The Best Sandwiches in Sydney

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. We don't gate keep here so scroll on to check out our edit of the best sandwiches in Sydney...

Zafferano 

When authentic Sicilian restaurant Zafferano announced it was launching a 'Focacceria' lunch menu, sighs of ecstasy were heard across the city. Consider your Paddington lunch plans sorted forevermore with their range of focaccias and paninis prepared on the crispiest (and fluffiest!) focaccia bread in the city. Starting at $15.50 select from the likes of porchetta, mortadella or an incredible fried eggplant parmigiana filling for the vegos in our midst. More of a panini person? Zafferano's can sort you out there too. 

Wednesday to Sunday

354 South Dowling Street, Paddington 

S'WICH

S'WICH 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

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. 

60 Carrington Street, Sydney

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. 

Shop 6/127-139 Macleay Street, Potts Point

Relish Food Co

Make a pilgrimage to Surry Hills for a spiritual sandwich experience at Relish Food Co.  Vegetarians won't feel left out here 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

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

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 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 for the deli sanga complete with kangaroo mortadella, salami cotto, ham provolone, pickles, white onion, iceberg lettuce and sandwich sauce. Pair your sandwiches with a cheeky little lunchtime dessert from the cabinet.

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

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. 

Multiple locations

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 

Reuben Hills

The team at the Rueben Hills cafe 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

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

John Montagu

Named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich (and aforementioned aristocrat), this Woolloomooloo cafe is bright and bustling. There are four options, all served up on bread from St. Honore. The cafe is famous among foodies for its beef cheek sandwich which is braised for 12 hours.

144 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo

Self Raised Bread Shoppe

Nestled near Jubilee Park, Self Raised Bread Shoppe is a local carb haven. 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. 

45 Jubilee Avenue, Carlton

Loaf 

For lovers of sandwiches in all forms. Loaf's coffee is consistently excellent and their sandwiches are made just the way we like them - thick-cut bread and allll the fillings. Swing by of a morning for a traditional jaffle or pop in at lunchtime for Loaf's iconic The Grass is Greener sambo - packed with falafel, avocado, herbed hommus, pickles, cucumber, alfalfa and greens with sweet chilli. 

89 Cronulla Street, Cronulla 

Frank's Deli

In the heart of Waverley's bustling main street, Frank's Deli is a New York-style deli that sprinkles Polish flair into its sandwich-centric menu. The Breakfast Sammy, a delicious and fluffy milk bun crammed with cheese, egg, and brisket pastrami, is a must-try. For lunch, go for the classic and crowd-fave Frank's Reuben. It's tender and features 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

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.