Schwartz's, Montreal

This small restaurant has been around since 1928. There is always a line up to get in on any nights. Very plain inside, the wall is decorated with newspaper and magazine clippings about the world famous restaurant. The place has an old diner atmosphere from the 70s. If you get to sit at the 'bar', you can see stacks of fresh whole smoked meat. The food is served quickly. The wait to get inside is quick as well, especially for small party. They open for long hours everyday. (Check their website for details).

Favorite Dish: I've tried other smoked meat sandwich elsewhere, no doubt this is the best! The taste is just perfect, and they use only natural ingrediants. Order a side dish of pickle or coleslaw. The locals usually order cherry coke for drink.

World famous Schwartz's, serving the best smoked meat from the original recipe of spices since 1927. Schwartz's prepares smoked meat the old-fashioned way using a secret blend of fine herbs and spices marinated for 10 days.

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. The Rolling Stones, Angelina Jolie, Celine Dion, Tim Allen and Halle Berry are some of the few celebrities who are known to have been there. I, personally, was once there and sitting next to Quebec's Prime Minister Lucien Bouchard many years ago. They litterally sit you next to strangers. Be prepared to order because waiters there dont have time to wait for you to pick something! :)

It's open most days until 12:30am and later on Fridays (1:30am) and Saturdays (2:30am).

Come to the oldest deli in Canada and enjoy their smoked meat sandwich and you never know you might see!

Favorite Dish: Their famous smoked meat sandwich with fries and a pickle.

HOLY CRAP! The smoked meat sandwich here is delicious and big! It doesn't look big but damn, it was filing.

The dining area is often packed so when we were there, we just got the sandwich to go and ate in the comfort of the a/c'ed McGill lounge. HEHEHEHEH

Favorite Dish: The smoked meat!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sandwich. The meat was flavourful and just melts in your mouth.

I live in a suburb of Montreal and yes we have a great city. If you want to have the full Montreal experiance(if the weather permits)have a drink on one of the many terrasses in the old port, Cresent street or Saint Laurant/ St. Lawrence Blvd. Also try one of our deli's one of the best is Schartz's on the Main St. Lawrence Blvd. Good luck, I hope I was helpful.

Favorite Dish: SMOKED MEAT!!

Like all big cities, Montreal offers you a vast selection of restaurants.

I don't have any personal favourite, but the person visiting Montreal must have a Smoked Meat Sandwich. Some say Schwartz's on St. Laurent street has the best while other's might argue that Dunn's have the best so we'll let you decide.

Thanks to Redlats for pointing out Ben's Deli!

Ok, I'm doing my own poll here: Where is the best smoked meat in Montreal! Send me your comments via email and I'll be posting the results here!

I dedicate this tip to my friend Nadim who loved this restaurant.

OK, I admit it, a deli is my idea of good food. I've been to delis from NYC to LA and each one has its own distinct and inimitable flavor and when planning the trip to Montreal, first on my list was a trip to Schwartz's, of which I had heard a lot. I wish I had had a conflict the night we went to try it, however; it would have spared me the disappointment. After eating, I wasn't sure I had been at the correct restaurant since everything I had heard had been positive; perhaps I'm just a little more picky than everyone else.
If you've never been, this is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant opened early in the century by one of the forbearers of current ownership and they achieved their reputation with their smoked meat. In my opinion, they have been riding this reputation just a tad too long and it's now time to diversify the menu and improve the service. Drastically.
The meat was dry and no amount of mustard improved the texture or flavor. The service, or what passed for service, was centered on upselling, or delivering things without their having been ordered and then playing the guilt card when it was brought to their attention. All in all, a sub-standard meal from what I had hoped would be a first-class deli.

Favorite Dish: none

I was very excited about sampling the world famous smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's. In the early 90s I heard Jim Rome raving about it and have wanted to visit Montreal ever since to give it a try. It didn't matter that I had no idea what smoked meat was, I yearned for it. When I read the Schwartz's reviews on VT and discovered smoked meat was a cousin to pastrami, I was even more enamored. After all, I've been a long-time believer that pastrami is the finest of the salted, cured meats. I was not disappointed. Big chunks of salty meat, smoked over charcoals on rye bread... delicious. This really is one of those places that has become a legend for a reason. I'm not sure if its the ever-present line out the door, the surly, yet friendly (is that possible) waiters, the furniture that hasn't changed in decades, or what... but this place delivered for me. Visiting Montreal without at least trying Schwartz's is like splitting tens... you just don't do it.

Favorite Dish: Smoked meat sandwich with a side of coleslaw. Ad coleslaw to the sandwich and you'll be in heaven!

This place has to be experienced to really appreciate the hustle bustle of this classic deli. It's a bit of a greasy spoon and a sure throwback to 50's, and a not to miss Montreal dining experience!

Favorite Dish: Though the sandwiches are quite small compared to NYC deli's, the prices are about half, so bite right into one of their absolutely packed smoked meat sandwiches, and wash it down with a black cherry soda.

Ben's Delicatessen & Restaurant
Ben's Deli & Restaurant is a Montreal landmark that has been in business since the begining of the century.It was open in 1908 by Ben Kravitz who started selling smoked meat sandwiches based on a recipe provided to him by his Lithuanian mother.

Favorite Dish: Smoked-meat sandwich

Schwartz's delicatessen and Ben's delicatessen.
There is two great kind of smoked meat, you have the New-York style and you have the Montreal style. Here is the Montreal style!!!

Schwartz's still serves the best smoked meat in the city using the original recipe of spices since 1930. The place doesn't look like much, but the food is great and plenty at reasonable price.

Ben's is an excellent second best. Try the monstrous 6 inches cheesecake with strawberries, you might survive it!

Favorite Dish: Specialties: pastrami, smoked meat, corned beef