No matter where in Edinburgh you’re based, chances are there’s a big, beautiful treat-yourself sandwich or wrap waiting for you just around the corner. It will elevate your takeaway lunch to a different level. Here’s our guide to the best sandwich shops in Edinburgh.
Alby’s, Leith and Southside
The focaccia sandwiches at Alby’s are doorstoppers laden with some of the most unorthodox fillings around, including cabbage. Expect a regularly changing menu with highlights including beef short rib, pork schnitzel, cauliflower fritters, and Panko prawns. It’s BYOB too, just in case your post-lunch board meeting needs it.
Alby’s @ Portland Street and Buccleuch Street
Black Hoof, Dalry
Perhaps not the chunkiest sandwiches in Edinburgh but the Black Hoof thinly slice their Iberico ham shoulder to order and fill the baguette with it to create a high quality, super authentic jamon bocadillo. If you’re in the Dalry area, it’s a must try for lunch.
Domenicos, Leith
These impressively packed wraps reel in what feels like every office in Leith… so be prepared to wait a while. Thankfully the queue might just buy you enough time to decide what you’d like from a big blackboard of ‘oh that sounds even better than the last’. The Big One is the most popular, it’s full of breaded chicken, bacon, Mexican cheese, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, peppers, jalapeños and nachos. It’s all about that added crunch.
Domenico’s @ 30 Sandport Street
Cafe Gallo, Stockbridge
Domenico’s sister, Cafe Gallo do an equally impressive toasted wrap. You’ll spot the queue down Stockbridge’s main drag and it’s certainly worth joining. The Italian inspired paninis and wraps include The Godfather II filled with n’duja, scamorza, sun-dried tomatoes and mortadella.
Oink, Old Town and city centre
Home of Edinburgh’s mouth-watering hog roast rolls, a trip to Oink is always delightful, especially when they treat you to an extra shard of crackling. Depending on your hunger levels, grab a piglet (80g), an oink (160g) or a grunter (250g) then choose your bread, your stuffing and your sauce.
Oink @ 34 Victoria Street, 82 Canongate and 38 Hanover Street
Scran, city centre
On days when a deli filling won’t cut it, head to Scran for their much raved about best-selling macaroni cheese, crispy chicken and chili jam wrap. Established in 2014, this cafe bistro has become a social media sensation with indulgent shakes and all manners of comfort food. With everything coming with a side of chips, even hollow legs are satiated here.
The Nile Valley Café, Newington
Nestled amongst student land, you really can’t go wrong with a takeaway falafel wrap from this Sudanese restaurant. There’s plenty of middle eastern fillings to choose from – chargrilled aubergine, hummus, feta, sun-dried tomatoes – though you’ll have to get there promptly to beat the long queues of students and lecturers.
The Nile Valley Café @ 6 Chapel Street
Victor Hugo Deli, Meadows, city centre and Leith
Founded in 1955, Victor Hugo is a much-loved and unmistakably French bakery and deli. Swing by for their famous pastrami or turkey on rye, gourmet baguette or ciabatta melt. They do a brilliant macaroni cheese too.
Victor Hugo Deli @ 26-29 Melville Terrace,104 George Street and 38 The Shore
305 Kitchen
The experts of doorstop grilled cheese sandwiches are here in this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cafe on Leith Walk. Teeming with slow cooked house-brined salt beef with pickles, mustard and plenty of cheese, both on the inside and the outside, these thick slices of germagrain bread make possibly the best toasties in the city. Here, dietary requirements are by no means an afterthought with gluten free alternatives, house made seitan and delicious nuggets of fried gochujang tofu. 305 Kitchen@305 Leith Walk
