The humble sandwich – two slices of bread, any filling you’d like – lunch sorted. It’s easy to think of sandwiches as nothing special, but these incredible cafes and restaurants have proved that the sandwich has moved on past the days of plain cheese and tomato or ham and mustard. We’ve rounded up the top 10 best sandwiches in the city, filled with everything under the sun, from roast pork to salt beef, so that you can rediscover just how good a simple sandwich can be – when done right.

Written By Luke Pomaro

Dom’s Subs epitomises the beautiful simplicity of the sandwich. Their menu is short and sweet, with five incredible subs to choose from; we recommend the classic Roast Pork – Italian roast pork with gravy, spinach, provolone and pickled chilli peppers, all in a house baked semolina roll.

The Doms Club is also epic – roast turkey, ham and bacon, with Swiss cheese, tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, guac and mayonnaise. These subs don’t scrimp on portion size, either. A must-try – and make sure to order online in advance.

Find Dom’s Subs at 262 Hackney Road, E2 7SJ

Founded with an aim of training young offenders, The Dusty Knuckle serves some amazing sandwiches that are truly must-try. Their menu boasts some truly inspired creations – the chicken and nduja sandwich, stacked high with chicken thigh, charred sweet corn, red onion and nduja salsa, and herb crème fraiche baby gem salad is undoubtedly worth trying to tackle.

Their charred pea and bean sandwich, stuffed with roasted garlic confit oil, crispy shallots and fennel and dill salad, is also gorgeous.

Find The Dusty Knuckle Bakery at Abbot Street Car Park, Dalston, E8 3DP

Located in Kings Cross each and every sandwich at Sons + Daughters is carefully crafted and perfectly balances flavour and texture: case in point, the ‘Merguez’ – spicy lamb sausage, French fries, pink pickled onions, gremolata, mayo on baguette – salty, spicy, soft, sweet.

The Chicken sandwich also packs a punch – roasted Swaldedale chicken, soy-cured parmesan, pickled cucumber, gem lettuce, miso mayo, green sauce and wasabi cress on white bloomer – awesomely savoury and incredibly delicious. We can see why S+D has so many fans.

Find Sons + Daughters at Unit 119A, Lower Stable Street, Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, N1C 4DQ

The iconic Beigel Bake in Shoreditch, famed for its incredible authentic bagels – with good reason. Whether stuffed with mouth-watering salt beef, mustard and gherkin, or laden with salmon and cream cheese, these sandwiches are truly worth the queues.

Founded in 1974 in iconic Spitalfields, Beigel Bake lives up to its reputation as London’s iconic bagel spot with these delicious sandwiches.

Find Beigel Bake at 159 Brick Ln, E1 6SB

The sandwiches at Larry’s are must-try. Simplicity is respected here – three or four fillings max – and it really pays off. Their lunch menu offers an epic roast pork, anchovy and Dijon focaccia sandwich, as well as an aubergine, tahini and pomegranate option which are both immense and undeniably tasty.

They also offer a brunch menu that sports a truly inspired egg, bacon and pickled peach combination that we seriously recommend.

Find Larry’s at Unit 5, 12-16 Blenheim Grove, SE15 4QL

You can probably guess what Notting Hill’s Secret Sandwich Shop exclusively serves – yep, you guessed it. The menu here is going to wow any sandwich lover – eight superb options, from the humble ham and cheese with lettuce, tomato and Kewpie mayo, to the more adventurous ‘The Hungry Dane’, stuffed with pastrami, ham and salami, Swiss cheese, jalapenos, buffalo sauce, lettuce, tomato and Kewpie.

For us, though, the real showstopper is the ‘7^th Avenue’, generously piled high with Swiss cheese, pastrami, sauerkraut, crispy shallots, pickles, tomato, lettuce, French’s mustard and Kewpie mayo – sharp, crunchy and incredible.

Find The Secret Sandwich Shop at 103 Talbot Road, W11 2AT

If you’re a fan of roast meat sandwiches, Tongue and Brisket should be on your list. Their sandwiches showcase roast beef, turkey, salt beef and more, and at very reasonable prices for London – £5.90 for a regular of £7.50 for a large.

Our favourites include the chicken schnitzel, served on white bread with coleslaw and salad, or the roast beef baguette with horseradish and caramelised onions. The sides are also incredible – chips, gravy, latka – don’t let your sandwich be lonely on the plate.

Find Tongue and Brisket at 22 Leather Lane, EC1 7SU –  199 Wardour Street, W1F 8JP and 22 Leather Lane, EC1N 7SU

For proper American-style sandwiches, Bodega Rita’s is the place to go. Their sandwiches are inventive, adventurous, and – most importantly – very, very tasty. The craftmanship is clear to see in these sandwiches – ‘The Sophia Loren’, filled with aubergine polpetta ‘parmagiana’, marinara, iceberg, fermented chilli vinaigrette, sports peppers and vegan ‘cheese dust’ is simply incredible.

The ‘That’ll Do Pig’ is also pure sandwich artistry – fennel roast pork belly and cracklin’s, ‘high five’ mayo, lemon chilli greens, crispy shallot parmesan pork dust and lemon oil is indulgent, rich and sharp. These are truly top-tier subs.

Find Bodega Rita’s at 91 Cowcross Street EC1M 6BH

Grilled cheeses count as sandwiches, right? If you agree with that statement, and want to try some truly incredible toasties, then head to Morty and Bob’s.

Their grilled cheeses are everything you’d ask of them – rich, molten, hot. Top with mixed onions, roast mushroom and truffle or nduja and roasted red pepper. The place is also really cool – think laid-back dining with super food.

Find Morty & Bob’s at 49 Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ

Dishoom is no stranger to a best-of list – their incredible Indian cuisine is well-known in London and beyond. But their sandwiches are just as incredible as anything on the menu – their famous naan breakfast rolls, filled with cream cheese, chilli tomato jam and fresh herbs, with your choice of streaky bacon, sausage, egg or vegan sausage, are simply superb – and at other times of the day, their Roomali Rolls, made with ‘handkerchief’ bread filled with either paneer or chicken tikka, are simply delicious and a must-try.

Dishoom has multiple locations in London – find them in Kensington, Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Carnaby and Covent Garden