city guides

These are the 50 best sandwiches in Europe

Sure, a slice of brown bread with cheese is delicious. But nothing beats a really well-filled sandwich for lunch. The kind of sandwich that has the perfect crispy-fresh-bread-and-generous-filling ratio. The sandwich that makes your mouth water just thinking about it, even if you’ve just had breakfast. The sandwich you secretly dream about and drool over. Where can you get one?

Foto van culinair journalist Steffi Posthumus

door Steffi Posthumus

Travel website Big Seven Travel investigated it for you. They travelled across Europe, asked readers for tips and selected the 50 best sandwiches on the continent. From small pop-ups and hidden gems to excellent restaurants. And what did they find? For a good sandwich, you need to be in Italy or England. Both countries appear twice in the top five.

Best in the Netherlands

But you can also find great ones closer to home. Apparently, our toasted sandwiches are a hit, because the toasted sandwiches from Amsterdam’s Toastable come in ninth place, while the ‘Croque Madame’ from Metropolitan takes fortieth place.

This is what Big Seven Travel wrote about the top 5:

1. Osteria All’antico Vinaio – Florence, Italy

‘Porchetta sandwiches (pronounced: porketta, not portsjetta) are one of the world’s greatest pleasures, and you won’t find them better anywhere else. At this hugely popular sandwich shop, you can go all out with different specials and toppings, but be wise and stick to the classic porchetta. So tender and so delizioso.’

2. The Dusty Knuckle – London, UK

‘They started out in a container, but The Dusty Knuckle has since grown into one of England’s best bakeries. Their sandwiches are incredibly inventive: just look at this one with grilled asparagus, soft-boiled egg, toasted almonds and dill on sourdough. The perfect summer lunch.’

3. Mastro Ciccio – Bari, Italy

‘The exceptionally good ingredients they use here make these sandwiches some of the best in the world. From the fresh tomatoes to the Apulian buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil: each one adds to an incredible taste experience. Mastro Ciccio’s sandwiches are exceptionally fresh and incredibly popular.’

4. Northern Soul – Manchester, UK

‘Their grilled cheese sandwich has already achieved legendary status in Manchester. Are you the more = more type? Then go over the top and add Mac & Cheese (which immediately makes your sandwich twice as thick, too). Join the queue and brace yourself, because you’re about to eat something breathtakingly delicious.’

5. Sandhäxan – Stockholm, Sweden

‘If you want to eat one of the best toasted sandwiches of your life, this is where you need to go. They make them with Scamorza and Parmesan, add some hot sauce, bake them and serve them with chips. You might need to hit the gym afterwards, but every bite is worth it. Unreal.’

Curious about the complete top 50? You can find it here.