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.
Hands down the best Montreal smoked meat sandwich I've ever had. The meat was super tender & the spices added character & flavour. Also had a side of coleslaw & a pickle both of which were excellent. Worth lining up for (the line moves quick & you share tables with others creating a community feel). The staff were friendly & attentive & gave great recommendations.
May 19, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
We had heard excellent stories about Schwartz's Deli from a few friends, & let me tell you, the restaurant exceeded our expectations. When we first walked in, we received an immediate warm greeting from the host who invited us to pick a spot. Our server came over right away & was incredibly friendly & helpful. My brother had a little cut on his finger, & our server instantly noticed & took the initiative to get him a bandaid. This is just a small example of the kindness we received from our server. She was joyful & overall very pleasant. The food came out so quickly & was delicious. Absolutely fantastic experience at Schwartz's Deli in Montreal! Thank you!
Visited Schwartz Deli on a Sunday afternoon at 3 PM. There were 3 of us & we waited for 30 minutes outside with only a few groups ahead. The place was crowded. We were seated at a shared table with 6 seats.
We ordered two smoked meat sandwiches & one poutine. The smoked meat was tender, the bread was thin & dry, & portions were small. The poutine was disappointing. Fries were overcooked & tasted burnt.
The bill came to about $50 (tax included, before tip), which felt overpriced for the quality & small portion size. Service was mediocre & rushed. The restaurant seemed more focused on turnover than experience.
While Schwartz Deli has a long-standing reputation & history, in my opinion, it was underwhelming & didn't live up to the hype. There are many other great restaurants worth exploring. This was a one-time visit, & unfortunately, not somewhere I'd return to.
After an 8-hour flight, I was desperate for comfort food. Having only seen poutine in YouTube videos, I felt lucky to stumble upon this place-full of authenticity & history.
The staff were very welcoming, & as a solo diner I quickly got a seat at the counter. I ordered the Schwartz poutine, which arrived almost instantly & completely delivered. The combination of cheese, fries, gravy, & smoked meat came together in rich, satisfying bites. My only complaint is that I wished the portion were twice the size.
Prices are slightly on the higher side, but considering the portion & sheer indulgence, it's easy to justify. Definitely worth it.
Must go when in Montréal.
Fast service: order, eat, pay & leave.
Always crowded.
But that's part of the experience when dine in at Schwartz's.
Our waiter Tino, amazing & friendly.
I made the trip in & this review is just based on take out as i just wanted to try the famous sandwich & fries. For 30 dollars it isnt worth it. The sandwich is the size of a regular hamburger from McDs & the fries were under cooked. I have a feeling the eat in restaurant has the atmosphere going for it but bring your wallet as it is rather expensive. Jerry's on the north side of the island is better value & atmosphere
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
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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.
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!
Mar 20, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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
Busy at mid day Friday shared table concept. Great portion sizes & huge picked. We three had the trad smoked meat sami which was juicy with a hit of spice & nice! Also had the fries plus smoked poutine which our uni student son enjoyed on his inaugural visit.
I loved the poutine w/ smoked meat on top! The atmosphere here is very relaxed, & the staff was understanding that I was new to Quebecois cuisine & very friendly. No regrets eating here!
