Katy RosserLet’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like a good sandwich. Whether you’re after a messy, loaded Reuben that’s spilling with sauerkraut or a perfectly crispy chicken sando with just the right amount of crunch, sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food.
And in Auckland? We’ve got some seriously top-tier spots that’ll make your lunch game next level.
So, if you’re tired of sad, soggy sandwiches and want something that’s going to make your taste buds do a happy dance, you’re in luck. We’ve hunted down the best places across the city that are serving up sammies so good, they might just ruin all other meals for you.
Coffee Pen
– Media from coffee_pen_
Address: 6 Basque Rd, Eden Terrace
Contact details: +64 9-309 5055
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7:30AM-2PM
- Sat 8:30AM-1:30PM
Pricing: $
Website
Menu
Tucked away in the back streets of Eden Terrace, Coffee Pen is a true hidden gem for sandwich lovers. Their lineup changes daily, but keep an eye out for regular hits like the poached chicken with mashed peas and cheese – a winning combo that’s both hearty and fresh.
If you’re more into veggie options, the eggplant with red sweet peppers and halloumi is packed with flavours that work beautifully together. Coffee Pen is a cosy little spot, so don’t expect a big, flashy café – it’s all about quality here.
The team takes real care in creating sandwiches that taste homemade but elevated. Grab one with a freshly brewed coffee, and you’re set.
| Pro tip: Get there early because once these sandwiches are gone, they’re gone. |
Allpress Roastery Auckland
– Media from allpressespresso
Address: 266 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby
Contact details: +64 9-376 4726
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7AM-3PM
- Sat – Sun 7AM-2PM
At Allpress Roastery, you’ll find sandwiches that are deceptively simple but pack serious flavour. Their tuna, egg, and mayo sandwich has become a Ponsonby staple, and their Reuben – rich, savoury, and satisfying – keeps regulars coming back.
The vegetarian offerings rotate with the seasons, but if you spot the pumpkin with pecorino cheese and walnut, it’s a must. The bread, always fresh, complements the quality of the ingredients, turning each bite into something memorable.
But it’s not just about the coffee – these sandwiches are worth coming back for again and again. They might look straightforward, but they’re anything but ordinary once you take a bite.
| Pro tip: The vegetarian sandwiches change often, so if pumpkin’s on the menu, don’t miss it. |
Dedwood Deli Ponsonby
– Media from dedwooddeli
Address: 366 Richmond Rd, Ponsonby
Contact details: +64 9-376 7584
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7AM-3PM
- Sat – Sun 8AM-3PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Menu
Dedwood Deli on Richmond Road might be a small spot, but its sandwiches are packed with big flavours. The chipotle chicken sandwich is a favourite here, and for good reason.
It’s layered with smokey chipotle tomato relish, lemon miso aioli, maple walnuts, and a fresh salad, all crammed between two thick slices of sourdough. Each bite is balanced, and it’s a sandwich you’ll remember long after lunch.
Don’t let the burgers and fries distract you – they’re great, but these sandwiches are the real draw. Dedwood Deli keeps things straightforward, focusing on top-notch ingredients and flavours that just work.
| Pro tip: Try their chipotle chicken sandwich, it’s the star of the show! |
Amano Bakery
– Media from bivacco_nz
Address: 66-68 Tyler St, Britomart
Contact details: +64 9-394 1416
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 7AM-3PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Menu
Tucked right next to the bustling Amano restaurant, the bakery is a lunchtime favourite for Aucklanders looking for a seriously good sandwich.
The sandwiches here are something else—think rolls loaded with perfectly cooked meats that’ll make you forget any other sandwich ever existed. The locals can’t get enough, especially when those succulent meat fillings hit just right.
Pop in, grab a freshly made roll, and you’ll quickly see why Amano Bakery is a constant hive of hungry regulars. With quality like this, it’s the kind of place that’ll make you detour to Britomart just to get your hands on one.
| Pro tip: Grab a sandwich to-go and enjoy it by the waterfront, it’s the perfect spot for a quick lunch. |
Pastrami & Rye
– Media from pastramirye
Address: 141 Main Highway, Ellerslie
Contact details: +64 9-579 3325
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 9AM-3PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Menu
Over in Ellerslie, Pastrami & Rye brings a slice of New York to Auckland. Known for their hearty, New York-inspired sandwiches, these guys cure their own meats and whip up homemade pickles and preserves that make each sandwich pop with flavour.
Their Cuban sandwich – packed with pork, ham, pickles, mustard, and cheese – is something you’ll be thinking about long after your visit. Their attention to detail is what sets them apart, with each sandwich carefully crafted to get that perfect balance of textures and flavours.
The pastrami, in particular, is a standout, with just the right amount of smokiness and spice. This place has been a favourite since it opened back in 2017, and it’s no wonder why – it’s a taste of NYC without the 16-hour flight.
| Pro tip: Go for the Cuban, it’s a classic and a local favourite for good reason. |
Lowbrow
– Media from lowbrow.nz
Address: 1 Queen St
Contact details: +64 9-302 3173
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 11AM-9PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Menu
Lowbrow is the spot where nostalgic comfort food meets top-tier ingredients, and their sandwich menu is one you can’t miss. The Mac Daddy, with its brisket patty, melty cheese, and their signature mac sauce, is a mouthful of pure satisfaction.
But if you’re after something a bit different, their O-Fush sando is a knockout – hot spiced tempura fish, tartare sauce, and iceberg lettuce all nestled in a sesame roll.
Lowbrow takes familiar flavours and levels them up, making it a favourite for those looking for something fun and filling in Auckland’s CBD.
| Pro tip: Don’t skip the O-Fush sando, it’s a Lowbrow signature that’s bursting with flavour. |
Young George
– Media from younggeorgenz
Address: 911 New North Rd, Mt Albert
Contact details: +64 9-849 1177
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 7AM-2PM
Pricing: $
Young George has built a strong following, and for good reason. Their sandwiches, or “sandos,” are a local favourite, especially the chicken sando. P
Picture this: crispy, juicy crumbed chicken slathered with a tangy tonkatsu and “special sauce,” wedged between slices of soft Japanese milk bread, toasted just enough to give it a perfect crunch. It’s like a posh Big Mac, but way better.
They also offer vegetarian options that don’t hold back on flavour, with fillings that are just as satisfying. The small, cosy setup means there’s usually a steady stream of regulars popping in, making it feel like a neighbourhood secret.
| Pro tip: Try the chicken sando, it’s a sandwich you won’t forget anytime soon. Plus, the soft Japanese milk bread gives it an extra touch of comfort. |
Fort Greene
– Media from fortgreenenz
Address: 327 Karangahape Rd
Contact details: +64 9-555 3089
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 7AM-3PM
Pricing: $$
Fort Greene is the go-to for serious sandwich fans. Their handmade sourdough is some of the best in the city, and it’s the foundation for their standout sandwiches.
You’ll find gems like The Fish One, stuffed with homemade kahawai fish fingers, mushy peas, and tartare sauce, but it’s the Reuben that steals the show for many.
Packed with salt-beef brisket, sauerkraut, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard on their house-made New York rye, it’s a sandwich that brings serious flavour.
The green storefront on Karangahape Road is hard to miss, and once you’ve been inside, you’ll understand why it’s always bustling. Grab a sandwich to go, or settle in with a cup of coffee for a lunch that’s well worth your time.
| Pro tip: The Reuben is a classic here, but don’t overlook the Kimchi Grilled cheese—it’s an unexpected hit! |
Gloria’s
– Media from glorias.deli
Address: Commercial Bay Ground Floor/7 Queen Street
Contact details: +64 9-377 9377
Operating Hours: Wed – Sun 9AM-3PM
Pricing: $$
Gloria’s is the spot you head to when you want a sandwich that hits all the right notes. With the same team behind Bar Celeste and Star Superette, it’s no surprise that this K’ Road deli has gained a loyal following.
The sandwiches rotate daily, depending on what’s fresh and seasonal, but if you can get your hands on their salt beef Reuben, consider yourself lucky. The beef is cured in-house and paired with all the right ingredients to make it an unforgettable bite.
The deli itself is stripped-back and simple, focusing on homely, delicious food. And if you’re after a refreshing drink, their homemade lemonade is the perfect companion to a hearty sandwich.
| Pro tip: Try the Reuben if it’s available, and wash it down with a glass of their fresh lemonade. |
Little French Cafe
– Media from littlefrenchpastrynz
Address: 756 New North Road, Mount Albert
Contact details: +64 9-849 6296
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 7AM-4PM
Pricing: $$
With locations in Point Chevalier and Mount Albert, Little French Cafe has cemented its place as a go-to for anyone craving a top-tier baguette.
Their sirloin steak baguette is a standout – tender slices of sirloin from Grey Lynn Butchers, paired with caramelised onions, peppery rocket, and house-made black pepper sauce, all packed into a crispy, golden baguette.
If you’re after breakfast, their ultimate bap with free-range eggs, organic bacon, and basil aioli is a winner, and their chicken baguette, loaded with smoked chicken, bacon, avocado, and roasted capsicum, is equally satisfying. Whatever you choose, you’ll leave happy.
| Pro tip: The sirloin steak baguette is a must-try, don’t pass it up. The tender steak is paired with caramelised onions and a house-made black pepper sauce that adds just the right kick. |
Federal Delicatessen
– Media from federaldelicatessen
Address: 86 Federal St
Contact details: +64 9-363 7184
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 11AM-11PM
Pricing: $$
If there’s one sandwich you need to try at Federal Delicatessen, it’s their famous chicken salad sandwich.
This SkyCity staple has earned its cult following with a simple yet flavour-packed combo: creamy chicken-mayo, crunchy iceberg lettuce, and crispy bits of chicken skin for extra texture. To make things even better, they serve it with a side of gravy for dipping.
Yes, you read that right – gravy on the side. The Fed has been dishing up this classic from lunch until late, so whether you’re craving a sandwich in the middle of the day or closer to midnight, they’ve got you covered.
It’s a sandwich experience you won’t want to miss, especially if you’re a fan of the classic chicken-mayo combo taken to the next level.
| Pro tip: Dip your sandwich in the gravy, it’s the kind of indulgence you’ll thank yourself for later. |
