Bite Into London: Six Can’t-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City
Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - The Classics - Fish and Chips or a Full English
No trip to London would be complete without sampling some of the classic British sandwiches that have been satisfying hungry locals and visitors for generations. At the top of the list are the humble fish and chips and the hearty full English breakfast sandwich.
Fish and chips is a staple of English cuisine, consisting of fried fish in a crispy batter served alongside thick-cut chips (what Americans call french fries). This classic comfort food combo has been served in “chippies” (fish and chip shops) across Britain since the 1860s. For the quintessential London fish and chips experience, head to Poppies in Spitalfields Market. Their fish is sustainably sourced and the chips are made from Maris Piper potatoes. Opt for the cod or haddock as your fish of choice. For the ultimate meal, get the fish and chips with mushy peas and a cuppa tea.
If you’re looking for a heartier sandwich option, the full English breakfast sandwich can’t be beat. This behemoth starts with back bacon, a thicker cut than American bacon, sandwiched between two slices of bread. Then they pile on sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomato, baked beans, and a fried egg. You can opt for other meats like sausage, black pudding or hash browns too. For the best full English sandwich in London, check out E.Pellicci in Bethnal Green. This family-run cafe has been serving up Italian-influenced full English breakfasts since 1900. The generous portions and friendly service make it a local favorite.
What else is in this post?
- Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - The Classics - Fish and Chips or a Full English
- Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Meaty Masterpieces - From Bacon Butties to Tikka Roll
- Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Global Flavors - Falafel, Banh Mi and More
- Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Sandwiches With a Twist - Inventive Fillings and Combos
- Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Grab and Go Options - Quick Bites On the Move
- Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Sit-Down Shops - Places to Savor Your Sammie
- Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Sweet Treats - Dessert Sandwiches Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
- Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Where to Find Late Night Eats - Satisfying Those Midnight Munchies
Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Meaty Masterpieces - From Bacon Butties to Tikka Roll
London is a carnivore's paradise, with juicy sausages, succulent steaks, and mouthwatering meat pies rounding out menus across the city. When it comes to sandwiches, meaty fillings take center stage in many of London's most crave-worthy lunchtime options.
The bacon butty is a humbler yet no less delicious meaty sandwich. This breakfast classic starts with a few rashers of bacon layered between slices of white bread; some may add a slather of ketchup or HP sauce. For the ultimate bacon butty, head to E.Pellicci in Bethnal Green. Their smoky back bacon is sourced from award-winning butcher The Ginger Pig. Thomas at The Regency Cafe serves up a delightful bacon butty too, dishing out free refills of tea to enjoy alongside.
Beyond breakfast, Beigel Bake's salt beef bagel is a iconic meaty sandwich not to be missed. Their bagels are boiled then baked for that perfectly chewy texture. They're stacked with tender slices of house-brined salt beef and just enough mustard to cut through the richness. Customers queue out the door for these iconic bagel sandwiches.
For an Indian-inspired meaty sandwich, check out Dishoom. Their bacon naan roll sees crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and chili sauce packed into freshly-baked naan bread. Their keema pav is also excellent, with spiced lamb mince wrapped in a warm bread roll. Both sandwich options make for a satisfying lunch.
Bleecker Street's schmaltz Reuben takes the classic pastrami Reuben up a notch, swapping pastrami for their melt-in-your-mouth beef short rib. Oozing with cheese and sauerkraut, it's a meaty flavor bomb between slices of rye. Blacklock's lamb shawarma wrap also deserves a mention, with succulent lamb, tahini yogurt, and pickled red cabbage.
Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Global Flavors - Falafel, Banh Mi and More
London is a global city, with immigrant communities from around the world influencing its dynamic food scene. This multiculturalism is reflected in the city's sandwiches, showcasing exotic flavors and ingredients from cultures spanning the globe. From Middle Eastern falafel to Vietnamese bánh mì, London offers an exciting array of international sandwich options.
Falafel is a popular street food in Middle Eastern cuisine, comprising fried balls of spiced chickpeas and veggies. The Beirut Falafel joint in Soho serves up authentic, flavorsome falafel stuffed into warm pita bread along with fresh tomato, cucumber, pickles, tahini sauce, and optional hummus and hot sauce. The generous portions, reasonable prices, and welcoming service make it a go-to spot with locals. As reviewer Michael S. notes, "The falafel here is amazing - so fresh and flavorful. I've tried falafel all over London but Beirut Falafel is easily the best."
For an Asian twist, check out Bánh Mì Bistro's take on classic Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches. Their bread is freshly baked in-house and crammed with fillings like lemongrass chicken, five-spice pork belly, and tofu. The fillings are seasoned with punchy flavors like chili, cilantro, pickled daikon and carrot, cucumber, and creamy mayonnaise. It's an explosion of textures and flavors in every bite. In her review, Amanda R. raves, "I've been to Vietnam many times but this is by far the most authentic banh mi I've had outside of Vietnam. Amazing flavors!"
In South London, KOI Ramen Bar has an entire menu of Japanese-inspired sandwiches. Their signature KOI club stacks layers of panko fried chicken, tamago omelette, lettuce, and Japanese Kewpie mayo between slices of fluffy milk bread. For something heartier, try the tonkatsu sandwich, with deep-fried pork cutlet, crunchy cabbage, and bulldog sauce. Reviewer Roy T. declares it his "new favorite lunch spot," saying the sandwiches "totally transport me to Japan with their authentic flavors and textures."
Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Sandwiches With a Twist - Inventive Fillings and Combos
Beyond the classics, London offers a treasure trove of sandwiches with unexpected and inventive flavor combinations to delight more adventurous palates. From sweet to savory and veggie to meaty, these genre-bending sammies showcase the creativity thriving in London's food scene.
One spot leading this sandwich innovation crusade is KERB, the street food market near King's Cross station. At Club Mexicana, their vegan Mexican-style Torta sees seitan asada, avocado, chipotle veganaise, and jalapeños sandwiched between thick slices of sourdough. It's a superb meatless take on a classic Mexican sandwich. Over at BAOZIINN, their Taiwanese gua bao feature stewed fillings like braised pork belly, fried chicken, and mapo tofu cradled in soft steamed buns. The fusion of Chinese and Taiwanese flavors is a delicious East-meets-West sandwich surprise.
In Brixton Village, Nature Boy serves up vibrant veggie sandwiches bursting with fresh flavors. Their No Duck Wrap stars tender roasted jackfruit and crunchy slaw in a beetroot flatbread, while the Golden Boy layers hummus, hazelnut dukkah, avocado and veggies galore between thick-cut sourdough. Reviewer Alicia P raves, "The best veggie sandwiches in London hands down! So much flavor in every bite."
In Shoreditch, Eggbreak dishes out egg sandwiches with gourmet flavor combos like The Floyd (with avocado, halloumi, chili jam, and spring onion mayo). Their signature Mr. Smith sandwich proves peanut butter and bacon do brilliantly pair between bread slices.
Down in Peckham, PB's LunchBox shakes up the lunch game with their PB&Je Besar sandwich smashing together peanut butter, blue cheese, and jalapeño jelly. Bold flavors keep these sammies intriguing, yet the soft potato roll balances it all out.
Finally, Burger & Beyond shows not every great sandwich needs two slices of bread. Their beef burger buns come loaded with fills like crispy duck and hoisin, Mexican-spiced pulled jackfruit, and their signature cheeseburger with pickles and B&B sauce. It's a choose-your-own burger adventure between fluffy buns.
Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Grab and Go Options - Quick Bites On the Move
Sometimes you just need to grab a quick, tasty sandwich on the go when touring London’s busy streets and sights. Fortunately, the city offers abundant options for convenient, grab-and-go style sandwiches to fuel your urban adventures.
At most major train and tube stations, the ubiquitous sandwich chain Pret A Manger has outlets stocked with freshly made sandwiches, wraps, baguettes and more. While Pret gets flack for being a big chain, their sandwiches are generally high quality and feature classic flavor combos using natural, responsibly sourced ingredients. Their lunch menu rotates daily but often includes crowd pleasers like the chargrilled chicken caesar baguette, chipotle chicken wrap, and falafel flatbread. Stop at a Pret near your departure station or at major hub stations like Victoria and pick up a savory, satisfying sammie for the journey ahead or to refuel mid-exploration.
For amazing grab-and-go sandwiches celebrating global flavors, check out the KERB street food markets, with locations like the one by King’s Cross station. At BAOZIINN, their fluffy Chinese steamed buns called baozi come with fillings like slow-braised pork belly, kimchi and smoked tofu – easily eaten on the move. Pick up a vibrant Korean fried chicken wrap from Kimchinary, gooey mac and cheese arancini balls from MAMMA’s, or an authentic Argentinian chimichurri steak sandwich from Chow Argentinian street grill. With so many international options, a delicious grab-and-go sandwich exploration awaits.
Near Old Street station, sandwich stalwarts The Bread Station dish out hefty sammies packed with premium fillings. Opt for sandwiches like the Deep South with Cajun chicken, avocado and chipotle mayo or The Italian with salami, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and mozzarella. Or for something sweet, try their French toast sandwich with bacon, banana and maple syrup stuffed between thick slices of cinnamon bread. Reviewer Peter L notes they’re “perfect for grabbing something tasty on my way to the tube.”
In Soho, the takeaway window Mr Bao serves up their signature fluffy steamed buns with fillings like pork belly, fried chicken and sticky beef. These compact, hand-held bao make for perfect portable sandwiches when wandering Soho’s streets. Make sure to ask for some kimchi pickles and kewpie mayo for extra flavor.
Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Sit-Down Shops - Places to Savor Your Sammie
While on-the-go sandwiches have their place, sometimes you'll want to sit down and properly savor your sammie. Luckily, London has no shortage of cozy cafes and sandwich shops providing the ideal setting for a leisurely lunch.
At Crust Bros in Soho, you can settle in at their sit-down space for a design-your-own sandwich experience. Select your bread - pillowy focaccia, crusty ciabatta or thick-cut sourdough - along with cheese, sauce and premium toppings like smoked turkey, rare roast beef and Italian meats. One popular combo is the Focaccia Caprese, with fresh mozzarella, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes between rosemary focaccia. Reviewer Alexandra P. says "The bread is out of this world and the meat is super high quality. It's so nice to sit and enjoy your sandwich instead of rushing."
In Shoreditch, the aptly named Sandwich Shop is the place for crave-worthy sammies in a chill cafe environment. Sink into a leather armchair and bite into specials like the Philly cheesesteak laden with thin-sliced ribeye, peppers, onions and melted cheese on a crispy baguette. Their porchetta sandwich, with tender Italian-spiced pork, broccoli rabe, garlic aioli and chili flakes, is a delight as well. As reviewer Mo S. declares: "Amazing flavors and combinations, and a great place to sit with friends for a casual lunch."
Near Goodge Street station, Sally Clarke's emporium of bread provides the perfect cafe for lingering over sandwich creations. Opt for their open-faced tartines like smoked trout with horseradish cream cheese on rye or rare roast beef with pickles and mustard on caraway sourdough. The cozy, sun-filled space encourages you to sit back and savor. "I love the Euro cafe vibe and ability to take your time enjoying your sandwich," shares reviewer Sam K.
In Notting Hill, Daylesford Organic's cafe is a tranquil spot for organic, farm-to-table sandwiches served in rustic-chic surroundings. Sink into a leather armchair and nibble on sandwiches like their signature grilled chicken with romesco sauce, arugula, tomatoes and manchego on seeded bread. Reviewer Michael P. says, "Everything tastes so fresh, and the relaxed vibe makes it easy to linger over lunch and just unwind."
For a luxurious sandwich experience, head to sketch in Mayfair, where the Lecture Room & Library hosts afternoon tea featuring unfussy yet elegant sandwiches with fillings like lobster, chicken tikka and rare roast beef. With museum-worthy art lining the walls and cushy leather sofas, it's an opulent setting suited to the refined sandwiches. As reviewer Natalie L. declares, it's "the ultimate pampered sandwich experience in London!"
Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Sweet Treats - Dessert Sandwiches Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
London's vibrant food scene extends to the dessert course, with indulgent sweet sandwiches satisfying sugar cravings across the city. While you may think of sandwiches as strictly savory, these creative concoctions blend sandwich concepts with patisserie flair.
The undisputed queen of dessert sandwiches is afternoon tea. This beloved British tradition sees ornate stacks of petite finger sandwiches paired with scones, pastries, and, of course, tea. Sketch serves a ritzy rendition in their pink dining room, presenting dainty sandwiches alongside flashy desserts like their signature “sketch cookie” and pots of Mariage Frères tea. Their finger sandwiches offer a balance of sweet and savory, with options like cucumber and cream cheese, egg and cress, and chicken with toasted almonds. After sampling the wee cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, reviewer Natalie L. shares, “So refreshing - the perfect little bite to prep your tastebuds for the scones and sweets ahead.”
Outside traditional afternoon tea, Battersea Pie Station stuffs their brioche buns with outrageous ice cream sandwiches. Combos include the Cookie Dough Dude with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and chocolate sauce and the Bananarama with banana ice cream and dulce de leche. “I don’t know how they get the ice cream to stay put inside the bun, but it’s magic,” declares reviewer James T. “Dripping all over but so decadent and delicious.”
Beyond ice cream, Hide Below crafts luxury grilled cheese sandwiches with gourmet fillings like thick-cut French toast and maple butter, perfect for indulging your inner child. Their S’mores sandwich sees marshmallow fluff, chocolate hazelnut spread and smoked paprika sandwiched between brioche, an ode to the classic campfire treat. “Sweet and smoky, melty and rich - an amazing riff on grilled cheese,” raves reviewer Sam K.
The Breakfast Club serves the Frank N Stein, a Halloween-inspired sandwich starring Nutella-cream cheese, banana and honey between brioche. It’s the PB&J of your dreams. And at Duck & Waffle, their indulgent PB&J doughnut sees peanut butter cream and strawberry jam squeezed between a sliced, glazed doughnut. It’s a peanut butter lover’s fantasy.
Choccywoccydoodah’s chocolate emporium sells extreme chocolate sandwiches like the Black Forest Gateau melding chocolate ganache, kirsch cherries and whipped cream between layers of chocolate sponge. “This is not your grade school chocolate sandwich,” declares reviewer Roy T. “It’s an absolute showstopper for hardcore chocolate fiends.”
Finally, Dominique Ansel’s world-famous Cronut needs no introduction. This croissant-doughnut hybrid sees flaky pastry layered with luscious cream then fried and sugared like a doughnut. Flavors change seasonally, spanning options like raspberry lychee rose, apple cranberry and chocolate peanut butter crunch. “Yes, the hours-long queue is annoying, but one bite makes it all worth it,” promises reviewer Michael P. “Nothing else compares to the cronut experience.”
Bite Into London: Six Can't-Miss Sandwich Shops in the City - Where to Find Late Night Eats - Satisfying Those Midnight Munchies
London's vibrant nightlife means the city is still buzzing well into the wee hours, leaving revellers in need of tasty midnight snacks. Fortunately, London has no shortage of spots to grab late night eats to fuel the ongoing festivities or provide some pre-bedtime sustenance.
One icon of London late night dining is the venerable kebab shop. These fast-food spots specializing in doner kebabs - spit-grilled meat carved into a pita or flatbread - are a drunken cuisine staple after the pubs close up. Among the best is What The Pitta in Shoreditch. Their kebabs feature juicy, flavorful meat crammed into pillowy pittas along with veggies, sauces, and optional fries shoved inside too. With quick service even after last call, it's the perfect post-party refueling stop. As reviewer Alex S. declares, "Nothing soaks up the beer like an overloaded What The Pitta kebab. My friends and I end up here every weekend without fail."
If you're seeking something a bit classier than kebab shop fare, check out Palomar in Soho. This modern Israeli restaurant serves incredible hummus, falafel, sabich and other Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fare into the wee hours on weekends. Their "Midnight Till Dawn" menu lets you nosh on their signature dishes, like "Hebrew National" hotdogs and slow-cooked hen of the woods mushrooms after a big night out. The buzzing atmosphere and stellar food make it worth staying up late for. "I love that I can enjoy incredible flavors at Palomar instead of greasy typical late night food," shares reviewer Denise T.
In Chinatown, dim sum spots like Joy Luck Club stay open late, with dumplings, buns and other Cantonese bites available to satisfy midnight cravings. Nearby Wong Kei is a favorite for post-barbecue Chinese fare, with comforting dishes like Horlicks pudding, congee and shrimp dumplings served into the early morning hours.
Those looking to shake off the night's indulgences can head to Granger & Co in Chelsea, open 24 hours on weekends. Their all-day breakfast dishes like smashed avocado toast, eggs benedict and full Aussie breakfast provide lighter yet satisfying late night options, alongside guilt-free smoothies and juices. "It's the perfect place to unwind and reboot after a big night out," promises reviewer Natalie D.
If you still have room for something sweet after all that, Chin Chin Labs in Camden dishes out Instagram-worthy liquid nitrogen ice cream late into the night. Their theatrical cooking process sees ingredients frozen in a cloud of nitrogen smoke right before your eyes. Flavors span matcha Oreo, strawberries and cream, and salted caramel. Reviewer Sam K. gushes, "It's molecular gastronomy meets ice cream and an epic way to finish a fun night of partying!"