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.
I mean do I really have to put a review? Literally the best ever. Everyone knows it. Absolutely no competition. If you go to Montreal & you don't eat here that's really sad. Get the pickle.
Go elsewhere for a classic Montreal smoked meat sandwich. No need to visit this place, a tourist trap all through & through. First of all the meat was dry, very fatty & tasteless. The pickle which was really soggy doesn't even come included with the sandwich (crucial mistake, smoked meat sandwiches need a pickle). The service was quite bland, employees on their phone & unwelcoming. The price for two small sandwiches & a small fry came out to 45$ which is insane for how small the sandwich was. Id recommend 5 other places in MTL for smoked meat before Shwartz.
I did not see this one coming ! Visiting this place was not really my top priority I just wanna try because so many people recommend this to try out. I am soooo happy I made the right decision to try. Upto now I am still dreaming about this smoky meat flavor. I got the poutine & it was phenomenal! Truly this is the Montreal's a must try !
Apr 12, 2026
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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.
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.
Apr 7, 2026
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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.
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!
