The Irish, known for their love affair with sandwiches, have turned this culinary delight into a lunchtime staple. While not always the healthiest option, the popularity of sandwiches in Dublin has thrived. Especially in the face of contemporary trends towards veganism and healthier dining. The emerging counter-culture celebrates sandwiches loaded with meat, pickled vegetables, and calorie-rich sauces, marking the glorious resurrection of the humble sandwich. Here. we have curated a list of cafes that offer best sandwiches in Dublin.

(You can also read about 10 “The Best” pizzerias in Dublin.)

1. Green Bench Café: 

Every day at lunchtime, Dubliners flock to the unassuming shop front of Green Bench Café on Montague Street. This place has become one of the city’s most well-known sandwich shops, a well-oiled machine in the rush. And the reason is obvious, it offers one of the best sandwiches in Dublin. With daily specials that prompt patrons to consult their Instagram page, Green Bench Café ensures a delightful experience. Legally obliged to order the Hoi Sin pork with herby stuffing if available, this spot has become a must-visit for Dubliners seeking the pinnacle of sandwich perfection.

Suggested Option: The daily specials, particularly the herb-stuffed Hoi Sin pork

2. The Pepper Pot Café:

Nestled in the Powerscourt Shopping Centre, The Pepper Pot Café beckons those seeking a midweek day off in Dublin and a treat-worthy lunch. Open at weekends as well, this quaint establishment is a dream destination for a leisurely day in Dublin. Famous for its bacon and pear sandwich, The Pepper Pot Café’s baked-in-house bread, including delicious seeded bagels, adds a touch of perfection to their culinary offerings. 

Recommended Choice: The treat 

3. 147 Deli: 

A name synonymous with sandwiches in Dublin, 147 Deli places a particular emphasis on specials, with a tendency for each one to sell out rapidly. The key to their success lies in the quality of ingredients and inventive flavour combinations. That caters to meat lovers and those favouring meatless options. With braised brisket, charred vegetables, and perfectly herby sausage rolls, 147 Deli may come at a premium price of €11 per sambo. But it’s the perfect treat after a rough day at the office. 

Recommended Choice: The unique number 

4. Tír Deli: 

A favoured lunchtime haunt for office workers, Tír Deli focuses on seasonal ingredients, adapting its menu throughout the year. Meaning “land” or “country” in Irish, Tír collaborates closely with farmers and producers. It provides swift and friendly service that leaves patrons feeling full in a healthy, wholesome way. Perfectly seasoned meat cooked over an open flame is paired with expertly fermented sauces and slaws to provide a robust and filling lunch experience. 

Suggested Option: A filling and healthful lunch 

5. Juniors: 

Loved in the lush surrounds of Dublin 4, Juniors is regarded as a pilgrimage for fans of Dublin Sambo. Juniors caters to a variety of palates and is well-known for its skillfully stacked breakfast sambo, which comes with crispy potato rosti and a juicy sausage patty. Juniors creatively reimagines classic dishes, such as coronation chicken, caprese, beef brisket, and the traditional Reuben, to make sure this cosy little restaurant has something for everyone.

Recommended Choice: The revamped classic 

6. Oxmantown: 

Located in the centre of Dublin’s fruit and vegetable market district, Oxmantown’s original café is a sandwich shop with legendary daily specials. Adding freshly baked bread from Firehouse and expertly braised ham hock, Oxmantown elevates classics like ham and cheese and creates best sandwiches with exceptional pickles and relish that cut through the starch. For those seeking a fruit-filled, squidgy brioche pastry accompanied by specialty coffee, Oxmantown’s micro-bakery, Elliots, in Phibsboro, offers a delightful experience. 

Recommended Choice: The unctuous number 

7. Doughboys: 

Situated on Charlotte Way, Doughboys is a crayon-red corner deli that ensures patrons leave with a full, happy belly. Doughboys prepare best sandwiches in Dublin that are consistently excellent. Whether they are their signature meatball parm dripping in melted mozzarella or their traditional breakfast baps. Satisfying substitutes are the avocado, egg, and cheese bap and the veggie parm with chickenless tenders. With sauce-laden sambos that demand a generous supply of napkins, Doughboys promises a memorable dining experience. 

Recommended Choice: The chin greaser

8. Loose Canon: 

For those who enjoy perfectly toasted sandwiches paired with people-watching and skin-contact wine, Canon is the place to be. Boasting a cheese counter that guarantees the best fillings, Loose Canon offers a small yet perfectly formed space with limited seating. On sunny evenings, patrons can be sprawled out on the pavement, savouring their toasties and wine. 

Recommended Choice: A toastie to quaff with a natty wine 

9. Brasserie Sixty6:

Renowned for its Sunday roasts and à la carte dinner selections, Brasserie Sixty6 also has a killer lunch menu with a great selection of sambo dishes. Savour dishes such as the minute steak sandwich with gorgonzola and sweet red onion marmalade, or the smoked salmon on sourdough with herby cream cheese and capers. Ideal for those looking to savour their sambo in a swanky setting, Brasserie Sixty6’s location near the Exchequer Street bus stop provides both convenience and culinary delight. 

Recommended Choice: Sambo in a swanky setting

10. Poulet Bon Femme:

With their free-range bird expertise, Poulet Bon Femme takes rotisserie chicken to new heights across multiple Dublin locations. Known for its Christmas sambo with all the fixings, this restaurant serves a variety of hearty, traditional sandwiches all year round. Mouthwatering dishes like honey roast ham served with leafy greens and dijon, roast pork with cracklings, and herbaceous basil chicken wraps are all made in-house at Poulet Bon Femme. Without any doubt, our personal favourite and one of ‘the’ best best sandwiches in Dublin.

Recommended Choice: The va va voom sambo 

11. Meltdown: 

Delights Meltdown has become a lunchtime favourite, captivating Dubliners with aesthetically delightful Instagram posts showcasing sambos with perfectly melted cheese. Meltdown’s sandwiches, like the Mac Mama, which combines crispy bacon and homemade mac & cheese, have a delicious blend of flavours that go well beyond their attractive appearance. With options for vegetarians and vegans and gluten-free bread, Meltdown ensures that all the patrons get best sandwiches. 

Recommended Choice: The Melted powerhouse

12. Deli 613: 

Amidst the buzz surrounding Dublin’s newest deli, Deli 613 proudly stands as the city’s only utterly Kosher establishment. The star of their menu is the salt beef on rye or bagel, boasting lovingly house-cured meat and classic New York-style bagels. The option to purchase these delights for home consumption has proven wildly successful, with potato latkes providing a delectable complement. 

Recommended Choice: A slice of NY 

13. Greenville Deli: 

A Toasted Joy Spread Far and Wide Earning its reputation by supplying some of the best cafés and lunch spots in Dublin, Greenville Deli has become a staple in locations like Inchicore, Rathmines, and Monkstown. Famed for their impeccably toasted sambos, Greenville’s sandwiches are served with specially paired sauces, using Bread 41 and top-notch Irish suppliers. Their commitment to supporting local businesses adds more authenticity to their offerings. 

Recommended Choice: The solid sambo 

14. Griolladh: 

A shining example of superior toastie craftsmanship in Dublin, Griolladh’s journey began in food trucks across the city and beyond.Their bright yellow signage invites customers to enjoy their expertly pressed toasties, salad bowls, and homemade sausage rolls in both vegan and non-vegan varieties. They have now established multiple brick-and-mortar stores. Standouts include the potato o-o sambo and the gravy mayo dip, showcasing a perfect marriage of flavours. 

Recommended Choice: The melted cheese

15. The Pig and Heifer:

Situated on Pearse Street, The Pig and Heifer has been a cornerstone of Dublin’s culinary landscape for almost three decades. Embracing the mission of creating an authentic New York-style deli experience, this establishment has perfected sambos that even Joey Tribbiani would vouch for. From pastrami melts to melt meatball baps and the classic Reuben, the menu is a testament to their commitment to the meaty art of sandwich crafting. The unchanged interiors, featuring a chalkboard menu and neatly stacked bagels, transport patrons to an East Village bodega rather than a street corner in Dublin.

Recommended Choice: The absolute classic

We know that it is a tough call to decide only one from the above list, but still we’d like to know which place is your favourite for the best sandwiches in Dublin.