The BEST Sandwiches In NYC

The food in New York is amazing. But, just because we have a seemingly endless supply of four-star restaurants to choose from, doesn’t mean we always want a fancy meal. Nope, sometimes all we crave is a good ol' fashioned sandwich. And, we've spent a considerable amount of time searching the five boroughs for the most delicious options. Ahead, the 30 sandwiches we think are the best thing since sliced bread — or at least between sliced bread.

"The Haight-Ashbury at Serendipity 3! It's my fave. Sliced turkey, tomato, avocado, and alfalfa sprouts with melted muenster on raisin pumpernickel with Russian dressing." - Rachel Shatkin, front-end engineer
Serendipity 3, 225 E. 60th Street (between Second and Third Avenues); 212-838-3531.

"The Captain's Daughter at Saltie. It's simultaneously a hangover cure, a delicious snack, and it will warm your soul. Plus, it has crunch rock salt, which rules." - Leila Brillson, senior news editor

"The Scuttlebutt sandwich at Saltie. Hard-boiled eggs, capers, anchovies, pickled beets, and goat cheese. I know, these sound like old-Ukrainian-lady sandwich fillings. It's served on focaccia bread — I know, focaccia makes you feel like you're at Panera Bread. But, Saltie's version is thick, luxuriantly soft, rosemary-scented, flavorful, and just greasy enough. And, the combination of flavors and textures is so creamy-crunchy-creamy, it causes synapses to fire in my brain like no other meal. It's probably New York's cheapest legal high. You will find yourself greedily inhaling this sandwich in Saltie's miniscule front window, hoping no one hot walks by and sees your mayo-glistening lips and doped-up smile. Before I lived in New York, a stop at Saltie was always on my vacation itinerary. Sure, there are lots of good sandwiches on this list. But, how many are truly destination sandwiches?" - Leeann Duggan, style features editor
Saltie, 378 Metropolitan Avenue (near Havemeyer Street); 718-387-4777.

"Figgy Piggy from Barnyard Cheese Shop. Parma prosciutto, fig jam, and goat cheese. It's a perfect combination of sweet and savory." - Katelyn Kappel, freelance art director
Barnyard Cheese Shop, 149 Avenue C (between E. 9th and E. 10th Streets); 212-674-2276.

"The spicy Italian sub at Parm, because it is delicious." - Kelly Bourdet, health and wellness editor
Parm, 248 Mulberry Street (between Spring and Prince Streets); 212-993-7189.

"Smoked turkey, imported provolone, homemade roasted peppers on a scooped-out semolina loaf from Parisi on Mott Street. Boom." - Justin Stefano, R29 CEO and cofounder
Parisi, 198 Mott Street (between Spring and Kenmare Streets); 212-226-6378.

"Meatball sub at Defonte's — so amazing." - Emily Gray, vice president, revenue products

"Nicky's Special at Defonte's. Ham, capicola, salami, fried eggplant, provolone, hot salad, marinated mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, oil, and vinegar. Yum. Because sometimes you just need to indulge in a giant hoagie, and this one is big enough you can eat the second half for lunch the next day." - Lindsey Stanberry, content editor
Defonte's of Brooklyn, 261 Third Avenue (at E. 21st Street); 212-614-1500.

"I think of Lovely Day as a second home, so it will come as no surprise to those who know me that when I think perfect sandwich, I think of the Lovely Day egg sandwich. It's just the right size, expertly crafted with tomato, avocado, and – my favorite – best spicy aioli, and it doesn't even get all sloppy and messy when you eat it. Plus, it's an egg sandwich that feels decadent and weekend brunch-y, but it comes on whole-wheat toast with a side salad, so it's basically healthy, right? And, it's only $6.50. Expert tip: Order a Lovely Day salad and add some of that delicious slaw to your sandwich. Now you know." - Willow Lindley, associate fashion editor
Lovely Day Café, 96 Elizabeth Street (between Spring and Prince streets); 212-925-3310.

"The tuna salad sandwich from Mile End is the bomb. When our office was at Cooper Square, I would get this all the time. (I'm quite literally drooling thinking about it.) This tuna salad sandwich is definitely a thousand steps up from the soggy tuna salad sandwiches you see in the grocery stores. The best part is the fried capers — it adds a really great texture and tastes so salty yummy." - Ammiel Mendoza, designer

"Like any expat, I get homesick and sometimes it hits me hard. So, when I'm feeling nostalgic, I turn to the smoked meat sandwich at Mile End Deli in Noho. It's meaty, fatty, and tastes like home — exactly how I remember a smoked meat sandwich should be. Just slap on a side of poutine and this Montrealer is golden." - Isabel Cafaro, video production coordinator

"Mile End corned beef Reuben. I don't know what I'd do if this place wasn't a half block from my apartment. Probably lose weight..." - Gabriela Alford, art director
Mile End, 53 Bond Street (near Bowery); 212-529-2990.

"Russ & Daughters' Super Heebster (whitefish and baked salmon salad with horseradish dill cream cheese and wasabi flying fish roe on a bagel). I love a good schmear!" - Piera Gelardi, executive creative director
Russ & Daughters, 179 E. Houston Street (between Orchard and Allen streets); 212-475-4880.

"The Westville chicken salad sandwich on health bread. That has been my Westville order 90% of the time for the last seven years. I don't know HOW they make that crazy lemon-dill dressing, but I spent most of my early 20s trying to replicate it." - Kelsey Miller, staff writer
Westville, 210 W. 10th Street (near Bleecker Street); 212-741-7971.

"The tech and product team has discovered Weather Up's delicious interpretation of a grilled cheese sandwich: marieke gouda, holland family farm cheese, apple chutney." - Emily O'Brien, software engineer
Weather Up, 159 Duane Street (between Hudson Street and W. Broadway); 212-766-3202.

"Philly's on East Houston is my jam! Best chicken cheese steak I've ever had in New York, and quite possibly outshining Philly. I've had this bad boy on drunken nights and sober Saturdays and each time it's equally delicious. Also, let me just mention that I love that they don't use Cheez Whiz. That's an IN in my book." - Candace Sautman, associate pm/producer
Philly's, 191 E. Houston Street (at Orchard Street); 212-475-7744.

"Sal, Kris, & Charlie's Deli, a.k.a. the Sandwich King in Astoria. It's totally a locals' joint (all the NYPD and FDNY frequent it) and no-frills in every sense of the word. No small-batch fig jam or cave-aged fancy cheese here — just cold cuts, condiments, and damn-good sandwich making at its finest. The bread is delicious, and they absolutely PACK each sandwich with ingredients. I have a pretty boring sandwich palate — turkey and provolone with oil and vinegar for the win! — but they have quite a few cool combos. Beware "The Bomb." This jam-packed feast looks like the counter guys loaded literally every ingredient in the place onto bread. It weighs more than my miniature schnoodle, Elly. I have seen grown men brought to their knees by this sandwich. I saved the best for last: the prices. They are not exorbitant, which in NYC is a feat. We're talking $5 to $7 a sandwich. I'm convinced these guys must be losing money, because the ingredients are so high quality but the prices are so cheap. They're open until 8 p.m. on Saturday and until 3 p.m. on Sunday, but I recommend getting there early. It's not at all unusual for them to sell out during the lunch rush." - Megan McIntyre, senior beauty editor
Sal, Kris & Charlie's Deli, 33-12 23rd Avenue (between 33rd and 35th streets); 718-278-9240.

"Torrisi on Mulberry has two chicken sandwiches that are so good, they make you angry. The chicken parm and the spicy chicken sandwich might sound pretty standard, but there's something so delicious about both. I've easily travel boroughs (BOROUGHS!!!!!) for them." - Annie Kim, senior campaign manager
Torrisi, 250 Mulberry Street (near Prince Street); 212-254-3000.
"If I'm not up for the trek to Brooklyn's Pies 'n' Thighs, I'll head over to Back Forty in the East Village for some good ol' chicken and waffles. Sure, that's not a sandwich, per se, and sure, I've been a vegetarian for four years, but there's no greater feeling than folding the waffle in half, enclosing the fried chicken in a fluffy grid of crispy goodness, and dipping it in syrup. It's the perfect mix of savory and grease. I mean, sweet." - Lauren Caruso, contributor network editor
Back Forty, 190 Avenue B (at E. 12th Street); 212-388-1990.

"The house special (bánh mì đac biêt ), spicy, from Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich Deli. It was the first non-American sandwich I ever had when I moved to New York, and the combo of fresh herbs, fatty pork, and the perfect roll (with a kick of heat) still makes it my top sandwich in the city." - Darin Bresnitz, events director
Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich Deli, 369 Broome Street (at Mott Street); 212-219-8341.

"Nicky's portobello Vietnamese sandwich." - Piera Gelardi, executive creative director
Nicky's, 311 Atlantic Avenue (between Hoyt and Smith Streets); 718-855-8838.

"Sips and Bites is the best place for sandwiches. My picks: Excelsior if you like meat, Mama Wanda for vegetarians. I love Sips and Bites because the ingredients are always really fresh, and Molly takes the time to put them together in thoughtful and quirky ways." - Patty Delgado, engineering team lead, web platform
Sips and Bites, 178 N. 10th Street (between Bedford and Driggs Avenues); 347-889-5333.

"I love hippie food! The grilled portobello and zucchini with tomatoes, greens and spicy sun-dried tomato pesto from Bliss Cafe in Williamsburg is a solid vegetarian standby. It's located in a convenient location (near the Bedford L station) and has a reasonable price. I'd recommend eating it in-house through. During takeaway, the bread can get soggy." - Mary Gaughan, producer
Bliss Cafe, 191 Bedford Avenue (between N. 6th and N. 7th streets); 718-599-2547.

"Ah, the perfect egg sandwich, where art thou? Look no further than Henry Public in Cobble Hill, who delivers a consistent breakfast gem. Perfectly soft scrambled eggs (or however you like yours) atop a buttery brioche with the sharpest Vermont cheddar around. Add on the crispy bacon and order a Bloody Mary (this one has the perfect amount of horseradish!), and you will soon find yourself here every Saturday morning." - Kate Hyatt, director of production
Henry Public, 329 Henry Street (between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street); 718-852-8630.

"Brancaccio's Food Shop in Windsor Terrace is a tiny prepared-foods shop that's been absolutely killing it in my neighborhood for the last four years. Complex magazine stopped by for a visit, and the chef invented a sandwich for the occasion that's been on the menu ever since. Here's why: The "Complex Mag" is an egg sandwich layered with broccali rabe, eggplant caponata, and fresh ricotta cheese. It is insanity, and gives my weekend hangries their walking papers." - Laura Norkin, content editor
Brancaccio's Food Shop, 3011 Fort Hamilton Parkway (between E. 2nd and E. 3rd Streets); 718-435-1997.

"Since I can't eat my sandwiches on freshly baked Parisian baguettes, I have moved on to the next best option: the Tiny's Giant semolina hero and whatever happens to come on it. The curried chicken salad is a particularly tasty "dressing." It's all about the bread, people!" - Anne Cassard, design project manager
Tiny's Giant, 129 Rivington Street (at Norfolk Street); 212-228-4919.

"This roasted vegetables sandwich from Darna Falafel in Cobble Hill will probably be served in heaven. The day after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, I emerged in my sweatpants and never in all my life have I so badly wanted someone else to make me food. Enter the best chipotle sauce and ciabatta bread and vegetables. My roommate had to tell me to shut up because I wouldn't stop talking about it for 20 blocks. I returned many times to make sure it wasn't just post-Sandy fever. Happily, that was not the case. The fries are amazing, too." - Chloe Daley, production assistant
Darna Falafel, 200 Court Street (at Wyckoff Street); 347-799-1673.

"The maple mustard tempeh sandwich on grilled spelt bread with roasted garlic aioli, kale, tomato and onion from the Cinnamon Snail is by far one of the best sandwiches in the city. And, it's vegan!" - Jill Meisner, director of public relations
The Cinnamon Snail (food truck); 201-675-3755.

"My boyfriend swears by the legendary City Sub in Park Slope, but I personally love the barbecue chicken sandwich with kimchi and potato chips at Bergen Dean, a new little sandwich shop in Prospect Heights. Crunchy, sweet, savory perfection." - Sarahbeth Sanders, senior editorial manager, brand experiences
Bergen Dean Sandwich Shop, 64 6th Avenue (between Dean and Bergen Streets); 347-463-9191.