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.
We had heard excellent stories about Schwartz's Deli from a few friends, & let me tell you, the restaurant exceeded our expectations. When we first walked in, we received an immediate warm greeting from the host who invited us to pick a spot. Our server came over right away & was incredibly friendly & helpful. My brother had a little cut on his finger, & our server instantly noticed & took the initiative to get him a bandaid. This is just a small example of the kindness we received from our server. She was joyful & overall very pleasant. The food came out so quickly & was delicious. Absolutely fantastic experience at Schwartz's Deli in Montreal! Thank you!
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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After an 8-hour flight, I was desperate for comfort food. Having only seen poutine in YouTube videos, I felt lucky to stumble upon this place-full of authenticity & history.
The staff were very welcoming, & as a solo diner I quickly got a seat at the counter. I ordered the Schwartz poutine, which arrived almost instantly & completely delivered. The combination of cheese, fries, gravy, & smoked meat came together in rich, satisfying bites. My only complaint is that I wished the portion were twice the size.
Prices are slightly on the higher side, but considering the portion & sheer indulgence, it's easy to justify. Definitely worth it.
Must go when in Montréal.
Fast service: order, eat, pay & leave.
Always crowded.
But that's part of the experience when dine in at Schwartz's.
Our waiter Tino, amazing & friendly.
Visited Mar 6'26 for lunch after our sight seeing from Basilica Montreal. Ordered Sand Viande Fumee, Schwartz's poutine & the pickles (cornichon). Love all of them!!!! Even I packed one more Viande Fumee for our flight to Rome. Be sure to arrive before lunch or you find yourself waiting for table.
As much as we try to eat healthy, we absolutely love visiting Schwartz's Deli whenever we're in Montreal! Their Montreal smoked meat is world-renowned-& for good reason. This iconic spot has been around for over 90 years, & the walls are covered with photos of famous guests who have dined there.
There's usually a lineup out front, but it moves quickly. If you're short on time, you can head next door to their takeout location, which also has a seating area.
The portions are generous & unbelievably delicious-if you're in the area, it's an absolute must!
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Même si nous essayons de manger sainement, nous adorons aller chez Schwartz's Deli dès que nous sommes à Montréal ! Leur viande fumée est mondialement connue, & ce n'est pas sans raison. Cet endroit emblématique existe depuis plus de 90 ans, & les murs sont couverts de photos de célébrités qui y ont mangé.
Il y a généralement une file d'attente à l'extérieur, mais elle avance rapidement. Si vous manquez de temps, vous pouvez vous rendre juste à côté, à leur comptoir pour emporter, qui dispose également d'un espace pour s'asseoir.
Les portions sont généreuses & incroyablement délicieuses - si vous êtes dans le coin, c'est un incontournable absolu !
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!
Une véritable institution montréalaise, & ce n'est pas pour rien.
Chez Schwartz's, on ne vient pas juste manger - on vient vivre une tradition.
Le smoked meat est tout simplement mythique : tendre, juteux, parfaitement assaisonné après une préparation unique qui fait sa renommée depuis des décennies . Servi généreusement dans un pain de seigle avec moutarde, chaque bouchée est un classique absolu.
L'ambiance est brute, authentique, presque chaotique - mais c'est exactement ce qui fait son charme. Toujours rempli, souvent avec une file à l'extérieur, preuve que l'adresse est incontournable à Montréal .
Le service est rapide, efficace, sans fla-fla. Ici, tout tourne autour du produit.
Une expérience iconique que tout le monde doit vivre au moins une fois.
A true Montreal institution - & for good reason.
The smoked meat is legendary: tender, juicy, & perfectly seasoned.
The atmosphere is raw & authentic, often packed with a line outside - a clear sign of its iconic status.
A must-visit experience 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
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Me gusto, todo vale la pena fui dos dias seguidos a probar el sandiwch, el putine y el combo de filete schwartz, me falto maa tiempo para poder pobrar el pollo...
If you're in Montreal, Schwartz's Deli is an absolute must-visit. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The smoked meat sandwich is simply unbelievable-perfectly seasoned, piled high, & packed with incredible flavor in every bite. You can instantly tell why this place is so famous.
The atmosphere is classic Montreal deli style, busy & full of energy, which just adds to the whole experience. The service was quick & the food came out exactly how you'd hope.
Visiting Schwartz's Deli in Montreal was an incredible culinary experience that lived up to all the hype! The world-famous smoked meat sandwich is an absolute masterpiece-tender, perfectly spiced, & piled impressively high on fresh rye bread. I highly recommend ordering it'medium' for the perfect balance of flavour & juiciness, & don't forget to pair it with a classic black cherry soda & a large pickle. Despite the nearly constant queue out the door, the service is remarkably fast & the old-school atmosphere adds so much character to the meal. It is a legendary landmark for a reason, & easily some of the best comfort food I have ever tasted!
C'est TELLEMENT surcoté, avec tout le respect
Ok la viande est super & le prix s'explique au succès du magasin mais 16 balles la viande avec tranche de pains... Schwartz n'est pas l'ami du peuple
Depuis le début janvier, un ami & moi nous sommes lancés dans une quête : trouver le meilleur smoked meat à Montréal. & quoi de mieux que de commencer ce voyage chez le mythique Schwartz!
Après quelques breuvages dans un pub, la faim au ventre, nous avons commandé le classique : chacun son sandwich, avec une frite, une salade de chou & un cornichon à partager. Tout simplement divin. La viande n'était ni trop grasse ni trop sèche - parfaitement équilibrée. La juste dose de moutarde venait compléter le tout à merveille.
& que dire de l'atmosphère ? On a l'impression de replonger dans les années 50-60. Pour un Montréalais d'origine, j'ai clairement découvert cet endroit beaucoup trop tard.
Que vous soyez de passage ou habitant de la métropole, une chose est sûre : il faut y aller, & vite!
Mediocre & overpriced food with poor service, but an extremely rude & aggressive cashier without any social graces who demands money & tips from you. I told my friends who are local to Montreal about this & they said it's common, which is why they avoid this place.
This place is definitely a tourist trap. They also charge you $3 extra for sharing food (see the attached picture)…
There are better smoke meat options like Pete's that you should choose over Schwartz's.
