There are many sandwiches in London, and we've eaten nearly all of them. No really. Here we've mapped out the top 100 — those we feel really are a cut above the rest. There should be something for everyone, but if you feel we've made a major omission, please let us know in the comments. Locations were accurate at the time of writing, but do be sure to check before you travel, particularly when it comes to street food trucks as (obviously) they move around.
N Postcodes
Foxlow: We kick off with a dessert sandwich: The Elvis Presley. This sweet sensation is a smoosh of milky soft serve, banana compote and peanut butter in fried brioche. It's topped with peanut butter sauce, maple syrup and bacon. You might want to hit the gym first.
71-73 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AS
The Good Egg: This is the first permanent site from The Good Egg. We wrote about their cracking sabich here, full of velvety aubergines, potato, egg, Yemenite chilli sauce, pickles... yum.
93 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AS
Max's Sandwich Shop: Max's exploded onto the scene with their playful creative sandwiches, such as the ham, egg n' chips (ham hock, shoestring fries, piccalilli, malt vinegar mayo) and the robocoq (confit guinea fowl, chicken liver parfait, chicory, sweet potato fries, wild garlic salsa). Some of the best in the whole of London.
19 Crouch Hill, N4 4AP
Dishoom (N. London branch): The Dishoom bacon naan is widely considered to be one of the best bacon sandwiches in London. Ginger Pig bacon, a freshly baked naan, cream cheese, coriander and chilli jam. You can also add an egg.
5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB
Original Fry Up Material: These guys move around a lot, so be sure to check their location before you set off. They're worth tracking down because they serve some of the best breakfast sandwiches in the business. In their own words, "muffin compares..."
KERB, Cubitt Square, Granary Square, N1C
Chin Chin Labs: This nitro ice cream shop serves ice cream sandwiches made with cookies instead of bread. Don’t mind if we do.
49-50 Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF
Lucky Chip: You'll need to keep an eye out for the Daryl Hannah, which only goes on as a special every now and then at Lucky Chip. If you do see it, order it immediately and find yourself in fish filet heaven.
33-35 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BJ and 44 Essex Road, N1 8LN
B & K Salt Beef Bar: There are not many salt beef bars in London brining their own briskets in London but this is one of them. It shows.
11 Lanson House, HA8 6NL (okay so not an N postcode but it is north)
The Greek Larder: we think seasonally changing souvlaki here is the best in London and boy, have we tasted a lot of them.
ArtHouse, 1 York Way, London N1C 4AS
Batch Bakery: these incredible ice cream sandwiches are made with brownies for bread and come in thick slabs. Flavours include White Russian.
KERB, King’s Cross, Stable St, N1C 4AA. Follow them on Twitter for other locations.
E Postcodes
Yum Bun: These steamed buns are popping up all over town nowadays but Yum Bun were some of the first. They're simple but effective, with fillings such as sticky pork belly, cucumber and spring onion, finished with a squirt of hoisin.
Street Feast Dalston Yard, Hartwell Street, E8 3DU
Bánh Mì Hôi An: This place makes the best banh mi in London, hands down. Any of the fillings here is worth your money and then some. Worth travelling across town for, unless you live nearby, in which case we're insanely jealous.
242 Graham Road, Hackney Central, E8 1BP
Capish?: These street food traders move around a fair bit, so check before you travel. Meatball hero sandwiches with a Goodfellas vibe.
The Moth Club, various locations, but mapped to Old Trades Hall, Valette Street, E8 1EL
Chick 'n Sours: Get your fried chicken fix on a K-tip with the Chickn Sours bun which is packing Korean fried chicken, Gochujang mayo, chilli vinegar, and crunchy 'slaw.
390 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA
404
Bao (market stall): The bun kings and queens of London have a stall at Netil Market. The squishy puffs are filled with pork or daikon and topped with carefully considered garnishes to make arguably one of the tastiest sandwiches in London. Warning: three is never enough.
Netil Market, 13 - 23 Westgate Street, E8 3RL
Spore Boys (Broadway Market, Saturdays): These guys are the original mushroom sandwich masters. They fry mixed mushrooms with garlic and serve them in sourdough topped with Pecorino cheese and parsley.
Broadway Market, E8 4QJ
Spore Boys (Exmouth Market, weekdays): As above, apart from the location bit.
Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL
Kêu!: This banh mi shop can be just plain good, or brilliant, depending on the day. This is frustrating, but when they're good they're really good, so we're including them anyway. We've got a soft spot for the BBQ pork.
332 Old Street, EC1V 9DR
The Eagle: The bife ana, or Portugese steak sandwich has been on the menu at The Eagle for yonks. Rump steak marinated in chilli, garlic, onions and vinegar, flash fried and squeezed into a bun.
159 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3AL
St. John Bread and Wine: A London legend in sandwich form, this as it was one of the first really good bacon sandwiches available. Perfectly cooked bacon on toasted bread. Simple. We only wish it came with brown sauce.
94-96 Commercial Street, E1 6LZ
Dishoom: Another chance to eat that bacon naan: bacon, cream cheese and coriander in a naan bread, served with chilli jam.
7 Boundary Street, E2 7JE
Grill My Cheese: We recommend going for the GMC, a combo of cheddar, mozzarella and aged gruyere with a dollop of bechamel for extra goo. Be still our beating hearts! Entirely possible if we consume too many.
Leather Lane, EC1N 7TJ
Duck and Waffle: The late menu at this 24-hour restaurant includes a cheese toastie fattened up with braised ox cheek and topped with a fried egg. Worth staying out of bed for.
Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
404
Decatur: Famous for their oysters, these guys are actually doing a range of Louisiana specialities and we love their focus on Southern American cuisine. Their fried chicken sandwich with cheese and pickles is one of the best in London.
Decatur at Pamela’s, 428 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA
2 Fingers: We love the old school approach to the fish finger sandwich here. They also do a posh version with cod and panko crumbs and an orange-crumbed, unformed-sticked version. To be honest, it’s hard to decide between them.
East London. Follow them on Twitter to keep up with locations.
Bell and Brisket: Bel serves monstrous sandwiches with great wadges of salt beef on Brick Lane bagels, topped with Swiss, kraut and pickles. They’re spectacular but you may need a lie down afterwards.
The Barley Mow, 127 Curtain Rd, EC2A 3AU
The Good Schnit: large, fluffy sandwiches stuffed with perfectly greaseless schnitzel. It’s all about that crunch and their perfectly fresh salad.
10 Well Court, EC4M 9DN
The Liberty Cheesesteak Company: London's first authentic cheesesteaks. Finely sliced steak is flash fried and served with your choice of cheese. Dare you choose the Whiz?
Spitalfields Market, Lamb Street, E1 6EA
Smokestak: For the juiciest brisket rolls head to Smokestak who are serious about smoking meat. We love the extra chilli kick.
Dinerama, 19 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3EJ
Street Kitchen: The east London outpost of the sandwich makers who sell their creations by the inch. Rare roast beef and warm salmon come in carefully sourced bread with house made sauces.
Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2QS
Deeney’s: These guys have made haggis cool by sticking it in a sandwich with a shedload of melted cheese. Bravo.
Broadway Market, E8 4QJ
Beigel Bake: Everyone's late night saviour. The thickness of the salt beef slices never ceases to amaze us, nor the chewiness of the bagel.
159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB
404
Earl’s Sandwiches: Whatever you get here make sure it’s a mega meat stacked bagel with an oozy egg inside. Or else.
7 Cullum St, EC3M 7JJ
Blu Top: Currently reigning as ice cream sandwich royalty with their excellent flavour combinations. Try the pine infused ice cream with maple syrup and pecan streusel, or brown toast and jam.
KERB, West India Quay (see website for times and other locations)
Katsu Wrap: The product is reliably good here and the wraps are huge. It’s basically a massive amount of salad and katsu in a wrap for a fiver.
41 Goulston St, E1 7TP (and Broadway Market)
Butchies: Buttermilk fried chicken buns with brilliant additions like kimchi and home made Sriracha, or lemon Thai basil sauce.
83 Broadway Market, E8 4PH
Nazari: Fava bean falafel wraps with hummus, salad leaves, cabbage slaw, pomegranate molasses, yoghurt mint garlic tahini and chilli sauce, plus pomegranate seeds and toasted almonds. Phew.
KERB West India Quay and others (see website for locations)
Assenheim’s 56: These guys are famous for their chicken sandwiches and it’s all about the green sauce they come topped with. A zingy, herb-packed sauce of dreams.
19-21 Great Tower St, EC3R 5AR
Spandeli Hackney: Huge baguettes with top notch Spanish fillings like Serrano ham and Manchego cheese.
246 Dalston Ln, E8 1LQ
Sager and Wilde: More excellent toasties from a wine bar including hot jalapeno and cheese and banana, peanut butter and sea salt.
193 Hackney Rd, E2 8JL
Le Swine: No prizes for guessing what these guys specialise in. Their dedication to the bacon butty makes them one of the best in town.
East London. See website for locations http://www.leswine.co.uk/
Tsuru: Get your Japanese sandwich fix in east London. The katsu sando is breaded chicken on white bread with shredded Chinese cabbage and sweetened Japanese mayo. Textbook comfort food.
15 Queen Street, EC4N 1TX and 201 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3AB
The Rib Man: He rarely needs an introduction nowadays. Rib rolls topped with his famous Holy Fuck hot sauce.
91-96, Brick Lane, E1 6HR
The Frenchie: Confit duck sandwiches topped with cheese and truffle honey.
Broadway Market. See Twitter for other locations.
Burger and Lobster: Simply the best lobster roll in London.
1 Bread Street, EC4M 9BE and 40 St John Street, EC1M 4AY
W Postcodes
Mr. Falafel: This place is like part of the furniture in Shepherd's Bush market. No messin' Palestinian falafel with very fresh salad, hummus and red and green chilli sauces.
Units T4-T5, New Shepherd's Bush Market, Uxbridge Road, W12 8LH
Dishoom: Bacon, cream cheese and coriander inside a naan with chilli jam for dipping.
12 Upper St Martin's Lane, WC2H 9FB
Kati Roll Company: These rolls are some of the most satisfying sandwiches in London. We love the beef tikka with coriander chutney and pickled red onions, wrapped in a warm paratha.
24 Poland St, W1F 8QL
Shotgun: Some of London’s best BBQ is served at Shotgun on Kingly Street in Soho and their BLT is like a ‘cue riff on a classic. Belly bacon is sliced thickly and served on a soft, slightly sweet potato roll.
26 Kingly Street, W1B 5QD
Snaps & Rye: This Danish restaurant serves a selection of open sandwiches or Smorrebrod, which change often and are displayed in kaleidoscope fashion at the counter.
93 Goldborne Road, W10 5NL
Yolkin: Just when you thought we’d reached peak ice cream sandwich, Yolkin start making them with macarons, in flavours like red velvet and chocolate mint.
40 Great Windmill St, W1D 7LY
Lundenwic: Great toasties at this Scandinavian café, with fillings like beer braised onions, kale and cheddar, and roast broccoli, chilli, almonds and cheddar.
45 Aldwych, WC2B 4DW
Burgerac: We love the work of burger enthusiast Gavin Lucas who has just expanded his operation to another site. There are no burgers on this list but the Chickenshack sandwich is a thing of outstanding beauty, not least because the chicken is fried in lard.
The Royal Oak, 74-76 York Street, W1H 1QN and The Social, 5 Little Portland Street, W1W 7JD
Zelman Meats: This restaurant comes from the people behind the Goodman steak restaurants, so expect a whole lot of high quality meat. Their smoked brisket roll is served with pickled red cabbage and The Rib Man’s Holy F*ck hot sauce.
2 St Anne's Court, W1F 0AZ
Nordic Bakery: Excellent open sandwiches on dark rye bread with toppings from classic gravadlax, egg and herring and a Scandinavian twist on cheese and pickle with Jarslberg and gherkins.
14A Golden Square, W1F 9JG
Café Helen: This tiny spot on Edgware Road is squished between the shishas and bright lights and within you will find very good shawarma. The giant spit carries the weight of layers of proper meat, spiced and sliced for your eating pleasure.
105A Edgware Rd, W2 2HX
Tetote Factory: This Japanese bakery really focuses on bread rather than the usual patisserie and their range of stuffed buns (pan) is fantastic.
12 South Ealing Rd, W5 4QA
Bakehaus: This traditional German bakery serves sandwiches on dark German rye bread and lye bagels. Schnitzel, salami, cheese and other meat fillings are available.
71 King St, W6 9HW
Bageriet: This Swedish bakery serves perhaps the only smorgastarta in London. This is a large, cake layered with savoury sandwich fillings that is then sliced and served.
24 Rose St, WC2E 9EA
WA Café: This Japanese patisserie café is one of the best in London and we love their quirky takes on classics like the egg mayo, which is available wrapped inside a bun.
32 Haven Green, Ealing W5 2NX
Egg Break: There’s a focus on eggs here as you might expect and we love the McMuffin (clearly the McD’s legal team haven’t noticed yet), which can be customised with bacon, avocado and our favourite, Sriracha hollandaise.
30 Uxbridge St, Notting Hill W8 7TA
Delancey & Co: (Temporarily closed) These guys really exploded onto the scene with their salt beef sandwiches, range of rye breads and bagels, plus perfect pickles. There's smoked salmon and smoked turkey, too.
34 Goodge Street, W1T 2QL
Quo Vadis: A posh entry, this one. The dinky smoked eel sandwich is rich and smoky, with a slice of eel, a slick of horseradish and some pink pickled onions on the side. Classy.
26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL
Monocle Café: We love the prawn and chicken katsu sandwiches here, on the softest white bread with crisp iceberg lettuce.
18 Chiltern St, W1U 7QA
Claridge's: They serve the best afternoon tea and therefore the best afternoon tea sandwiches in town. Simple.
Brook Street, W1K 4HR
Bao: The permanent restaurant site from the guys with the east London market stall. The Bao are just as addictive.
53 Lexington Street, W1F 9AS
Compagnie des Vin Surnaturels: These guys are top of the croques with their Posh Madame. That's a croque madame. That's a croque monsieur with a fried egg on top.
8-10 Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP
The Lockhart: We think this may be London's only muffaletta. At least the only one worth eating. That's a vast American sandwich stuffed with deli meats, cheeses and tapenade.
22-24 Seymour Place, W1H 7NL
Burger and Lobster: Simply the best lobster roll in London.
36-38 Dean Street, W1D 4PS and 29 Clarges Street, W1J 7EF
Hawksmoor Seven Dials: Hawksmoor contributes much to London's sandwich offering, but one of their finest has to be the short rib French dip. Rib meat in a beautiful shiny bun with a pot of gravy for dipping. Oh and there's cheese, naturally.
11 Langley Street, WC2H 9JG
Spuntino: Everyone's favourite ice cream sandwich comes from Spuntino. Peanut butter ice cream moulded to the shape of bread, cherry jam sauce in the middle and brittle on top.
61 Rupert Street, W1D 7PW
Tongue 'n Cheek: These guys turn their hand to various styles of sandwiches, always leaving a Gallic touch. We love their rich sauces and tender meats.
Berwick Street, W1F 0PH
S Postcodes
Brindisa at Borough Market: Surely one of London's most famous sandwiches is still going strong. It's simple: really good quality chorizo, grilled and served in a ciabatta bun with piquillo peppers, rocket and a tinkle of olive oil.
The Floral Hall, Borough Market, Stoney Street, SE1 9AF
Kappacasein: Another very famous sandwich sits just around the corner from Brindisa in Borough Market. Three cheeses, onions, leeks and garlic in Poilane sourdough. London sandwich royalty.
Borough Market, Borough High Street, SE1 9AH
Mike and Ollie: These guys make some of the most creative wraps around, using seasonal ingredients and foraged bits and bobs. We still think about the chargrilled cauliflower wrap.
Lewisham College Car Park, Lewisham Way
Theo’s Pizzeria: Not many people know that pizza perfectionists Theo’s also makes sandwiches at lunchtimes during the week. Their panuozzo (a bit like calzone but more… sandwich-y), come with various fillings but always plenty of melted cheese.
2 Grove Lane, SE5 8SY
The Cheese Truck: Find these melty cheese pedlars at Maltby Street Market. We like the classic Keen's cheddar, Ogleshield and onion, but occasionally go wild with a Mexican Chihuahua cheese, chorizo and rocket.
40 Maltby Street, SE1 3PA
Monty's Deli: These guys make some of the best salt beef sandwiches in London. They had a very minor wobbly patch but have now found their stride and then some. Go hungry.
76 Druid Street, SE1
Cellar SW4: This South London wine bar is an oasis at Clapham High St with a killer toastie menu including cheese and kimchi and a French onion soup number with Comte.
1 Voltaire Road, SW4 6DQ
Bill or Beak: The bill is shredded duck and pork mixture with a Vietnamese dressing, coriander, spring onions, mint, and chilli, topped with tempura shallots. The beak, rosemary grilled chicken with Caesar dressing.
Brockley Market, see website for other locations.
Ladle and Skillet: Organic flatbreads filled with free range, rare breed meat like lamb marinated with cumin, garlic and lemon with hummus and harissa mayo. Sloppy, in a good way.
South bank. See website for times and location.
Petare: Venezuelan street food comes in the form of arepas, little maize pockets filled with beef brisket, chicken or vegetables. Our favourite is the beef, which comes topped with plantain and cheese.
Lower Marsh Market, Lower Marsh, SE1 7AB
Allihopa: these guys make beautiful hand smoked fish in Swedish style and serve it on bagels with perky fresh dill pickles.
The King & Co. throughout May. 100 Clapham Park Rd, SW4 7BZ. See Twitter for other locations.
Gourmet Goat: This Borough Market stall makes pitta stuffed with roasted kid goat, red onion, herbs and tzatziki that really takes some bleating (sorry, not sorry).
Rochester Walk, SE1 9AF
Slow Richie’s: Their meatball sandwich packs meatballs in a rich tomato sauce with scotch bonnet hot sauce and mature cheddar. Boom.
Peckham, SE15 4HY
Yu Kyu: The first specialist katsu outlet in London, these guys are serving breaded meat excellence in a bun with spicy miso sauce and fresh, crunchy cabbage.
South, generally, but see website for locations.
Roti Joupa: Is it technically a sandwich? Who cares. The hot double at Roti Joupa is a messy arrangement of sweet and sour chickpeas, tamarind and fried bread.
12 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UT
Brickhouse: This south London bakery turns out some cracking sandwiches like the multilayered club sandwich, or an egg and sausage patty with Tabasco mayo.
1 Zenora St, SE22 8HP
Soif: When the croque monsieur is on at Soif then it should always be ordered. An oozy delight, to be washed down with a crisp glass of something chilled and white.
27 Battersea Rise, SW11 1HG
Oli Baba’s: We love the fresh, wholesome approach that these guys bring to sabich, an Israeli classic consisting of eggs, aubergine, salad and amba sauce (a sharp mango sauce) in a fluffy pitta.
Brockley Market, Lewisham Way (but see Twitter for other locations)
Café Murano: This sister restaurant to Murano focuses on Northern Italian food but they also serve a killer toastie based on the one served at Harry’s Bar in Venice. It’s called the Harry’s Bar Toastie (duh) and is basically a cheese toastie with lots of umami seasonings like Worcestershire and mustard.
33 St James's St, SW1A 1HD
London Grind: The breakfast focaccia is the way to go, with sausage, bacon, egg, smoked mozzarella and aioli. Who says garlic mayo isn’t appropriate for breakfast?
2 London Bridge, SE1 9RA
Brompton Food Market: Classy food shop BFM serves sandwiches which are creative and well put together. Crab and samphire always hits the spot.
33 Thurloe Place, Kensington, SW7 2HQ
Bokit La: These three guys are well known at Oval Farmers' Market for their music, muscles and gorgeous sandwiches. Our pick is the salt fish with the spiciest scotch bonnet hot sauce.
Oval Farmers' Market, SW9 6BU
F M Mangal: This Turkish grill is at its best in the takeaway section where they wrap juicy adana kebabs in flatbreads with sauce and salad.
54 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8QZ
Street Kitchen: The first branch of Street Kitchen in Battersea selling sandwiches by the inch. The devil is in the detail for these sandwich masters, who are obsessive about quality and sourcing. Try the rare roast beef.
33 Parkgate Road, SW11 4NP
F.A.T: Serious grilled cheese sandwiches that come with unbelievably good pickles and sauces. We still think about the flavour punch that was the kimchi and Stilton.
126 Druid Street SE1 2HH
Bravi Ragazzi: This excellent pizzeria in Streatham also serves Nutella sandwiches made with their pizza dough and served dusted with icing sugar.
2A Sunnyhill Road, SW16 2UH
Spit & Roast: These guys are masters of fried chicken in a bun, served with their signature Korean hot sauce. Currently to be found at The Southbank Centre.
Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Burger and Lobster: Simply the best lobster roll in London.
Fifth Floor Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
French & Grace: These ladies are part of the furniture in Brixton Village, serving their signature halloumi and chorizo wraps. Very good they are too.
19, Brixton Village, SW9 8PR
Sub-Cult: These sub roll slingers are to be found at Brockley Market of a Saturday. Their fillings seem to change a lot, so go and be surprised.
Lewisham College Car Park, Lewisham Way
Hank's Po' Boys: These guys are serving their classic New Orleans style poor boy sandwiches at the Southbank Centre Market. Go classic with the buttermilk fried oysters and hot sauce.
Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Pickle and Rye: All the way out in East Sheen sits one of London's first all-American sandwich shops. You'll find classics here like ruebens and clubs alongside more inventive combos.
31 Sheen Lane, SW14 8AB
Miss P's BBQ: There aren't many barbecue sandwiches in London we think are worth your money but Miss P's is always on the money with tender smoked meat and 'slaw.
49 Brixton Station Road, SW9
Sambal Shiok: Currently at The Southbank Centre, Sambal Shiok serves street food with Malaysian flavours. The beef rendang in a bun with sambal, pickles red onion and cucumber is hard to resist.
Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Blackbird Bakery: This East Dulwich branch of Blackbird often serves an excellent chicken Madras sandwich, which is like a much classier take on Coronation chicken.
52 Grove Vale, SE22 8DY
Jose 'To Go': Bonus sandwich! We're not including burgers in this list but since this is pork we let it slip through...the burger at Jose To Go in Broadgate Circle is made with Iberico pork and topped with extra crispy Iberico ham, manchego cheese and aioli. How could we not include that? So yes, it's London's 101 Best Sandwiches. Don't say we never give anything.
Jose Pizarro, Broadgate Circle, EC2M 1QS
