Schwartz's Deli serves the iconic Montreal smoked meat sandwich prepared using a traditional curing process that spans ten days. Each serving features brisket rubbed with a signature blend of spices and slow-smoked until tender. This establishment maintains a straightforward menu centered on the core product alongside essential sides like fresh coleslaw and yellow mustard. The interior environment reflects a functional, high-traffic aesthetic defined by tight seating arrangements and utilitarian decor meant for efficient service. Patrons receive portions of cured beef hand-sliced to order to ensure the specific texture and temperature required by local standards. The culinary experience relies on this consistent method of preparation that has defined the establishment for decades while focusing entirely on the quality of the primary protein. Every element serves the specific purpose of highlighting the distinct, savory profile of the seasoned meat.
Schwartz's Deli is widely considered a legendary culinary institution in Montreal, best known for its world-famous, tender, and flavorful smoked meat sandwiches. While many patrons find the experience of dining in the historic, bustling, and cramped atmosphere to be an essential part of the charm, others note that the long lineups and rapid-fire service can feel rushed or overwhelming. The staff are frequently described as efficient and professional, though experiences with service can vary from warm and engaging to dismissive. Guests often recommend pairing the meat with the signature cherry soda, coleslaw, and pickles to complete the meal. Despite some mixed reviews regarding portions, pricing, or occasional inconsistency in meat quality, most visitors view it as a must-visit landmark that defines the Montreal food scene, with many suggesting the takeout counter as a reliable alternative for those looking to avoid the wait.
If you like smoked meat, you're going to love this place. It's some of the best I've ever had.
The sandwich is almost impossible to eat because it's packed with so much delicious meat that it's falling apart. Personally, I'd recommend ordering the meat by weight & eating it with a fork. Mixing this incredible meat with bread & all the other toppings just takes away from what makes it special.
The smoked meat is the reason to come here. It's absolutely finger-licking good.
I was worried this place wouldn't live up to the hype, but I was wrong. Ordered both the sandwich & poutine & both were amazing. I'll be dreaming about this place for a long time. It was busy but the lineup moved fast & we were happy to be seated at the counter where they were busy serving to hungry diners. Highly recommended.
Best smoked meat sandwich of all time! Turnover is quite fast, we waited for 15m-ish for Sunday lunch. We always get the plate of meat to make our own sandwiches. Our server recommend cherry soda & I am glad I took his words. Great pair with the sandwich. Can't wait to go back there next time I visit Montreal
Jul 7, 2026
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The last time I visited this place was in 2016, & I'm happy to say the atmosphere hasn't changed. It still has the same warm, nostalgic charm that makes it a memorable spot.
Unfortunately, I felt the food wasn't quite as good as I remembered. The portions seemed smaller, & some of the meat was a little dry. Despite that, it's still a classic place with a unique atmosphere, & I'd recommend it to anyone visiting Montreal for the experience.
Visited this restaurant for the 1st time & the food was very delicious. We ordered a smoked meat poutine & a smoked meat sandwich. It was very filling, but worth the price. Will definitely recommend visiting this place if you're visiting Montreal. It is a place you won't want to miss. Shoutout to all the staff who work here, they did an amazing job 👏 👏👏👏👌👌👌🙌🙌🙌
I visited Schwartz on a Thursday evening with my partner & ordered two smoked meat sandwiches. The food itself lived up to its reputation, but unfortunately the customer service was among the worst I have experienced.
The employee taking our order was unnecessarily rude, & the cashier was equally dismissive & unwelcoming. As visitors to Montreal, we were made to feel uncomfortable & judged for not being locals & not speaking fluent French. There is no place for that kind of behavior in any customer-facing business, let alone one with the international reputation that Schwartz has built over the years.
It's disappointing that such poor customer service overshadows what is otherwise an iconic dining experience. Employees represent the brand, & in this case, they did a disservice to the legacy & heritage of Schwartz.
I do have a photo of the employee preparing the sandwiches, but I have chosen not to post it out of basic respect & decency - qualities that were unfortunately absent in the way we were treated.
I sincerely hope management takes this feedback seriously. A legendary establishment should be remembered for its food & hospitality, not for making customers feel unwelcome. Based on this experience, I cannot recommend Schwartz to friends or family visiting Montreal until meaningful improvements are made to the customer experience.
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 !
