New York City is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, and perhaps no food captures this eclectic spirit quite like the humble sandwich. From classic bagel and lox breakfasts to Italian heroes bursting with cured meats, sandwiches have a special place in the city’s culinary heart.
Beyond mere sustenance, sandwiches are a reflection of New York’s diverse neighbourhoods, iconic delis, bustling bodegas, and innovative eateries that reimagine what a sandwich can be.
Route Tour & Tips
Today, we invite you on a sandwich tour across Manhattan, hitting a dozen locations to sample a carefully curated selection of NYC’s finest sandwiches. This guide is organised to take you from a hearty breakfast in the East Village to savoury bites in Midtown, capping off the night at a West Village institution.
We’ve mapped out this day-long journey to make it feasible to explore and enjoy each stop, weaving through neighbourhoods that reveal different facets of New York’s character with each bite. Here’s your ticket to a day of NYC sandwiches you’ll remember—and crave—long after your tour is over.
Starting in the Flatiron District, this tour follows a circular route across lower Manhattan, before culminating in flashy Midtown for dinner. Along the way, you’ll not only sample the city’s best sandwiches but also explore neighbourhoods that each bring a unique flavour to New York. With this itinerary, you’ll experience the city in all its vibrant, multicultural, and delicious glory.
1 – Daily Provisions – The Lumberjack
103 East 19th Street (Irving Place)
Begin your day at Daily Provisions in Gramercy, where the Lumberjack sandwich redefines breakfast. Here, a savoury maple-glazed cruller serves as the bun for a bacon, egg, and cheese combo that’s both sweet and savoury. The house-made peppered bacon and runny egg blend with the maple glaze to create a sweet-savoury harmony that’s rich yet balanced. This is no ordinary breakfast—it’s a true New York invention, blending pastry with the classic BEC for a unique morning bite.
2 – C&B – Chorizo Egg Sandwich
178 East Seventh Street (Avenue B)
Next, walk to the East Village to C&B, a small but mighty cafe known for elevating breakfast staples. Their chorizo egg sandwich combines spicy, rich chorizo with pillowy scrambled eggs on a freshly baked house roll. The roll, soft enough to absorb the chorizo’s flavourful oils without getting soggy, is a perfect canvas for this breakfast masterpiece. As you wait for your order, you’ll notice C&B’s clientele—a mix of locals and early risers savouring this essential New York morning ritual.
3 – Superiority Burger – Collard Greens Sandwich on Focaccia
119 Avenue A (East Seventh Street)
Move along to Superiority Burger, a vegetarian haven in the East Village, their collard greens sandwich is beloved even by die-hard meat lovers. Rich, slow-cooked collard greens are paired with melted Cooper sharp cheese, stuffed between slices of sesame focaccia that’s become a cult favourite. The greens’ umami depth, together with the sharpness of the cheese, creates a sandwich that’s comforting, hearty, and 100% meat-free.
4 – Katz’s Delicatessen – Pastrami on Rye
205 East Houston Street (Ludlow Street)
A sandwich tour of New York wouldn’t be complete without Katz’s famous pastrami on rye. Each hand-carved slice of peppery, succulent pastrami is piled high on rye bread, transforming a simple sandwich into a monumental experience. Known for its ceremony—tickets, counter service, and the iconic pepper-crusted preview slice—eating at Katz’s is an essential New York experience that blends flavour and tradition.
5 – Spring Cafe – Vegan BBQ Pork Bao Bun
153 Centre Street (Canal Street)
For a plant-based twist, head to Spring Cafe, where their vegan BBQ pork bao bun proves that a meat-free sandwich can still pack a punch. Deep-fried seitan, caramelised and served with cucumbers, crisp lettuce, and a house-made BBQ sauce, is tucked inside a soft bao bun. Light yet packed with flavour, this is a great midday treat for veggie lovers and carnivores alike, with an Asian-inspired twist that’s uniquely satisfying.
6 – Houseman – French Onion Sandwich
508 Greenwich Street (Spring Street)
This next-level grilled cheese combines the flavours of French onion soup with gooey raclette cheese, caramelised onions, and buttery brioche. Inspired by the classic soup, the sandwich is seasoned with grainy mustard and maple syrup for a sweet-savoury complexity. Crisped in Parmesan-coated brioche, it’s a perfect blend of textures, making it a comforting and sophisticated option for a leisurely lunch.
7 – Faicco’s Italian Specialties – The Italian Hero
260 Bleecker Street (Leroy Street)
Make your way to the West Village for a true New York Italian hero. At Faicco’s Italian Specialties, the Italian hero is a towering sandwich filled with layers of freshly sliced prosciutto, capicola, soppressata, and creamy house-made mozzarella. Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, olive oil, and vinegar round out this classic Italian-American staple. Every bite is an homage to New York’s Italian heritage, a true hero sandwich in both size and flavour.
8 – Murray’s Cheese Bar – Grilled Cheese Deluxe
264 Bleecker Street (Jones Street)
Conclude your tour with the Grilled Cheese Deluxe at Murray’s Cheese Bar. This is no ordinary grilled cheese—the combination of fontina, cheddar, and gruyere with caramelised onions on thick, buttery sourdough bread takes this comfort classic to new heights. Served with a side of tomato soup, it’s the perfect ending to a day of sampling Manhattan’s best.
9 – The Old Town Bar and Restaurant – The Governor’s Choice
45 East 18th Street (Park Avenue South)
Located in a historic building with old-school charm, Old Town Bar is known for The Governor’s Choice, a delightful, hearty mushroom and melted Muenster sandwich on pumpernickel. Inspired by former Governor George Pataki, this sandwich is a tribute to earthy flavours, with Muenster melting to perfection over sautéed mushrooms for a comforting yet elevated bite that feels like a warm hug in sandwich form.
10 – Grand Central Oyster Bar – Caviar Sandwich
89 East 42nd Street (Park Avenue)
For a touch of opulence, head to Grand Central Oyster Bar, where their caviar sandwich elevates simple white toast to a luxury experience. This unique sandwich features a schmear of sustainable domestic caviar, accented by finely chopped hard-boiled eggs. It’s served with a cucumber-onion salad that provides a fresh crunch to balance the richness of the caviar. Paired with a glass of Champagne, it’s a glamorous break in your day and a salute to the timeless New York tradition of indulgent dining.
End your NYC sandwich safari with a delicious understanding of the city’s culinary diversity, where each bite tells a story of New York’s rich history, culture, and innovation. From the classic pastrami on rye at Katz’s to the indulgent caviar sandwich at Grand Central Oyster Bar, this tour celebrates iconic flavours across neighbourhoods that bring New York’s vibrant food scene to life.
Ready to explore NYC’s food innovations firsthand? Contact us to book your personalised food innovation travel experience and discover the city’s culinary magic in every bite!
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