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.
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.
Mar 25, 2026
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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
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!
Definitely a must-visit spot when you're in Montreal! Be prepared for a bit of a wait if you get there during a rush, but the food comes out fast & they're pretty good at packing in the customers to keep things moving quickly. The smoked meat is awesome, & the sandwiches come packed with it!
Superb.. waited about 1/2hr outside on a Saturday at -16c & it was worth it. Took a lb of meat home & made sandwiches for the fam & they loved it. As a solo customer I sat at the'bar' & it was pretty squishy & I felt crowded but I totally understand the need for them to seat as many as possible
Feb 3, 2026
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It's a deli famous for it's beef, & we got the beef! Pretty delicious & a great little delight where you get to meet some people as you'll be sandwiched in with some other travellers. A great experience & hits the exact mark you're expecting.
We had a shwartz beef sandwich & a poutine with beef on top. Both excellent.
The only critique would be the line up. While we expected a wait, the line was filled with /
'I think this of what we're supposed to do'. That being said, we all figured it out.
Waited in line for 10 minutes for lunchtime. Sat at the counter, quick efficient service. Great meat sandwiches & perfect fries! Fun experience & loved the history on the walls!
Sep 27, 2025
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As good if not better than a NYC deli. There is a wait to get in but be patient its goes fast & you will be rewarded with one of the best smoked meat sandwiches 🥪 you'll ever have. & was it down with a cherry 🍒 cola. You can thank me later.
I was going to just grab a sandwich to go instead of dining in in the OG diner, but I'm so glad that I waited! I made a new friend at the counter & had a wonderful conversation with them. The service was also amazing & I loved the staff's banter!
The smoked meat sandwich is obviously amazing - considering the big pile of smoked meat sandwiched between the rye, the saltiness of the smoked meat was beautifully adjusted & wasn't overpowering the umami of the meat itself. Would come again in August if I had the time!!
It's tradition for us to stop by every time we're in Montreal & usually leaves us wanting more. This time we went in with high expectations & left wondering what was missing in our sandwiches. It was still a good sandwich but different in how we remembered it.
BEST SANDWICHES!!!!! These guys have one of the best smoked meat sandwiches I've ever had, definitely worth the trip to go down to Montréal. This place is a deli, & is decorated as such, the tables & seating make the experience very intimate with other people. The sandwiches are worth the money that you spend on it, you get a thick sandwich that's heated up & fills you up.
The server who took my order did speak both English & French, which is great if you speak either language & want to travel here. I did take an Uber to this location, I can't guarantee what the parking situation is like in this area.
This deli also has a separate room that has their products on display that you can purchase to bring home with you! I did end up purchasing a slab of their smoked beef, there are instructions on the package that I can heat up later.
If you're ever in the Montreal area, this needs to be on your bucket list of places to go & eat at! Worth your time to come & check out. Worth your money, too. Highly recommend!
