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Subscribe Stunning Staples: The Best Sandwiches in Sydney
Take your pick from this edit of the best sandwiches in Sydney.
Sydneysiders are all about simple pleasures, and come lunchtime, the sandwich takes centre-stage. Invented by an aristocrat back in the 1700s, the beauty of the sandwich is that it has no limits. You can fill the space between two slices of bread with whatever you want, from good old-fashioned ham and cheese to something far more fancy. We don’t gate keep here so scroll on to check out our edit of the best sandwiches in Sydney…
Best Sandwiches: Coming Soon
La Panineria
The team behind York Street’s much-loved trattoria Tessuto is back — this time, bringing Sydney a slice of Italy in sandwich form. Opening in June, La Panineria is a hole-in-the-wall paninoteca tucked into Curtin Place, set to serve up Tuscan-style schiacciata loaded with classic Italian fillings. Think mortadella, prosciutto, mozzarella and polpette, all hugged by thin, crisp, olive oil–washed flatbread made in-house over three days. It’s not your average lunch break material — and that’s exactly the point.
The menu will also span pizza al taglio (by the slice) and traditional Italian pastries — including a pistachio-stuffed lobster tail that’s bound to take off on socials. Open weekdays from 6am, it’s also shaping up to be a city go-to for breakfast or a mid-morning pastry hit. With a family story rooted in Abruzzo, Sicily and Northern Italy, and a mission to hero under-the-radar Italian staples like schiacciata, this tiny laneway spot brings big flavour, plenty of heart — and all the right crunch.
Opening June 2025
Curtin Place, in the laneway off 280 George St, Sydney
Best Sandwiches: Eastern Suburbs
Cut Lunch Deli
Cut Lunch Deli focuses on doing two things well and those things are coffee and sandwiches – a power couple if ever we’ve seen one. Seasonal sandwiches are their bread and butter and include the likes of the morty d — mortadella, pistachio pesto, stracciatella, basil, guindilla — and the vego sun kissed sandwich — Nashi pear, halloumi, olive, almond, cucumber, pickled onion, mint.
220 Clovelly Road, Randwick
Kosta’s
Kosta’s began as a hole-in-the-wall in Rockdale and has since expanded to locations across Sydney – testament to how addictive these classic sambos are. The tuna melt has its own dedicated fan base but don’t be shy to order something on the specials menu as everything here will have you drooling. You can expect pillowy bread, chunky toppings and generous dollops of condiments.
Locations across Sydney
S’WICH
S’WICH isn’t messing around – their lunchtime delights are a game-changer. The three-cheese toastie is a must-try, promising pure indulgence, while the Chicken Schnitzel sandwich is a crowd-pleaser. Take a breather and soak in Bondi’s eclectic energy at their art deco-style diner. S’WICH has mastered the art of sandwich simplicity with a dash of creativity, making it a top pick for those who appreciate a delicious bite without the fuss. Lunchtime by the beach just got a whole lot better.
149 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach
Frank’s Deli
In the heart of Waverley’s bustling main street, Frank’s Deli is a New York-style deli that sprinkles Polish flair into its sandwich-centric menu. The Breakfast Sammy, a delicious and fluffy milk bun crammed with cheese, egg, and brisket pastrami, is a must-try. For lunch, go for the classic and crowd-fave Frank’s Reuben. It’s tender and features spiced brisket pastrami from LP, saurkraut, pickles, and swiss cheese hugged by toasted carroway sourdough—a hearty meal to enjoy under the sun.
279 Bronte Road, Waverley
Best Sandwiches: Inner City
Penny’s Cheese Shop
You can’t call yourself a real Eastern Suburbs local until you’ve schlepped to Penny’s Cheese Shop at 10:30 on a Saturday morning just to have her tell you she’s already fresh outta cheese toasties. It’s a dairy-laced heart break. Hand-grated cheese is melted between delicious sourdough bread and occasionally spiked with deluxe option extras from chorizo to truffle.
Shop 6/127-139 Macleay Street, Potts Point
Relish Food Co
Make a pilgrimage to Surry Hills for a spiritual sandwich experience at Relish Food Co. Vegetarians won’t feel left out here with delectable vego and vegan options. A standout is the broccoli special, featuring a broccoli, minted pea, and dukkah smash with chilli mayo, provolone cheese, and shaved parmesan. Creative, tasty, and unpretentious, Relish Food Co elevates the sandwich game to new heights in Sydney.
45 Albion Street, Surry Hills
South Dowling Sandwiches
For over 15 years, the ‘Dowlo’ has been a staple on Sydney’s sandwich scene – and yes, there’s a scene, and it’s a thriving one at that! Here, ordering is easy: just choose white or brown bread, and one of the eight options on offer, and you’ll have a huge sandwich in front of you in minutes – the house favourite is the Veggie Sandwich. Trust us, it’s worth the line!
Darlinghurst & Alexandria
Mrs Palmer Sandwich
With house sambos and special sandwiches, Mrs Palmer Sandwich shop is known for her marvellously massive sandwiches. Our favourite would have to be the spicy BBQ beef brisket, a messy king, this beef is slow-cooked for eight hours in spicy BBQ marinade, caramelised onion chutney, buttercup lettuce, cabbage and topped with crispy shallots. If this venue wasn’t already cool enough, Mrs Palmer Sandwich is also the front for one of our favourite hidden bars.
81 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
Good Ways Deli
Good Ways Deli is a haven for brunchers and lunchers alike! Try their breakfast sandwich with boiled egg, maffra mature cheddar, onion jam, butter lettuce and mayo. Or go in for the deli sanga complete with kangaroo mortadella, salami cotto, ham provolone, pickles, white onion, iceberg lettuce and sandwich sauce. Pair your sandwiches with a cheeky little lunchtime dessert from the cabinet.
Shop 1/20 Cooper Street, Redfern (Gadigal Land)
Lox in a Box
Repeat with us: Bagels count as sandwiches! And Lox in a Box has cracked the code on perfecting bagel sangas—expect beautiful bagels enveloping bright delicious, thinly sliced lox and rich schmear. To round out your lunch, don’t skip the sides. Munch on pickles and crisps to elevate your sandwich experience. For a more traditional fix, grab their pastrami reuben, chicken katsu bagels, or explore a heap of other delicious deli goods. Whatever you choose, you are in for one of the best sandwiches you can get in Sydney.
Multiple locations across Sydney
Reuben Hills
The team at the Rueben Hills cafe and roastery don’t like to play by the rules – as evidenced by their wildly popular sandwich, ‘Not a Reuben.’ Meat lovers, this one’s for you. With tender wagyu salt brisket, pickled slaw, manchego cheese and horseradish cream, it’s the perfect balance of flavours and textures, and you’ll be dreaming about the melt-in-your-mouth wagyu long after lunch.
61 Albion Street, Surry Hills
Best Sandwiches: Inner West & Western Suburbs
Bertas
If the lines (and Instagram comments) from this new Marrickville cafe’s first few weeks are anything to go by, Bertas is going to be a big hit. Opening in early May, after four months of renovations and late nights, the Sydenham Road spot is all about sharing good food with good people.
Offering freshly baked goods, premium coffee and Insta feed-worthy sandwiches that’ll get you salivating, Bertas has already been described as “perfection” and “simply the best” by those in the know (read: hungry locals). With a menu that features the likes of a mortadella sando with stracciatella, pistachio pesto, pickled onion and rocket and a vegan “fennel two-ways” delight with roast fennel, smoked mozzarella, chilli mayo, grape compote, pickled fennel and rocket, we’re inclined to agree.
100B Sydenham Road, Marrickville
Brickfields
For a slice of South America, go to Chippendale – specifically, Brickfields. The cafe-slash-bakery is warm and inviting, thanks to its hanging plants and stacks of fresh loaves. People line up for its Bacon and Manchego Ciabatta, which is filled with crispy, salty bacon, manchego cheese, shredded kale, pickles, rosemary and garlic mayo. It’s usually dished up on a chewy seeded ciabatta roll.
Chippendale & Marrickville
Marrickville Pork Roll
This hole-in-the-wall spot always has a line around the block, and as anyone who has ever tried the rolls can attest, the wait is well worth it! Value for money banh mi packed with flavour-fuelled ingredients stuffed in crusty baguettes – need we say more.
Multiple locations
Self Raised Bread Shoppe
Nestled near Jubilee Park, Self Raised Bread Shoppe is a local carb haven. Co-owners Sal Senan and Hussein Rachid, proud locals, bring inner-city vibes southward. The retro-chic bakery, known for its stellar pastries, truly shines with its standout sandwiches. Inspired by Melbourne’s sandwich-deli trend and New York’s bodegas, Self Raised’s creations bring out the best of both in their sangas.
45 Jubilee Avenue, Carlton
San San
New kid on the block San San do one thing and they do it well — crafting packed sandwiches to order from their freshly baked fluffy focaccia bread. Choose from one of their 10 options, that range from chicken shnitty to eggplant & roasted capsicum, or luxuriate in focaccia pizza by the slice. Don’t skip out on dessert or drinks as these home-baked goodies are god-tier. As a family-run biz, you’ll also find plenty of heirloom recipes, including the baba ghanouj and homemade lemonade.
4/19-29 Marco Avenue, Revesby
Pane e Prosciutto
If you’re after a traditional deli style sandwich in the north-west, there’s only one place that should be on your radar. At Pane e Prosciutto, pick up a sando, just the way you like it. Choose from their menu of house made classic or craft your own with a selection of tasty add-ons from their fully stocked deli. Trust us, one visit won’t be enough.
86a Charles Street, Putney
Best Sandwiches: Northern Beaches
ULLO
Looking for the perfect beachside sandwich? Look no further than ULLO, the latest addition to Dee Why’s vibrant beachfront scene. Every weekend, the restaurant serves up a mouthwatering selection of deli-style focaccias and folded pizza sandwiches that are an ideal choice for those craving a satisfying snack. We highly recommend the Ultimate Ullo Deli, which includes LP salami cotto, Bresaolo, provolone dolce, coppa, truffle, pickled peppers, rocket and a secret green made from broccoli, spinach and feta.
Available on weekends, from midday until late.
23 The Strand, Dee Why
Best Sandwiches: Shire Region
Loaf
For lovers of sandwiches in all forms. Loaf‘s coffee is consistently excellent and their sandwiches are made just the way we like them – thick-cut bread and allll the fillings. Swing by of a morning for a traditional jaffle or pop in at lunchtime for Loaf’s iconic The Grass is Greener sambo – packed with falafel, avocado, herbed hommus, pickles, cucumber, alfalfa and greens with sweet chilli.
Cronulla & Engadine
Loved our edit of the best sandwiches in Sydney and looking for more lunchtime inspo? Check out our favourite burgers in Sydney and our fancy food under $150 edit.
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