8 editor picks in Montreal.
8 jewish deli places in Montreal we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Montreal | Jewish Deli across every city.
Smoked meat is Montreal's signature deli export, and Schwartz's has hand-sliced it on Saint-Laurent since 1928, queue included. Wilensky's Light Lunch, a 1932 Mile End counter, serves its griddled bologna-and-salami Special with mustard and no substitutions allowed. When the Schwartz's line stretches too long, locals point to Lester's on Avenue Bernard in Outremont, which smokes its own brisket.
Schwartz's has hand-sliced Montreal smoked meat on Saint-Laurent since 1928, the city's most famous deli and a permanent queue on the Plateau.
OrderA medium-fat smoked meat sandwich with a pickle and a black cherry soda.
TipThe line moves fast at the communal tables; the takeout counter next door skips the wait entirely.
Wilensky's is a nine-stool Mile End counter open since 1932, serving the fried bologna-and-salami Special exactly as it did in Mordecai Richler's novels.
OrderThe Wilensky Special with mustard, no substitutions allowed.
TipThey never cut the sandwich and never hold the mustard; order it their way or not at all.
Lester's is the Outremont deli locals send you to when the Schwartz's line is too long, smoking its own brisket on Avenue Bernard since 1951.
OrderA smoked meat sandwich, medium, with fries and a side of coleslaw.
TipIt is calmer and roomier than the Plateau delis; a good sit-down option with kids in tow.
Schwartz's carves hand-sliced smoked meat to order on Saint-Laurent in Montreal, the counter-and-queue benchmark for the city's defining sandwich since 1928.
OrderSmoked meat sandwich
TipOrder it medium-fat off the takeout counter and eat it standing; the deli caraway rye is not optional.
Wilensky's has griddled its fried bologna-and-salami Special at a nine-stool Mile End counter since 1932, an unchanging Montreal snack served with mustard.
OrderFried bologna special
TipIt comes with mustard and never cut; do not ask them to change it, that is the whole ritual.
Schwartz's keeps carving smoked meat until midnight on weekends in Montreal, a rare late-night chance to eat the city's signature sandwich at a real deli.
OrderSmoked meat sandwich
TipThe takeout counter is quicker than the dining room after 11; order medium-fat and eat it on the walk.
TipIt is calmer and roomier than the Plateau delis; a medium sandwich with fries is the play.
Wilensky's Special is one of Montreal's great cheap eats, a griddled bologna-and-salami sandwich from a 1932 Mile End counter for the price of a coffee.
OrderFried bologna special
TipAdd a hand-mixed cherry or lime soda from the fountain; the whole lunch still comes in under ten dollars.
Guided tour · 3h 30m
Get a taste of Montreal's Jewish heritage on this culinary walking tour. Explore the Mile End and Plateau neighbourhoods & taste a wide range of local foods, including...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover Montreal’s rich Jewish heritage and thriving kosher food scene in Outremont and Mile End.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover the Mile End neighbourhood in Montreal on a guided foodie walking tour. Enjoy 7 food/drink tastings, and learn about the history of Mile End and its culturall...
