First, let’s get one thing clear. This is not a list of the cheapest sandwiches in London; who wants to spend their lunch money on a sad little meal deal wrapped in plastic? No, we are sending you off to eat the BEST sandwich in London – because the true Cheapo vibe is all about value, not just price. Affordable luxuries make you feel good about yourself and we are absolutely here for that.
These are sandwiches in the same way that Elon Musk has a bit of spare change, Brad and Beyoncé are easy on the eye and the Lionesses can kick a ball around a bit. I can’t promise they are life-changing, but they are certainly lunch-changing. Go and get stuck in – you deserve it.
Sons & Daughters
A cafe and freshly-made sandwich shop from the team behind top Hackney restaurant Pidgin, situated in swanky Coal Drops Yard at Kings Cross, with grab & go options from a van on nearby Granary Square. Depending on the kind of day you’re having, you can pair them with anythng from soft-serve ice cream to cocktails; there is a terrace to keep you away from your desk for a little longer.
The OG Order: Egg Salad S+Dwich: Burford Brown eggs, miso mayo, truffle crisps & cress on white bloomer
Price: £9.00
Margot’s Pride
There’s certainly a lot of choice at the revamped Arcade Food Hall but for sando action it has to be Margot Henderson (Rochelle Canteen) and son Hector at Margot’s Pride, home of hospitality royalty. The bread is from Flor and the rather more manageable sandwiches here have actual names rather than puns. Meet Stella: chickpea, tomato, cucumber, red onion & feta.
The OG Order: Annabelle: smoked ox tongue, pickled beetroot & horseradish
Price: £10.50
Dusty Knuckle
This Dalston bakery and café also houses a baking school, if you want to try recreating these beauties from absolute scratch at home. Huge, bursting with fresh fillings and just the thing to light up your lunchtime. Their second site in Harringay transforms into a pizza spot in the evening.
The OG Order: Grilled Halloumi & Corn Romesco: served with a lemon/lime dressed coriander, mint & baby gem salad and spring onions
Price: £9.00
Max’s Sandwich Shop
Dearest lovely everyone (as owner Max Halley addresses his many social media fans) please head over immediately, these are truly some of the best sandwiches in London. They also have some of the best names around; how about an Et Tu, Brute? Murdering the Caesar, How Am I Samosa Know or perhaps a Bhaji Smuggler? Max’s mantra is Hot-Cold-Sweet-Sour-Crunchy-Soft; get all of these in one bite and you’ve got the DNA of deliciousness. (Spoiler alert – he nails it every time.)
The OG Order: Ham, Egg ‘n’ Chips: Slow-cooked ham hock, piccalilli, fried egg, shoestring fries, malt vinegar mayo
Price: £11.95
40 Maltby Street
Legendary lunchtime offerings from one of London foodies’ favourite restaurants. Fillings range from expertly-done classic to distinctly upmarket, including the one shown above: fried chicken, bacon and celeriac remoulade. Options change weekly but are always epic. Keep an eye on their Insta feed for updates.
The OG Order: Fish finger & roast tomato or the Confit duck, apricot & watercress
Price: £10.00/£11.00
Dom’s Subs
Not in Soho (despite the name) but a Hackney staple for seriously hefty sandwiches, with another branch appropriately in the shadow of the Gherkin in Bevis Marks. Giant, generously stuffed sub rolls with inspired meaty and vegan choices.
The OG Order: 2 Cold 2 Cuts: Fennel salami, mortadella, roast porchetta, Cotto Arrosto, artichoke spread, pepper relish, vinegar peppers, shredded iceberg
Price: £10.00
Quo Vadis
If you know, you know – and now you do. Quo Vadis chef Jeremy Lee’s smoked eel sandwich has attained iconic status amongst foodies across London and beyond. Balanced with fiery mustard and horseradish cream and a tangle of lightly-pickled, finely-sliced red onion, this is more an elegant treat than a lunchtime blow-out. It is, however, the very definition of affordable indulgence.
The OG Order: Smoked eel sandwich
Price: £12.50
St John Bread & Wine
It’s not a double-hander like most of the sandwiches here. It doesn’t have a fancy name. It’s only available at the Spitalfields branch, St John Bread & Wine, and only from 9am-11am. But if you want a proper rare-breed bacon sarnie to start your day, this is for you.
The OG Order: Bacon sandwich, house-made ketchup
Price: £6.90
Mondo Sando
Slinging outstanding subs out of the White Horse in Peckham Rye and the Grove House Tavern in Camberwell, Mondo Sando also have a strong name game and good vegan options; pictured above is Larb, Actually: soy mince larb with Thai basil, mint, coriander, shallot & chilli, lime dressing, toasted rice powder, black bean mayo, pickled green beans, salad.
The OG Order: The Fauxmoor 2.0: rare roast beef, shoestring fries, peppercorn sauce, sweet peppers, rocket, gravy mayo.
Price: £11.00 – add a dipping pot of jus for £2.00.
Paul Rothe & Son
This old-school deli in Islington has been run by the same family and serving up some of the best sandwiches in London since 1900; picturesquely traditional, it is also an Instagram favourite. Service is equally tip-top with orders freshly-made from an array of choices behind the deli counter. An absolute institution.
The OG Order: Coronation chicken
Price: £6.00 eat in/£5.00 take away
