The warm weather has finally arrived in Ontario, which means many in Toronto are packing their blankets and baskets to enjoy a picnic in the park with their favourite people.
Unsurprisingly, Toronto has no shortage of options when it comes to ideal picnic dishes; and here, let’s focus on the places pounding out delicious, filling, affordable sandwiches that are perfect for enjoying in the grass on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
From viral, jam-packed sammies to hearty handhelds on German rye, these are among the best sandwich spots in Toronto if you don't want to BYO picnic snacks. Don’t skip these spots!
Lambo's Deli
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Address: Multiple locations
Why You Need To Go: Let’s just get right to this one! Lambo’s Deli is hardly a secret to Toronto foodies, as countless viral TikTok videos can attest to. Italian-style sub sandwiches are the name of the game here, and there’s a reason locals keep coming back for more.
Basically the ultimate picnic food, the sandwiches at Lambo’s marry simple, unpretentious recipes with thoughtful, quality ingredients. The commitment to that quality is noticeable, and Lambo’s certainly doesn’t skimp on the good stuff: these sandwiches are jam-packed with toppings.
A go-to favourite here is the loaded Classic Combo with genoa salami, coppa, smoked ham, provolone, iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion, garlic aioli, oil and vinegar, and giardiniera; but really, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Accessibility: Varies by location
La Salumeria
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Address: 2021 Yonge St, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: This place is the epitome of old-school. Completely free of the modernized trappings of an inauthentic copycat deli, La Salumeria has been making waves at its sandwich counter tucked inside a well-worn, homey grocery shop with meats, cheeses, antipasti, pantry items, and imported goods.
But many locals hit this place up for the standout cold cut sammies, made to order with fresh toppings and lots of love. Until social media got its hands on La Salumeria and sent it into the realm of viral fame, this place was the definition of a hidden gem. Great food, no nonsense; what more could you ask for?
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Grandma Loves You
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Address: Multiple locations
Why You Need To Go: If this is how Grandma shows her love, Torontonians are the luckiest grandchildren in the world!
Grandma Loves You has cemented itself as a local favourite for made-to-order, deli-style sandwiches made using the freshest cold cuts, vegetables, and house sauces. The offerings are simple and oh-so effective, like the spicy ham and cheese with lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno, and crispy onion; or the indulgent Four Season with mortadella, turkey, ham, salami, smoked Swiss cheese, spicy sauce, pesto rosso, lettuce, and tomato.
Even if you’re craving something different, Grandma’s got you covered: the menu also features hot sandwiches, hearty handhelds on German rye, and even all-beef hot dogs!
Accessibility: Varies by location
Elm Street Italian Deli
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Address: 15 Elm St, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Mere steps away from the bustle of Yonge-Dundas Square, this modern takeaway sandwichery emulates all of the cozy, unpretentious vibes of your local Italian deli, with extremely delicious sandwiches to boot.
Elm Street Italian Deli has no shortage of choice for their menu of sandos, with some particular standouts including the Paulie Porco with porchetta-spiced pork shoulder, garlic rapini, crispy pancetta, parmigiano, and a house-made giardiniera aioli; or the Sammy Davis Jr. with pastrami, caramelized onion, pickles, pepperoncini, provolone, and dijon aioli.
But there’s nary a weak sandwich in the bunch - including a couple of equally enticing vegetarian options - and a full-sized order is easily hearty enough to split between two people. Talk about bang for your buck!
Accessibility: No automatic door
Banh Mi Boys
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Address: Multiple locations
Why You Need To Go: Look, they’ve got multiple Toronto locations for a reason! Banh Mi Boys has long been a popular purveyor of this classic, comforting Vietnamese sandwich that’s filling and satisfying without doing a number on your bank account.
Featuring flavourful meats like grilled chicken, five spice pork belly, and kalbi beef, the banh mi sandwiches at Banh Mi Boys are finished with classic toppings like pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and house-made sauces like Asian-style barbecue sauce and creamy mayo all stacked up on a portable, crusty baguette.
There’s even a lemongrass tofu sandwich for the vegetarians in the group, and Banh Mi Boys rounds their menu off with pillowy bao and sides like loaded kimchi fries. Heavenly!
Accessibility: Varies by location
Good Behaviour
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Address: Multiple locations
Why You Need To Go: While places like Lambo’s Deli often command much of the spotlight on Toronto food TikTok, Good Behaviour is also easily pounding out some of Toronto’s best deli sandwiches and deserves comparable heaps of recognition.
Classic Italian-style sandwiches in both hot and cold varieties are the name of the game here, loaded with tasty deli meats like soppressata, smoked turkey, and prosciutto married harmoniously with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato and onion and finished with homemade sauces like garlic dill mayo or salsa verde. All piled onto a fresh sesame seed bun, these babies are unmissable.
Accessibility: Varies by location
Black Camel
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Address: 4 Crescent Rd, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: A notable diversion from the more expected submarine sandwich, the handhelds at Black Camel are equally excellent picnic fare at an affordable price.
Piled onto fresh buns are proteins like slow roasted beef brisket, pulled roasted chicken, seared steak, and pulled BBQ pork shoulder, all finished with some thoughtfully assembled toppings and flavourful, house-made sauces like chipotle mayo, dijon mustard, or house BBQ sauce.
Best of all, none of the sandos here top a $14 price tag, with most sitting closer to $10. A deal like that isn’t always easy to come by, especially in Toronto.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Vilda's
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Address: 209 Dovercourt Rd, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Creative handhelds make the sandwich menu stand out at this Dovercourt variety store and sandwich shop.
Enter the cozy corner shop labeled Nobrega’s Variety & Grocery and take your pick of options including the playful Caesaroni: a marriage of a pizza and Caesar salad in sandwich form with tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and romaine lettuce tossed in Caesar dressing piled onto a bun.
For the vegetarian crowd, there’s the Dovercourt Delite with roasted sweet potato, fennel, red peppers, aged cheddar, and fresh basil on seeded Pullman bread.
Salads and soups round things off at a takeaway spot that’s basically built for picnic goodness.
Accessibility: No automatic door
