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.
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 !
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!
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.
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.
Mar 25, 2026
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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
If you do one thing in Montreal……YOU MUST COME TO SWARTZ'S DELI & EAT THE SMOKED BEEF!!!! Best food, super efficient & helpful staff. Fast service & a really fun atmosphere.
The line up out front tells the story. Its worth getting in line to grab a classic smoked meat sandwich. The line is organized & moves really quickly as they dont let any seats go unfilled. The sandwiches are juicy & the meat melts in your mouth. Give the pickles a try. Massive & tangy. Definitely a must try if you lije delicious meat!
When we went to Montreal, my dining companion insisted we come here for the smoked meat sandwich, & we were not disappointed!
The food was delicious & the service was fast, the restaurant has a real family feel.
This place is always packed & has long family-style tables, so you will likely be sitting with strangers. & people will DEFINITELY touch you as they walk by, due to the crowded nature of the place.
I would definitely recommend this place for their food & their efficient (bilingual) service, but if you have sensory issues/hate crowds it might not be the place for you.
If you're in Montreal, Schwartz's Deli is an absolute must-visit. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The smoked meat sandwich is simply unbelievable-perfectly seasoned, piled high, & packed with incredible flavor in every bite. You can instantly tell why this place is so famous.
The atmosphere is classic Montreal deli style, busy & full of energy, which just adds to the whole experience. The service was quick & the food came out exactly how you'd hope.
Visiting Schwartz's Deli in Montreal was an incredible culinary experience that lived up to all the hype! The world-famous smoked meat sandwich is an absolute masterpiece-tender, perfectly spiced, & piled impressively high on fresh rye bread. I highly recommend ordering it'medium' for the perfect balance of flavour & juiciness, & don't forget to pair it with a classic black cherry soda & a large pickle. Despite the nearly constant queue out the door, the service is remarkably fast & the old-school atmosphere adds so much character to the meal. It is a legendary landmark for a reason, & easily some of the best comfort food I have ever tasted!
The poutine & smoked meat sandwich were delicious, the price was pretty good for what we got, & the service was quick; only a few minutes to get everything to us, despite it being relatively busy.
The space is a bit cramped, but that's actually part of the character of this place, & I think it would've felt strange if it weren't like that.
The history about it was pretty interesting, too. It was one of the points of interest on our tour & was really neat to hear about how long they've been open, as well as the celebrity connection that kept it open during hard times.
11/10 would recommend.
Feb 9, 2026
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Niesamowicie dobra kanapka - mi?so kruche, delikatne, pe?ne smaku. Proste a niezwyk?e. Niestety obs?uga wydawa?a si? ma?o przyst?pna - da?o si? wyczu?, ?e zaraz po jedzeniu chcieli aby opu?ci? lokal bo s? kolejki i przewija si? du?o klientów. Cena troch? z kosmosu za kawa?ek chleba z mi?sem. Nawet z tradycj?. Koniec ko?ców by?o warto.
