Montreal bagels

Montreal's Jewish Food Traditions, Mapped

Bagels, smoked meat, and much more

by Heather Vandenengel and Ashley Joseph Updated Feb 20, 2019, 1:08pm EST

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Montreal bagels

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by Heather Vandenengel and Ashley Joseph Updated Feb 20, 2019, 1:08pm EST

When you talk about Jewish food in Montreal, you’re probably going to be talking about history and tradition. There are the delis, bakeries and breakfast spots, some open for 60-plus years, passed down from generation to generations. You've got plenty of options here. Does Schwartz’s, The Main, Snowdon Deli or Lester’s make the best smoked meat sandwich? Are you a Fairmount or St-Viateur person? Cheese or no cheese on a Wilensky’s special?

It’s still an evolving dining scene too, one where you can pick up challah on Fridays at Hof Kelsten, line up for weekend brunch at Arthurs Nosh Bar, or visit the Museum of Jewish Montreal’s Fletchers Espace Culinaire for a gefilte fish sandwich and a walking tour. Beyond the Plateau-Mile End cluster, there’s also traditional Sephardic cuisine to discover in Côte-Saint-Luc at places like Chez Benny and La Marguerite, or in plates of fresh falafel at Sumac in Saint-Henri.

If nothing else, between sandwiches and sides, matzo ball soup and shakshuka, Jewish food is good comfort food — and it seems there’s never been a better time for that.

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Falafel Yoni

The newest falafel-slinger on the block takes a pared down approach to the Israeli classic. Their truncated menu keeps things simple and straightforward: take your pick from a falafel pita, falafel salad, sabich (pita stuffed with eggplant and hard boiled eggs) or hummus plate. All good choices, best accompanied by fries and a house-made lemonade.

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54 Rue Saint Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2T 2K8, Canada

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A post shared by Falafel Yoni (@falafelyoni) on Aug 16, 2018 at 5:02am PDT

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St-Viateur Bagel (multiple locations)

Pick up a dozen fresh sesame seed bagels to go at the 24-hour landmark St-Viateur shop, or sit down for a smoked salmon sandwich or bagel spread at one of their cafes on Mont-Royal or in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Open in Google Maps

158 Rue Saint Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2T 2L3, Canada

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Deli 365

This kosher lunch spot on Bernard does sandwiches, including smoked meat and chicken schnitzel, and has a few falafel and shawarma options. It’s a relatively new underdog, but the food shapes up.

365 Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada

Visit Website

Boulangerie Cheskie

Come for the chocolate babka, stay for the rugelach, cheese crowns and black and white cookies at this beloved Mile End Jewish bakery, better known as Cheskie’s.

359, rue Bernard Ouest, Montreal, QC H2V 1T6, Canada

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Wilensky's Light Lunch

What’s better than a Wilensky’s Special? The grilled all-beef bologna and salami sandwich with mustard, maybe with a pickle or egg cream soda on the side, is one of the most dependable, and affordable, eats in the city. Read Sharon Wilensky’s memories of the lunch counter, open since 1932, here.

34 ave. Fairmount Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2M1, Canada

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Fairmount Bagel

Founded by Russian immigrant Isadore Shlafman, the Mile End bagel shop is now into its third generation with grandson Irwin Shlafman carrying on the hand-rolled, wood-fired bagel legacy. Nearby St-Viateur might now be the bigger operation, but Fairmount is the original.

74 Fairmount O, Montreal, QC H2T 2M2, Canada

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Also featured in:

14 Bagel Spots In and Around Montreal

Lester's

The Outremont deli, marked by its iconic yellow awning, holds its own in Montreal’s smoked meat sandwich face-off. Not much has changed within the walls of this institution since its inception, and that’s exactly how devoted fans like it.

1055 rue Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada

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Hof Kelsten

Jeffrey Finkelstein’s bakery and café is among the forefront of Montreal’s next-gen Jewish cuisine. The rye, raisin and challah consistently get raves, plus weekend brunch dishes like shakshuka and schnitzel plates.

4524, boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T 1R4, Canada

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Beautys Luncheonette

A breakfast and brunch standard, Beautys has history (open since 1942), retro charm (booths and stools for all) and its own breakfast classics (Mish-Mash omelet and the special). It’s tough not to love what what the dearly-missed maitre d’ Hymie Scholnik created for Montrealers, weekend lineups and all.

93 ave. du Mont-Royal Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2S5, Canada

Visit Website

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Espace Culinaire Fletchers

Housed in the Museum of Jewish Montreal and helmed by The Wandering Chew co-founder Kat Romanow, Fletchers is a cultural eating experience. The menu draws inspiration from Montreal’s Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities and features sweet snacks like massafan (almond cookies made with cardamom and rosewater) and sprinkle cookies. There are also food tours and pop-up dinners on offer.

4040, boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y8, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The 25 Essential Montreal Sandwiches

Moishes

Old-school elegance pervades this classic Jewish steakhouse, open since 1938. Its late-night fixed-price menu, available after 9 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday, is a popular option for the budget-conscious. Every other night of the week, regulars young and old fill the storied dining room, tucking into favourites like chopped liver, verenikas, Monte Carlo potatoes and some of the best steaks in town. Moishes was recently sold to a corporation, but is still family-run.

3961 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y4, Canada

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Schwartz's Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen

The landmark deli has been in the same spot since it was opened by Romanian immigrant Reuben Schwartz in 1928 — and now is part-owned by Céline Dion. Lines may be long, but it’s tough to beat a medium on rye with a pickle, fries and cherry coke.

3895 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada

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Main Deli Steak House

The Main's smoked meat sandwich (and smoked meat poutine) has its share of devotees, and no lines like nearby Schwartz's, although it did stop smoking its own meat. You’ll also find classics like matzo ball soup, latkes and a reuben.

3864 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y2, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

14 of the Most Delicious Spots for Montreal Smoked Meat

Snowdon Deli

This Côte-des-Neiges deli turned 70 last year, and is still a go-to for traditional Jewish deli fare like smoked meat, chopped liver and knishes. It’s also a favourite spot for breakfast, with a bagel plate and smoked meat benny. Plus, party sandwiches.

5265 Décarie, Montreal, QC H3W 3C2, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Mozart

You’ll find all-kosher pizza, pasta, and Asian dishes alongside Israeli offerings including a falafel plate and ziva (a puff pastry stuffed with cheese and olives), plus plenty of fish dishes.

Open in Google Maps

5335 Chemin Queen Mary, Montréal, QC H3X, Canada

Visit Website

Sumac

In Saint-Henri, Chef Rachel Zagury draws on her Sephardic roots with fresh, veg-friendly dishes like salade cuite (slow-cooked tomatoes. roasted sweet peppers), falafel and sabich (fried eggplant, hard boiled egg, cucumber pickles, amba mango pickle).

3618 Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H4C 1P5, Canada

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Arthurs

The fish-focused nosh bar — and much fawned-over favourite of TV chef Rachael Ray — features modern Jewish cuisine set in chic, cheerful environs. Brunch is big here, with shakshuka, a latke smorgasbord and a very decadent Caesar, topped with a pickle and loaded mini bagel sandwich. Beware of the line-ups.

Open in Google Maps

4621 Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC, Canada

Visit Website

La Marguerite

The Côte-Saint-Luc kosher caterer also has a storefront where you can find Moroccan soups, salads, couscous and more. It’s only open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

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6630 Chemin de la Côte-Saint-Luc, Montréal, QC H4V 1G8, Canada

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Pâtisserie Adar

The kosher bakery in Côte-Saint-Luc offers Moroccan lunch and dinner options, plus pastries and cakes.

5634 avenue Westminster, Cote-St-Luc, QC H4W 2J4, Canada

Falafel St. Jacques

This popular Ville-St-Pierre counter is one-part Jewish, one-part Muslim, and equal parts healthy(ish) and delicious. Everything is vegetarian and the fake meat shish taouk is almost as perfect as the falafel, which is arguably the most perfect in town.

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345 Rue Saint-Jacques, Lachine, QC H8R 1E6, Canada

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Falafel Yoni

54 Rue Saint Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2T 2K8, Canada

The newest falafel-slinger on the block takes a pared down approach to the Israeli classic. Their truncated menu keeps things simple and straightforward: take your pick from a falafel pita, falafel salad, sabich (pita stuffed with eggplant and hard boiled eggs) or hummus plate. All good choices, best accompanied by fries and a house-made lemonade.

Open in Google Maps

54 Rue Saint Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2T 2K8, Canada

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Falafel Yoni (@falafelyoni) on Aug 16, 2018 at 5:02am PDT

St-Viateur Bagel (multiple locations)

158 Rue Saint Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2T 2L3, Canada

Pick up a dozen fresh sesame seed bagels to go at the 24-hour landmark St-Viateur shop, or sit down for a smoked salmon sandwich or bagel spread at one of their cafes on Mont-Royal or in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Open in Google Maps

158 Rue Saint Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2T 2L3, Canada

Visit Website

Deli 365

365 Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada

This kosher lunch spot on Bernard does sandwiches, including smoked meat and chicken schnitzel, and has a few falafel and shawarma options. It’s a relatively new underdog, but the food shapes up.

365 Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada

Visit Website

Boulangerie Cheskie

359, rue Bernard Ouest, Montreal, QC H2V 1T6, Canada

Come for the chocolate babka, stay for the rugelach, cheese crowns and black and white cookies at this beloved Mile End Jewish bakery, better known as Cheskie’s.

359, rue Bernard Ouest, Montreal, QC H2V 1T6, Canada

Wilensky's Light Lunch

34 ave. Fairmount Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2M1, Canada

What’s better than a Wilensky’s Special? The grilled all-beef bologna and salami sandwich with mustard, maybe with a pickle or egg cream soda on the side, is one of the most dependable, and affordable, eats in the city. Read Sharon Wilensky’s memories of the lunch counter, open since 1932, here.

34 ave. Fairmount Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2M1, Canada

Visit Website

Fairmount Bagel

74 Fairmount O, Montreal, QC H2T 2M2, Canada

Founded by Russian immigrant Isadore Shlafman, the Mile End bagel shop is now into its third generation with grandson Irwin Shlafman carrying on the hand-rolled, wood-fired bagel legacy. Nearby St-Viateur might now be the bigger operation, but Fairmount is the original.

74 Fairmount O, Montreal, QC H2T 2M2, Canada

Visit Website

Lester's

1055 rue Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada

The Outremont deli, marked by its iconic yellow awning, holds its own in Montreal’s smoked meat sandwich face-off. Not much has changed within the walls of this institution since its inception, and that’s exactly how devoted fans like it.

1055 rue Bernard, Outremont, QC, Canada

Visit Website

Hof Kelsten

4524, boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T 1R4, Canada

Jeffrey Finkelstein’s bakery and café is among the forefront of Montreal’s next-gen Jewish cuisine. The rye, raisin and challah consistently get raves, plus weekend brunch dishes like shakshuka and schnitzel plates.

4524, boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T 1R4, Canada

Visit Website

Beautys Luncheonette

93 ave. du Mont-Royal Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2S5, Canada

A breakfast and brunch standard, Beautys has history (open since 1942), retro charm (booths and stools for all) and its own breakfast classics (Mish-Mash omelet and the special). It’s tough not to love what what the dearly-missed maitre d’ Hymie Scholnik created for Montrealers, weekend lineups and all.

93 ave. du Mont-Royal Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T 2S5, Canada

Visit Website

Espace Culinaire Fletchers

4040, boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y8, Canada

Housed in the Museum of Jewish Montreal and helmed by The Wandering Chew co-founder Kat Romanow, Fletchers is a cultural eating experience. The menu draws inspiration from Montreal’s Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities and features sweet snacks like massafan (almond cookies made with cardamom and rosewater) and sprinkle cookies. There are also food tours and pop-up dinners on offer.

4040, boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y8, Canada

Visit Website

Moishes

3961 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y4, Canada

Old-school elegance pervades this classic Jewish steakhouse, open since 1938. Its late-night fixed-price menu, available after 9 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday, is a popular option for the budget-conscious. Every other night of the week, regulars young and old fill the storied dining room, tucking into favourites like chopped liver, verenikas, Monte Carlo potatoes and some of the best steaks in town. Moishes was recently sold to a corporation, but is still family-run.

3961 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y4, Canada

Visit Website

Schwartz's Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen

3895 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada

The landmark deli has been in the same spot since it was opened by Romanian immigrant Reuben Schwartz in 1928 — and now is part-owned by Céline Dion. Lines may be long, but it’s tough to beat a medium on rye with a pickle, fries and cherry coke.

3895 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada

Visit Website

Main Deli Steak House

3864 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y2, Canada

The Main's smoked meat sandwich (and smoked meat poutine) has its share of devotees, and no lines like nearby Schwartz's, although it did stop smoking its own meat. You’ll also find classics like matzo ball soup, latkes and a reuben.

3864 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W 1Y2, Canada

Visit Website

Snowdon Deli

5265 Décarie, Montreal, QC H3W 3C2, Canada

This Côte-des-Neiges deli turned 70 last year, and is still a go-to for traditional Jewish deli fare like smoked meat, chopped liver and knishes. It’s also a favourite spot for breakfast, with a bagel plate and smoked meat benny. Plus, party sandwiches.

5265 Décarie, Montreal, QC H3W 3C2, Canada

Visit Website

Mozart

5335 Chemin Queen Mary, Montréal, QC H3X, Canada

You’ll find all-kosher pizza, pasta, and Asian dishes alongside Israeli offerings including a falafel plate and ziva (a puff pastry stuffed with cheese and olives), plus plenty of fish dishes.

Open in Google Maps

5335 Chemin Queen Mary, Montréal, QC H3X, Canada

Visit Website

Sumac

3618 Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H4C 1P5, Canada

In Saint-Henri, Chef Rachel Zagury draws on her Sephardic roots with fresh, veg-friendly dishes like salade cuite (slow-cooked tomatoes. roasted sweet peppers), falafel and sabich (fried eggplant, hard boiled egg, cucumber pickles, amba mango pickle).

3618 Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC H4C 1P5, Canada

Visit Website

Arthurs

4621 Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC, Canada

The fish-focused nosh bar — and much fawned-over favourite of TV chef Rachael Ray — features modern Jewish cuisine set in chic, cheerful environs. Brunch is big here, with shakshuka, a latke smorgasbord and a very decadent Caesar, topped with a pickle and loaded mini bagel sandwich. Beware of the line-ups.

Open in Google Maps

4621 Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC, Canada

Visit Website