Montreal smoked meat
Photo: Mixwell · CC BY-SA 3.0

Montreal smoked meat is beef brisket cured with a peppery spice blend, smoked, steamed until tender and hand-sliced onto rye with yellow mustard.

Brought by Romanian and Eastern European Jewish immigrants, smoked meat became a Montreal institution through delis like Schwartz's, which opened on Boulevard Saint-Laurent in 1928. Unlike pastrami, Montreal smoked meat uses more black pepper and less sugar in the cure. It is still cured for about a week, smoked, then steamed and carved by hand to order.

3 editor picks for Montreal smoked meat in Montreal, ranked by editorial score. All Montreal signature dishes · Montreal smoked meat across every city.

Schwartz's Deli ★ 4.9

$$DeliPlateau

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.

DirectionsView

Wilensky's Light Lunch ★ 4.5

$DeliMile End

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.

DirectionsView

Lester's Deli ★ 4.1

$$DeliOutremont

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.

DirectionsView

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

Montreal smoked meat makes more sense with someone from Montreal explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.

Taste Montreal smoked meat with a local in Montreal

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