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.
Busy at mid day Friday shared table concept. Great portion sizes & huge picked. We three had the trad smoked meat sami which was juicy with a hit of spice & nice! Also had the fries plus smoked poutine which our uni student son enjoyed on his inaugural visit.
When we went to Montreal, my dining companion insisted we come here for the smoked meat sandwich, & we were not disappointed!
The food was delicious & the service was fast, the restaurant has a real family feel.
This place is always packed & has long family-style tables, so you will likely be sitting with strangers. & people will DEFINITELY touch you as they walk by, due to the crowded nature of the place.
I would definitely recommend this place for their food & their efficient (bilingual) service, but if you have sensory issues/hate crowds it might not be the place for you.
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.
Mar 10, 2026
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It was OK - not sure if it was worth the visit though...
Honest opinion, I don't find the smoked meat in here worth the money. It's overpriced for the portion & the taste. Frankly I didn't find anything so special about it... & the sandwich is hard to eat. Meat is way to big compared to the bread, inevitable to eat with a mess.
I came to satisfy my curiosity, but probably won't visit again...
Not at it's used to be. The smoked meat has lost its flavour. It's dry & not worth it at all. They only surfing on their name now…shame for this iconic Montreal eatery!
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!
Couldn't chew the Meat. Need a steak knife to cut smoked meat: something wrong happened. Like if it stayed 12 hours on the counter. Please avoid. Im sorry. I wish i could write anything good. We just lost 55$. Try in order: Ben's or Lesters' or Dunn's or Snowden' even P'tit Québec. I will still buy mustard & spices at the pick up stand & hope for the other customers that it was just a mistake.
This is a popular Montreal restaurant for tours. I went for tried the smoked meat sandwich & poutine. The sandwich was ok, the meat was tender, but too much fat for me, it wasn't anything special or wasn't out of the world, will not go again!.
