Britain's best old-school sandwich shops: has your local made the list?

Your daily bread

Sandwiches in the UK run the gamut from soggy supermarket meal deals to gourmet creations stuffed with expensive ingredients. Somewhere in the middle of all that is the old-school sandwich shop. These are the no-nonsense spots where you can grab a perfectly stuffed bun or doorstop, a packet of crisps and, if you're lucky, a handmade sausage roll on the side.

We've found the top shops in every region of the UK, from humble cafés selling chip butties to beloved local chains dishing out nostalgia on a bap.

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. 

East Midlands: Delilah Fine Foods, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

A beacon for local foodies, this traditional deli in the centre of Nottingham is packed floor-to-ceiling with freshly baked breads, charcuterie and over 150 cheeses. Delilah’s exquisite ingredients are celebrated in the deli’s fantastic sandwiches, served on a choice of six breads, including focaccia and gluten free. Fillings are classic with a gourmet twist – think crispy bacon with real ale chutney and blue cheese, and salami with buffalo mozzarella and pesto.

East Midlands: Grindleford Station Cafe, Grindleford, Derbyshire

The signature sandwich at this charming and cosy railway station café is very much a thing of local legend in Grindleford. On the menu you’ll find all of your classic greasy spoon staples, like full English breakfasts and beans on toast, but it's the gargantuan chip butties that visitors and locals alike make a beeline for. Fans say the fried-to-order chips are absolutely perfect (fluffy in the middle, crispy on the outside) and served piping hot inside a soft bap with plenty of butter. This is no-frills food at its finest.

East Midlands: No. 11 Deli, Castle Donington, Leicestershire

This bustling spot in charming Castle Donington is just how a good sandwich shop should be: warm and friendly, with a glass counter piled with enticing fillings, salads and snacks. No. 11 Deli won the coveted Best Independent Retailer title at the 2020 British Sandwich Awards, and it's obvious why. The shop bakes its baguettes fresh every morning and excels in every type of sandwich imaginable, from simple prawn cocktail to creative monthly specials like The Zhug – a fluffy Lebanese flatbread stuffed with spiced chicken, feta, mango and lime. The shop’s gigantic sausage rolls (known as ‘hogs’) also have a loyal following.

East of England: Bread & Meat, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Cambridge isn’t lacking in great sandwich spots, but locals put the sublime creations dished out at Bread & Meat on a pedestal. This hip takeaway on the city’s food-filled Bene't Street specialises in hot meat sandwiches. The menu is small, but that just means each and every offering is perfectly honed. Mouth-watering options include carved-to-order porchetta, served in a fluffy ciabatta roll with fresh salsa verde and pork crackling, and the shop’s take on the Philly cheesesteak. The poutine is also sensational.

East of England: Cooper's Sandwich Bar, Chelmsford, Essex

This unassuming sandwich shop is the kind of place visitors might overlook, but locals know it serves the tastiest (and best value) lunches in town. On the website it claims to serve ‘giant sandwiches at fairytale prices’ – and diners certainly agree. The vibe at Cooper's Sandwich Bar is delightfully old-fashioned, and that’s why people love it so much. Flavours are of the classic variety here, so expect thick-cut soft white bread crammed with the likes of perfectly made egg mayonnaise, tender sliced ham and Cheddar, and creamy coronation chicken.

East of England: The Picnic Hut, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Just a stone’s throw from Wells’ idyllic waterfront you’ll find The Picnic Hut, a bustling sandwich shop that’s popular with the town’s many day-trippers and dog-walkers. The spot serves all kinds of generously filled delights, but it’s the wildly popular North Norfolk crab sandwiches and rolls that draw the crowds. Both come crammed with the tastiest white and brown crab meat (caught fresh from the harbour every morning), and dressed simply with a touch of mayo, lemon and seasoning. Grab one to go and follow the masses to eat it by the water.

London: Beigel Bake, Shoreditch

This 24-hour bakery is a Brick Lane institution, offering some of the best-value meals in the city. First opened in 1974, the no-frills spot specialises in traditional Jewish bakery staples – most famously its mouth-watering salt beef bagel, which features chunks of melt-in-the-mouth meat, crisp gherkins and a hefty smear of English mustard. The smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels are almost as popular, and all the bagels are made fresh. There's pretty much always a queue, but the service is famously curt and lightning-quick (it’s all part of the charm), so you won’t be waiting for long.

London: Max's Sandwich Shop, Finsbury Park

If you don’t get your hands a little messy at Max's Sandwich Shop, you’re not doing it right. Possibly London’s most legendary sandwich shop, Max's has a loyal fanbase for its enormous creations – they’re basically entire meals served between impossibly fluffy slices of home-baked focaccia. Founder Max Halley has a background in some of London’s most acclaimed restaurants, and his motto of offering something ‘hot, cold, sweet, sour, crunchy, soft’ really shows in dishes like his cult-favourite ‘ham, egg ‘n’ chips’ sandwich, made with ham hock, fried egg, piccalilli and shoestring potatoes.

London: Norman’s Cafe, Tufnell Park

Launched in 2020 as an ode to the Great British caff, this new-generation greasy spoon serves simple but perfectly executed classics like bacon sarnies, full English breakfast baguettes and chip butties, all of which should ideally be washed down with a piping hot mug of strong tea. Also on the nostalgic menu you’ll find Norman’s take on beans on toast – rich, slow-cooked beans on simple white sliced bread, topped with melted Red Leicester cheese – and a sensational sausage and egg muffin.

London: Paul Rothe & Son, Marylebone

Run by the Rothe family since 1900, this Marylebone icon is the oldest of old-school sandwich shops, renowned for its huge number of house-made fillings. Stepping inside feels like walking into a cosy pantry, with endless jars of gourmet pickles, jams and traditional sweets on show. The deli counter is loaded with every kind of meat, cheese, vegetable and condiment you could possibly want, and the friendly staff members are more than happy to fill your sandwich with absolutely any combination you could dream of – nothing is too weird. However, the most popular orders are classics like silky egg mayo (flecked with anchovies and chives), and tender pastrami with Swiss cheese and gherkins.

North East & Cumbria: Frankie & Tony’s Sandwich Bar, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

This grab-and-go gem is wildly popular with Newcastle’s student population, and it’s easy to see why; the sandwiches are huge, the prices are affordable and the fillings are incredibly fresh. Family-run Frankie & Tony’s offers a huge range of mostly classic sandwiches on a range of freshly baked breads – ranging from Italian ciabatta to its signature 'white cheese bomb' – as well as jacket potatoes, salad boxes and delicious cakes. Regulars recommend the Frankie and Tony’s Club and the Meat Feast, which comes stuffed with tender sliced beef, chicken breast and roast ham.

North East & Cumbria: Lawson's Real Sandwiches, North Shields, Northumbria

Another no-frills takeaway with a loyal local following, Lawson's is the place to go in North Shields to grab a hefty breakfast sandwich or wrap, stuffed with crispy bacon, sausage, fried egg, hash browns and mushrooms. Customers love the warm and friendly service, affordable prices and generous portion sizes – and the chip butties are also fantastic.

North East & Cumbria: Sandwich Club, Carlisle

Hidden away on Carlisle’s Kingmoor Park industrial estate you’ll find a bustling sandwich shop serving some of the region’s tastiest food. It’s the hot roast sandwiches that are the real stars of the show at Sandwich Club – every day the spot has a different special, ranging from roast turkey with all the trimmings to crispy pork with stuffing, gravy, chipolata sausages and apple sauce. Diners also rave about the hot chicken specials (pictured): your choice of chicken (in flavours like sweet chilli, barbecue and Chinese style) served in a wrap, baguette or roll.

North West: CAFF, Manchester, Greater Manchester

When CAFF opened in 2022 inside a tiny central Manchester kiosk, its mission statement was to encapsulate the best elements of a classic sandwich shop – simple, comforting and delicious food served in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. It was a runaway success, and the spot is about to open a new bigger branch on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. The motto at CAFF is 'no messing brekkies and butties', so expect to find old-fashioned ham salad with salad cream, creamy coronation chicken, and breakfast baps loaded with bacon and sausages sourced from a local butcher.

North West: Galloways Bakers, Wigan, Greater Manchester

Wigan’s contribution to the sandwich hall of fame may not be a looker, but it sure is tasty. Known as the pie barm or Wigan kebab, this delicious carb bomb features a simple meat and potato pie served in a buttered barm cake, which can then be customised with ketchup, brown sauce, mushy peas, gravy… whatever you fancy. You’ll find it at chip shops and takeaways all over the town, but locals say some of the finest are served at Galloways, an old-school regional bakery chain with several branches throughout Wigan and the North West.

North West: The Bread Club, Eccles, Greater Manchester

This ‘unapologetically northern’ takeaway combines the cosy vibe of an old-fashioned sandwich shop with flavours inspired by America’s iconic sandwiches. Here you can feast on wonderfully overstuffed hoagies and deli-style rye bread sandwiches, including a sensational New York-style Reuben, a classic tuna crunch and The Cubano, which features an irresistible tangle of ham, pulled pork, pickles, English mustard and melted Swiss cheese.

Northern Ireland: Maedgen, Bushmills, County Antrim

Nestled in Bushmills, a small village on the North Coast of County Antrim, you’ll find a traditional cheesemonger's selling what could be Northern Ireland’s most delicious toasties. Maedgen is a gourmet food store selling a dizzying array of local foods, but its the melty cheese sandwiches that really get people talking. A heady mix of regional farmhouse cheeses and charcuterie, local sourdough, house-made pickles and creative extras like buttered leeks, crispy onions and truffles, the offering here is pure magic.

Northern Ireland: Stran-wiches, Belfast, County Antrim

Pretty much everything is made from scratch at this cult-favourite sandwich shop in Belfast’s Queens Quarter; fans rave about the sensational subs, buns and focaccia, all of which are baked fresh every morning. Here, classic fillings like prawn cocktail and turkey, bacon and coleslaw are given a gourmet makeover with fantastic-quality ingredients and amazing house-made sauces. Look out for specials like The French Dip, which features tender beef brisket sizzled on a griddle with onion and provolone cheese, served in a horseradish buttered roll – with a rich onion broth on the side for dipping.

Northern Ireland: The Belfast Bap Company, Belfast, County Antrim

Belfast’s iconic oversized bap is distinctive for its soft and airy white interior and hard crust that’s almost burnt on the top. The roll is traditionally used as a vessel for all kinds of breakfast goodies, but you’ll also find it with plenty of other fillings in sandwich shops all over the city. The Belfast Bap Company, a busy kiosk in Belfast’s St George's Market, is so famous for its behemoth breakfast baps – stuffed with freshly sizzled Irish bacon, sausages, hash browns and fried eggs – that locals and tourists alike are happy to form a lengthy queue. You can also swap the bap for warm slices of soda or potato bread, if you like.

Scotland: Bite Me Sandwich Bar, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

This popular spot has been selling some of Glasgow’s tastiest sandwiches for more than 20 years – and it's been named Sandwich Shop of the Year at the Scottish Takeaway Awards for the past three years, so you know it's pretty special. On the mouth-watering menu you’ll find a huge array of toasties, wraps, rolls, paninis, baguettes and ciabattas, with fillings ranging from classic honey roast ham and Cheddar to specials like sweet chilli onion bhaji (a vegan option). The house-made soups of the day are also sensational.

Scotland: Oink, Edinburgh

Meat lovers flock to this wildly popular hot sandwich shop, which now has three branches across Edinburgh. As the name suggests, Oink is a celebration of all things pig, specialising in mouth-watering hog roast rolls filled with melt-in-the-mouth pulled pork, crispy crackling, your choice of either classic sage and onion stuffing or haggis, and various house-made sauces, from apple to mustard mayo. The founders are working farmers, so you can expect the quality and flavour of the meat to be absolutely top tier.

Scotland: Peter's Bakery, Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire

The morning roll (a delicious bread roll that’s airy yet chewy, with a crispy top) is a Scottish obsession – you can grab one everywhere, from petrol stations to artisan bakeries. But according to the Scottish Baker of the Year awards, Peter's Bakery in Kirkintilloch (a small town just outside of Glasgow) makes the finest in the country. This old-fashioned family shop has a dedicated following for its incredible morning rolls, stuffed with classic Scottish breakfast staples like bacon, fried egg, square sausage, black pudding, haggis and tattie scones. The award-winning rolls are also sold at lunchtime, with all the classic fillings.

South East: André's Food Bar, Southsea, Hampshire

Portsmouth’s oldest independent sandwich shop, family-run André’s Food Bar has been feeding the city since 1988. Named Best Independent Retailer at the British Sandwich Awards 2022, it’s the place to go for fresh filled baguettes, croissants, quiches and sweet treats. André’s is famous for several signature fillings that have been on the menu from the beginning, including its amazing secret-recipe garlic chicken. Other popular sandwiches include the Parisien Rustic (pictured), filled with honey roast ham, Emmental cheese, Dijon mustard and baby cornichons.

South East: The Good Place, Hastings, East Sussex

This sunny and colourful café near Hastings train station caters for all kinds of diners, offering plenty of tasty veggie options (including a fantastic vegan cheese toastie) alongside its more traditional sandwiches. Fillings range from good old-fashioned cheese and pickle to fish finger with tartare sauce, plus the house special chicken sandwich – which consists of juicy chicken thighs that are roasted in olive oil and brown sugar, then shredded and drizzled with honey. Reviewers also praise the fantastically fresh salads, house-made potato salad and delicious milkshakes.

South East: The Sandwich Bar, Canterbury, Kent

This warm, welcoming Paris-inspired sandwich shop dates back to 1976 and is known for its simple but perfectly made crusty baguettes, stuffed with everything from smoked salmon and sour cream to local sausage and caramelised onion marmalade. Diners rave about the signature croque monsieur – it’s made fresh to order, so takes a little time to make, but it's definitely worth the wait. The lunch deal (which includes any baguette, a drink and crisps or a dessert) is also great value at under £6.

South West: Chandos Deli, Bath, Bristol and Exeter

Family-run institution Chandos Deli has made huge strides since its first branch opened in 1992 on Bristol's Chandos Road (hence the name). These days, the small chain has several shops in Bristol, as well as outposts in Bath and Exeter. Wherever you go, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome from the famously knowledgeable staff, as well as sensational sandwiches stuffed with the finest produce straight from the deli counter – from freshly sliced Parma ham to West Country cheese. If you’re really hungry, grab a freshly made quiche or chocolate-stuffed doughnut as well.

South West: Got Crabs, St Merryn, Cornwall

Got Crabs started out as a seasonal street food van, working with local day boat fleets to source the freshest Cornish crab and serving it in simple, sensational sandwiches. Happily for seafood lovers, a permanent Got Crabs sandwich shop recently opened in the heart of St Merryn – and fans report the sandwiches are better than ever. The go-to order here is the legendary mixed crab sandwich: hand-picked white and brown crab meat mixed with a Tabasco-infused Marie Rose sauce, piled inside freshly baked sourdough (from Pavilion Bakery in Newquay) with lettuce and house-made pickles.

South West: Sandwich Sandwich, Bristol

Blending the no-nonsense charms of an old-school sandwich shop with the gourmet flavours of trendier haunts, Sandwich Sandwich is a Bristol institution with three locations around the city (and one coming to London very soon). It’s hard to overstate just how loaded the counters are here – there are piles of tempting fillings, sliced meats, incredible cakes and savoury bakes as far as the eye can see. Staples like coronation chicken and tuna crunch are taken to delicious new heights, though it's easy to be swayed by house specials like the Spanish chicken sandwich, made with roast chicken, chorizo, garlic soft cheese and chimichurri mayo.

Wales: Bomber's Sandwich House, Cardiff

If you’re in the Welsh capital and craving a hearty lunch, locals will tell you to head straight to Bomber's. This small but mighty shop has won legions of fans with its gigantic sandwiches, and there's always a queue out the door come lunchtime. Flavours are big and bold, and the bread (made by an artisan baker in nearby Newport) gets rave reviews. A huge amount of food is made in house, from coleslaw and sauces to the hot meat fillings that change every day. On the menu, you can expect to find winning combinations like roast gammon with pork crackling and pineapple, and the fiery Perkbomb Chicken with house-made ghost chilli sauce.

Wales: Fresh the Baguette Bar, Cardiff

Another tiny sandwich spot with a big reputation, Fresh is located inside the city’s Royal Arcade and is famous for its huge variety of baguette fillings – as well as the lengthy queue that forms every lunchtime. It’s been a fixture on Cardiff’s food scene for over two decades, and fans say the creative, flavour-packed sandwiches are well worth waiting for. The owners clearly put a lot of effort into each and every item; simple combinations like chicken and bacon are taken to the next level with salami crackling and white truffle mayo, and there are loads of exciting vegan and veggie options to choose from, too.

Wales: Kitty's Coffee, Cakes & Sandwiches, Porthmadog, Gwynedd

This cosy little café on Porthmadog’s high street is pure old-school – in the best possible way. Kitty's sticks to the classics, but executes them incredibly well; the thickly-sliced ham is tender and full of flavour, the egg mayo is luxurious and creamy, and the coronation chicken is fresh and subtly spicy. On the side you’ll find classic vanilla school cake with icing and sprinkles, hearty house-made soups and freshly made sausage rolls.

West Midlands: Maddys Sandwich Shop, Coventry

You won’t get anything fancy at Maddys, an old-fashioned family-owned sandwich shop on the outskirts of Coventry, but you’re guaranteed to leave full and very happy. Fans praise the friendly neighbourhood vibe of the spot, as well as the generous portions and affordable prices. Alongside the classic lunchtime staples, like the popular BLT and chicken tikka sandwiches, you’ll also find freshly baked samosas, sausage rolls and pork pies.

West Midlands: Monty's Deli Sandwich Bar, Birmingham

Considered by many to be Birmingham’s finest sandwich shop, Monty's is an independent gem in the heart of the city centre that’s been feeding hungry workers for over 20 years. Placing your order is a serious business here – there are separate stations for hot and cold food, each with a dizzying array of options, from freshly carved roast pork to chicken tikka with cucumber and mint yogurt. Whatever you choose, fans say the bread is always incredibly fresh, and the sandwiches are jam-packed with fillings. We also love that Monty's donates anything that isn’t sold to charity at the end of the day.

West Midlands: Six Towns Oatcakes, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

It’s up for debate whether or not Staffordshire’s iconic oatcake – a dense, savoury oatmeal pancake that’s cooked on a griddle – really counts as a sandwich, but it's such a special old-school treat that we think it deserves a mention. Locals will all have their own favourite oatcake spot, but the award-winning Six Towns is generally considered to be the best in Stoke. Here you can grab a freshly fried oatcake stuffed with everything from baked beans and cheese to bacon and sausage.

Yorkshire & the Humber: Béres Pork Shop, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

First set up as a butcher's shop by Hungarian immigrant Sandor Béres in 1961, Béres Pork Shop is a local institution that's best known for selling one of Sheffield’s most iconic handheld treats – an epic roast pork sandwich loaded with stuffing, apple sauce and crispy crackling. To make the sandwich, pork joints are cured and roasted, for the most tender and succulent meat (and perfectly crispy crackling) every time. With 14 locations all over the city, you’re never far away from a taste of Sheffield's finest.

Yorkshire & the Humber: Country Crust, Leeds, West Yorkshire

You could be forgiven for thinking this unassuming Chapel Allerton caff isn’t anything special, but Country Crust has won the Yorkshire Prestige Award for Sandwich Shop of the Year twice – so it must be doing something right. From the popular breakfast baps (jam-packed with crispy bacon, sausage, hash browns and runny fried eggs) to hot steak sandwiches stuffed with fried onions, everything is cooked to order with love and attention. The shop also has a variety of Spam sandwiches on the menu; it doesn’t get more old-school than that!

Yorkshire & the Humber: Shambles Kitchen, York, North Yorkshire

Walking down The Shambles, York’s famous medieval shopping street, it’s impossible to resist the smoky aroma coming from this lively street food stand. Whether you’re craving a classic Reuben made with house-smoked beef brisket pastrami or a perfectly made chicken shawarma wrap, Shambles Kitchen always delivers on flavour. The sandwiches here are absolutely brimming with all kinds of slow-smoked meats and house-made condiments. Fan favourites include The Dame Judy Hench – an irresistible combination of smoked gammon, pulled pork, blow-torched Cheddar and pickles, all stuffed inside warm focaccia.

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