Considering I used to be a hungry downtown worker, I’ve been preparing myself to find the best sandwiches in Seattle for more than a decade without even knowing it. Sandwiches are the quintessential lunch food and I was always hankering for one come about noon during the busy work day.
You can get a sandwich at a lot of places. But a great one? That can take some digging. To help you on your quest for Seattle’s best sandwiches, let me lay out all my favorites for you.
Best Sandwiches in Seattle
Here’s where to get a damn good sandwich in Seattle, loosely in order of my favorites. I’ll add more to this list as I discover them, so save this to Pinterest for later!
Valhalla Sandwiches
website | 8202 Greenwood Ave N (Greenwood) | best for: a side of tots
Valhalla Sandwiches is a fairly new discovery on my quest to find the best sandwich in Seattle. Their sandwiches have punny names like Fidel Cashflow and Big Ta-huna, and all of them have interesting flavor combos.
What to get: I’ve tried a few of their sandwiches now and haven’t found one I don’t like, but my go-to order is the Thanksgetting. It comes with sliced turkey, stuffing, turkey gravy, bacon, cranberry sauce, and rosemary aioli on a roll. Unlike my Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches, it’s not as messy as you’d think. The flavors are so, so good, particularly the stuffing that I’d be proud to serve at my table.
But my secret favorite thing at Valhalla? The homemade sweet potato tots. They are a revelation with their pillowy consistency and real sweet potato taste. It’s like a sweet potato fry, but better. Get them with an extra side of their addictive rosemary aioli.
Tres’ House of Cheesesteaks
website | 1447 NW 65th St (Ballard – food cart) & inside The Lamplighter (Greenwood) | best for: Philly-style cheesesteaks
My life is better because Tres’ is in it. A few years ago I heard about a food truck serving authentic Philly cheesesteaks that people were saying was one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Seattle, so I had to put it to the test. As someone who traveled regularly to Philly when living in Jersey, getting caught up in the cheesesteak wars and debating who had the best was serious business. Could it be true that a Philadelphia native was able to recreate them on the west coast?
The answer is yes. Tres serves hands down the best cheesesteak in Seattle. I love how they thinly slices rib eye and mix it with gooey cheese so it’s in every bite. A lot of cheesesteak places here just put it on top, but then you have dry meat on the bottom half of your sandwich.
What to get: The Original is a must to really understand how good owner Tremaine Battle is at creating an authentic Philly cheesesteak. It’s served with grilled onion, red pepper, mayo, and white American cheese. It’s mind boggling how he’s able to make the cheese gooey in consistency like true whiz should be, yet not taste like chemicals.
Layers Sandwich Co.
website | 7900 E Green Lake Dr N (Green Lake) | best for: banana bread dessert
Layer’s sandwich started as a food truck on the Ballard breweries circuit. However, their excellent sandwiches became so popular they opened a brick and mortar.
The owners hail from Santa Barbara, California where they grew to love local ingredients. When they moved to Seattle they said they’d start a sandwich business and, lucky for us, they followed through.
What to get: The menu staple Precocious Piggy with pork belly is very good, but my go-to is the CBR when it’s available. It’s sliced chicken served with bacon, arugula, and dilly ranch. I loved how ranch-y it is because it really cut into the fat from the bacon.
The menu features a daily rotating special, so if you end up getting another sandwich make sure you get the smashed spuds with garlic aioli and banana bread on the side. The spuds are super salty and crispy. And the banana bread…oh my god. It’s served warm with extra brown butter flavor and tons of flaky salt. It’s got me wondering why banana bread as a side isn’t more of a thing when eating sandwiches.
Stumbletown
website | 6256 3rd Ave NW (Ballard) & 618 NW 65th St (Ballard) | best for: gyros
Stumbletown is a newer sandwich shops in Seattle. They have two locations. One, called Stumbletown Outpost, is right at the busy 4-way intersection at 65th & 8th NW. The newer location called just Stumbletown is down the street in the old Joli space. It offers a larger menu, including dinner focused on Italian ingredients.
The menu at Stumbletown Outpost is small and focuses on ciabatta rolls filled with Italian cured meats. Think a fancy charcuterie platter in unfussy sandwich form. While their sandwiches are a touch expensive for the size, there’s no denying they are excellent at building flavor with simple ingredients.
What to get: My go-to sandwiches are the chicken and sopressa sandwiches. The chicken is served with roasted chicken breast, pecorino cheese, arugula, sweet roasted peppers, garlic aioli, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. I always add pesto to it for a bit more tang.
The sopressa sounds so plain with just sopressa cured meat, pecorino, arugula, oil, and vinegar, but the quality of the meat and cheese is next level. If I had to pick only one sandwich, it’d probably be this one!
Smarty Pants
website | 6017 Airport Way S (Georgetown) and 626 SW 152nd St (Burien) | best for: Chicago-style sandwiches
Smarty Pants is a casual sandwich shop and bar located toward the end of Georgetown’s main shopping street. You’ll see a motorcycle theme as you enter, and if it happens to be a Wednesday, races will be playing on the TVs.
While they’ve modernized the space, Smarty Pants shares the historic Horton Building along with All City Coffee and 9lb Hammer. The brick wall spanning the bar is a sign of the space’s historic past. Yet it’s not stuffy at all. Rather, it’s a casual spot to get some really good sandwiches.
What to get: If you watched The Bear on Hulu, you know about the Chicago Italian beef sandwich. Smarty Pants has a great version you should try. They also make a really satisfying, classic Turkey Club.
However, my go-to is the Taylor Street Italian. Those familiar with New Orleans have likely heard of Central Grocery’s famous muffuletta sandwich with layers of olive salad, genoa salami, ham, mortadella, provolone, and Swiss cheese. I may get in trouble for this, but I like Smarty Pants’ version better. While it has less meats and cheeses, the giardiniera salad made with olives, carrots, and peppers is tangy and addictive. This is a large sandwich, so definitely share or consider taking half home!
Mr. Gyros
website | 5522 20th Ave NW (Ballard) and 156 NE 45t St (Wallingford) | best for: gyros
I call “fighting words” to anyone who says a gyro isn’t a sandwich. I absolutely love a good gyro, and Mr. gyros serves the absolute best. In fact, back in the mid 2000s they were voted one of the most loved restaurants throughout the whole US on Yelp.
Considering they serve some of the best cheap eats in Seattle, it’s no wonder why this Mediterranean restaurant in Seattle is so loved. I love them so much, they’re a stop on my self-guided Seattle food tour of Ballard.
What to get: The lamb/beef gyro is the must get here. The meat from the spit is SO flavorful and they don’t skimp. They also serve the best pit, which I think is actually naan, but who cares when it’s that good. You’ll also get a mouthful of their irresistible tzatziki, tomatoes, and cucumber with every bite.
Un Bien
website | 7302.5 15th Ave NW and 6226 Seaview Avenue NW (Ballard) | best for: Caribbean sandwiches
In the debate of who makes the best Caribbean sandwich between Paseo and Un Bien, I think Un Bien wins. It’s owned by ex-Paseo employees that ventured out on their own after drama with their employer.
They have two locations. Both are shack like, where you order at the window and then eat on a casual picnic bench. My favorite location is Seaview because you can grab it and head over to Secret Beach next to the Elk’s Lodge while enjoying the sunset.
What to get: The OG Caribbean Roast for sure. It has slowly cooked pork shoulder cut into succulent, fall-off-the-bone morsels. It’s served on a toasted baguette with mayo, perfectly caramelized onions, cilantro, and pickled jalapeño that adds just the right amount of heat. This is a messy sandwich, but worth all the napkins needed.
Tubs Gourmet Subs
website | 10415 Beardslee Blvd (Bothell) | best for: perfectly-toasted subs
Tubs used to be tucked in a strip mall on the busy Lake City Way, but they’ve since moved to Bothell near the main shopping district. However, it’d be a mistake not to drive out there because they are making some of Seattle’s best sandwiches and no one is talking about it.
These sandwiches are huge, so I encourage you to get the half size. You’ll find all styles organized on the menu by the predominant meat featured in the sandwich. I love how they perfectly toast the bread on their subs to give a satisfying crunch with each bite.
What to get: My favorite is the Grinder. It’s a play on an Italian hero with garlic mayo, sautéed onions, pepperoncini, ham, hard salami, provolone cheese, garlic seasoning, lettuce, vinaigrette, and tomato. I loved the subtle sweetness the onions add to the dish. It’s not something I’m used to because they’re not traditionally served on Italian subs. But honestly, it should be!
Tat’s Delicatessen
website | 159 Yesler Way (Pioneer Square) | best for: east coast-style sandwiches
I used to work downtown right between busy Pike Place Market and Spring Street, so we’d often go to Pioneer Square for lunch. My coworkers and I always used to debate the best sandwich. Some swore it’s the cheesesteak. Others lived for the smoked turkey sandwiches served either hot or cold. But real east coasters know there’s only one right answer.
What to get: I’m being dramatic when I say there’s only one right answer, but I love the Tats’trami. It’s a classic Rueben with tangy Thousand Island dressing, flavorful pastrami, and gooey melted Swiss. Tat’s is adept at getting the cheese and dressing to ooze between every crevasse of their piled-high sandwich, which is what puts their version of this sandwich above the rest.
Dingfelder’s Delicatessen
website | 1318 E Pine St (Captiol Hill) | best for: pastrami sandwiches
Dingfelder’s is a Jewish deli serving exceptional pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. They’re succulent meat is served the traditional way on untoasted rye bread, which gets messy, but the grease stain is totally worth it. The rye bread is exceptional with big specks of caraway seeds.
You can get their sandwiches “Seattle style” with half the meat if you’re not that hungry. You can also get “lean” meat, which are cuts with less fat. But why would you? The fat is the best part!
What to get: The Two Meat Combo is a must because then you can get both pastrami and corned beef. I love how acidic the grainy mustard is to cut into the fat. It almost reminds me of a pesto. If you don’t like your bread getting soggy, eat super fast or opt for the Seattle style.
Delicatus
website | 200 University St (Downtown) | best for: Rueben sandwich
Delicatus is another spot I used to go to way too much when I worked downtown. They used to be located in Pioneer Square, but have since moved into the retail area of Benoroya Hall. Since this was my whole office’s favorite sandwich shop, we often take an extended lunch break to get our fix.
During non-pandemic times they host wine dinners. You might not think of sandwiches plus wine pairing, but fun fact, they make their own wine under the label Sous Sol Winery.
What to get: The Classic Rueben here is phenomenal. They toast the rye bread to make it less messy and top it with homemade kraut that’s tangy and oh so balanced against the fatty meat.
Conscious Eatery
website | 5620 6th Ave S (Georgetown) | best for: sandwiches with a cause
Conscious Eatery is another Black-owned Seattle restaurant making great sandwiches. However, what can really make you feel good about eating here is the fact that they donate over 1,000 meals per month to those in need through their “buy one, give one” program.
Food wise you’ll find a lot of yummy sandwiches like a roast beef melt, BLT, spicy turkey dip, and more. They also have a menu dedicated to interesting grilled cheeses and serve salads if you want a lighter lunch.
What to get: I really enjoyed their Philly sandwich. It’s served with a good dose of peppers and is presses slightly to give the bread more toasty crunch.
Salumi
website | 404 Occidental Ave S (Pioneer Square) | best for: Italian sandwiches
Salumi used to be owned by Mario Batali’s father, but it’s since been sold to two women who moved it into a bigger space and expanded its charcuterie program to sell in more stores. However, they still keep a lot of the same recipes that Mario’s father perfected.
Unfortunately, they didn’t expand the hours much from the original owners. You can still only get their great sandwiches for lunch on weekdays between 10 am to 3 pm.
What to get: I absolutely love meatball sub. It’s hard to find a good meatball sub in Seattle, but Salumi’s is the best. The pork meatballs are perfect in texture and seasoning, and when mixed with their tomato sauce, provolone cheese, grilled onion, and pickled green peppers, it’s taken over the top since onions and peppers aren’t traditional.
Zylberschtein’s
website | 11752 15th Ave NE (Lake City) | best for: Jewish sandwiches
Zylberschtein’s is another Jewish deli that makes some of Seattle’s best bagels. But my favorite thing they make? Corned beef. I love it so much that I used to buy slices of it cold to make sandwiches for myself during the week. It feels so extravagant making an at-home sandwich with fatty chunks of corned beef. I highly recommend trying it at least once in your life!
What to get: The Skokie. While Zylberschtein’s makes good pastrami, I love the corned beef so much and encourage you to get this non-traditional take on a Rueben instead.
Lady Jaye
website | 4523 California Ave SW (West Seattle) | best for: barbecue sandwiches
Lady Jaye is a barbecue joint in West Seattle. It has an epic outdoor patio right next to their smoker, so the whole area smells like heaven. While they have a lot of non-sandwiches on the menu, they have one sandwich on the regular menu and serve a burger once a week worth making the trek to West Seattle for.
What to get: The one sandwich on their permanent menu, the Short Rib Bulgolgi Melt. It tastes like a cheeseburger and the classic Korean dish had a baby. I don’t think there’s even cheese on it, but the way they layer in the spicy mayo makes it feel like gooey American cheese. We kept moaning the first time we tried it, so make sure you add it to your list of the best sandwiches in Seattle to try!
Sisters and Brothers
website | 544 Elliott Ave W (Queen Anne) | best for: fried chicken sandwiches
I could create a whole list dedicated to the best fried chicken sandwiches (cough coming soon cough), which makes it hard to choose the best. But when I really think about it, I think Sisters and Brothers is my favorite. It has a huge chunk of perfectly cooked, shattering fried chicken but a lot of really great accoutrements to cut the fat.
What to get: The classic Chicken Sandwich. I prefer to get mine naked without spice so I can taste the nuance of the sandwich, but if you like spice you can choose Seattle hot, Nashville hot, or Insane hot. I’m a solid medium-spice person and I thought the Seattle hot was a bit too much, so choose wisely!
Take 5 Urban Market
website | 6757 8th Ave NW (Ballard) | best for: deli sandwiches
Take 5 is temporarily closed due to fire. Follow them on Instagram to keep tabs on when they reopen.
Take 5 is a straight up convenience store on a residential corner of north Ballard, or Whittier Heights if we’re being technical. However they also have a griddle where they make up some mean sandwiches.
It’s family run and a true neighborhood joint. You’ll notice the staff welcoming regulars and making small talk. Yet unlike traditional convenience stores, you can pre-order online for a quick pick up.
What to get: Their BLATT is my favorite version of a BLT I’ve found in Seattle. This bacon, lettuce, avocado, turkey, and tomato sandwich is piled high with meat and nestled between perfectly toasted white bread. If you’re craving a classic, make sure this is the place you get it.
Calozzi’s Cheesesteaks
website | 7016 E Marginal Way S (Georgetown) | best for: cheesesteaks
Calozzi’s is another Philly cheesesteak joint in Seattle owned by a Philadelphia native. It excites me to think our city could evolve into a town that has multiple cheesesteak places to debate.
While I prefer Tres, there’s no denying these are great cheesesteaks. I’d also argue theirs is more authentic with its more traditional whiz. If you’re a fan of cheesesteaks, try both and decide which one you like best! Calozzi’s is a great stop when doing my self-guided Georgetown food tour.
What to get: Get the Classic Cheesesteak and order “wit whiz”. This means you want the traditional, gooey cheese called “whiz” and you want the sandwich “wit” onions. This is how you traditionally order in Philly and I love how Calozzi’s keeps the tradition alive.
Their cheesesteaks are friggin’ huge. I’m talking a foot long. They’re also super messy so make sure to get a million napkins. I also suggest asking for extra whiz on the bottom of the meat so you get more cheese in every bite. This makes it even messier, but a small price to pay to be slathered in cheesy goodness.
Fishermen’s Green Market & Deli
website | 1900 W Nickerson St (Interbay) | best for: deli sandwiches
This is another convenience store catering to locals. The only difference? The locals are fishermen coming back from a long trip and mooring their boat in Interbay’s Fishermen’s Terminal. Green Market is right at the terminal and serves excellent, simple sandwiches.
What to get: I really like their Reuben. The marbled rye is really flavorful and the gooey cheese perfectly counterbalances the tangy kraut. The Russian dressing is milder than others I’ve had, but I enjoy it because it doesn’t overpower the sandwich.
Mean Sandwich
website | 1510 NW Leary Ave (Ballard) | best for: gourmet sandwiches
Mean Sandwich is owned by Dan Crookston, the husband of the restauranteur Renee Erickson who owns many of my go-to restaurants in Seattle. He’d always wanted to open up a burger joint and used to work at Hama Hama Oysters. You can see both of his passions at the sandwich shop he purchased from the previous owners.
What to get: The classic Mean Sandwich that was on the original owner’s menu can’t be beat. It has a 1/3 pound of corned beef, homemade yellow mustard, homemade pickled red cabbage, and fresh picked mint. It’s a tangier version to your traditional corned beef sandwich and I’m here for it.
Kiss Cafe
website | 2817 NW Market St (Ballard) | best for: classic sandwiches
This sandwich shop has the vibe of a locals-only bar thanks to warm wood throughout. And since it’s at the end of Ballard toward the Locks, most tourists never make it.
The sandwiches are unfussy, but well balanced. You’ll find the perfect ratio of bread to meat recreating comforting classics. For example, you’ll find a BLT, grilled cheese, French dip, and Cuban sandwich on the menu. You can also get salads, soups, wraps, and a few all day breakfast items.
What to get: The California Melt. It has the vibe of a classic turkey club, but it’s creamier thanks to avocado and chipotle may. Make sure to also get the jambalaya on the side if available. It’s hearty and spicy!
More Seattle sandwiches to try
Here are places I heard have some of the best sandwiches in Seattle, but that I still need to try. I’ll officially add them to this list of the best sandwiches in Seattle if they make the cut!
- Market House Meats – I hear they have great corned beef and pastrami.
- Pane Pane Sandwiches – They have award-winning meatball banh mis.
- Tony’s Bakery – I heard they make the best banh mis in the city.
- Oh’s Sandwiches – A sandwich-focused shop I heard is good.
Where else to eat in Seattle
After you make your way through the best sandwiches in Seattle, find more of the best in the city.
- Best Burgers in Seattle
- Best Street Tacos in Seattle
- Best Pizza in Seattle
- Take a Self-Guided Seattle Food Tour
- Try Seattle’s Quintessential Food
