Melbourne is known as Australia's epicentre of food – but don't get too stuck on the fine dining scene, or you might miss the brilliance of the humble sandwich. An icon in its own right, Melbourne has rallied around the sando with the same cult-like fervour it reserves for coffee and footy. It’s the city where sourdough is sacred, deli meats are an art form, and a mid-morning sandwich run can spark a philosophical debate on pastrami-to-pickle ratios.
From Fitzroy to South Melbourne, Carlton to Collingwood, the city's sandwich slingers are doing the most. Here are the ones we keep coming back to.
1. Hector's Deli (Richmond, South Melbourne, Fitzroy)
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Best for: cult favourites, crisp edges, old-school made new
Hector’s is a Melbourne icon for a reason. The sandwiches are indulgent, nostalgic and executed to perfection. Think golden schnitzel with butter lettuce and mustard mayo or egg salad with an umami punch. It’s the kind of place you’ll queue for without complaint – and you’ll leave with that warm, greasy, satisfied smile that only a perfect sandwich can deliver.
2. Hugo's Deli (Richmond)
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Best for: steak-and-frites subs, ciabatta, park lunches
Tucked away in Richmond, Hugo’s Deli is your go-to for seriously stacked sambos – don’t skip the tuna melt with yuzu and shichimi, or the classic schnitzel with house sauce and pickles. They’re open every day till 2:30pm, but get in early because the good stuff goes fast. There’s limited seating, so it’s best to grab your sando to-go and enjoy it in the sun at nearby Yarra Park.
3. Mile End Bagels (Fitzroy, Richmond, Brunswick, Hawthorn)
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Best for: Montreal-style bagels, out-of-the-box specials, delivery to your door
While technically a bagel shop, Mile End earns its place in the sandwich hall of fame IMO. Their hand-rolled bagels are baked in a wood-fired oven, and filled with classic combos like lox and schmear or pastrami and Swiss. There’s no wrong choice here. Even when it comes to their wildly original monthly specials – like Rose Meringue, Matcha or Hot Cross bagels.
4. Morning Market (Fitzroy, Prahran)
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Best for: European vibes, deli-style sandwiches, a pastry chaser
Part grocer, part café, Morning Market is as chic as sandwich spots come – at both of their locations. Their focaccia sandwiches are loaded with high-end ingredients (think tuna belly, pickled fennel, or silky mortadella), and pair perfectly with a bottle of pét-nat or a rustic strawberry and rhubarb crostata for dessert.
5. Smith + Deli (Collingwood)
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Best for: vegan takes, NYC-style deli energy, epic portions
Smith & Deli has built a legacy around the idea that vegan food can be hearty, comforting, and outrageously delicious. Their sandwiches are generously stuffed, with flavour combos that more than hold their own against their meat-filled counterparts. Lately, their new Philly Cheesesteak special has been taking over our feeds – made with a house-made hoagie, grilled S + D steak slices, sauteed capsicum, onion, jalapenos, chilli garlic butter, and topped with their house-made vegan cheese sauce. (And, how could we forget: served with a side of deep fried pickles.)
6. Hi Fi (Collingwood)
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Best for: new-school deli, takeaway only, and eclectic vinyl soundtrack
Hi Fi is a takeaway-only deli slinging loaded sandwiches, house shakes and hot chips, all set to a rotating soundtrack of classic vinyl. Inspired by a lockdown-era Meatmaiden collab that spawned their namesake hot sauce, the menu now stars a towering Reuben, mortadella-stuffed focaccia, cheesy toasties and fish-finger sangas. You'll also find cheese toasties, and a great coffee here.
7. Maker & Monger (Prahran Market, South Yarra)
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Best for: oozing toasties, fromage lovers, melty magic
What started as a humble cheese cart is now a toastie institution in Melbourne. Their All-American grilled cheese – made with three cheeses and cultured butter – is famous for good reason. For those who worship at the altar of dairy (or who just need a greasy hangover cure), this one’s non-negotiable.
8. Nico's (Fitzroy, Melbourne CBD, Brunswick East)
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Best for: fluffy focaccia, meatball subs, vegan schnitzels
Nico’s is fun. Their branding is playful, the service friendly, and the focaccia pillowy-soft. With clever seasonal flavours and cheeky names, it’s the type of place where one sandwich just won’t be enough. Bonus points for the vegan and vegetarian schnitzels menu.
9. Applehead Deli (Mentone)
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Best for: sando and soup combos, $3 small batch brew, free stickers of the CEO macaroni at the counter
Applehead Deli is everything a local sando shoppe should be: familiar, flavourful, and a little bit nostalgic. Brought to life by couple Liz Garginian and Denis Arbatov as a love letter to the Jewish delis of Arbatov’s childhood, the menu is compact but full of heart, with weekend specials, comforting classics like Reubens and tuna melts, and a rotating selection of house-made sweets – don’t skip the apple cake. Inside, the vibe is cheeky and warm: pops of Katz’s-inspired red, retro fonts, and a granite counter.
10. Rocco's Deli (Yarraville)
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Best for: Italian classics, no-skimp toppings, westside charm
Rocco’s is an unassuming little gem in the inner west that knows exactly what it’s doing. Their Italian sangas – packed with prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto, and roasted veg – are layered with care and served with heart. A local go-to that deserves city-wide recognition.
