There are few things more comforting in life than a perfectly layered sandwich. In Sydney/Eora, we go mad for a proper sanga, ranging from hefty two-handers to bougie Italian deli creations served on fluffy focaccia.
Ready for a carb-load you'll want to write home about? These are Urban List's top picks for the best sandwiches in Sydney.
Salumerie
Multiple Locations
Image credit: Salumerie | Instagram
Salumerie is an Italian deli and sandwich shop that bases all its sandwiches on house-made focaccia—pillowy on the inside, crispy on the exterior. This spot functions as a full Italian deli, so there's an epic selection of salumi and smallgoods for toppings—prosciutto di Parma, Calabrian salami, prosciutto cotto, and cheeses including buffalo mozzarella, stracciatella, pecorino, taleggio or ricotta.
If in doubt, go for the crowd favourite mortadella sandwich: thin shavings of the rich, fat-studded salumi with pistachio pesto, oozing stracciatella, rocket and crumbled pistachios.
Insider Intel:
- Don't fret the dietaries—word on the street is the gluten-free bread here is outstanding.
Mrs Palmer Sandwich
81 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
Image credit: Mrs Palmer Sandwich | Instagram
Mrs Palmer Sandwich dishes up just six sandwiches—and they do them extremely well. The guys behind Wings and Tins have turned their deft hands to slicing bread and stacking toppings dangerously high, with mouth-watering ingredients.
There are weekly specials like hefty Italian meatball sandwiches or al pastor creations with grilled Mexican chicken, roasted pineapple, onions, avocado, rocket and fresh lime. The regular lineup looks like chicken and salad, rare roast beef and pulled brisket numbers.
Insider Intel:
- Wash it all down at the secret margarita bar out back, La Farmacia.
Self Raised
45 Jubilee Avenue, Carlton and Shop 4, Sarsfield Crescent, Bexley North
Image credit: Self Raised | Instagram
From the team behind NYC-inspired pizza joint My Mother's Cousin, Self Raised pumps out delicious bread (sourdough, baguettes, ciabattas, and take-home focaccias) and pastries like enormous pistachio croissants.
They also do pretty mean sandwiches like a mortadella focaccia topped with wild rocket, bocconcini, roasted peppers, green olives and Parmigiano Reggiano. Or a classic hoagie, a schnitzel sandwich, and a top-tier smoked beef sandwich.
Insider Intel:
- There's limited seating at this joint, so we recommend grabbing your order to-go and heading to the beach.
Kosta's
Multiple Locations
Image credit: Kosta's Deli | Instagram
Kosta's started in Rockdale as a punchy sandwich joint nestled inside an auto repair shop. Their sandwiches got so much love out there, they've expanded to several Sydney locations, including a central shop in the CBD's Sydney Place precinct.
Hero sandwiches are the Super Deli panini with turkey ham, basturma, marinated peppers, spinach, graviera, fennel butter, lettuce and salsa verde, and the classic poached chicken sandwich with avocado, slaw, chives and mayo on Tuscan-style schiacciata. There's also an enormous schnitty sandwich served on an olive oil bun, and a TikTok-viral fish burger with cheese, tartare sauce and lettuce worth trying.
Insider Intel:
- Budding chefs and hard-core fans, gear up: Kosta posts a select few recipes online, so you can follow in his footsteps.
Frank's Deli
279 Bronte Road, Waverley
Image credit: Frank's Deli | Instagram
Frank's Deli blends classic NYC deli vibes with the owner's Polish heritage, offering everything from bone broth to in-house pickling—so these Sydney sandwiches are really a slice above.
Options include the famous Reuben sandwich with LP's Quality Meats brisket pastrami, Frank's sauce, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and pickles on rye sourdough, plus a fennel and ricotta meatball sub, the stacked three-meat (spicy salami, mortadella and ham) deli combo, and a fancy tuna melt. There's also a dedicated selection of breakfast sandwiches.
Insider Intel:
- Got an upcoming function? Frank's will cater your next picnic, party, or work event—just say the word.
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Bar Conte
340 Riley Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Bar Conte | Supplied
You might know it as Sydney's number-one Negroni bar, but the cafe at Bar Conte does all-day goodies from 7.30am—complete with epic Italian deli-style sandwiches for lunch.
Sangas here come on the restaurant and bar's fluffy focaccia sprinkled with rosemary, and filled with ever-changing selections like ham, roasted artichoke, olive crumb and scamorza; mortadella, stracciatella and pistachio; and spicy Calabrian salami, cos lettuce, scamorza and truffle mayo.
Insider Intel:
- Stick around to the later hours for a chance to try more than 20 Negroni variations, made with top-shelf Australian and Italian vermouths. Begin with the Count's OG concoction, the Negroni Classico 1919 made with Campari, Cinzano 1757, and Tanqueray.
Lenny Briskets
3/274-290 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
Image credit: Lenny's Briskets | Instagram
Lenny Briskets is a food truck turned NYC-inspired sandwich shop and diner serving some of Sydney's best Reubens, alongside other top-notch New York-style sandwiches. Sandwiches come in single (150gm) or double (300gm), and the hero Reuben features layers and layers of Lenny's own classic corned brisket, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and Russian dressing.
These guys aren't messing around with smoked meats, and the BBQ brisket New Amsterdam sandwich is also a cult favourite. If you're starving, go for the Double El Grande: half a kilo of smoked pastrami on rye.
Insider Intel:
- In terms of deli items, they are well stocked—there's matzo ball soup, chopped liver, three sandwich kits, and Lenny's famous beef jus. For detailed prep instructions, check out their website.
South Dowling Sandwiches
Multiple Locations
Image credit: South Dowling Sandwiches | Instagram
South Dowling Sandwiches has been serving up lunchtime staples for over 20 years now, and their sandwiches are absolutely massive. The family-run business is known for the caramelised carrots that grace a few of their creations, and if you're not feeling a sandwich, you can opt for the fillings in salad form instead.
The Hugo is a mighty chicken schnitty, herbed mayo, and salad concoction, while The Brad Pitt has just about everything you can fit between two slices of bread. It’s little wonder the queue here normally winds down the street.
Insider Intel:
- The bread is made in-house, every day, so you are guaranteed freshness, quality and flavour.
Small’s Deli
1/166 Victoria Street, Potts Point
Image credit: Small's Deli | Instagram
While there's more than just sandwiches happening at Small's Deli these days, there is a sandwich here with a cult following. Named after the American soul singer, the Al Green is a vegan delight that has your daily greens sorted.
One side of the towering panini sandwich begins with a generous lather of kale puree, while the other side is covered in a Green Goddess sauce. Next comes the alfalfa sprouts, the sliced Granny Smith apples, plenty of avocado, pepita pesto, and a fresh, crispy bed of iceberg lettuce.
Insider Intel:
- Don't stress, protein-lovers: the Bon Jambon is also a mainstay, with double-smoked ham, triple cream brie, dijon mustard and cultured butter on a baguette. Regular specials are worth checking out, too.
Tothy Brothers Deli
4/180 South Creek Road, Wheeler Heights
Image credit: Tothy Brothers Deli | Instagram
If you're around the Northern Beaches with a serious sandwich hankering, we highly recommend a stop at Tothy Brothers Deli, owned by two local brothers.
You'll find the pastrami on a sandwich with the simple combo of rye, pickles and mustard, and on their Reuben, with rye, Swiss, sauerkraut and house-made Russian dressing. Other sandwiches tour around the US, including a Rangers Valley rib eye Philly cheesesteak, a Nashville hot chicken sando, a mammoth tuna melt, and a double-smoked bacon and egg roll.
Insider intel:
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They're best known for their 12-hour smoked pastrami, which they salt-brine in 18 different spices and a secret rub.
Humble Bakery
Multiple Locations
Now with three locations in Sydney, Humble Bakery serves up some of Sydney's best bread and pastries (their pink finger buns are iconic).
The sandwich board rotates, so we can't promise what to expect other than some kind of toastie (potentially filled with cheese and mushroom, or pastrami and sauerkraut), a couple of special sandwich stacks (like porchetta, eggplant, or meatball), and a classic deli-style filled focaccia.
Insider Intel:
- They now have a "pimp my buns" option for catering, where you can order a stack of their much-loved finger buns with whatever icing colour you'd like.
Good Ways Deli
1/20 Cooper Street, Redfern and 81 Buckland Street, Alexandria
Image credit: Good Ways Deli | Instagram
Now with two locations, Good Ways Deli nails a small menu with simple and outstanding flavour combinations.
Try the deli sandwich with kangaroo mortadella (a pick for its sustainability chops) plus salami cotto, LP's smoked ham, provolone, pickles, lettuce and sandwich sauce, or the banging salad sandwich chock-full of healthy and delicious things.
Insider Intel:
- Best of all, the ciabatta bread used for the sandwiches is freshly made in-house every day.
Dom Panino
122 Marion Street, Leichhardt
Image credit: Dom Panino | Instagram
Dom Panino dubs itself “Sydney’s first Paninoteca”, and started life as a popular food truck. With 14 sandwiches on offer, Dom Panino uses top-quality Italian-style salumi and cheese and incorporates recipes from the owner's nonna.
There’s The Big Sal with Italian sausage, cime di rapa, house-pickled peperoncini, onions and provolone dolce, Nonna’s Nostalgia with a five-hour slow-cooked pork and veal bolognese and smoked for di latte, and the Joey Vodka with chicken schnitzel, vodka sugo, spicy salami, buffalo mozzarella and basil.
Insider Intel:
If you're an early riser, there's a selection of brekkie sandwiches, and they do a Sicilian-style brioche filled with rich pistachio gelato for a sweet treat.
Sandoitchi
Shop 3/113-115 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst and Chatswood Chase Shopping Center, Shop LGK-0003/345 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Image credit: Sandoitchi | Instagram
Sandoitchi's Japanese-style sandwiches on thick-cut white bread are simply out of this world. They're known for golden pork katsu sandos as well as a ridiculously good fried chicken sandwich with sriracha mayo. The sandwiches might be small and dainty, but they pack a huge punch when it comes to flavour.
Insider Intel:
- If you’re looking to drop a sizeable chunk of change on your lunch, this place is also the home of the Kobe Wagyu katsu sando, the most expensive sandwich in Sydney at $59.
Continental Deli
210 Australia Street, Newtown
Image credit: Continental Deli | Instagram
There’s a chance you head in to Continental Deli for the house-tinned cocktails or bistro menu filled with pasta and beautiful cuts of meat. But take it from us, the sandwiches are incredible.
Like any good deli, think flavour-filled and straightforward sandwiches like the country ham, cheese pickle, butter, mayo and mustard, or the Euro-style stunner The Wurst with liverwurst, presswurst and teewurst plus pickles, Pepe Saya butter, mayo, dijon and mustard on a Humble Bakery ciabatta.
Insider Intel:
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If you’re hankering for something warm, do not skip the much-loved French dip sandwich with Riverine sirloin, asiago cheese, and onion on a baguette, with a side of beef jus for dipping.
Cut Lunch Deli
220 Clovelly Road, Randwick
Splashed in sunshine yellow, Cut Lunch Deli is a sandwich spot that delivers a neat list of delectable staples and fun twists. There are five sandwiches and three toasties on the menu; our eyes are on the Schnitz with sweet zucchini pickle mayo, sesame panko crumb, pickled red onion and lettuce.
Insider Intel:
- Plant-based pals should check out the Sun Kissed sandwich with Nashi pear, halloumi, olive, almond, cucumber, pickled onion and mint yoghurt dressing.
Loaf Sandwiches
89 Cronulla Street, Cronulla and 55 / 972-990 Old Princes Highway,
Engadine
Image credit: Loaf Sandwiches | Instagram
Nestled inside the Cronulla mall, Loaf Sandwiches is a local favourite for coffee, brekkie, and (the clue’s in the name) their world-beating sandwiches. First opened in 2015, the Loaf team goes big on local produce, sourcing many of their ingredients at local markets.
The sandwich options change seasonally, but regularly rotating through are the Beaf-eater with slow-cooked beef and cheddar, Tuna Fish with dill and Loaf’s “secret spice”, and the vegan Grass is Greener with falafel, avocado and herbed hommus.
Insider Intel:
- There’s also a whole separate jaffle menu, and we wouldn't pass up their "get burgered" jaffle—beef, pickles and American cheese with special sauce.
Ken's Continental
3/40 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay
Image credit: Ken's Continental | Instagram
Ken's Continental is a European-inspired deli and cafe with a loyal following of sandwich-loving fans. There's an emphasis on seasonality and sustainability, as well as tasty deli cuts like bresaola, pancetta and sopressa.
The offering changes regularly, but might look like an eggplant parm sandwich with fresh herbs, a pastrami and capocollo sandwich with chedder, rocket and tangy balsamic cippolini, or a classic mortadella, ricotta, salsa verde and pistachio combo.
Insider Intel:
- Sandwiches are served on baguettes from Loulou Boulangerie in Milsons Point, so you know they mean business.
Zafferano
354 South Dowling Street, Paddington
Image credit: Zafferano | Supplied
Paddington’s Sicilian trattoria Zafferano now does a lunchtime focacceria menu offering hefty Italian-style sandwiches. Owners Simone and Bella are dishing up combinations like homemade porchetta with spicy caramelised onion, fried eggplant with Napoli sauce, and mortadella with burrata, olives and pistachio basil pesto.
Insider Intel:
- As well as their fresh focaccia offering, the venue also has a host of panini options, including Sicilian chickpea panelle, porchetta with truffle aioli, and salami with olive pate and buffalo mozzarella.
The Bearded Baristaa
Shop 3/3 Barwon Park Road, St Peters
Image credit: The Bearded Baristaa | Instagram
Across the road from Sydney Park, The Bearded Baristaa is a popular coffee pit stop for local pup parents. Beyond providing caffeine sustenance pre and post-dog walks, this sunny cafe has also earned a rep for serving one of Sydney's best sandwiches.
They do cafe staples with a seriously delicious Middle Eastern twist, including a set of six tasty toasties that you can enjoy takeaway in the park or in the leafy back courtyard. The crowd favourites here are the 16-hour pulled beef toastie and the towering and spicy basturma Reuben, made with beef basturma, sauerkraut, house-made pickles, cheese, and chipotle aioli.
Insider Intel:
- Naturally, this joint is pet-friendly, so your furry friend can come along for the ride.
Fabbrica
Multiple Locations
Image credit: Fabbrica | Instagram
Led by the Ragazzi team, Fabbrica has locations all over Sydney. They make pasta, create must-try sweets, and bake bread for a range of stunning sandwiches.
Sandwiches at Fabbrica are rotating specials served on house-made bread, but regulars include pepperoni, LP’s mortadella, ham, pickles and provolone, or a veggie option with caponata, pesto, whipped ricotta and rocket.
Insider Intel:
- Alongside sandwiches, their pasta is to die for: their at-home pasta packs are stocked at Harris Farm Markets, so you can try your hand.
Harvey's Hot Sandwiches
4.05, 12 Darcy Street, Parramatta
Image credit: Harvey's Hot Sandwiches | Instagram
You'll find this retro sandwich bar in the Parramatta Square dining precinct, making subs served simple (with mustard and Swiss cheese) or sloppy (with Russian dressing, coleslaw, and Swiss cheese).
There's a classic meatball sub with pork and veal meatballs, garlic butter, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese and, in true Americana style, a Philly cheesesteak with shaved scotch fillet steak, grilled onions, provolone cheese, and a hot pepper spread.
Insider Intel:
- Our favourite sandwich here has to be the muffuletta made with mortadella, ham, salami, Harvey's olive spread, provolone and Swiss cheese.
Charc
61-65 Regent St, Chippendale
And now one for all the big-time meat lovers out there. Charc's Reuben sandwiches vie for best in the city, with house-made pastrami and all the usual suspects, and the Wagyu toasties like the Clubhouse Steak, with house-smoked Wagyu, Swiss, pickles, and American mustard, will blow your mind.
Insider Intel:
- Their specialty meats are either 6-day picklebrined, hang-dried, spiced, cured and dried by hand, or smoked—next level for flavour and packing a punch.
Norma’s Deli
74/78 The Corso, Manly
Image credit: Norma's Deli | Instagram
Norma’s Deli is one of Manly’s most beloved sandwich joints, and it's part sourdough bakery, part grocer, part diner and part coffee shop. Their monstrous focaccia-based sangas are packed with everything from mortadella with buffalo mozzarella to roast beef with house-made pickles and horseradish mayo. They’ve also got ciabatta ops, including chicken schnitzel with jalapeno mayo, and sourdough sandos like the Club Med with prosciutto, grilled chicken, halloumi and house tzatziki.
Insider Intel:
- There's often a queue here and they do sell-out, so come early and be prepared to brave the lines—we promise it's worth it.
This Way Canteen
Bridge and Phillip Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: This Way Canteen | Instagram
This Way Canteen is a self-proclaimed “good-time sandwich bunker” set inside the beautiful sandstone forecourt of the Museum of Sydney, a stone’s throw from Circular Quay.
This canteen-style spot lays on top-tier sandwiches served on focaccia freshly baked at Italian bread specialists and sibling venue Grana down the street. In addition to their daily selection of roast pork, chick schnitzel and veggie fillings, This Way Canteen mixes it up with a host of weekly specials.
Insider Intel:
- With a large indoor space, complete with bi-fold doors that connect to a sandstone courtyard, this spot is great to host your next event—they've even collabed with the Museum of Sydney to offer extended theatre event spaces.
Main image credit: South Dowling Sandwiches | Instagram
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