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 widely celebrated as a Montreal institution, famous for its world famous smoked meat, a bustling old school deli atmosphere, and generous sandwiches that many say melt in the mouth; despite long lines, service is generally fast and efficient and the line often moves quickly, with takeout next door for those pressed for time. Reviewers praise the tenderness and bold seasoning of the meat, the classic rye bread, and the accompanying pickles, fries, and poutine, while some note variability in meat greasiness or portions and occasionally uneven service; overall, it remains a must visit for meat lovers and a memorable slice of Montreal history, though a few say the price and crowds can be a drawback.
Un restaurante de los imperdibles en Montreal, de tono informal y familiar. Los steaks y sandwiches realmente buenos. Hay que ser cuidadosos al ordenar pues en algunos platos adicionan hígado que pueden ser cambiados por salchichas.
Apr 7, 2026
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Pire poutine à vie. Le cuisinier dis que c'est la meilleure poutine & incomparable… petite quantité de fromage . Fromage qui squeeck pas, le fromage fond. Patate brulé . Odeur de pipi à l'intérieur du resto . 13.75$ gaspille
If you're in Montreal, this place is an absolute must. The smoked beef is honestly the best I've ever had, rich, tender, & packed with flavor. It's totally worth waiting in line, even if it takes a while. Despite the constant crowds, the service is impressively fast & efficient. Just be prepared: the place is always extremely busy & there's barely any room to even walk around. Still, the food makes it completely worth it.
Great sandwich top friendly service & cosy. Ironically did nt wait got straight in. Guy who served me was great got my sandwich quickly. Tastes better than katz but not as much volume .& is less expensive by a considerable margin to the katz version.........i ll take quality over quantity anyday. A must visit to montreal.
Apr 7, 2026
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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 !
Apr 2, 2026
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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.
