Melbourne burgers had their time in the sun, but there’s only so much magic you can make with beef, cheese and brioche. Sandwiches are much more interesting. Oozy tuna melts on dark rye, dripping hoagies stuffed with roast lamb and garlic yoghurt, triple-stacked Reubens that hurt your jaw, crunchy alfalfa sprouts and fluorescent beetroot—there’s a lot you can do between two slices of bread. But with the recent boom in the handheld meal, it can be hard to identify the best sandwiches in Melbourne/Naarm.
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THE BEST SANDWICHES IN MELBOURNE AT A GLANCE
- Best New Sandwich Deli: Emilietta
- Best Cheese Toastie: Maker & Monger
- Best Meatball Sub: Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca
- Best Chicken Sandwich: Falco
- Best Sandwich As Voted By Our Readers: Saluministi
FOC Melbourne
432 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: FOC Melbourne | Supplied
The team behind Melbourne’s beloved Sloppy Joes Deli—who we reckon are making some of the best sangas in town—has changed the drapes at their Little Collins digs to make way for their new venture, FOC. The main focus here is chunky focaccia rolls, which you might have already seen plastered across your social feeds. There’s about eight sando variations on offer, from mortadella, porchetta, and rare beef to green beans, and mushrooms.
The quaint shop is also serving sweet treats and good coffee to cover all craving fronts. The space can take a few dine-ins at a time, but primarily FOC is designed as a take-and-go kind of thing. Open Monday to Friday from 8am ‘til 3pm.
Mr T Deli
93 Main Street, Croydon
Image credit: Mr T Deli | Supplied
Mr T has been kicking around for a few years now, and over this time, the Croydon deli has perfected the art of making thick sangas. You can get it all here—hot sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, sandwiches made with focaccia, breakfast buns, and stacked bagels.
Like all the best delis, Mr T slings regular specials to keep things fresh. For truffle season this year, the crew are whipping up three stacked sandos: truffled lobster in shokupan ($22), a New York-style bagel stuffed with truffled brined panko chicken ($18), and the primo namesake truffled Cape Grim steak sandwich ($26). All using the good stuff (truffle) straight from the Yarra Valley
Robin’s Deli
132 Keys Road, Cheltenham
Image credit: Robin’s Deli | Supplied
Cheltenham’s freshly minted sanga deli, Robin’s, is marrying classic sandwiches with modern combos, giving rise to numbers like the ‘F*cked Up Meatball’ toastie. Which translates to a sandwich stuffed with pork and beef meatballs doused in Napoli sauce, with honey cumin yoghurt generously drizzled on top before the whole thing is thrown onto the grill for a toasting.
Hifi
316 Smith Street, Collingwood
Image credit: Hi Fi | Annika Kafcaloudis
A newcomer to what could unofficially be known as Melbourne's sandwich strip, Hifi know their thing or two around a sandwich (as well as a shake and coffee). You can't go wrong with anything on the menu here, from fresh to toasted versions of the handheld meal, though you'd be silly to skip past that hefty mushroom taleggio number, or their fancy take on a fillet-o-fish.
On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December, contemporary Pan-Asian eatery Lucy Lui is linking up with HiFi to whip up three punchy, limited sangas in the Collingwood kitchen. Expect a beef rendang short rib sub, a crispy fried chicken number in a potato bun and a crackling pork belly edition requiring two hands. The indulgence continues to the sides, with curly fries, Vietnamese coffee shakes and fried Chinese donuts up for grabs.
Maker & Monger
163 Commercial Road, South Yarra
Image credit: Maker & Monger | Kristoffer Paulsen
Aptly nicknamed The Chapel of Cheese, Maker & Monger is the true OG when it comes to the toastie. The All-American made its debut the same year Anthony Femia opened the cheese shop. Almost 10 years on, and this devilishly brilliant toasted sanga still stands strong as a Melbourne best. Two types of cheddar, onion, parsley plus a secret-something. If you need a visual, feast your eyes on our Hype Bite.
Sloppy Joe's Deli
Various Locations
Image credit: Sloppy Joe's Deli | Supplied
After a run in Bentleigh, the team at Sloppy Joe's Deli has relocated to the CBD with two stores, servicing the suits and ties with some damn hefty sandwiches, bagels and doughnuts. The Collins Street locale is dishing out several future-classics that are quickly becoming brunch and lunch go-to's for many city-siders—the truffle mushroom melt with three different types of cheeses is a great place to start, as is the weighty fried chicken sanga.
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Emilietta
1 Gills Alley, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Emilietta | Atti.Co
Newcomer Emilietta comes from the team behind one of Melbourne’s best Italian diners, Trattoria Emilia. Before you read on, we need to make it clear, Emilia’s little sister isn’t technically slinging sandwiches. But tigella is sandwich-like, and if adding them in this list makes you go try one, then we’ve done our job right.
Ingredients are both freshly local and imported straight from Italy. The menu changes fairly regularly, so either walk-in with an open mind, or snoop on their Instagram for inspo.
Kelso’s Sandwich Shoppe
271 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Image credit: Kelso's Sandwich Shoppe | Instagram
Want a big slice of retro? One bite of the Tuna Melt from Kelso’s in Abbotsford and you’re back in the 1970s reading Kafka next to a lava lamp. Owners Jon Farrell, Brendan Kennedy and Kitty Kelso have created something special throughout the entire menu, but there's one sanga that people just won't shut up about: the tuna melt. Think tuna, mayo, house pickles, red onions and cheese, grilled between two slices of yeasty dark rye—a mean combo that makes this one of the best sandwiches Melbourne has on offer.
Hector’s Deli
Various Locations
Image credit: Hector's Deli | Supplied
When Hector’s Deli opened in Buckingham Street, some people wondered if anyone would notice. Buckingham Street is not exactly Times Square. How good could these sandwiches really be? Turns out, very good. People queue on Sunday mornings for the Chicken Schnitty, which has become Hector’s signature stack in 2025. One crumbed free-range chicken schnitzel, homemade tarragon butter, iceberg lettuce and ‘secret mayo’ (probably aioli) on a steamed potato bun—nothing flashy or fancy, but done damn well. Get in early—these bad boys tend to sell out around 1pm.
Greta
450 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Greta | Instagram
Turns out this charmer of a wine bar also does a mean sandwich. At Greta, several European-style sandwiches are on offer, including a beef cheek baguette, eggplant parmigiana roll and a three cheeses edition. You'll find the tried and tested Axil Coffee by the machines, though the bold will pair their sandwich with a glass of something light and bright no matter the time of day.
Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca
15 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: Rocco's Bologna Discoteca | Supplied
What began as a pop-up sandwich takeaway joint turned into the permanent cult-following Italian restaurant Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca. Despite its fancy twist, the meatball sub and bologna sandwich still reign supreme. These bad boys are decadent, messy and ideal for a takeaway lunch or dinner paired with a vino.
Nico's
Various Locations
Image credit: Urban List | Annika Kafcaloudis
If you search “best sandwiches Melbourne 2025” you’re bound to come across Nico's. Since opening their roller door down a Fitzroy side street, it's clear their sandwiches have become as iconic as that glary, royal blue facade. It's far from smoke and mirrors at Nico's though, the owners have a long lineage in the hospo scene which comes out in their creations. The chicken salad in a fresh ciabatta roll is a no-brainer, but those who align with the flexitarian lifestyle should certainly give the mushroom sub a run.
Falco Bakery
Various Locations
Image credit: Falco | Supplied
Falco is the perfect place to take a break from the chaos of Smith Street. Once you step inside you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the golden days of old-school bakeries and corner stores. With small-batch baked goods at the forefront, Falco is dialled-up in the housemade bread department, producing some of the best sandwiches Melbourne has. It's common knowledge at the Urban List office—if there's any sandwich you have try, it's the chicken sanga from Falco. Be warned, once you've tried it, you'll want to every day for lunch.
Saul's Sandwiches
Various Locations
Image credit: Saul's Sandwiches | Supplied
We aren't sure when Saul's will stop opening new stores, and with sangas like below, we wouldn't be complaining if we saw that iconic logo on a corner of every inner-city Melbourne suburb. The 2025 menu differs slightly depending on which locale you're visiting, but you could and should keep an eye out for their deli cold cuts number and their take on a chicken parma—in bread, of course.
Ollie's Deli
Shop 7/158 Barkly Street, Footscray
Image credit: Ollie's Deli | Instagram
Making noise from their Footscray stronghold, Ollie's Deli is bringing a bite of Melbourne's heaving deli-sandwich scene to the Western suburbs. While the menu might be light, the sandwiches are anything but. The heavy hitters flying out the door are the BCF (Buttermilk fried chicken) roll, as well as the pastrami—a homage to the traditional Reuben with thick-cut rye bread, sauerkraut, American cheese and Ollie's secret sauce. Without a doubt some of the best sandwiches Melbourne has.
LaManna & Sons Gourmet Panini Bar
670 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Image credit: LaManna & Sons | Supplied
This one’s for the DIY-inclined sanga devotee. The family-owned greengrocer and delicatessen LaManna & Sons have launched their Gourmet Panini Bar, delivering made-to-order sandwiches out of their fully-equipped Italian deli. From cold meats, cheeses, and marinated fresh vegetables, to pickled goods and spreads—lunch-goers can load up their freshly baked panini bread or house-made focaccia with six fillings as they please.
Hugo’s Deli
119 Swan Street, Richmond
Image credit: Hugo's Deli | Supplied
Opening at the end of 2021, Hugo’s Deli has quickly become a local fave in Richmond. In fact, if you’re on Swan Street pretty much anytime before 2:30 pm, you’ll notice a crowd of people standing out front. Hugo’s is all about New York and Japanese-style sandwiches served alongside specialist coffee, exactly the combo that Melburnians love. For one of the best sandwiches Melbourne has in 2025, order the fried chicken. It’s freshly crumbed daily and fried to order, and is served on shokupan bread with plenty of sauce, pickles and cheese.
Little Havana
99 High Steet, Prahran
Image credit: Little Havana | Supplied
After travelling to the vibrant Cuban neighbourhood in Miami, hatted chef and globe-trotter Charlie Carrington decided to bring the traditional Cubano to Melbourne—and we’re pretty stoked he did. Offering a paired back menu, Little Havana has nailed the dual-meat combo, with mustard, pickles and cheese, enclosed in a Cuban-style rolls’ crispy crust.
Applehead Deli
100 Latrobe Street, Mentone
Image credit: Applehead Deli | Instagram
Just off Nepean Highway in Mentone, you’ll come across a charming white brick NYC-style deli called Applehead. There’s a range of amazing sandwiches that you can eat in or take away, as well as a small grocer packed with the best coffee and treats you can take home. The classic pastrami sandwich is definitely a highlight, featuring cheddar, deli mustard, slaw, and house mayo. You can also pick up excellent coffee or shake on the side.
Saluministi
Various Locations
Image credit: Saluministi | Supplied
Inspired by the panini shops in Italy, including the world-famous All’Antico Vinaio in Florence, co-owners and family Peter Mastro and Frank Bressi opened Saluministi back in 2016. It has since expanded to a second store in Flinders Lane, and once you try the panini you’ll understand why it’s been so popular. Our personal fave is the porchetta roll, stuffed with slow-roasted pork, artichoke paste, pecorino and rocket—like all Italian cooking, it’s simple but packed with flavour.
Warkop
Various Locations
Image credit: Warkop | Annika Kafcaloudis
Warkop packs a punch with its Indonesian-inspired sandwiches from ex-Navi sous chef Barry Susanto and co-owner Erwin Chandra. Leaning on their heritage, Warkop offers something different to the Melbourne sanga scene, such as the smoked beef dabu dabu (a spicy Indonesian condiment) edition that sits within fluffy shokupan bread. There are also breakfast muffins to start your day right, as well as sweet treats baked in-house, like pandan lamington.
Olmate's
Various Locations
Image credit: Olmate's | Instagram
The gang behind Reverence Coffee Roasters opened up a sandwich outpost to service Southbank's brunch and lunch-goers earlier in 2025, later expanding to the northside as well. The sangas are no-joke, either, with Palermo’s head chef, Michael “Mikey” Dalton curating what's served up. Highlights include, but certainly aren't limited to a roast beef number with a rogan josh dipper on the side, a sizable tuna melt aptly named Big Tuna, and a roast cauliflower sanga layered with tamarind chutney, pickled red onions, rocket and green chilli sauce.
Black Gold
285 Lennox Street, Richmond
Image credit: Black Gold | Supplied
Black Gold specialises in the art of loaded toasted sangas, and damn do these things slap. They're the type of toastie that when it's handed to you, you question if you've been given two with how heavy they are. Crowd favourites like the Rueben, with smoked pastrami and housemade sauerkraut & Russian dressing, can be found splattered across the Instagrams of Richmond locals, and when they look this good, you can understand why.
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Leading image credit: Hifi | Annika Kafcaloudis
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