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 described as a Montreal icon with a legendary smoked meat sandwich that is tender, generously stacked on rye and often paired with pickles and a cherry soda. The atmosphere is old school, bustling, and communal, with long lines that move quickly and shared tables that add to the nostalgic vibe. The sandwich is repeatedly praised as top tier or the best many have tasted, with meat that is flavorful and juicy and options to choose lean, medium, or fatty cuts, though a few reviews note occasional dryness or uneven fat distribution. Poutine and fries are common accompaniments, sometimes great but occasionally criticized for being soggy or underseasoned; service is described as fast and friendly or brisk and crowded, depending on peak times. The experience is widely called a must visit for meat lovers and a defining Montreal experience, with many commendations of the history and atmosphere that make lines feel worth it. Some comments surface about price and crowding, but the overall sentiment remains strongly positive, framing Schwartz's Deli as a legendary staple that delivers a memorable smoked meat experience worth waiting for.
I recently ordered the famous smoked meat sandwich from Schwartz's Deli through UberEats, & I can now understand why there's always a massive line in front of their store! As new residents of the neighborhood, we've passed by countless times & were always curious, but after finally trying it, I can say it was absolutely worth the wait! The smoked meat was tender, flavorful, & perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of spice. The bread was fresh & held everything together beautifully. Every bite was a delicious experience. It's definitely become a new favorite, & I'll be ordering again soon! Highly recommend it to anyone nearby or visiting. You won't be disappointed!
As they say, a must-visit restaurant while in Montreal! If you've been to Katz's in NYC, this feels like a simpler version, but it still delivers high-quality food & a cozy atmosphere. Definitely try the Schwartz Poutine-it's a standout! We had to pay in cash as the card machine was broken, so be prepared for this potential inconvenience. Street parking is manageable, & while lines do form, there's a quick turnover of customers, so the wait isn't too long. Highly recommended for a classic Montreal food experience!
Jan 27, 2025
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I would recommend it only if you've never had a smoked meat sandwich before. We came to try one of Montreal's signature dishes, & while the smoked meat was flavorful, the combination with the toast didn't feel all that special to me. Maybe it is one of the best options for smoked meat sandwiches, but if I had other choices, I wouldn't go back. That said, it's worth trying at least once if you haven't had it before.
I can't recommend this place, but did not have the heart to tell my server I didn't like the smoked meat sandwich. It's obvious the staff pride themselves in their work, but the sandwich & overall experience just wasn't good. The sandwich was soooo fatty, & not caramelized fatty or rendered fatty. Just gross looking fat. The mustard was just cheap yellow mustard. The poutine was decent & the best part of the meal. The pickles were standard, but I thought it was silly to receive just two pickles for that price.They should just embed the cost in the price of the sandwich so customers have something for "free." There was food underneath our table & the place had a weird smell, so I feel like it's not the cleanest. If you are familiar with other famous delis that sell coveted smoked meat sandwiches, just know that this place doesn't compare at all & will probably disappoint you.
I came here because a friend recommended Schwartz's Deli & their famous smoked meat sandwich. I was lucky to get a seat at the „bar" with a good view on the meat. The guy behind the counter was really friendly, taking the time to introduce all the options they have, & what the famous specialities are. I went for the smoked meat sandwich, with a portion of fries. My meal came really quickly, & I must say: it was sensational! The sandwich was so packed with meat, that it was impossible to eat it with my hands. I went for fork & knife. The delicious meat with mustard & some bread was the perfect combination. Not dry, not super moist, but exactly at the right point. The fries were crispy, & really the cherry on the top. I took a Canada Dry out of the glas bottle with it - perfect really. A glas-bottled Canada Dry. As simple as that. Prices are relatively high if you order all that, but it's worth every penny in my opinion. Outstanding experience, great vibe, sensational food!
Nov 5, 2024
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I hesitate to write this review, especially given the restaurant's iconic status, but I owe it to the locals & visitors alike. After giving it a second try to make sure, it's clear this place isn't what it used to be. Once renowned for its craftsmanship, today the sandwiches feel rushed, with inconsistently sliced meat-sometimes too thick, & often too dry. The once-perfect balance of flavor has been replaced by a lean, lackluster bite that disappoints. To add to the frustration, the wait times are long, & the prices are steep. It's hard not to feel that the focus has shifted, prioritizing tourists over loyal locals, leaving the food & experience a shadow of its former self. For those seeking an authentic & satisfying deli experience, I recommend giving Lester's Deli a try-you'll taste the difference.
Excellent service & food we got number 2 & 4 in the menu which were recommended to us by George since it was the most popular items on the menu , George is very nice & an awesome waitress ( while waiting in line there was a customer that looked tiered of standing & George brought him inside to sit while they waited for a table) , although they are very busy it not a long wait at all, we were told about this restaurant by a friend & we will definitely let our friends know about this place as well 😍😍
We go there frequently! The high quality of ingredients & the atmosphere are the main reasons for visiting this place. The line goes very fast. Highly recommended specially for tourists.
Aug 5, 2024
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Roast beef sandwich is highly recommended! My American rueben lovers should try a version of reuben sandwich with white bread instead of rye without sourkraut & thousand islands but with mustard 😋 Fries could be better.
Got a table rather quickly since we were a party of two. Do be careful if you want to get a table as the wait can be long. There is a take out option if you can't. They have more offerings than smoked meat but I highly recommend to get the plate or the sandwich. Try to get it medium as the fat simply melts in your mouth. Would definitely have it again when I'm back at Montreal.
Visited Schwartz Deli holidaying in Montreal for 2 days. This restaurant is one must try & not to be missed. We had juicy, Smoked Meat Sandwich, full of flavour. Most popular sandwich for the first timers. Highly recommend! Coleslaw made with vinegar was tge idel side for the sandwich. We had A&W cold Root Beer.
The smoked meat sandwich was fantastic, with meat that melts in your mouth-highly recommend! However, the Schwartz poutine was disappointing. Despite the delicious gravy, it had very little smoked meat, & the fries were burnt & stale. I wouldn't recommend it. The sitting area is so limited that there were about 30 people outside under the scorching sun waiting to be seated, while there's not much merit in sitting in the dining area anyway. The takeout side on the other hand, was well-managed & the line was almost non existent. I would recommend choosing takeout instead.
Jul 13, 2024
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Go in there, get a smoked meat sandwich, thank all of the life choices that have led you there & eat up!! This is second only to a few locations in the famous lower east side in NYC, & even then gives it a run for its money. Couldn't recommend this spot enough!!
After travelling from New York & trying Katz deli I had to try this place & I was not disappointed. Great service, great price & amazing sandwich. Would definitely recommend
I always come here every time I visit Montréal. They have the most delicious smoked meat. The service is very quick, specially during weekdays. I ordered small smoked meat with pickles. They serve it with bread in case you want to make a sandwich with it. But, even the small size platter is too much for one person. Lol I also recommend their coleslaw, as it's creamy & delicious.
A gem! We opted to share the large platter (~$24) & it came with the bread shown, we could assemble our own sandwiches & apply as much mustard as our heart desired. $2.50 per pickle & I recommend slicing it up for your sandwiches. Yum! We ordered medium cut (not too fatty) The style of dining is communal, there are 6 person tables that they seat mixed groups (in our case, 3 pairs of strangers) they are full at all times & do this to run efficiently, if you come in solo I noticed you were sent to the high top to sit without much wait in the queue. Notice the plate of fries in the top right corner of the photo? That was our table mates food, so it's cozy & tight, not a place to be able to privately chat, but more so a place to strike up a simple conversation with fellow hungry table mates. One of them told us about the Cotts black cherry pop as a must try, & it was very sweet but did cut the fat of the meat. Poutine fried done just right. Would return & recommend. They have a take out storefront next door also.
