Norman’s launched in north London in 2020 and quickly became an Insta sensation, with queues down the street at weekends, and its own line of branded football shirts. Its menu showcases British café classics – from a set full English to retro lunch staples including fish and chips, toad in the hole and steamed puddings – plated up simply and made using quality ingredients. That all said, we still have eyes for the simple sandwiches. Its bacon sarnies and chip butties – on the obligatory white slice, served with a mug of builders – hit the mark every time.

Visit NormansCafe.co.uk

North London institution Max’s Sandwich Shop is the new-generation OG on this list. Headed up by fillings wizard Max Halley, the café redefined the humble sandwich with its rotating roster of inventive fillings. Signature creations include the 'Ham, Egg & Chips' – a combo of slow-cooked ham hock, fried egg, piccalilli and shoestring fries wedged between freshly baked focaccia – and the Et Tu Brute? which is filled with poached chicken, pickled grape and tarragon salsa, chicory, baby gem, garlic croutons and anchovy mayo. To recreate the magic at home, check out Max’s book.

Visit MaxsSandwichShop.com

The excellently named Dom’s Subs has swiftly become a lunchtime legend. Across locations at 262 Hackney Road, 8 Ludgate Circus and 7 Cullum Street, the team is famed for its homemade semolina sub rolls, which are generously filled with bold ingredients. Available for collection or delivery, sub combos on offer include the Habibi Club (homemade smoked turkey breast, swiss cheese, shrettuce and guacachile) and a meatball marinara that uses beef from Hill & Szrok. They can rustle up party platters if you’re in need of en-masse sustenance, and they also do a decent line of merch.

Visit ImpeccableSandwiches.co.uk

Rogue Sarnies is no longer one of the capital’s best-kept secrets for next-level sandwiches. The two founders met working at Galvin La Chapelle, began hosting pop-ups on the side and quickly decided it was the direction they wanted to head in. A few lockdowns later – plus some viral creations such as a sausage and black pudding crumpet sandwich and slow-poached egg and smoked cheddar bun – the duo went permanent in Bethnal Green in 2023, and now have a site at Between Two Bridges on the South Bank. Today’s menu is a masterclass in bold combinations: the ‘OG Marmite Cheesy’ combines camembert, mozzarella, parmesan and sticky marmite glaze. We also rate the ‘Lord Nelson’ – sticky braised beef shin and caramelised onions, roasted beef topside drenched in gravy, pickled BBQ onions, horseradish cream and landcress.

Visit RogueSarnies.uk

Eric’s is an independent bakery founded by former Flor head baker Helen Evans. The minimalist, yellow spot opens only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – and the queues start early. Known for its exceptional sourdough, buttery viennoiserie and seasonal bakes (we can’t get enough of the confit potato scrolls), Eric’s has also carved out a niche for its elevated sandwiches, which are sold on Thursdays from 10.30am until they sell out. Built on the bakery’s signature tangy sourdough, the sandwiches use British produce and homemade condiments – a current hit is wild garlic pesto, tomatoes and baked Sussex sheep’s milk ricotta.

Visit EricsLondon.com

Established in 1900, this family run deli and sandwich shop started out selling solely German produce but expanded to offer a range of European and British goods post-World War II. Today, the café-deli is known for its hearty, plate-filling sandwiches, as well as a cracking soup of the day. On the sandwich front, we like to keep things simple with a door-stopping egg mayo with chives and anchovies on brown bread. Make sure to peruse the honeys, chutneys and pickled bits and bobs; the cured meats – particularly the pastrami – are also a must-try.

Visit @PaulRotheAndson

Since 1944, this iconic Jewish spot in St John’s Wood has been serving ‘everything’ bagels, salt beef sandwiches, and hearty chicken soup with matzo balls. It recently marked its 80th birthday with a refurb that’s deeply rooted in its history as a NYC-inspired deli. While it’s new sushi counter and pizza station are impressive, not much can tear us away from the original, incredibly filled, smoked salmon bagels. 

Visit Panzers.co.uk