On a roll: The best places for sandwiches in Manchester

This Italian sandwich shop opened on Tib Street in early 2025 after making a name for itself at Kargo MKT on Salford Quays. Ad Maiora, a Latin phrase which translates as ‘towards greater things’ captures both the jaw-stretching size and the superlative fillings of their schiacciata sandwiches.

Bruncho is a relaxed brunch spot on Deansgate focusing on Turkish specialities. The food is healthy and satisfying with a feeling of sunshine thanks to the Mediterranean diet. Of course, if various healthy iterations of poached eggs just don’t do it for you, then stamp on your fitbit and order pistachio baklava French toast instead.

The fish supper butty from Wrights is the chip barm taken to another level. Cod, chips and a side sandwiched together on a soft white barm, it hits the spot every time.

Bada Bing began life as a pandemic era pop-up before owners Sam and Josh took a few years off. They were content to let it become a happy memory but random people in bars kept telling them bring Bada Bing back. So in autumn 2024 they did, opening this new place on Oldham Street.

Banh Mi Co Ba looks unassuming on the outside and, to be honest, even more unassuming on the inside. But behind its modest glass counter, there’s food that really packs a punch. Even a simple sandwich has more zing and sass than the whole of Eurovision put together.

Owners, Harry and Jessica created Banh Vi after travelling across South East Asia and being inspired by the cuisine offered by street food vendors in Thailand and Vietnam.  

The folks at Barbakan have been nose to the grindstone for over 50 years – they were here long before Chorlton became a hip coffee culture destination.

Said to be ‘changing the sarnie game one sando at a time’, Fat Pat’s is a popular lunchtime spot that Mancunians come far and wide for. 

Katsouris is an institution, having sat in its imposing Gothic-style building on the corner of Deansgate and John Dalton Street for getting on close to two decades. Despite its Greek name, you can expect much more than the Aphrodite Special, though that, and the Zorba, is covered.

Named after the owner’s kids, Leo and Rubes is a neighbourhood cafe from the folks behind The Black Friar. It’s all about fresh, healthy, and comforting food, whipped up from scratch by head chef Morgan Lane (formerly with Pot Kettle Black).

Head left to the deli inside Lina Stores on Quay Street for these take-out panini made on home-baked focaccia stuffed with a daily-changing range of Italian fillings. Also check out their paragina – these deep filled pizza slices with a thin pastry top aren’t technically a sandwich but they’re a close alternative if you want to try something new.

These guys are the first name in cheese on toast. Not any old cheese on toast, mind. Northern Soul cheese on toast. – or grilled cheese sandwich, natch – reaches the same dizzying melted heights as the French croque monsieur or the Alpine fondue (technically not cheese on toast, but toast in cheese).

Piqniq is bound to be bread and shoulders ahead of other sandwich purveyors – it’s the newest venture from La Chouquette after all. So if the freshest baguettes and artisan filled croissants are your thing, you’d best head to Didsbury pronto. There’s no chance of a late lunch though; this place is often pretty much sold out by 1pm.

After an initial stint tucked away in an archway near Piccadilly, this airy bakery and cafe moved to a spot overlooking New Islington’s marina. Since then Pollen Bakery has bagged Best Food and Drink Retailer at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards, and been listed in the Sunday Times top 20 UK bakeries.

Head to this Welsh-inspired daytime cafe for “gwasanaethau coffi a thoes”, or coffee and pastry services. It’s known primarily as a donut shop but it offers a little more on the sweet treats front, including a number of specials, plus a few baked savoury snacks, including some superb sandwiches.