Beyond the blooms: 10 city spots proving bread makes everything better
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With more than 500,000 people expected to explore Canberra during Floriade, there’s never been a better time to explore the city’s sandwich culture.
As the floral trail spills into the city, these cafés, delis and sandwich specialists offer plenty of reasons to linger a little longer – whether you’re visiting for the festival or simply looking to upgrade your weekday lunch.
From towering New York-style deli sandwiches and chef-driven creations to wholesome wraps, flaky pastries and kebabs loaded with flavour, here’s where to head when you’re craving something delicious between bread.
Blue Olive Café
Some places have earned institution status for a reason, and Blue Olive Café is one of them.
Tucked into the heritage Melbourne Building, this long-time city favourite has been feeding hungry locals since 1997 with chunky New York-style sandwiches that are made fresh to order. The menu is stacked with everything from classics like the Palermo (chicken schnitzel, Swiss cheese, mayo and lettuce) and the Rappa (poached chicken, bacon, avocado and Swiss cheese) to deli favourites like the Cuban and Reuben, alongside plenty of vegetarian options.
56 Alinga Street, City | blueolivecafe.com.au
Al’s Deli & Diner
If your ideal lunch looks like something straight out of a New York corner deli, Al’s is calling.
This Alinga Street favourite has quickly become a go-to for Canberrans chasing a seriously good sandwich. The all-day menu keeps things simple, focusing on a handful of signature creations made with house-baked bread and quality ingredients like the Beef & Pickle with corned beef, sauerkraut, sliced pickles and Al’s chilli mayo on rye sourdough, the Chicken Salad packed with chicken, lettuce, tomato, carrot, beetroot, alfalfa and mayo on white high top, or the classic Schnitty served on a soft milk bun with Zinga mayo.
Pair your pick with a side of chips and a Redbrick coffee, and you’ll understand why this place has built such a loyal lunchtime following.
122 Alinga Street, City | rabblegroup.com.au/venues/als-deli
The Goods Wholefoods
Sometimes you’re craving something a little lighter without sacrificing flavour.
Since 2017, this No Name Lane favourite has been proving that healthy lunches don’t have to be boring. While the colourful signature salads have earned a loyal following, the seeded sourdough toasties deserve just as much attention. Choose from combinations like roasted chicken with pesto, paprika onion, cheddar and ranch tahini, or a vibrant vegetarian option with sweet potato, broccoli, hummus and sunflower pesto.
Prefer to build your own? Their wholesome wraps and custom salads make it easy to create a lunch that’s exactly what you’re craving.
Shop G9, No Name Lane, 40 Marcus Clarke Street, City | itsthegoods.com.au
Bite & Savor
Not every great lunch needs to come between two slices.
At Bite & Savor, the pastry cabinet has developed something of a cult following, particularly for its savoury Danish pastries and fluffy pork floss buns that strike the perfect balance between comfort food and grab-and-go convenience.
Ideal for mornings that roll into lunch (or those afternoons when you suddenly realise you’ve forgotten to eat), these flaky, satisfying creations are proof that bread comes in many delicious forms.
45 East Row, Canberra City | instagram.com/biteandsavor_cbr
Kebaba
When the sandwich craving takes a detour towards the Middle East, Kebaba is always a safe bet.
Family-owned and inspired by generations of Turkish cooking, Kebaba has become a city favourite for its fresh, flavour-packed wraps. Choose from chicken, beef, lamb, mixed or falafel, layered with crisp salad and your pick of sauces – from classic garlic and hot chilli to tahini or hummus.
While the menu also stretches to charcoal-grilled meats, Turkish pides, gözleme and traditional dishes, it’s the freshly made kebab wraps that make this a go-to for an easy, satisfying lunch between meetings.
11 East Row and Shop 4, 88–96 Bunda Street, Canberra City | kebaba.com.au
Sandoochie
Few Canberra lunch spots inspire quite the same level of devotion as Sandoochie.
Hidden away in No Name Lane, Lucy Holm’s ever-changing menu has turned the humble sandwich into something people happily queue for. Built on exceptional Under Bakery tin loaf sourdough and packed with inventive seasonal fillings, every “dooch” feels thoughtfully put together, whether it’s crispy potatoes, poached chicken or spiced and roasted pumpkin, Sandoochie’s sandwiches are elevated with the perfect combination of crunch, herbs and butter.
If you’ve never had one, now’s the time to get off your cooch and grab a dooch.
Shop 8, No Name Lane, City | sandoochie.com.au
Capital Kebab
Sometimes only a proper kebab will do.
Tucked away on London Circuit, Capital Kebab has built a loyal following with fresh, generously filled wraps that hit the spot every time. Choose from chicken, beef, lamb, mixed or falafel, all rolled with crisp salad and your favourite sauces, or branch out with a freshly made gözleme if you’re after something a little different.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch on the go or satisfying a late-afternoon craving, it’s a dependable city favourite for a quick, flavour-packed bite.
3/121 London Circuit, Canberra City
Grillin’
If a proper smashed burger is your idea of the perfect lunch, Grillin’ is well worth adding to your city rotation.
Located on London Circuit, Grillin’ keeps things simple, focusing on quality ingredients and big flavours. Sink your teeth into the classic Smashed Cheese with American cheese, pickles and house Grillin’ sauce, spice things up with the Nashville-inspired Classy Bird, or go all out with the OG Truffle Maker, stacked with double smashed beef patties, beef bacon, onion rings and truffle aioli.
Round out your meal with a side of crispy waffle fries and you’ve got a lunch that’s guaranteed to power you through the afternoon.
111 London Circuit, City | grillin.bitebusiness.com
Subway Civic
Never underestimate the appeal of building your lunch exactly the way you like it. With bread baked fresh daily and more combinations than you could poke a baguette at, this city staple lets you build lunch exactly the way you like it.
Stick with a signature favourite like the Philly-Style Three-Cheese Steak, Chicken & Bacon Ranch or Fiery Harissa Steak, or customise your own creation with your choice of fillings, salads, cheeses and sauces.
Whether you’re after a quick six-inch bite or a footlong to fuel the afternoon, it’s a reliable option that proves familiar doesn’t have to mean boring.
11/2 East Row, Bailey’s Corner, Canberra City | subway.com.au
McDonald’s Canberra City
Yes, we’re counting it. After all, a McChicken, Filet-O-Fish or classic cheeseburger technically ticks the “something delicious between bread” box – and sometimes that’s exactly the lunch you’re craving.
Macca’s menu has expanded well beyond burgers over the years, with crispy chicken wraps, McCrispy burgers and plenty of other handheld favourites joining the line-up. Add a side of fries and a frozen Coke, and you’ve got one of the city’s quickest comfort-food fixes.
Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.
34 East Row, City | mcdonalds.com.au
Feature image: Sandwiches from Al’s Deli & Diner
