The best sandwiches in Melbourne

Delivery? Yes, via their website.

If you’re a sandwich aficionado there’s no way you couldn’t have heard of Hector’s Deli yet. The beef and pickles sandwich comes with Uncle's Small Goods beef brisket, a tangy mustard pickle spread, kraut and even more pickle to cut through that brisket within two slices of toasted light rye. Your mouth is bound to water just reading about it. There's also a mushroom melt featuring pickled mushrooms for vegetarians, and a classic tuna melt for pescatarians. But it’s hard to go past the HCT which showcases mortadella, provolone, mozzarella and tomato chutney on toasted white sourdough. You’re going to need a nap after this one.

Delivery? Yes, via UberEats.

Yarraville was voted one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world in 2020, and Rocco’s Delicatessen in Yarraville definitely lends itself to that title. Run by passionate Italians who know their food, they offer a variety of panini which follow the cardinal rule that thou shalt only have thinly sliced, ribbon-like cold cuts. Choose between crisp ciabatta or the traditional soft bread roll and pick your deli meat. Mortadella, prosciutto or salami are on offer and come with varying combinations of grilled eggplant or artichokes, provolone, green split olives, grilled capsicum, and tomato pesto.

Delivery? No, in-store pickup only.

This one's for lovers of a classic roast chook sanga. Stan's Deli prides itself on its American-style deli sandwiches, but this number greets your senses with a nod to the country bakery classic. Two dense, toasted squares of bread envelop ribbons of roast chicken in a herb mayo fully loaded with tarragon, shreds of lettuce and cuts through it all with the sweetness and acidity of green tomatoes and Swiss Gruyère cheese. All of this wrapped in white and green-lined paper that those who hoard wrapping paper will struggle to discard of.

Delivery? No, pick-up in store only.

What makes a sandwich great? Quality bread, certainly. Ingredients that play well together, acid cutting through creaminess, meat cut with pickle. And if it's a toastie, the perfect degree of doneness, snatched from the grill after the bread has become crisp and golden and just before it begins to char. All of the sandwiches on the short menu at Indonesian sandwich joint Warkop meet that bill, b ut our favourite is the pork belly, the fattiness of the meat complimented by shallot, makrut lime leaves, lemongrass and tomato. The pork is so sweet and creamy it has no need for cheese, standing up to its accompaniment all on its own.

Delivery? No, in-store pick up only.

The team at Ollie's Deli have dealt a very tough hand all the way from the venue's birth during a pandemic right through to it being damaged by a fire. But like the phoenix, this sandwich joint has risen from the ashes at its temporary home in Footscray. Currently based out of Littlefoot Bar, the team continue to sling some of the west's most coveted sandwiches including the pastrami and the BFC (buttermilk fried chicken).

Delivery? No, in-store pick up only.

Nico's have amped up the humble Cuban sandwich by adding not one, but two types of meat. Think layers of smoked pork belly and grandma ham with Nico’s original salad cream, Emmental cheese, dill pickles, apple cider reduction and American cheese between grilled, buttery slices of bread, and a side of pickled chillis to cut through the richness. Move aside ham and cheese, your services won't be required anymore.

Delivery? No, in-store pick up only.

This is home to one of Melbourne's best chicken salad sandwiches. This is greatly owing to the dense slices of bread with the perfect crust as Falco Bakery's sourdough, buns and baked goods are made fresh on-site. It's a no-frills affair with traditional salad fillings (hello, sliced beetroot), and vegetarians can rejoice too as its salad and egg sandwiches fare just as well. 

Delivery? No, in-store pick up only.

On a Carlton corner, Ima Project Café dishes up Japanese-inspired foods like traditional breakfasts but also dishes up its ever-popular ciabatta rolls. This is the type of place that food disappears fast due to its popularity, but we highly recommend its fresh chicken sandwich with hibachi-grilled, marinated chicken, cos lettuce, avocado, pickles and sharp yuzu kosho mayonnaise. It's served up fresh but you can request to have it toasted if you'd like.