Much like a warm hug, the humble toasted sandwich is what many of us turn to when seeking comfort. Cheesy, crispy and supremely tasty, you simply can’t go wrong with a really good toastie. From luxurious interpretations to tried-and-true classics, here are the best toasted sandwiches in Auckland.
Gloria’s
Location: Commercial Bay, Auckland CBD
Led by masterful Chef Nick Landsman, Gloria’s modus operandi has always been taking the easy lunchtime experience to bold new heights. With a focus on slow food made fast, Landsman’s commitment to quality and convenience shines through in every delectable bite, particularly when it comes to the eatery’s artisan sandwiches, made with the utmost care and attention to flavour and finish. Our pick? The Grilled Chicken and Cheese, with flavourful chicken salad, hot sauce, pickles, and a tasty mix of Swiss and American cheeses.
Fort Greene
Location: K’Rd, Auckland CBD
Fort Greene has earned the respect of every sandwich connoisseur in town for its practice of making every one of its sammies from scratch. It’s almost impossible to choose only one toastie from their spectacular line-up, which includes greats such as The Reuben and The Cubano. Our pick, however, is the kimchi grilled cheese, boasting no less than four cheeses and crunchy housemade kimchi, sandwiched between slices of Fort Greene’s famed sourdough bread.
Swings
Location: Kitchener Street, Auckland CBD
If you’re yet to try modern Korean eatery Swings, let this be your sign to do so. Serving up a series of mouthwatering Korean toasties, from ‘The Swinger’ with bacon, egg, cheese, pickles, cabbage, and Swings’ spicy cheese sauce, to the inventive ‘Bully’ with egg, lettuce, marinated beef, mayo and Bulgogi sauce, here, toasties reach a new realm of deliciousness.
Bestie
Location: K’Rd, Auckland CBD
Bestie is beloved for many things — the killer view, the coffee, the cabinet treats — and the signature toastie. The Towpath cheese toastie is brimming with aged cheddar, spring onions and a layer of quince jelly for good measure. Be sure to add a chilli-fried egg, sunny side up.
Cheese on Toast
Location: Newmarket, Three Kings & Birkenhead
Cheese on Toast’s deliciously succinct menu is somewhat of a love letter to the unpretentious toastie. Childhood classics such as creamed corn and cheesy spaghetti are elevated to tasty new heights, no canned ingredients in sight. Each toastie is assembled with Cheese on Toast’s housemade sourdough and signature three-cheese blend, and comes accompanied with a side of pickles.
Toasty
Location: Quay St, Auckland CBD
Given the name above the door, it’s hardly surprising that Toasty knows a thing or two about turning out an epic toasted sandwhich — but not as you know them. Here, thick, pillowy slices of freshly-baked Asian-style bread houses a number of delightful fillings, from the classics to the creative. Try the eatery’s entry into the The Great NZ Toastie Takeover, the Mc Galbi — featuring double tteokgalbi (Korean style patty), cheddar, scrambled egg, fancy lettuce, McClure’s pickles, House-made McClure’s pickles sauce, and parsley.
Deli di Bossi
Location: Commerce St, Auckland CBD
It would be remiss of us to leave out the deli in the CBD slinging Italian classics — Deli di Bossi. The eatery’s Mortadella Sandwich will have your mouth watering, made with mortadella italiana and mozzarella in freshly baked bread, toasted to crispy perfection.
Depot
Location: SkyCity, Auckland CBD
Al Brown’s much-loved SkyCity eatery is known for doing many things well, and while it may not technically be a toastie, the eatery’s Bacon & Egg Doona deserves an honourable mention. A delightfully simple, effortlessly tasty breakfast roll with crisp bacon, perfectly cooked fried egg, and rocket fuel sauce. Sublime.
Pastrami & Rye
Location: Main Highway, Ellerslie
If it’s a grilled cheese that you’re after, look no further than the Ellerslie cafe, Pastrami & Rye. Taking simple white bread and smothering it in butter before toasting it, gives the sammie a heavenly, greasy crisp. An assorted line up of cheeses is blended into the filling of the sandwich, offering a medley of flavours with each bite.
Daily Bread
Location: Various Locations
As home to some of the best sourdough in town, it’s no surprise Daily Bread is also experts when it comes to crafting a damn good toasted sammie. Cheese takes centre stage in both their offerings — take your pick from the equally excellent three cheese with Mahoe gouda, Mahoe edam, provolone, and brown onion or the goat’s cheese and mushroom with burnt butter and thyme.
The Fed
Location: SkyCity, Auckland CBD
No toastie round-up would be complete without Federal Delicatessen’s toasted Reuben. Arguably one of Auckland’s first introductions to this quintessentially American sandwich, the Fed’s version is nothing short of classic. The sinfully good combination of rye bread stacked high with smoked brisket pastrami, sauerkraut and melted cheese is a forever favourite.
Cazador Delicatessen
Location: Dominion Road, Mount Eden
Opening during lockdown adjacent to their stalwart eatery on Dominion Road, Cazador Deli — much like the eatery itself, stands out for its incredible game offering. Unsurprising, then, that the deli also knows a thing or two about the makings of an epic toastie. The eatery is currently slinging a Mexican-inspired number with Carnitas (heritage breed pork fried and confit), spiked with mild Mexican spices, smoked cheese, green salsa, and McLure’s spicy pickles.
Toastie
Location: Newmarket & Auckland CBD
Not to be confused with aforementioned Toasty, Toastie is a CBD-based hole-in-the-wall specialising in, you guessed it — toasties. Using only the best ingredients and bread from local bakeries, the menu features a range of mouth-watering toasties that pay homage to different Asian countries, including Kaya Toast, Sweet Travel and Egg Drop Toast.
Caffetteria Allpress on Drake St
Location: Drake Street, Freemans Bay
While they may look uncomplicated, one bite of Allpress Caffetteria’s delectable sandwiches will quickly teach you not to judge a book by its cover. Some of the fillings change on a daily basis but the tuna, egg and mayo along with the Reuben are the staples we’ve come to rely on come lunchtime. The fillings in the vegetarian sandwiches change seasonally, but when you see the pumpkin with pecorino cheese and walnut, don’t think twice before ordering.
