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.
Smoked meat is the best. Not as salty as a pastrami & you can choose lean or fatty. They serve typical deli fare but of the highest quality. Def worth a quick trip to Montreal if you need a fix
Apr 12, 2025
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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!
Literally the best sandwich in the world! Been there multiple times across years, haven't been disappointed once. Must-do for anyone visiting Montreal - unforgettable food experience.
I've procrastinated on trying this famous, touristy restaurant for a few years now so I decided to finally cross it off this winter while the lines aren't as bad, because they get crazy in the summer when the city has more visitors & it isn't painful to be outside. I came solo to minimize my wait as much as possible & slid almost immediately into the bar which was pleasing.
Since majority of the people come here for the smoked meat, they are continuously preparing the meat so that they are served lightning fast. Service was not bad at all either. The atmosphere is old-school, feels like this place has probably looked like this for decades & deliberately to preserve the vibe. I'm not a conoisseur of smoked meat sandwiches, I'll usually order something else on other menus so I don't have a whole lot to compare this to. If this was a food I ate more often, I'd probably try to contest the mainstream claim that this is the best smoked meat sandwich in the city. But as it is honestly the best one I've eaten so far, I have to agree with the popular statement.
Mar 28, 2025
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Incredible service. Available in English & French.
Don't be afraid of the crowd - the food is quick & so the table turnover is fast!
Some tables sharable, wouldn't come with a party of larger than 4 or 6 but easier to be seated with fewer. Sometimes you'll share tables (we were 4 & shared with 2 strangers at a table for 6).
Love a classic #4 smoked meat sandwich. You can get different cuts (lean, medium, fatty)
Looking forward to their 100th anniversary in a few years.
A great stop to visit whenever I'm in town. Returning customer for sure
I've been looking forward to visiting Schwartz for sometime now. Unfortunately, my husband sandwich was better than mine. Sadly, mine was dry. Flavour was good, but yeah, it was a little dry. This is gonna sound blasphemous, but Costco Schwartz was better / juicier than the restaurant's . I might have to visit it again To see if it'll be better, but ngl.. I was a little bit disappointed. Still, it was an experience. People lining up, sitting next to people you don't know, & eating the famous smoked meat sandwich.
Là place pour le goût authentique de Smoked meat !! Une institution montréalaise qui se démarque par ses délicieux classiques (Smoked meat sandwich & pickle pour moi)
