Fitzroy Deli

You know that episode of Friends where Ross loses it over someone at work stealing his sandwich? “MY SANDWICH?!” Well, we're not so different to old mate Ross here, because that'd 100% be us, should anyone try to mess with our own sando of choice: anything from new kid on the block, Fitzroy Deli.

This cute spot is bought to us by Scott Kennedy of Dulcie fame, and sits snug as a stack of deli meat inside two slices of freshly baked bread, between Hotel DeBrett and a currently vacant store on Shortland Street. It's small and sweet, comprising a cosy indoor area decked out with warm and welcoming tones (the staff's positively orange pinnies are also appreciated!), plus a couple of in-built tables and chairs on the pavement. Despite having just opened, it's already generating quite the buzz amongst city workers and passersby—no doubt drawn in by the smell of something delicious baking (not to mention the endearing gold logo on the door).

The menu here is short, which means there's little room for error. However, those who've dined at the Devonport-based Dulcie will know this isn't a word in Kennedy's vocab; and as such, everything here is executed with perfection. The bread is baked onsite daily, the meat (including mortadella and ham on the bone) is sliced on demand, and every single sandwich here is made to order, in true deli style.

If you're looking for something to kick-start your day (Fitzroy is open from 7:30 am), get amongst their slider-style brekkie bun, the egg & cheese. This soft deli roll is filled with all the breakfast-of-champion essentials (egg, in the form of an omelette, cheese, in the form of smoked cheddar, and your choice of grilled ham or mortadella for a few bucks extra. You can even slap on a hash brown if you're feeling especially hangry). A generous drizzle of herb mayo finishes the job.

Next up there's a three-strong menu of fresh sammies, headlined by the the deli classic (and the late, great Anthony Bourdain's favourite sandwich), mortadella. There's something ridiculously delicious about this simple sando, which comprises its namesake, mortadella (a type of sliced pork sausage), pillowy soft stracciatella, punchy basil pesto, rocket and pistachios, smooshed between two slices of beautifully soft, seed-sprinkled bread. This version slaps and dare we say, Bourdain himself would be impressed.

If you prefer your sammies hot, no biggie—Fitzroy also has a trio of heated options up for grabs (we're already anticipating the queues for these in winter). Choose from stuffings like schnitzel (furakake crumbed chicken with pickles, yuzu cabbage and dashi mayo) or brisket (salted beef with vintage cheddar, pickled zucchini, peperonata mayo and watercress); or the mind-bending eggplant and porcini (mind-bending because the vegetarian meatballs at its centre legit taste like meat). Paired with generous helpings of tomato sugo and salsa verde and stringy torched provolone for good measure, this sure is a solid sando.

Of course, no deli would be complete without some form of caffeine, and you can expect quality Atomic Coffee in both hot and cold form here, along with matcha, tea, and a selection of bevvies from the fridge.

So on that note, we'd like to officially welcome Fitzroy Deli to the CBD. Their sandwiches truly are some of Auckland's best (just remember, no one touches ours!).

Words: Kathryn Steane | Image credit: Michael White

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