Simple Pleasures: 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.

When the hunger pangs kick in, wrap your hands around these satisfying sangas.

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.

377 South Dowling Street, Darlinghurst

Lox Stock and Barrel

Just a couple of streets back from Bondi Beach, Lox Stock and Barrel is a deli diner that’s best known for its bagels and health bowls (because, balance). If carbs are calling your name, order the Grilled Spiced Albacore Tuna Sandwich, a fresh, flavoursome combination of seared tuna, jalapenos, cucumber and miso slaw on a grilled panini. It’s spicy yet cooling, and seriously good.

140 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach

Café Oratnek

Headed up by Kenny Takayama (ex Bills), Café Oratnek is a Japanese-inspired fusion café that’s daring and delicious. It’s also home to the best katsu sandwich in Sydney. It’s made up of a juicy 200g pork fillet, thinly-sliced cabbage, and lashings of Japanese BBQ sauce and sweet mustard on a super-soft bun. Our advice, settle into a seat in the outdoor courtyard.

4 Pitt Street, Redfern

Brooklyn Bridge Deli

Modelled on the bulging sandwiches served in New York bodegas, this deli makes just about everything in-house, from the pastrami and corned beef to the sauerkraut and dressing (mayo, hot sauce and Worcestershire). Try the house-cured pastrami on thick-cut rye, or the spiced lamb with hummus, couscous and roma tomato. And don’t forget your coffee – it comes in ‘Biggie’ or ‘Smalls’, and with a free mini Oreo.

6/2 Bridge Street, Sydney

John Montagu

Named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich (and aforementioned aristocrat), this Woolloomooloo café is bright and bustling. There are four options, all served up on bread from St Honore. While the salmon and Southern chicken sandwiches are delish, the café is famous among foodies for its beef cheek sandwich. Braised for 12 hours, the beef is incredibly tender.

144 Cathedral Street, Woolloomooloo

ACME

In Rushcutters Bay, ACME has carved out a niche thanks to its cool vibe and creative menu. One example is the Baloney Sandwich, a highly-Instagrammed starter that’s nothing like the sloppy sandwiches you remember from childhood. Served on a pillow-soft potato roll, it’s filled with mortadella (courtesy of LP’s Quality Meats), and topped with a housemade, umami-flavoured tomato sauce.

60 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay

Brickfields

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

206 Cleveland Street, Chippendale

Mr Crackles

Speaking of pork, this late-night haunt may be the pork crackling king, but it also makes a beautifully succulent sandwich. The Crackled Classic contains crispy, slow-roasted and spiced pork belly and Vietnamese salad in a roll, and will keep you feeling full for hours. It’s a sin to leave this spot without trying the crackling, so ask for a cup of crackling on the side.

155 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

Reuben Hills

The team at the Rueben Hills café 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

Encasa Deli

Next time you’re in the city, treat your tastebuds to a ‘bocadillo’ – a Spanish-style sandwich on a freshly baked baguette. Encasa Deli whips up 10 different types, including the classic Pepito. Made with eye fillet, a fried egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato and aioli on crusty bread, it’s a flavour explosion with the right amount of crunch.

F4 Level 1, Chifley Square, Sydney