Taking up our TikTok feeds and suggested Instagram reels right now? All the ways to spice up this lunchtime favourite. Forget slapping the standard ham and pickle into a sarnie, as our city has bars, shops, restaurants and delis that are promising everything from the finest Philly cheesesteak to posh chip butties. Keep reading for an unmissable guide to the best sandwiches in Manchester city centre and beyond.
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The Steak One: The Alchemist
Whether you prefer the waterside scenes of MediaCity or city centre spots in Spinningfields and on New York Street, The Alchemist has your back for a sumptuous sandwich. Their French dip steak (£14.75) beauty comes packed with juicy beef fillet, cheese sauce, green peppers, burnt onion and sweet mustard mayo, alongside a secret recipe truffle gravy for dunking. Don't forget to use the bar's smoking, bubbling or fizzing cocktails to wash it down.
A list of the finest sandos wouldn't be complete without this indulgent feast.
The Meal Deal: The Bank
The Bank's lunch offer (£12.50) is a proper steal, while also having not just one, but two bread-based delights on the menu. Choose between the fish finger sarnie - pale ale-battered haddock with tartare sauce on farmhouse rounds - or a classic triple-decker club sandwich in Manchester; both are served alongside chips and a choice of beverage. Think Guinness, lager, gin, wine and soft drinks.
Move over Tesco; this meal deal is the new contender.
Chicken 'N' Waffle Sliders: Blind Pig Eccles
Breaking all the rules is the Blind Pig Eccles, where you'll find a quirky crafternoon tea (£36) packed with unique sliders. Expect saucy cheeseburger patties in a toasted beetroot bap, alongside Southern-fried chicken sandwiched between Belgian waffle 'buns' and smothered in hot honey Buffalo sauce. If that wasn't enough, this massive meal also includes wings, Biscoff cheesecake, Nutella doughnut bites and two hours of free-flowing drinks.
Get your elasticated pants out for this one.
The Hot Buffalo Chicken One: Blues Kitchen
For a taste of America's Deep South stuffed into a bun? It can only be Blues Kitchen and their Hip Hop Orchestra Brunch. This Saturday event offers food, 90 minutes of bottomless rum punch or prosecco, DJs and live performances for £40 each. Otherwise, you can also grab the hot chicken Buffalo sandwich (£12.75) on any other visit - meaning it's fried buttermilk bird, spicy sauce and slaw all round.
For one of the best sandwiches, check out this quirky brunch.
The TikTok Sandwich Shop: Fat Pats
Head to that TikTok and Instagram-famous sandwich hatch in Manchester, where you'll uncover the finest feasts (yup, they're absolute whoppers) from Fat Pats. Hidden down an alleyway on the edge of Chinatown, the tiny shop is known for its big queues and sell-out sandos. Our favourite has to be the Philly cheesesteak (£14) with tender meat, rich flavour, chives and crispy onions; a combo to die for, if ever we tasted one.
This hidden sandwich shop in Manchester city centre is hard to beat.
Loaded Subs: The Director's Box
Sports fans rejoice, as one of the most popular city centre bars for catching all your favourite games, races and more also dishes up some loaded subs (£9.25). Fillings on this section of The Director's Box's lunch menu feature everything from cheesy sloppy Joe to Korean BBQ chicken and pulled jackfruit. Plus, until 4pm between Monday and Friday, you can also add on an alcoholic drink from just £1 - what a bargain.
Your pint will only set you back a quid when you get a mid-week sub here.
The Fancy Chip Butty: Edinburgh Castle
Vowing for the top spot of best sandwich in Manchester? Edinburgh Castle's chip butty, which is much more than your standard pub pick thanks to triple-cooked tatties, seaweed and beef fat mayo, a drippy egg yolk and beef tartare. Taking the usually beige and very British number into a new league, the pub's bar menu dish has been praised over and over by the city's top foodies. If you know, you know.
Trade your standard pub grub for Edinburgh Castle.
The Crossiant Brunch Sandwich: Albert's Schloss
While best known for alpine fare and a range of wild evening entertainment, Albert's Schloss also has a load of stacked beauties that are sorting you out for daytime meals. There's the Kroissant Royale (£9) - a bap-shaped croissant with onions, gouda, fried egg, crispy shallots, chives, curry ketchup, and sausage or bacon - for breakfast, while lunchtime sees the Das Schloss Reuben (£10) filling you up on salt beef, mustard, gouda, pickle and sauerkraut goodness.
From brekkie to the best sandwich lunches, Albert's Schloss covers all bases.
The Spanish-Inspired One: Federal
Swap your usual Italian number for a Spanish spin at Federal, one of our favourite brunch spots that also knows how to stack up a great sarnie. The chorizo sandwich (£8) is layered alongside Manchego cheese, aioli and caramelised onions, with the option to add an extra fried egg for good measure. And if that wasn't enough? Expect two for £12 cocktails spanning brekkie classics and coffee numbers to accompany.
It's not just eggs and banana bread making waves here.
Banh Mi: Pho Cue Vietnamese Kitchen
A cheekily-named favourite in Chinatown, Pho Cue Vietnamese Kitchen serves the classic banh mi (from £6) until 4pm every day. Owner and chef Cue Tran aims for home-style cooking across the restaurant - a feat definitely achieved with this delish sandwich. It's done the rounds on social media, thanks to the dipping pots of sweet soy sauce, siracha or siracha mayo on the side that make it gloriously messy.
We're all about the crispy king prawn or tofu and avo flavours here.
The Salt Beef And Pastrami Ones: Triple B
You'll find one of the finest sandwich shops in Manchester a little further out of town. From house-cured salt beef to home-smoked pastrami, it's all on offer across melting bagels (from £8) at Prestwich's Triple B, alongside stuffed subs, Italian-inspired bites and more to match. Better yet, you can check out their Dock 53 and Etihad stall locations too if they're closer to you.
Burger bagels as well? Yes please.
The Gelato Brioche Sandwich: Sicilian NQ
This Manchester sandwich shop window is not only framed by pretty wisteria, but it's also home to an Italian dessert twist. Sicilian NQ is delving out a gelato brioche sandwich to make sure you satisfy your sweet tooth while also getting a fix of all things bread-based. Pop by on a sunny day (or just because) to try it for yourself. Make ours the pistachio ice cream, thank you.
Like things sweet? You can still get in on the sandwich action.
The Mac 'N' Cheese Grilled Sandwich: Northern Soul
If you like to keep a constant flow of fromage in your veins (who doesn't?), then Northern Soul has to be on your radar. While all their toasties are oozing with perfectly pullable fillings, our favourite is the Mac Attack (£9.50). Combining their signature macaroni cheese with a grilled sandwich, this lunchtime staple is only made better with added jalapenos, fried chicken or Korean pork.
There's no better grilled cheese sandwich in Manchester.
The OG: Rustica Manchester
When it comes to the best sandwiches in Northern Quarter Manchester, Rustica is the place that will spring to everyone's minds. Home to a classic barm, a small amount of seating and nothing but the good, simple favourites, alongside some breakfast options too, it's got cheap 'n' cheerful covered. If the constant queue is anything to go by, we'd say that the ol' joint has still got it.
This sandwich bar in Manchester is the original player - and it's still got a queue around the block every day.
The Breakfast Bun: Pollen
Choose between Ancoats and Kampus to enjoy Pollen Bakery in all its glory. While most widely known for their cruffins (rotating flavours filling muffin-shaped croissants), the burnt Basque cheesecake and darn good coffee, these guys still have a great selection of brunch dishes. Fresh potato brioche is the basis of the breakfast bun here, with a choice of bacon or set egg inside - each complimented by smoked onion and kimchi mayonnaise respectively.
Treat yourself and grab a pastry or cake for afterwards too.
Made you hungry? Check out our other picks for the best lunch in Manchester. Then sign up to our weekly newsletter and see all the latest guides, trends and more.
