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.
I didn't see what the hype was about. Our sandwiches were just so dry & nothing special. I have been wanting to try this for years & it didn't live up to the expectation unfortunately.
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 $50 (tax included, before tip), which felt overpriced for the quality & small portion size. Service was mediocre & rushed. The restaurant seemed more focused on turnover than experience.
While Schwartz Deli has a long-standing reputation & history, in my opinion, it was underwhelming & didn't live up to the hype. There are many other great restaurants worth exploring. This was a one-time visit, & unfortunately, not somewhere I'd return to.
May 8, 2026
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Go elsewhere for a classic Montreal smoked meat sandwich. No need to visit this place, a tourist trap all through & through. First of all the meat was dry, very fatty & tasteless. The pickle which was really soggy doesn't even come included with the sandwich (crucial mistake, smoked meat sandwiches need a pickle). The service was quite bland, employees on their phone & unwelcoming. The price for two small sandwiches & a small fry came out to 45$ 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.
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.
Mar 25, 2026
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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
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!
Mar 9, 2026
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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
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!
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.
