British Sandwich Week: Where To Find Elite Sandwiches In London

The humble sandwich is having a comeback. Forget soggy cheese and ham triangles squished in lunchboxes: in 2026 sandwiches have gone gourmet with bold fillings, artisanal breads and next-gen sauces. Dedicated delis have popped up all over London, serving up giant Italian-inspired focaccia, hot toasties oozing with cheese, Japanese sandos and much more. But which are the city’s top sarnies? In honour of British Sandwich Week, we bring you the finest sandwich spots in London.

Best Sandwiches In London 2026: C&TH Pick

Max’s Sandwich Shop, Stroud Green

A trip to Finsbury Park’s cult sit-down sandwich shop should go on every sarnie lover’s bucket list. The eponymous founder Max Haley worked in Michelin-starred restaurants before turning his hand to the sandwich, eventually translating his passion into a bricks-and-mortar store. His secret? ‘Adhering to the rules: hot, cold, sweet, sour, crunchy soft,’ he told About Time Magazine. The menu includes signatures like the Ham, Egg ‘N’ Chips, made with slow-cooked ham hock, piccalilli, a fried egg and malt vinegar; and a twist on the chicken caesar featuring poached chicken, tarragon, chicory and garlic croutons. 

What To Order: The Ham, Egg ‘N’ Chips is a classic for a reason

Where: 19 Crouch Hill, Finsbury Park, London N4 4AU 

Website: maxssandwichshop.com

Sandwich Sandwich, the City

Sandwich Sandwich has long been one of Bristol’s favourite food spots, and recently the group expanded to London – helped by a grant received after being named Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year 2023. Now with three branches across the City, the concept is simple: freshly made sandwiches featuring locally sourced ingredients, made on white or granary bread. Highlights include the Spanish chicken, a mix of roast chicken, chorizo oil and garlic soft cheese; a roast beef number with mayo and onion jam; and roast pepper and mozzarella jazzed up with whipped pesto soft cheese, balsamic syrup and tangy tomato chutney. Yum.

What To Order: The Roast Pepper & Mozzarella has our seal of approval

Where: 1 Gresham St, London EC2V 7BX / 27 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 1BJ / 1 Broadgate, London EC2M 2QS 

Website: sandwichsandwich.co.uk

Mondo Sando, Camberwell & Deptford

Ravenous? Head to Mondo Sando for one of its beloved giant subs. The brainchild of friends Jack Macrae and Viggo Blegvad, the venture was born in lockdown when Macrae started making sandwiches and cycling them to friends around the area. Word got out, and soon enough strangers were queuing outside his door on a Friday lunchtime. After a series of pub residencies raised their profile even more, the pair opened their own place: Cafe Mondo in Camberwell, and just this year they’ve added to their repertoire with a grab-and-go kiosk in Deptford Market Yard. Huge sesame sub rolls are packed to the brim with flavour combos like grilled chicken thigh, pea salsa verde and peri sauce (the Mondo Frango) and Mortadella, provolone, tomato and onion (the Mondo Combo). You can also try these tasty creations at The Grove House Tavern pub in Camberwell.

What To Order: The Mondo Frango

Where: 42 Peckham Road, London SE5 8PX (Cafe Mondo) / 26 Camberwell Grove, London SE5 8RE (Grove House Tavern) / Arch 5 Deptford Market Yard, London SE8 4BX  (Mondo To Go)

Website: mondosando.com

The Dusty Knuckle, Dalston

The Dusty Knuckle is a wildly popular East London bakery which attracts queues every weekend. Another lockdown success, it soared to fame during the pandemic, when the team got themselves a milk float and began serving gigantic sourdough sandwiches to different locations across the capital. Now you can try them in two locations across Dalston and Haringay. Using either potato sourdough or focaccia, sandwiches are filled with seasonal flavour combinations: recent menu additions include the potato, artichoke and almond sarnie made with wild garlic, marinated artichokes and fennel. 

What To Order: The seasonal sarnie of the day

Where: Abbot St, London E8 3DP / 429 Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, London N4 1HA 

Website: thedustyknuckle.com

The Black Pig, Borough Market

One of London’s most famous sandwiches is the 12-hour, slow-roasted pork ciabatta creation from Borough Market stall The Black Pig. The decadent sarnie is made with Blythburgh free-range pork and honey truffle, encased in bread from the nearby Bread Ahead Bakery then topped with parmesan and finished over coals for a hot, delicious lunch. Veggie? Fear not: The Veggie One is made with smoked pulled oyster mushroom, honey truffle mayo, fennel apple slaw and salsa verde, and still packs a serious flavour punch.

What To Order: The pork sandwich (named The Best One) is an icon on London’s sandwich scene

Where: Borough Market Kitchen, Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AG 

Website: theblackpigsandwiches.co.uk

Secret Sandwich Shop, Knightsbridge & Notting Hill

For sando-style, Japanese-inspired sarnies head to Secret Sandwich Shop in either Notting Hill or Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. Here sandwiches draw on the Wanpaku style (a massive creation with a towering profile and neatly organised fillings) made with soft shokupan bread, with flavour favourites including the Egg Salad, Fish Finger Sando and Crispy Greens. 

What To Order: The Fish Finger Sando

Where: Lower Ground Floor, 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ / 103 Talbot Rd, London W11 2AT 

Website: secretsandwichshop.com

Lulu’s, Herne Hill

In south-east London, your best bet for a generous sandwich is Lulu’s in Herne Hill. The cafe serves sourdough focaccia each day from 11.30am (apart from Monday when it’s closed) – but get there early on weekends to nab one before they sell out. The menu changes regularly but expect interesting, seasonal flavour combinations like porchetta with spring onion and pickled fennel, turmeric roasted cauliflower with pumpkin seed hummus, and mushroom and feta frittata.

What To Order: Ask the friendly team for their daily recommendation

Where: 291 Railton Rd, London SE24 0JP

Website: lulus.london

All’Antico Vinaio, Soho

This famous Italian sandwich shop landed in London last year, opening on Soho’s Old Compton Street and quickly attracting lengthy queues. The concept is simple: slices of Florentine flatbread (think a thinner, crispier twist on focaccia) are filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, dressings and sauces. Signatures include the Caprese AV, a mix of buffalo mozzarella, basil pesto, tomato and basil; La Favolosa, made with salami, pecorino cream and spicy aubergines; and La Royal, which pairs stracciatella with sun-dried tomatoes, courgettes and salami. Not enough for you? Sarnies can be made even bigger with extra fillings.

What To Order: The London special, La London, featuring porchetta, cheddar, potato cream and caramelised onion

Where: All’Antico Vinaio, 61 Old Compton St, W1D 6HT 

Website: allanticovinaio.com