The sandwich—here at Urban List we'd argue it's the most versatile of all dishes. Slap anything between two pieces of bread and you’ve got yourself a certified sanga. The possibilities are deliciously endless.
Not to say that there isn’t an art to sandwich making—there is. And thankfully, Brisbane/Meanjin is home to a number of places that make sandwiches akin to masterpieces. As such, we've rounded up the best sandwiches in Brisbane, for all your carb-hunting pleasure.
Sarni
143 Racecourse Road, Ascot
Sarni has absolutely nailed the humble stack, baking their own focaccia, ciabatta and other breads for a hand-written sandwich menu that changes almost daily. Don’t expect a simple ham and cheese number here—instead the crew are playing with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients for creations like the Chicken Katsu, with a generous serve of chicken thigh cutlet, pickled veg, kewpie, salted cabbage and Japanese curry sauce, and the Slow Roasted Lamb, with baba ghanoush, pomegranate and Harris’ feta pickles. They're a handful, and you will need serviettes.
Ham On Rye
5/107 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
Image credit: Ham on Rye | Instagram
A sandwich deli straight from the minds behind Superfly Pizza and Hai Hai, we introduce to you Ham On Rye. This sanga shop has a menu of the classics, with reubens, toasted melts, and cold cut sandwiches all up for grabs, as well as less traditional sandwiches like a spicy braised beef number and a salami and gypsy ham red pesto delight. The maximalist deli is also adorned with sandwich themed pop-art—a nod to New York, the ultimate sandwich deli location.
Deli Dakota
30 Badminton Street, Mount Gravatt East
Image credit: Deli Dakota | Instagram
You might wanna pull over for this one, because Deli Dakota’s sandwiches are definite two-handers. Their elaborate options include a BBQ brisket reuben, a calabrese toastie and a DFC—Dakota Fried Chicken. For the non-meat-eaters, the forest mushroom specialty looks like a solid feed. Don’t worry about getting thirsty either, because there’s an extensive drinks menu to go with that food overload.
Supernice
4/37 Mayne Road, Bowen Hills
Image credit: Supernice | Instagram
Also known for their heavenly matcha concoctions, Supernice in Bowen Hills whips up a mean sanga. Standouts would definitely have to be their fluffy focaccia range packed with flavour combos sure to keep that pesky hangover (or just your classic office lunch cravings) at bay–we’re talking mortadella, stracciatella, honey and crushed pistachio, as well as a brekky salumi sanga with free range eggs, provolone and pesto. Need something hotter and crunchier? You can’t go wrong with their Reuben or tuna melts. And of course, the trip to Supernice would not be complete without snagging a house-made cookie for later (or immediately, we won’t judge).
Sunny Side Sandwiches
203/142 Newmarket Road, Windsor | 173A Latrobe Terrace, Paddington
Image credit: Sunny Side Sandwiches | Instagram
Why look on the bright side of things when you can just look at Sunny Side Sandwiches and get the same amount of joy? Whoever said money can’t buy happiness obviously never had one of their breakfast sangas. They’ve got all our favourite meals—chicken schnitty, eggplant parm, pastrami—you name it, they’ve chucked it in some bread and made it a sandwich.
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Cordeaux Social Club
462 Montague Street, West End
Image credit: Cordeaux Social Club | Instagram
Okay, you got us, Cordeaux Social Club isn’t exactly a sandwich bar, but the up-and-coming bistro and wine bar in West End has sandwiches that deserve to be noticed. Their lunch menu includes sangas like the mushroom cutlet with hazelnut butter, classic Italian beef, grilled chicken with smoked bacon and lettuce and beef and pickle on sourdough. If that isn’t enough, the vibes aren’t too bad either.
Mr Badgers
24 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Image credit: Mr Badgers | Instagram
If you’ve got something good, why mess with it? That’s exactly how Mr Badgers approaches their sandwiches. Their small selection of sandwiches are classics. The Reuben. The Meatball Sub. The Cubano. Philly Cheesesteak. Italian Meatball. Need we say more? How about the fact that you can eat them sitting in an old tram car? Yeah, we thought that might get your attention.
The Twin
27 Vulture Street, West End
Image credit: The Twin | Instagram
If variety is your priority, The Twin can help you out. Every fortnight, their lowest selling sanga gets switched out for either a brand new option or an old favourite. Their current menu includes a falafel sandwich with lemon tahini and burnt eggplant yoghurt, a roast beef and egmont cheese on foccacia and a classic tomato sanga with salt and vinegar chips. If you like the sound of any of those, get in quick and grab one, otherwise they might get kicked off the menu. We’re living in a supply and demand world, so better demand while you still can.
Melt Brothers
8/280 & 91 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Melt Brothers | Instagram
Who knew sandwiches could be so punny? Not only do Melt Brothers have toasted sandwiches of the highest quality, they’ve got the names to match. Try out their sangas like the “Shake that Hass”—smashed avocado, tomato, feta, mozzarella, and aged cheddar, the “Holy Cheezus”—ham off the bone, tomato chutney, mozzarella, and aged cheddar, and the “M.C. Cheesy”—macaroni and cheese, bacon bits, smokey BBQ sauce, aioli, mozzarella, and aged cheddar. Yes, you read that right—it’s a sandwich with mac ‘n’ cheese.
Wilbur’s
42 Wilbur Street, Holland Park
Image credit: Wilbur's | Ranyhyn Laine
Who knew that tucked away in a suburban corner of Holland Park you’d find Brisbane’s best gourmet sandwich joint? Wilbur’s has an extensive range of sanga options. By morning you can sink your teeth into stacks of bacon and egg provolone with relish and aioli on sourdough, while more lunch-worthy options include turkey, brie and onion jam on sourdough (get it toasted), or mortadella, prosciutto, provolone, guindilla peppers and salsa verde on garlic focaccia. Whatever you go for, make sure you grab something sweet to go with it—we recommend a decadent, housemade salted dark chocolate cookie.
Colin’s
7/1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Colin's | Instagram
From the folks behind Paddington Social comes Colin’s, a cosy cafe with a sandwich for everyone. Wrap your hands around breakfast options like a bacon and egg roll or a breaky bagel, or drop in for a lunch of the mammoth chicken sando or the juicy brisket and pickle sandwich piled with melted cheese, mustard relish and sauerkraut. Those sandwiches not tempting you? They’ve also got an all day brunch menu with plenty of takeaway options so you can grab and go to eat at your desk.
Dijon
48 Esher Street, Tarragindi
Image credit: Dijon | Instagram
From the hospo legends behind well-known breakfast spots Deedot Coffee House and Never Been, comes Tarragindi’s new toastie joint, Dijon. There’s something to satisfy everyone, whether you prefer traditional tastes such as ham and three cheese or bolder combos like brisket and jalapeno cream cheese—and yes, vegan and gluten-free options are available. After something a little sweeter? You can’t miss the New York-style chunky cookies and a Biscoff shake to have after your sanga of choice.
Eat At Billy’s
155 Baroona Road, Paddington
Image credit: Eat at Billy's | Ranyhyn Laine
From the legendary team behind Meat at Billy’s, comes Eat at Billy’s. Choose between seven stacked options including the ‘Not A F*$&#en Reuben,’ with melt-in-your-mouth wood-smoked wagyu brisket pastrami, red cheddar pickles and signature sauce and the ‘Big Paulie’ Porchetta, featuring pork belly porchetta and crispy crackling, salsa verde, pickled red onions, rocket and garlic mayo. You won’t find any fancy bread here either, just classic, thick cut white bread from a local baker. Best of all, if you find yourself obsessed with any of the meaty sandwich fillings, you can pick up the base protein in the butcher right next door and attempt to recreate it at home—though we wish you the best of luck trying to replicate that pastrami.
James & Antler
18/65 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: James & Antler | Instagram
Don’t let size fool you, this container cafe may be tiny but it is serving up massive flavour. The team behind Mitchelton’s hottest cafe Mitch & Antler have taken their best-selling croque madame—a magnificent sourdough toastie packed with smoked ham, manchego and egmont cheese and mustard and leek cream, topped with a fried free-range egg—and placed it as a takeaway option in James & Antler. Alongside the drool-worthy selection of monsieurs and madames, mouthwatering baguettes, salads and soft serves are also on the menu.
Supernova
89/91 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Supernova | Instagram
Also coming from the team behind James & Antler (yes, the croque masters above) comes Supernova, a sandwich eatery focused on the katsu sando. Supernova combines sandos, soba and Japanese-inspired breakfast dishes in a leafy, relaxed space where you can sit down and enjoy your chosen meal with a decadent drink or two. You’ll find chicken, pork and black angus katsus on offer, matched with shoyu BBQ dipping sauce and furikake fries if you wish, or at the higher end of the scale you’ll find the gold leaf-topped wagyu striploin sando (which we’ve heard is well worth the $75 you’ll spend on it). Making your choice will be no mean feat.
Toastbuds
133 Oxford Street, Bulimba
Image credit: Toastbuds | Instagram
Specialising in sandwiches and sandwiches only, Toastbuds will have you salivating at every crunch. For a morning bite, there’s the breakfast sanga with bacon jam, scrambled eggs, dill and cheese. After something more lunch suited? Order the ham and cheese with crunchy pickle, dijon mustard and dill, or the mushroom, with a blend of enoki, king and field mushrooms. Want something a bit different? Keep an eye out on the Toastbuds instagram for their weekly specials.
Sandwiches aren’t quite what you’re after? Head here:
Image credit: Sarni | Ranyhyn Laine
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