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The Time Out Montreal team is constantly on the hunt for the best sandwiches in the city.
After much discussion (and plenty of tastings), we’ve rounded up the true gems sitting at the very top of Montreal’s sandwich scene—from the best panini of your life to a breakfast sandwich that will haunt your dreams.
What does it take to be a Michelin-calibre sandwich?
There’s no need for freshly shaved truffles, a gleaming mound of caviar or butter-poached lobster.
What we’re celebrating here is craftsmanship: creations that have a clear vision, where you can taste the philosophy.
Check out: The full list of Quebec restaurants that won a Michelin Star
It might appear in the meticulous baking of house-made bread; a secret ingredient in a marinade we can’t get out of our head, or simply a bite of the most perfectly roasted chicken in town.
P.S. Just to be clear: a burger isn’t a sandwich—and neither is a hot dog.
1. Aube Boulangerie
The sandwich: The Croissandwich. A well-seasoned frittata, artisanal baloney, melted cheddar, two pickle slices and a generous kiss of gochujang mayo—all tucked between two crisp yet tender halves of a croissant. This beloved Hochelaga-Maisonneuve bakery doesn’t just turn out excellent bread — it also prepares thoughtful salads and truly craveable sandwiches.
What makes it unforgettable: The first bite hits you like a revelation, and the second proves you’ve discovered a truly formidable breakfast sandwich. The croissant bread is rich and buttery, somewhere between flaky and soft. Inside, it’s a melted cheddar-covered frittata, two tangy pickle slices, and a slice of baloney thick enough to deliver a satisfying salty bite. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, the gochujang mayo lands on the finish—sweet, salty, and spicy—reawakening your taste buds with every last bite.
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2. Bossa
The sandwich: The Milanese. A generously filled Italian sub bursting with crispy chicken cutlets, silky prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and juicy tomatoes—dressed with house pickled peppers, balsamic vinaigrette and lashings of basil mayo.
What makes it unforgettable: Made to order right before your eyes, it’s impossible not to wonder whether the fresh bread can contain the towering stack of ingredients. The secret? Daily house-made loaves, a carefully curated ingredient hierarchy, and impeccable wrapping technique. On the palate, it’s a masterclass in contrast—temperatures that shift from hot to cool, textures that range from crisp and crackly to tender and melting. Then comes the symphony of flavours: the salty punch of prosciutto, the indulgent crunch of fried chicken with zero greasiness, the creamy mozzarella, the bright freshness of basil, and the gentle heat of roasted peppers. Simply sublime.
3. Folfol
The sandwich: Lamb Shawarma. Marinated lamb shoulder, shawarma-style, melting into a bright biwaz, pickled vegetables, grilled tomato, pomegranate molasses and tarator sauce, all wrapped in fresh saj bread grilled to order.
What makes it unforgettable: The paper-thin saj bread crackles like pastry, releasing irresistible aromas: warm, spiced lamb, vibrant notes of biwaz (parsley, onion, Aleppo pepper, sumac) and the tangy kiss of pomegranate molasses. Just as the acidity reaches its crescendo, a drizzle of creamy tarator sauce sweeps in, balancing the bite with perfect harmony.
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4. Olive et Gourmando
The sandwich: The Cubano. Coming in hot, this impossibly crisp panini is packed with thin slices of pancetta and house-roasted pork, a molten layer of Gruyère and spiked with a “Cuban” mayo of lime, chipotle, coriander and pickles.
What makes it unforgettable: It’s the precise ratio of each ingredient that made this sandwich famous—frequently copied, never equalled. Pressed to order at a carefully controlled temperature that heats it through without ever scorching the bread. Between the spice of the pancetta, the tenderness of the roast pork and the silken Gruyère, the smoky, tangy mayo ties it all together into what might be the best panini of your life.
5. Aylwin Deli
The sandwich: The Reuben. Caraway rye lavished with Thousand Island dressing, heaped with smoked beef brisket, crowned with tangy sauerkraut and finished under a lavish melt of Gruyère.
What makes it unforgettable: The brisket is intentionally sliced on the thicker side to showcase its smoky, caramelized edges and a (masterful) centre that’s buttery-soft. The sauerkraut tempers the richness, while the sweetness of the dressing and the torched Gruyère add further depth. And yes, the bread matters: the caraway pairs brilliantly with the brisket.
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6. Hung Phat
The sandwich: the Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi. The perfect baguette, a trio of sauces (house aioli, house hoisin and Maggi), pickled carrots and daikon, fresh coriander and finely sliced grilled lemongrass chicken.
What makes it unforgettable: It all comes down to ratio and freshness. Assembling more than 500 sandwiches a day, the small team receives two deliveries of Vietnamese baguettes daily, so the crumb has never seen the inside of a refrigerator. The chicken, marinated and then expertly grilled to achieve a deeply caramelized surface, is sliced thin. Every bite is balanced: crisp and tender meat, crunchy vegetables, vibrant coriander, a crackling crumb and a trio of indulgent, lip-smacking sauces. An extremely well-spent $6.95.
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