy or underseasoned; service is described as fast and friendly or brisk and crowded, depending on peak times. The experience is widely called a must visit for meat lovers and a defining Montreal experience, with many commendations of the history and atmosphere that make lines feel worth it. Some comments surface about price and crowding, but the overall sentiment remains strongly positive, framing Schwartz's Deli as a legendary staple that delivers a memorable smoked meat experience worth waiting for.
Reached there before 12, queue was manageable. When I left after 12, queue was longer, about 20 minutes. Great food with great service & great story. But place is always packed to the brim as always a legendary place deserves. I was asked to tip, rejected at first then got an explanation why they deserve to be tipped. So I tipped. Lol
As much as we try to eat healthy, we absolutely love visiting Schwartz's Deli whenever we're in Montreal! Their Montreal smoked meat is world-renowned-& for good reason. This iconic spot has been around for over 90 years, & the walls are covered with photos of famous guests who have dined there.
There's usually a lineup out front, but it moves quickly. If you're short on time, you can head next door to their takeout location, which also has a seating area.
The portions are generous & unbelievably delicious-if you're in the area, it's an absolute must!
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Même si nous essayons de manger sainement, nous adorons aller chez Schwartz's Deli dès que nous sommes à Montréal ! Leur viande fumée est mondialement connue, & ce n'est pas sans raison. Cet endroit emblématique existe depuis plus de 90 ans, & les murs sont couverts de photos de célébrités qui y ont mangé.
Il y a généralement une file d'attente à l'extérieur, mais elle avance rapidement. Si vous manquez de temps, vous pouvez vous rendre juste à côté, à leur comptoir pour emporter, qui dispose également d'un espace pour s'asseoir.
Les portions sont généreuses & incroyablement délicieuses - si vous êtes dans le coin, c'est un incontournable absolu !
I'm visiting Montreal & was really looking forward to trying this spot, as it seems to have a lot of history. While there were some positives, my overall experience was a bit mixed.
I ordered the smoked meat sandwich, & the flavor itself was good. However, the meat was quite greasy, which unfortunately left me with an uncomfortable, gassy stomach afterward. The fries were also disappointing-soggy, overly heavy, & darker than expected-so I wasn't able to finish them.
On a positive note, the staff were friendly & the service was efficient. That said, the overall atmosphere felt like the restaurant may have seen better days, with things coming across a bit routine rather than intentional.
With some attention to food preparation & perhaps a refresh of the space, this place could really live up to its reputation again. I'm glad I tried it, but I do think there's room for improvement.
Absolutely amazing experience at Schwartz's World Famous Original Smoked Meat! They serve the most delicious sandwich in the world - rich, flavorful, & unforgettable. A must-try if you're in Montreal!
Une véritable institution montréalaise, & ce n'est pas pour rien.
Chez Schwartz's, on ne vient pas juste manger - on vient vivre une tradition.
Le smoked meat est tout simplement mythique : tendre, juteux, parfaitement assaisonné après une préparation unique qui fait sa renommée depuis des décennies . Servi généreusement dans un pain de seigle avec moutarde, chaque bouchée est un classique absolu.
L'ambiance est brute, authentique, presque chaotique - mais c'est exactement ce qui fait son charme. Toujours rempli, souvent avec une file à l'extérieur, preuve que l'adresse est incontournable à Montréal .
Le service est rapide, efficace, sans fla-fla. Ici, tout tourne autour du produit.
Une expérience iconique que tout le monde doit vivre au moins une fois.
A true Montreal institution - & for good reason.
The smoked meat is legendary: tender, juicy, & perfectly seasoned.
The atmosphere is raw & authentic, often packed with a line outside - a clear sign of its iconic status.
A must-visit experience in Montreal.
Apr 1, 2026
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Returning to Schwartz's after 15 years was a highlight of our trip. It is rare for an institution to not only maintain its reputation but actually exceed it-the flavour was even better than I remembered.
We visited with our two young children, & while the deli is famously compact, the staff were incredibly attentive & accommodating. They even found a place to store our stroller for us, which made a world of difference in such a bustling environment.
The smoked meat sandwich remains flawless, but the steak & poutine are equally impressive. From the quality of the meat to the perfect crunch of the pickles & coleslaw, the combination was excellent. This was my husband's first visit, & it immediately became his favorite meal of our entire journey from Mont-Tremblant.
A must-visit for anyone in Montreal, even if you're traveling with a family in tow.
No trip would be complete without a visit to this historic restaurant. We arrived around 1:30pm & the place was crowded. It was kinda neat that they ask/tell you to sit at a table even with others there.
We ordered a couple of smoked meat sandwiches - what else. Lots of tasty meat.
Mar 25, 2026
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Attempted to go inside but line was too long so went in to their take out section. They were quite busy, but staff was borderline rude & there was a lot of variation between everyone's sandwiches in our group, some full of meat & some barely a sandwich. Mine was very disappointing & basically just scraps & mostly fat. I will give it another try next time in Montreal & hopefully not on a busy Habs game day Saturday. But for my first experience at this iconic deli, I was disappointed to say the least.
The sandwiches are really great! It's a pretty small store, but the counter was open for us & we were able to dine in. The #4 meat sandwich & #2 poutine were recommended to us - the sandwich was a simple sandwich with a LOT of meat & mustard. Very yummy, the meat was super soft too, but I wish there was a vegetable
Mar 24, 2026
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I came in from Ottawa to pick up at the airport & decided to go for a little side trip, i was able to find a parking spot nearby., a sandwich was great ,staff were friendly, & it was a fun outmosphere
What else is there to say than what has always been said before? Incredible smoked meat sandwich. My wife who doesn't like any sandwich loves the smoked meat. The kids ate all of it & said the 30 minute line they waited in was worth it. Our server suggested their steak was worth trying & it was exceptional with their own blend of seasonings. The fries were the perfect blend of crisp on the outside & potatoey on the inside. This is a true Montreal institution worth stopping at over & over again.
I love this place. The food was obviously amazing but the service was also incredible. Our waiter was so sweet & it was such a friendly vibe all around. The food was also so quick to come out, they literally pump it out seconds after you order it. It's very cramped but in the best way. It's so fun & I loved it. The fries were also great & the seasoning they give you to put on is phenomenal. & they give you the whole bottle so you can decide how much you want which is really cool. The pickle wasn't the best but other than that it was a phenomenal lunch & I would for sure go back if I'm in Montreal again!
Food: poutine & a smoked meat sandwich with a pickle on the side. Absolutely delicious! Service: prompt & friendly. Atmosphere: nostalgic, definitely cramped & busy but didn't mind it
