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.
The smoke meat sandwich is awesome! Got two medium to go & will be going back for more. A very popular place so seating is tight & line ups are expected. The food is totally worth the wait!
Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Mar 27, 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.
No trip would be complete without a visit to this historic restaurant. We arrived around 1:30pm & the place was crowded. It was kinda neat that they ask/tell you to sit at a table even with others there.
We ordered a couple of smoked meat sandwiches - what else. Lots of tasty meat.
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.
The sandwiches are really great! It's a pretty small store, but the counter was open for us & we were able to dine in. The #4 meat sandwich & #2 poutine were recommended to us - the sandwich was a simple sandwich with a LOT of meat & mustard. Very yummy, the meat was super soft too, but I wish there was a vegetable
Mar 24, 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 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.
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
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!
