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The Best Sandwiches in Sydney

Wrap your hands around these sangas, courtesy of the best sandwich makers in Sydney.

Lox in a Box

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.

Simple and satisfying or sophisticated and sumptuous, Sydney has the best sandwiches that never misses. If you don't know where to look, then you've come to the right place. We don't gate keep here so scroll on to check out all our favourite places to grab a yummy sanga in Sydney!

S'WICH

S'WICH

For the locals in the know, S'WICH has swiftly become the go-to spot for the best sandwiches in Sydney. This newcomer 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 

June's Shoppe

June's Shoppe

This wholesome little hole-in-the-wall cafe is nestled right in the centre of the Wynyard precinct, making it super handy for lunch or breaky on the go. The bright yellow shop front is an absolute delight, as is the team's sunny service. As for the sambos themselves, these two-handed monsters are made using the softest bread around and are packed to the brim with fillings. Junes has covered all the classics from crisp salad to curried egg and chicken Cesear. Nostalgia fused with extra large portion sizes - it's a match made in heaven. 

60 Carrington Street, Sydney

Penny's Cheese Shop (@foodism_duo)

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. Fewer than 50 toasties are churned out daily, so you have to get in early to avoid missing out.

Shop 6/127-139 Macleay Street, Potts Point

Relish Food Co.

Relish Food Co

Make a pilgrimage to Surry Hills for a spiritual beef truffle sandwich experience at Relish Food Co. With paper-thin roast beef, generous helpings of truffle oil, tomato, parmigiano reggiano, house-made mayonnaise and soft leaf, every single bite of this sandwich is simply satisfying. Vegetarians won't feel left out 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

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

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

This deli run by two best friends, 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 with Aussie classics with deli sandwiches kangaroo mortadella, salami cotto, ham provolone, pickles, white onion, iceberg lettuce and sandwich sauce. Pair your sandwiches with an epic for a cheeky little lunchtime dessert.

Shop 1/20 Cooper Street, Redfern (Gadigal Land)

Marrickville Pork Roll

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. Having made a massive name for themselves in Marrickville, they opened up a second location in Darling Square where they continue to serve up some of the best banh mi in Sydney.

Marrickville & Haymarket

Lox in a Box

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 

Toastie Smith

Honestly, what’s better than a nice toastie on a chilly day? With thick cut white bread, these pimped out toasties are the talk of the town. The eggsmith is the perfect breakfast sando with fluffy scrambled eggs, American cheese, sesame flavoured slaw, spicy tomato relish, fish roe, chives and siracha mayo. For an Asian-inspired substantial sandwich, the wagyu beef don is our pick with eggs, cheese and slaw alongside Japanese-style simmered beef and onion, truffle mayo and seaweed furikake.

Chatswood & Haymarket

Lox Stock and Barrel

Lox Stock and Barrel

Just a couple of streets back from Bondi Beach, Lox Stock and Barrel is a local's haven for the best sandwiches in Sydney. This deli diner is best known for its bagels and health bowls (because, balance). If carbs are calling your name, order the Grilled Spiced Albacore Tuna Sandwich, a fresh, flavoursome combination of seared tuna, jalapenos, cucumber and miso slaw on a grilled panini. It’s spicy yet cooling, and seriously good. Beyond the delightful sandwiches, Lox Stock and Barrel brings a taste of Jewish comfort food, blending seasonal produce with artisanal skills.

140 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach

Reuben Hills

Reuben Hills

The team at the Rueben Hills café 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

Brickfields Bakery (@brickfieldsbakery)

Brickfields

For a slice of South America, go to Chippendale – specifically, Brickfields. The café-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

Encasa

Encasa Deli

Next time you’re in the city, treat your tastebuds to a ‘bocadillo’ – a Spanish-style sandwich on a freshly baked baguette. Encasa Deli whips up 10 different types, including the classic Pepito. Made with eye fillet, a fried egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato and aioli on crusty bread, it’s a flavour explosion with the right amount of crunch.

Lane Cove & CBD 

John Montagu

John Montagu

Named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich (and aforementioned aristocrat), this Woolloomooloo café is bright and bustling. There are four options, all served up on bread from St. Honore. While the salmon and Southern chicken sandwiches are delish, the café is famous among foodies for its beef cheek sandwich. Braised for 12 hours, the beef is incredibly tender.

144 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo

Café Oratnek

Café Oratnek

Headed up by Kenny Takayama (ex Bills), Café Oratnek is a Japanese-inspired fusion café that’s daring and delicious. It’s also home to the best katsu sandwich in Sydney. It’s made up of a juicy 200g pork fillet, thinly-sliced cabbage, and lashings of Japanese BBQ sauce and sweet mustard on a super-soft bun. Our advice: Settle into a seat in the outdoor courtyard and savour each bite.

4 Pitt Street, Redfern

Self Raised Bread Shoppe

Self Raised Bread Shoppe

Nestled near Jubilee Park, Self Raised Bread Shoppe is a local carb haven, making waves with the best sandwiches in Sydney. 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. We love The Schnitzel, a sourdough sandwich packed with herb and garlic panko-crumbed chicken, lettuce, American cheese, and mayo. At Self Raised, they pride themselves in making simple yet tasty sandwiches—because why complicate a good thing?

45 Jubilee Avenue, Carlton

Frank's Deli

Frank's Deli

In the heart of Waverley's bustling main street, Frank's Deli emerges as a local gem, quickly gaining acclaim for the best sandwiches in Sydney. Run by the dynamic trio of Sammy Jakubiak, Alek Jakubiak, and Ben Kelly, this New York-style deli sprinkles Polish flair into its sandwich-centric menu. The Breakfast Sammy, an delicious and fluffy milk bun crammed with cheese, egg, and brisket pastrami, is a must-try feat. For lunch, go for the classic and crowd-fave Frank's Reuben. It's tender and 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

Lenny Briskets

Lenny Briskets

Sydneysiders all know to trust Lenny Briskets for the best sandwiches in town. Born in Yonkers, New York, Lenny's deli roots run deep, and upon moving to Australia, he started serving up legendary meats from a food truck. Today, he's built up quite a rep for juicy sangas that beckons many locals far and wide. If this is your first time trying out Lenny's sandwiches, start with the classic but a goodie: Pastrami in Rye, but if you dare, go all out and double down with their Double El Grandé: it's half a kilo of smoked pastrami with mustard and a side of pickles.

3/274-290 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

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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