Sandwiches are no small deal in Sydney. Anyone who lives here will quickly tell you their favourite spot to go for a cut lunch sando – and more importantly, ask you yours. As someone who moved here only a few short years ago, I was surprised by the gusto the city's residents had for the humble lunch favourite. That was, until I started trying some of these raved-about spots.
From the Northern Beaches down to The Shire – there are sandwich shops aplenty. But how do you cut the crummy spots from the ones that serve God-tier meals? Well, luckily for you – we've done the hard (albeit delicious) work for you, below.
1. Norma’s Deli (Manly)
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Best for: seaside sandos, generous fillings, a maritozzi on the side
A conversation about Manly isn't complete without someone bringing up Norma's. It's a spot most in our office have made the drive up north for several times – and one that's well rewarded. This self-proclaimed 'big fat Greek deli that does it all' is known for their sandwiches among plenty of other specials – and they aren't stingy on the Deli meats. The Normas Deli sandwich is their signature: layers of creamy labneh, mortadella, ham, salami, rocket, pickles and fresh tomato on their house-made focaccia. But we'd suggest not leaving it to the last minute for a visit – they close when sold out for the day.
2. Cetto Deli (Gladesville)
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Having opened mid-2025, this brother-and-sister-duo run sandwich spot in Gladesville has quickly become a hot spot for generously sized focaccia sandos and house-made tiramisu. There are around 6-7 sandwich options available that rotate seasonally. Their current best-seller and menu-constant is the "Number One", lathered with prosciutto, buffalo mozz, green pesto, sun-dried toms and crunchy rocket. But personally, we'd recommend "Number Four", which his stuffed with Mortadella, stracciatella, CETTO’s house made hot honey, pistachio and rocket. There can be lines at peak hours here, but they move fast.
3. Cross Section (Darlinghurst and Bondi Juction)
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Best for: Caesar salad wraps, viral cross-section shots, parm galore
A favourite of the RUSSH team's (partly because it's just down the road from RUSSH HQ, partly because it's so damn moreish), Cross Section has very quickly become a stalwart in the Sydney sandwich scene. It wasn't long before Sydney-siders were coming from far and wide to try one for themselves (and take a few snaps for socials while they were at it). For once, the rumours are true – the Caesar salad wrap is 100% worth it – but don't forget about some of their other menu classics. Personally, I'd recommend the #11 with mortadella, hot sopressa and stracciatella. They've also just opened the doors to their second location in Bondi Junction this week.
4. Ken's Continental (Rushcutter's Bay)
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Best for: schnitty sandos
Another spot that flies a little under the radar is Ken's – a Euro-inspired deli, cafe and sandwich shop from the team at Bones Ramen. It's tucked into a leafy backstreet of the King's Cross/Rushcutter's Bay area, and while there are only a few tables out front for diners to enjoy their sandwiches on-site, there's nothing stopping you from taking your order to the nearest park (or back home) to devour. They're open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch – and they also stock Butterboy cookies for an extra treat.
5. Kosta's Takeaway (Rockdale, Rosebery, CBD)
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Best for: simple is best, quick turnaround, prawn rolls
Kosta's has a few locations around Sydney – so you're likely to be near at least one. They're a no-nonsense Greek deli of the highest order. Fresh ingredients. Classic sandwiches. Their offerings range from straight-up sandwiches on sliced panini and schiacciata, to brioche burgers and chips (where do we really draw the line between burger and sandwich anyway?). Their straight-up pastrami beef and pickles sando is hard to go past – especially if what you're craving is a proper, NYC-style sandwich – but we'd never say no to their monthly rotation of sandwich specials either.
6. Teta's (Potts Point)
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Best for: flat-bread toasties, Middle Eastern flavours, pomegranate sodas
Teta's – nestled into a row of eateries along Roslyn St in Potts Point (between the beloved Piccolo Bar and Barrel One coffee shop) – is one place held in high esteem by just about everyone who visits. Run by deli owner Dina, and named in honour of her late grandmother, Teta's is an ode to slow, handmade, Lebanese fare; marinated and brined to perfection. In fact, when model Gabbriette visited Sydney last year, she was so enamoured by the food she took her thoughts to Instagram (and even created her own special version in NYC in homage). And while you're there enjoying your lunch, you can peruse (and purchase) from their deli wall – from Teta's best-selling chilli sauce to jars of preserved baby eggplant.
7. South Dowling Sandwiches (Alexandria, Paddington, Miller's Point)
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Best for: bang for your buck, fresh is best, fluffy bread
Another cult fave around these parts is South Dowling – who've been in the sando game for over 15 years. They tout the Australia’s #1 Best Sandwich title on their website, as well as three locations across town. A favourite of a few of our RUSSH Editors for its freshness, light and fluffy Sicilian-style bread (baked fresh each day), and of course, for its chicken schnitzel sandwiches, we'd recommend giving this one a red hot crack when you get a chance. (Just mind the queues – they're worth it.)
8. Duke's Providore (Cronulla)
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Best for: catering, weekly specials, Truffle Mortadella!!!
From charcoal schnitzel to slow-roasted lamb, Duke's Providore – The Shire's newly re-named European-inspired sandwich bar – is anything but ordinary. They load up their sandos on house-made focaccia, using fresh cold meats and cheeses straight from their in-house deli and butcher, and lathered with cold meats and cheeses straight from their deli. It's also a great little coffee shop – and with both indoor and outdoor seating options, you can make the most of your meal on site, or take your wares home (or to the nearby beach) to snack on.
9. Baker Bleu (Double Bay)
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Best for: country rolls (ofc), egg salad sandwiches, a sweet treat on the side
Perhaps you've overlooked Baker Bleu as simply just a bakery – a damn good one at that – but you should be informed that they also do an incredible sandwich. Between crowd favourites like their salt beef wagyu sandwich on rye caraway and their sesame bagel with Glory Bay smoked salmon pastrami (are we really going to argue the merits of bagels as part of the sandwich family?) this might be one of Double Bay's finest sandwich spots – and you can opt for a couple sweet treats on the side too.
10. FLOUR (Caringbah South)
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Best for: climate controlled dough, cute cafe interiors, crispy bottomed focaccia.
Between green goddess sandwiches and chicken katsu sandos on super soft, fluffy Japanese Shokupan baked fresh each morning in house – FLOUR is one of The Shire's sandwich gems. It's hardly hidden though – there's a line out the door every morning for this joint, so you know it's as good as we say – and with a rotating menu of sandwiches, there's plenty of newness to try each week.
11. AP Bakery (multiple)
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Best for: ficelles
There's a good reason for AP Bakery's cult-like status across Sydney (store locations are available on their website). Yes, they're predominantly known for their delicious baked sweets – their buttermilk croissant is so-far my favourite in Sydney – but let's not overlook their incredible sandwich selection. Not all their outposts serve them up, but you should be able to find them (when not sold out) at the majority of them. Their sandwiches are served on ficelles (skinnier, long baguettes), which are 1) incredibly chic and 2) incredibly tasty. The cheese and pickles ficelle is perfect for splitting with a friend or lover. Or for eating entirely yourself. No judgement here.
12. Cafe Margaret (Double Bay)
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Best for: Toasted focaccia sandos
With a cheeseburger currently ranked 10 in the world and number one in Australia, you can guarantee that Cafe Margaret know a thing or two about stuffing bread with great fillings. Their sandwiches are all served on toasted or fresh focaccia – with fillings like mortadella and melted provolone or chicken schnitzel to choose from.
13. Salumerie (Potts Point, CBD, Bondi Beach)
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Best for: Rotating specials, half-serves, crisp bread
Salumerie does all of their sandwiches on thick, crispy focaccia – with five classic sandwich fillings to choose from (or a build-your-own option). What's great about this spot is you can opt for a half-serve, so you're not beholden to giant double sandwich at lunch if you're just feeling a bit peckish. They also have some great specials (prosciutto and peach is a recent fave), a series of after-dark laneway aperitivo sessions kicking off, and a $2 espresso al banco served with a spoon of tiramisu.
14. Bar Hernandez (Potts Point)
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Formerly known as Vermuteria, this European-inspired cocktail bar is a favourite of locals for an aperitivo hour cocktail (they do a great happy hour special with discounted cocktails, sherry and vermouth), but it's lesser known for its incredible toasties. Choose from a selection of toasties from Piquillo Pepper, Jamon or Chorizo – all paired with shavings of pecorino and a side of crinkle-cut potato chips (an important addition).
