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Summary

9 of the absolute best sandwiches in Ottawa that need to be on your foodie bucket list

This list is LAW!

Three plastic-wrapped sandwiches. Right: A sandwich cut in half.

Offerings from some of Ottawa's best sandwich spots.

Contributing Writer

The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.

When it comes to lunch foods in Ottawa, there's no denying that everyone loves a good sandwich. It's a thing of beauty. When you nail the ratio of ingredients, pick the perfect bread and get it wrapped nice and tight, there are few greater joys in the food world — especially for cheap eats.

Sandwiches are also like opinions. Effectively everyone has one, and they're all different. Sandwiches are also polarizing! Your ideal sandwich might be something of little interest to the person next to you, but that doesn't make it any less beautiful. Sandwiches bring us together, and I'm going to use that feeling of sandwich camaraderie to put you on some game.

My friends... These are definitively the best sandwiches in Ottawa.

Paninaro

Price: 💸

Cuisine: Schiacciata Sandwiches

Address: 642 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Paninaro is one of a kind in Ottawa. Nowhere else is doing a schiacciata sandwich (explanation to follow), nowhere else is using flavours like artichoke creams and truffle honey, and nowhere else has boomed onto the scene as quickly as they have.

Schiacciata is a bread similar to focaccia but better suited to handle a multitude of ingredients. It provides a better bread-to-filling ratio as well! When paired with the masterful flavouring techniques of the fine people at Paninaro, you get one of the most delicious and unique sandwiches in the city.

Paninaro Menu

Subito

Price: 💸

Cuisine: Sandwiches

Address: 389 Gladstone Ave., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Subito is a favourite amongst chefs, bartenders and other industry staff when it comes to the sandwich game. It is by FAR the most recommended sandwich spot in my "best of" series on Instagram and TikTok.

This sandwich is simple but does the trick. A classic Italian take that provides freshly shaved deli meats, cheeses, all of the necessary toppings and a price that's tough to beat.

Subito Instagram

Sherwood Market & Deli

Price: 💸

Cuisine: Classic Deli

Address: 111 Sherwood Dr., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Sherwood Market might be a bit off the beaten path for many Ottawans, but if you've had it before you know it's worth going out of the way for.

There's something about the chicken, bacon and avocado sandwich on egg bread that has locals in a chokehold. It's a thick and satisfying sandwich that costs less than $10!

If that's not worth trying, I don't know what is.

Sherwood Market & Deli Menu

Di Rienzo Grocery & Deli

Price: 💸

Cuisine: Italian Deli

Address: 111 Beech St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: This is MY OG sandwich. When I was just a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young man, still getting his footing in Ottawa and understanding what it was all about, this was the sandwich shop I was first introduced to that had an impact on how I felt about the Ottawa hospitality scene.

Large sandwiches on your choice of bread, double meat and two kinds of cheese, all the toppings and less than $10. For a long time, this sandwich could not be beat in my mind, and it still holds a very special place in my heart.

Whatever you do, DO NOT skip the spicy eggplant. (Seriously, I will find you and I will give you multiple disappointed looks.)

Di Rienzo Menu

Sharpfle Waffle

Price: 💸

Cuisine: Korean Croissant Waffle

Address: 173 Hinchey Ave. & 111 York St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: This is probably the most unique spot on the list. Sharpfle Waffle specializes in Korean croissant waffles, specifically using the "croffles" as the bread for really fun sandwiches. Their sandwiches are broken into two categories — sweet and savoury — and both have delicious options to choose from.

If you're looking to try something completely different, this is the spot to go.

Sharpfle Waffle Menu

Gooney's

Price: 💸

Cuisine: Arepas

Address: 294 Albert St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: First things first, is an arepa a sandwich? For the sake of this article, because I feel that Gooney's must be included, I'm going to say yes.

Arepas are a popular food in Latin America, and Gooney's has managed to bring those flavours to the capital city! Whether you're going for breakfast, lunch or dinner, there's an arepa for any occasion and palate.

The hardest part about going to Gooney's is deciding which sandwich to try.

Gooney's Menu

Torta Boyz

Price: 💸💸

Cuisine: Mexican

Address: 60A Lebreton St. N., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Torta Boyz has been all the rave lately in Ottawa, and for good reason! Their mouthwatering tortas are another unique addition to the sandwich family in town.

Celebrating Mexican flavours and a passion for cooking, Torta Boyz is a prime example of what happens when you really care about what you do. This is one of the most recommended restaurants across the city right now and should be at the top of your list when it comes to where to try next.

Don't forget to add a spicy marg to the equation while you're there!

Torta Boyz Instagram

Il Negozio Nicastro (Wellington West)

Price: 💸💸

Cuisine: Italian Grocer & Deli

Address: 1355 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: All of the Il Negozio Nicastro sandwich shops are good, but the one on Wellington West is my favourite. Not only do they boast a menu of classic Italian sandwiches that'll knock your socks off using product they pull right off the shelves of their own store, but they also have a list of sandwiches that provide their take on regional North American-Italian classics.

With influences from Chicago, New York, Philly and more, this family truly knows what it means to both respect tradition and make something your own.

My personal favourite? The three-way beef. Load up on napkins — you're gonna need 'em.

Il Negozio Nicastro Website

La Bottega Nicastro

Price: 💸

Cuisine: Italian Deli

Address: 64 George St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: I would've gotten absolutely FLAMED by the Ottawa community if I didn't include their beloved Byward Market sandwich royalty!

Fear not, I could never forget about La Bottega.

What is there to say about this sandwich that hasn't been said a million times? It's a classic! It's a true representation of Italian sandwich making. Gather the best ingredients, shave them to order and build that thing with love.

It's a recipe for success every time.

Oh, and their bottle shop is pretty sweet too... In case you wanted to improve your picnic. (I winked here, you just couldn't see it.)

La Bottega Nicastro Menu

This article probably needs a part two, because there are so many amazing sandwiches in this city that I didn't have the chance to touch on! So while I'm compiling my next list, y'all had better get a move on with checking out these sandwich spots. The list is only going to get longer.

  • Contributing Writer

    Jordan Pizzuti (he/him) is a contributing writer for Narcity Media. He is a passionate Ottawa hospitality enthusiast, who uses written and video content to change the narrative on the Capital’s Hospitality Tourism scene.

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