Lester's Deli is a deli restaurant in Outremont, Montreal.
Editorially verified July 1, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: The Outremont smoked-meat deli locals send you to when the Schwartz's line is out of hand, quietly curing its own brisket since 1951.
Tip: It is calmer and roomier than the Plateau delis; a medium sandwich with fries is the play.
Private tour · 3 hours
Get ready for Canadian classics like wood-fired bagels, smoked meat sandwiches, and squeaky cheese curds piled high on potatoes during this food tour.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Taste your way through Montreal’s Mile End on a guided tour featuring warm wood-fired bagels, classic poutine, street-style gnocchi, and a savory Mediterranean secret dish.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Join us on our 3-hour food walking tour of Montreal. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you'll explore the bustling streets of the city while satisfying yourself with...
Address: 1057 Avenue Bernard, Outremont, QC H2V 1V1, Montreal
Why locals goA fluorescent-lit Parc-Extension BYOB canteen that serious eaters cross the city for, invisible to visitors who never leave the downtown core.
TipBring beer from the depanneur next door and order broadly; the bill stays tiny even for a feast.
Why locals goA Chinatown noodle window where the dough is hand-pulled to order, overshadowed by flashier neighbours but turning out the real Lanzhou article.
TipWatch the noodles being stretched at the counter and order the cumin-spiced beef soup.
Why locals goA thirty-seat Villeray trattoria hand-rolling pasta on upper Saint-Denis, well outside the tourist map yet booked out by in-the-know Montrealers.
TipBook ahead or aim for an early weeknight; the fresh pasta of the night is the thing to order.
Why locals goA warm Bib Gourmand bistro tucked by the Jean-Talon Market in Villeray, easy to miss but pouring one of the city's liveliest natural-wine lists.
TipBook midweek and let the room steer the wine; the daily plats change with the market next door.
Why locals goThe casual, cash-friendly sibling beside formal Alep in Villeray, a Bib Gourmand mezze counter that tourists routinely walk straight past.
TipOrder muhammara, sujuk and the grilled meats; it takes no reservations, so arrive a touch early.
Why locals goA tiny Saint-Henri taqueria pressing its own corn tortillas, quietly rated by Montreal's Mexican community over glossier downtown taco bars.
TipOrder the al pastor with pineapple and load up at the salsa bar; three tacos is a real meal.
