New York City, a veritable melting pot of cultures and culinary traditions, is renowned for its diverse array of gastronomical delights. Amongst the dazzling spectrum of food options, sandwiches serve as a timeless staple—expressions of comfort that transcend mere sustenance. Below is a carefully curated selection of ten of the best sandwich shops nestled within various neighborhoods of this iconic city. Each offers a unique flair, a narrative woven from its surroundings, and flavors that encapsulate the soul of the city.
1. Katz’s Delicatessen
Address: 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Contact: (212) 254-2246
Website: katzsdelicatessen.com
In a city that never sleeps, Katz’s Delicatessen stands as a postcard from the past, a nostalgic haven where the pastrami sandwiches are more than just food—they are a rite of passage. The moment you step inside, you are engulfed by the intoxicating aroma of cured meats and the cacophony of laughter and chatter. Here, the iconic pastrami on rye is carved with precision, evoking a symphony of flavors with each bite, making it an essential pilgrim site for sandwich aficionados.
2. Lioni’s Italian Heroes
Address: 127 1st Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Contact: (718) 768-2735
Website: lionisitalianheroes.com
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Lioni’s Italian Heroes channels the vibrant spirit of Southern Italy. The sandwiches here are more than mere sustenance; they are crafted like an artist’s canvas—each layer a brushstroke of flavor. The Italian hero, layered with delectable cured meats, cheeses, and fresh veggies, transports patrons to sun-drenched olive groves with every bite. This establishment is a testament to the idea that sandwiches can be poetry between two slices of bread.
3. Num Pang Sandwich Shop
Address: 117 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10065
Contact: (212) 529-6559
Website: numpang.com
At Num Pang, you’ll find a celebration of Cambodian flavors wrapped within the comforting embrace of each sandwich. Here, the sweet and savory blends find harmony, as seen in their signature five-spice pork. The fusion of cultures is a masterclass on a plate, inviting culinary explorers to embark on a tantalizing adventure. With every bite, expect an eruption of flavors, deftly symbolizing the cultural mosaic that defines New York City.
4. Ben’s Best Kosher Delicatessen
Address: 96-40 Queens Blvd, Rego Park, NY 11374
Contact: (718) 263-6000
Website: bensbest.com
Ben’s Best is a bastion of traditional Jewish deli fare, where the reverberating laughter of diners fills the air, and the tantalizing smell of freshly baked rye bread beckons you closer. The corned beef sandwich is a local legend, a harmonization of tender meat and fresh bread echoing through generations. Every visit is like stepping into a time capsule; this deli preserves culinary heritage with pride.
5. Faicco’s Italian Specialties
Address: 260 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Contact: (212) 691-2096
Website: faiccos.com
Situated in Greenwich Village, Faicco’s Italian Specialties presents the quintessential Italian sandwich experience. With layers of homemade meats and artisanal cheeses, each sandwich tells a story of craftsmanship and passion. The porchetta sandwich at Faicco’s embodies a culinary journey, where the crisp skin gives way to succulent meat, offering an irresistible ode to the Italian culinary tradition.
6. The Meatball Shop
Address: 84 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002
Contact: (646) 486-6342
Website: themeatballshop.com
Perched in the Lower East Side, The Meatball Shop transforms the humble meatball into an artisanal sandwich delight. The choices here are as diverse as New York’s populace, from classic beef to inventive seasonal varieties. When nestled within a soft hero roll and complemented by marinara, it becomes an unmistakable metaphor for comfort, bridging different cultures with satisfying flavors in each mouthful.
7. Murray’s Cheese
Address: 264 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Contact: (212) 243-3289
Website: murrayscheese.com
Murray’s Cheese is not just a cheese shop; it’s a sanctuary for the palate. This is a place where cheese is king, and the sandwiches are fragrant palaces built with high-quality dairy and artisanal bread. The grilled cheese sandwich here elevates the common fare into gourmet delight, showcasing how simplicity can sometimes invite complexity, giving patrons a delightful surprise at every crusty edge.
8. Righteous BBQ
Address: 13-07 40th Ave, Queens, NY 11101
Contact: (718) 784-4227
Website: righteousbbq.com
Located in Astoria, Righteous BBQ flips the script on traditional sandwiches by infusing barbecue’s smoky depths into each bite. The brisket sandwich is a testament to this culinary alchemy, where every mouthful blankets you in a wave of rich, smoky flavor. Here, biblically good BBQ reign supreme, and each sandwich offers a comforting embrace, hinting at summer memories and backyard gatherings.
9. Sweet Chick
Address: 178 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
Contact: (212) 228-3088
Website: sweetchick.com
Sweet Chick marries the traditional chicken-and-waffle concept with a sandwich that offers nostalgia and modernity. The fried chicken sandwich encapsulates Southern comforts while retaining a unique flair that speaks to the modern food landscape of New York City. Each bite is an indulgent reminder that in New York, culinary boundaries are perpetually blurred.
10. Fette Sau
Address: 354 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Contact: (718) 963-3433
Website: fettesaubk.com
A BBQ haven located in Williamsburg, Fette Sau has become renowned for its smoked meats and sandwich offerings, with the pork shoulder sandwich emerging as a standout. An intertwined tapestry of texture and flavor, it captures the essence of the restaurant’s ethos—delivering authentic, heartfelt barbeque that feels familial. Fette Sau defies the ordinary sandwich, inviting patrons to enjoy food as an experience rather than mere sustenance.
Each of these remarkable sandwich shops has carved a niche within the bustling expanse of New York City, collectively forming a tapestry of flavors that represents an array of cultures and traditions. As you traverse these culinary gems, remember that each sandwich is a narrative, an invitation to savor the heritage, craftsmanship, and creativity that defines New York’s vibrant food scene.
