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Two cut halves of a chicken parm sandwich.
Chicken parm from Bossa.
Bossa/Facebook

The 25 Essential Montreal Sandwiches

So many contenders

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Chicken parm from Bossa.
| Bossa/Facebook

Two questions that are liable to get you in trouble: 1. What constitutes a sandwich, exactly? 2. What is the best sandwich in Montreal?

Well, bring on the trouble because here’s that latest iteration of Eater Montreal’s sandwich board. It is a formidable map, with everything from banh mi to grilled cheese, and no less than 25 items on the menu. Note that burgers, hot dogs, and wrap-like creations were all excluded, though find some of that covered here, here, and here.

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Breakfast Sandwich at Hélico

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It has fennel sausage, a fried egg, and cheddar, but the barbecue sauce slathered inside really drives this one home. The porchetta sandwich is also quite good — for those there past brunch.

egg sandwich
Breakfast sandwich from Helico.
Hélico/Facebook

Chicken Parm Sandwich at Bossa (multiple locations)

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They refer to themselves as a ‘sandwicheria’, so it’s clear that sandwiches are what it’s about. And while the long list of hot and cold options are all pretty noteworthy, coming in at the top of the list is the chicken parm sandwich, which is a traditional cutlet layered with mozzarella, parmesan, olive oil, and hot pepper between rustic ciabatta.  A close second is the Diavolo, which includes layers of salami, calabrese, fontina, and provolone topped with lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, marinated red onions, pickled veggies, and aioli. 

Famous Chicken Cutlet Sandwich at Café Gentile (multiple locations)

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This decades-old Italian haunt in the Garment District up on Chabanel recently opened a shinier location in Westmount, making its sandwiches an undisputed highlight in both parts of town. The Famous Chicken Cutlet — served with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and bomba (spicy Calabrian pepper spread) — basically speaks for itself. 

Banh Mi at Hung Phat

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Located just steps from Marché Jean-Talon, Hung Phat remains the undisputed king of banh mi (a traditional Vietnamese sandwich on a baguette filled with various meat options and pickled vegetables) in Montreal. Order one with marinated beef, mayo, pickled carrots, daikon, and lemongrass, or fall back on the Vietnamese-style pâté for a more traditional approach. While there, might as well pick up some banh bao (filled steamed bun), too.

Grilled Halloumi Sandwich at Dépanneur Le Pickup

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Rarely can one find a grilled cheese sandwich of this magnitude, but the grilled halloumi sandwich at Le Pick Up is a marvel. Served with mint slaw, honey, and harissa mayo, it arguably outshines the (also very good) pulled pork option that made a name for this lunch counter.

Le P’tit Talbot at Ma Poule Mouillée

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Many flock to Ma Poule Mouillée for its Portuguese take on a Québécois classic: the poutine. However, its traditional chicken sandwich, called Le P’tit Talbot, featuring charcoal-roasted chicken with piri piri sauce on papo seco bread — nothing more — is also among the best in the city.

Porchetta Sandwich at larrys+

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The beloved porchetta sandwich once served out of Boucherie Lawrence is now offered a few doors down at Larrys+ (formerly Lawrence). But the homemade sourdough bun and meaty mound of porchetta filling hasn’t changed. The breakfast sandwich is a fan favourite, too.

Special Sandwich at Wilensky's Light Lunch

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All-beef salami, all-beef bologna, mustard, on a roll, pressed flat: it’s what this corner lunch counter has been serving since 1932. Top off the meal with a cherry-pineapple soda or egg cream for the full experience.

Roasted Chicken Parmesan at Nili Montreal

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The roasted chicken parmesan sandwich at this Plateau newcomer open since July 2022 (sister restaurant to Banh Mi Banh Yiu) is one to remember. With roasted tomatoes and chipotle mayonnaise all on a fresh baguette, it’s full of flavour and texture. 

Chopped Liver Sandwich at Hof Kelsten

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The chopped liver sandwich is one of several stellar options at Jeffrey Finkelstein’s Mile End bakery. The bread hits all the right textures and flavours, while the saltiness of the liver is offset by a healthy dose of sweet and tangy cabbage — a complex masterpiece.

Croque Monsieur at L’Express

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Traditional French bistro fare in a chic setting is what it’s about at this Plateau establishment, so of course, this is the place to order a Croque Monsieur. Buttery and toasted to golden brown with gooey cheese, thinly sliced ham, and served alongside quintessential French frites (offered with mayonnaise, not ketchup), it’s simply magnifique. 

Beautys Bonjour at Beautys Luncheonette

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A tourist destination and a local hangout, Beautys remains a steadfast favourite. When it comes to sandwiches the Beautys Bonjour with its fried egg, bacon, and cheddar cheese served on a sesame seed bagel is a masterclass in simple excellence. 

Le Big Nan at Capitaine Sandwich

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This veritable hole-in-the-wall on Duluth is rather inconspicuous, with a neon sign as the primary marker of the tiny storefront. While the halloumi or meatball sandwiches are strong contenders, the crown belongs to Le Big Nan: folded and grilled naan filled with beef, pork, cheese, “Big Nan sauce,” lettuce, and pickles that conjure up a wonderfully Indian version of the famous fast food burger with a similar name.

A sandwich made on naan
Le Big Nan
Capitaine Sandwich/

The Smoked Meat Sandwich at Schwartz's

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The quintessential Montreal sandwich. Period. For those unfamiliar, it’s thick slabs of Montreal smoked meat (cured and smoked beef brisket) on rye with yellow mustard. Sounds simple, but the ‘round the block lines assure, it’s anything but. 

A Schwartz smoked meat sandwich.
The iconic Schwartz’s sandwich.
Schwartz’s Deli/Facebook

Jamón Serrano Sandwich at Libreria Española

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Libreria Española is no-nonsense about its flagship sandwich, which is nothing more than Serrano ham on an olive oil-brushed baguette. They make it look easy. You can throw in some additional flavours by adding Ibérico or Spanish cheese, even lettuce and tomato, but there’s no problem with just sticking to the classic.

Cuban Sandwich at Olive & Gourmando

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After all these years, the lines are still long and Olive & Gourmando’s Cubano continues to earn praise from locals and tourists. It’s hard to beat the undeniably flavourful combination of ham, braised pork, Gruyère, chipotle mayo, and pickles pressed between fresh bread. Tip: if you’re taking it to go, grab plenty of napkins before hitting the streets.

Cup of soup next to a pressed sandwich.
Cuban sandwich with soup.
Olive & Gourmando

Spicy Grilled Chicken at Joes Panini

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While no one can figure out how the prices haven’t changed in almost a decade (average price is $8), nobody is complaining. Joe’s Panini, open 24 hours, remains a go-to option for students, Habs fans looking for a pre-game snack or party-goers on the hunt for a late-night fix-me-up. The spicy grilled chicken is the star of the show (even if it’s not much to look at) — but with more than 20 panini to choose from, you really can’t go wrong.

Jambon Beurre at La Bête à Pain

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Quite possibly the most classically French sandwich on the list, this baguette is smothered in Dijon and stacked high with ham, aged comté and plenty of gherkins. The fresh bread, baked on site, gives this sandwich the clear upper hand compared to others in this rapidly-changing part of town. (Note that the sandwich isn’t on the regular menu at La Bête à Pain in Ahuntsic.)

Club Roll at Snowdon Deli

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For over 75 years this simple deli has been delighting Montrealers with its extensive menu of breakfast staples, Jewish favorites (like matzo ball soup and chopped liver), and sandwiches. While many may argue that the straightforward tuna sandwich is the best, the showstopper has to be the club roll–a variety of deli meats grilled on a hamburger bun and served with a pickle. 

Breakfast Sandwich at September Surf Cafe

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It sounds basic —egg, lettuce, tomato, and cheese on a brioche bun —but when the egg is fried to perfection, the cheese melted just enough, and the tomato and lettuce are fresh and crisp, it’s anything but basic. To really level up, order the deluxe with ham, pickles, and mustard. 

Satay Sandwich at Satay Brothers

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Montreal’s favourite Southeast Asian bros are responsible for putting Singaporean street food on the Montreal map, and with a full-time restaurant and a market stall set up at the Atwater Market half the year, there’s no sign of this love affair dying out anytime soon. While the pork belly steamed buns arguably made them famous, the satay sandwich — always on rotation — is a peanutty delight.

A sandwich on a fancy plate.
Sandwich from Satay Brothers.
Satay Brothers/Facebook

The Italian Sausage Sandwich at Clarke Café

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This longtime Mile End counter recently had a rebirth of sorts in Pointe-St-Charles, adding some Italian flavour to a once predominantly Irish, working-class neighbourhood. There are plenty of cold-cut options, including prosciutto cotto, Genoa salami, mortadella, and capicollo, but the Italian sausage and Porchetta sandwiches are the real highlights.

McArthur at Arthurs

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Breaded chicken, iceberg lettuce, and pickles shouldn’t be this satisfying, and yet here we are. The schnitzel sandwich, formally known as the McArthur, has become a staple of the restaurant and is large enough to share. The challah bread and spicy mayo help to round out the sandwich nicely — and the schnitzel has the Rachael Ray stamp of approval.

A fried chicken sandwich.
The McArthur at Arthurs.
Arthurs/Facebook

Meatball Sandwich at Campanelli

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The best meatball sandwich in the city combines a San Pietro ciabatta with San Marzano sauce, provolone, and delicately seasoned and sauce-poached veal polpette.

Sausage Sub at Momesso

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Open since 1978, the family-run caffé-sportivo amidst the strip mall vibes of Upper Lachine serves a sausage sub that makes the trek well worth it. So come hungry and enjoy it with a Brio.

Breakfast Sandwich at Hélico

It has fennel sausage, a fried egg, and cheddar, but the barbecue sauce slathered inside really drives this one home. The porchetta sandwich is also quite good — for those there past brunch.

egg sandwich
Breakfast sandwich from Helico.
Hélico/Facebook

Chicken Parm Sandwich at Bossa (multiple locations)

They refer to themselves as a ‘sandwicheria’, so it’s clear that sandwiches are what it’s about. And while the long list of hot and cold options are all pretty noteworthy, coming in at the top of the list is the chicken parm sandwich, which is a traditional cutlet layered with mozzarella, parmesan, olive oil, and hot pepper between rustic ciabatta.  A close second is the Diavolo, which includes layers of salami, calabrese, fontina, and provolone topped with lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, marinated red onions, pickled veggies, and aioli. 

Famous Chicken Cutlet Sandwich at Café Gentile (multiple locations)

This decades-old Italian haunt in the Garment District up on Chabanel recently opened a shinier location in Westmount, making its sandwiches an undisputed highlight in both parts of town. The Famous Chicken Cutlet — served with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and bomba (spicy Calabrian pepper spread) — basically speaks for itself. 

Banh Mi at Hung Phat

Located just steps from Marché Jean-Talon, Hung Phat remains the undisputed king of banh mi (a traditional Vietnamese sandwich on a baguette filled with various meat options and pickled vegetables) in Montreal. Order one with marinated beef, mayo, pickled carrots, daikon, and lemongrass, or fall back on the Vietnamese-style pâté for a more traditional approach. While there, might as well pick up some banh bao (filled steamed bun), too.

Grilled Halloumi Sandwich at Dépanneur Le Pickup

Rarely can one find a grilled cheese sandwich of this magnitude, but the grilled halloumi sandwich at Le Pick Up is a marvel. Served with mint slaw, honey, and harissa mayo, it arguably outshines the (also very good) pulled pork option that made a name for this lunch counter.

Le P’tit Talbot at Ma Poule Mouillée

Many flock to Ma Poule Mouillée for its Portuguese take on a Québécois classic: the poutine. However, its traditional chicken sandwich, called Le P’tit Talbot, featuring charcoal-roasted chicken with piri piri sauce on papo seco bread — nothing more — is also among the best in the city.

Porchetta Sandwich at larrys+

The beloved porchetta sandwich once served out of Boucherie Lawrence is now offered a few doors down at Larrys+ (formerly Lawrence). But the homemade sourdough bun and meaty mound of porchetta filling hasn’t changed. The breakfast sandwich is a fan favourite, too.

Special Sandwich at Wilensky's Light Lunch

All-beef salami, all-beef bologna, mustard, on a roll, pressed flat: it’s what this corner lunch counter has been serving since 1932. Top off the meal with a cherry-pineapple soda or egg cream for the full experience.

Roasted Chicken Parmesan at Nili Montreal

The roasted chicken parmesan sandwich at this Plateau newcomer open since July 2022 (sister restaurant to Banh Mi Banh Yiu) is one to remember. With roasted tomatoes and chipotle mayonnaise all on a fresh baguette, it’s full of flavour and texture. 

Chopped Liver Sandwich at Hof Kelsten

The chopped liver sandwich is one of several stellar options at Jeffrey Finkelstein’s Mile End bakery. The bread hits all the right textures and flavours, while the saltiness of the liver is offset by a healthy dose of sweet and tangy cabbage — a complex masterpiece.

Croque Monsieur at L’Express

Traditional French bistro fare in a chic setting is what it’s about at this Plateau establishment, so of course, this is the place to order a Croque Monsieur. Buttery and toasted to golden brown with gooey cheese, thinly sliced ham, and served alongside quintessential French frites (offered with mayonnaise, not ketchup), it’s simply magnifique. 

Beautys Bonjour at Beautys Luncheonette

A tourist destination and a local hangout, Beautys remains a steadfast favourite. When it comes to sandwiches the Beautys Bonjour with its fried egg, bacon, and cheddar cheese served on a sesame seed bagel is a masterclass in simple excellence. 

Le Big Nan at Capitaine Sandwich

This veritable hole-in-the-wall on Duluth is rather inconspicuous, with a neon sign as the primary marker of the tiny storefront. While the halloumi or meatball sandwiches are strong contenders, the crown belongs to Le Big Nan: folded and grilled naan filled with beef, pork, cheese, “Big Nan sauce,” lettuce, and pickles that conjure up a wonderfully Indian version of the famous fast food burger with a similar name.

A sandwich made on naan
Le Big Nan
Capitaine Sandwich/

The Smoked Meat Sandwich at Schwartz's

The quintessential Montreal sandwich. Period. For those unfamiliar, it’s thick slabs of Montreal smoked meat (cured and smoked beef brisket) on rye with yellow mustard. Sounds simple, but the ‘round the block lines assure, it’s anything but. 

A Schwartz smoked meat sandwich.
The iconic Schwartz’s sandwich.
Schwartz’s Deli/Facebook

Jamón Serrano Sandwich at Libreria Española

Libreria Española is no-nonsense about its flagship sandwich, which is nothing more than Serrano ham on an olive oil-brushed baguette. They make it look easy. You can throw in some additional flavours by adding Ibérico or Spanish cheese, even lettuce and tomato, but there’s no problem with just sticking to the classic.

Cuban Sandwich at Olive & Gourmando

After all these years, the lines are still long and Olive & Gourmando’s Cubano continues to earn praise from locals and tourists. It’s hard to beat the undeniably flavourful combination of ham, braised pork, Gruyère, chipotle mayo, and pickles pressed between fresh bread. Tip: if you’re taking it to go, grab plenty of napkins before hitting the streets.

Cup of soup next to a pressed sandwich.
Cuban sandwich with soup.
Olive & Gourmando

Spicy Grilled Chicken at Joes Panini

While no one can figure out how the prices haven’t changed in almost a decade (average price is $8), nobody is complaining. Joe’s Panini, open 24 hours, remains a go-to option for students, Habs fans looking for a pre-game snack or party-goers on the hunt for a late-night fix-me-up. The spicy grilled chicken is the star of the show (even if it’s not much to look at) — but with more than 20 panini to choose from, you really can’t go wrong.

Jambon Beurre at La Bête à Pain

Quite possibly the most classically French sandwich on the list, this baguette is smothered in Dijon and stacked high with ham, aged comté and plenty of gherkins. The fresh bread, baked on site, gives this sandwich the clear upper hand compared to others in this rapidly-changing part of town. (Note that the sandwich isn’t on the regular menu at La Bête à Pain in Ahuntsic.)

Club Roll at Snowdon Deli

For over 75 years this simple deli has been delighting Montrealers with its extensive menu of breakfast staples, Jewish favorites (like matzo ball soup and chopped liver), and sandwiches. While many may argue that the straightforward tuna sandwich is the best, the showstopper has to be the club roll–a variety of deli meats grilled on a hamburger bun and served with a pickle. 

Breakfast Sandwich at September Surf Cafe

It sounds basic —egg, lettuce, tomato, and cheese on a brioche bun —but when the egg is fried to perfection, the cheese melted just enough, and the tomato and lettuce are fresh and crisp, it’s anything but basic. To really level up, order the deluxe with ham, pickles, and mustard. 

Satay Sandwich at Satay Brothers

Montreal’s favourite Southeast Asian bros are responsible for putting Singaporean street food on the Montreal map, and with a full-time restaurant and a market stall set up at the Atwater Market half the year, there’s no sign of this love affair dying out anytime soon. While the pork belly steamed buns arguably made them famous, the satay sandwich — always on rotation — is a peanutty delight.

A sandwich on a fancy plate.
Sandwich from Satay Brothers.
Satay Brothers/Facebook

The Italian Sausage Sandwich at Clarke Café

This longtime Mile End counter recently had a rebirth of sorts in Pointe-St-Charles, adding some Italian flavour to a once predominantly Irish, working-class neighbourhood. There are plenty of cold-cut options, including prosciutto cotto, Genoa salami, mortadella, and capicollo, but the Italian sausage and Porchetta sandwiches are the real highlights.

McArthur at Arthurs

Breaded chicken, iceberg lettuce, and pickles shouldn’t be this satisfying, and yet here we are. The schnitzel sandwich, formally known as the McArthur, has become a staple of the restaurant and is large enough to share. The challah bread and spicy mayo help to round out the sandwich nicely — and the schnitzel has the Rachael Ray stamp of approval.

A fried chicken sandwich.
The McArthur at Arthurs.
Arthurs/Facebook

Meatball Sandwich at Campanelli

The best meatball sandwich in the city combines a San Pietro ciabatta with San Marzano sauce, provolone, and delicately seasoned and sauce-poached veal polpette.

Sausage Sub at Momesso

Open since 1978, the family-run caffé-sportivo amidst the strip mall vibes of Upper Lachine serves a sausage sub that makes the trek well worth it. So come hungry and enjoy it with a Brio.