Calgary went sandwich crazy. Italian subs stacked to the ceiling, French baguettes, Montreal smoked meat and breakfast sandwiches worth setting an alarm for. These are the ones worth the line.
A cute little French shop where the bread is the star, the kind that reminds you how many places get it wrong. Fresh meats and veg, a welcoming owner, and sandwiches that taste like a trip to Europe.
Must try: The Bonjour 2.0, the Turkey Move, the Burgundy Dip on a cold day.
Pro tip: Pre-order and take them up the mountain for lunch.
1909 34 Ave SW · Map for Bonjour Sandwich Shop
Avenue's pick for the best sandwich shop in the city, on a toasted sesame bun that makes the whole thing. Good music, a relaxed room and a cannoli for the road.
Must try: The Italian Combo, the Chicken Parm (with pesto), the Hoagie, the Hot Eggplant Parm.
Pro tip: Eat it there if you can. It's best before the bread has time to soften.
1004 17 Ave SW · Map for Scozzafava's Deli
A self-described sandwich and liquor bar, and that pretty much says it all. Great sandwiches and cocktails in a laid-back, retro diner room, with huge portions and gluten-free bread on request.
Must try: The Chicken Parm, the Tuna Melt, the Rosemary Beef Dip, Parm Fries.
725 17 Ave SW · Map for Alumni Sandwiches
Chef-owner Dan makes everything from scratch, down to every sauce, and the sandwiches are aggressively big. You'll tell yourself you can finish one. You won't.
Must try: The Brooklyn Chopped Cheese, the Hot Chick, the L.T. Smash Burger, the Chicken Caesar Baguette.
Pro tip: Open Wednesday to Sunday only. Watch for their live music and comedy nights.
1022 17 Ave SW · Map for Munch
A small, cozy Inglewood shop that's part sandwich counter, part bottle shop and bar. Creative sandwiches you won't find anywhere else, and fries that people come back for.
Must try: The Buckin' Brocc (charred broccolini, halloumi and honey harissa), the Hometown Hero, the Uncle Phil, the fries.
Pro tip: Closed Mondays. Its sandwiches are also on the menu at Business & Pleasure next door.
1327A 9 Ave SE · Map for Super Variety
The downtown lunch run. Fast, friendly, and built around the porchetta.
Must try: The Porchetta, the Alberta BBQ Beef.
821 1 St SW · Map for Meat and Bread
A Calgary institution, and bigger and warmer inside than it looks from the street. Order at the counter and they bring it to your table. Take home a bag of their sausages.
Must try: The classic Sausage on a Bun with tomato sauce, a Panzerotti, Mama's Meatloaf, the big cookie.
Pro tip: Closed Sundays.
1308 9 Ave SE · Map for Spolumbo's
More than 40 Italian sandwiches, stacked high, with a great gluten-free bun and even gluten-free mortadella. Sal at the counter makes you feel like a regular on day one.
Must try: Joe's Special, the Breakfast Sandwich, and a cappuccino.
Pro tip: Ask for your sandwich warmed up. The Beltline shop is open daily and stocks frozen Italian dishes to take home for dinner.
1240 Kensington Rd NW, plus Beltline · Map for Peppino Gourmet Foods
Tuscan schiacciata bread, crisp outside and airy inside, filled with ingredients imported from Italy. Takeout only, and worth the drive.
Must try: The Mortadella Burrata, the Meat Lovers, Chef's Choice.
3515 32 St NE · Map for Fenoma
Bread baked fresh daily and custom subs at fair, tax-in prices. Go as big as you can: every size up adds a meat and a cheese.
Pro tip: Lunch hours only, 10:30 to 2, closed Sundays. Grab a cannoli.
5310 5 St SE · Map for Calgary Italian Bakery
A family-owned Italian grocery with a deli counter that regulars swear makes the best sandwich in the city. Eat it at the tables with an espresso.
Must try: The Spicy Sandwich.
265 20 Ave NE · Map for Italian Super Market
The market side of Mercato, with imported meats, cheeses, antipasti and a butcher, plus grab-and-go sandwiches. A new sandwich lineup is on the way.
Pro tip: The market is open daily, 10 to 6.
2224 4 St SW · Map for Mercato Market
Montreal smoked meat on rye in four sizes, house-made mustard, and a poutine with Montreal's stamp of approval.
Must try: The Montreal Smoked Meat, the Tribeca, a poutine.
1411 11 St SW · Map for Myhre's Deli
The soup-and-sandwich combo, on bread baked in house. Build your own, or go for the classics.
Must try: The Tuna Melt, the BBQ Brisket, a BLT, and carrot cake.
8 Parkdale Cres NW · Map for Lazy Loaf & Kettle
Crunchy, fresh baguettes and generous fillings from a family-run counter. Open until 1 most nights and 3 on weekends, which makes it the best late-night sandwich in the city.
Must try: The Special Kim Anh Sub, the Lemongrass Chili Beef.
626 17 Ave SW · Map for Kim Anh Vietnamese Submarines
Word-of-mouth banh mi that people call the best in the city. Overflowing fillings, a great meat-to-veggie ratio and a friendly owner. Mostly takeout, with a couple of small tables.
Must try: The Satay Beef Banh Mi (add cheese), the Sticky Pig, the Smokin' Pork Patties Salad Rolls, Pandan Sponge Cake.
Pro tip: Closed Sundays. Online orders default to a 30-minute pickup, but a banh mi takes about ten, so just walk in.
3604 52 Ave NW · Map for Bang Bang Banh Mi
Still the first place that comes to mind for a donair or shawarma. Rows of rotisserie spits turning in the back, wraps that are properly stuffed, and a family-run counter that treats first-timers like regulars. There's a Lebanese grocery inside and a lovely patio for summer.
Must try: The Beef Donair with garlic and sweet sauce, the Chicken Shawarma, a plate with the gluten-free dolmades.
Erin's tip: Amazing, and still top of mind for a donair or shawarma.
Pro tip: First time? Ask for a taste. They're happy to put together a sample plate.
1401 20 Ave NW · Map for Jimmy's A&A
Small-batch sourdough bagels, fermented for 72 hours, hand-rolled and kettle-boiled. Sea salt, sesame, everything, and asiago rosemary, with cultured butter or flavoured cream cheese.
Pro tip: They're sold from early morning until they run out, so go early. For a dozen, order online at least four days ahead.
Wood-fired Montreal-style bagels, chewy inside with a little crunch outside, and big bagel sandwiches with a pickle on the side. The Beltline shop bakes for every location.
Must try: The Smoked Meat Brekkie, the Lox, a Sesame or Rosemary Rock Salt bagel.
Pro tip: Get a baker's dozen. The Beltline shop is open daily, 8 to 5.
831 10 Ave SW, plus Calgary Farmers' Market South and West and Crossroads · Map for Wayne's Bagels
Wood-oven bagels seasoned on both sides, and some say the best outside Montreal. Ask for extra sesame or poppy.
Pro tip: Cash or e-transfer only. Flavours sell out by noon.
2638 Parkdale Blvd NW · Map for St. Lawrence Bagels
A bakery with huge, excellent bagels at prices that can't be beat. A plain one with butter is all you need.
Must try: The Everything Bagel toasted with butter, a blueberry muffin, the lemon tart.
8303 Fairmount Dr SE · Map for Good Bread
A sunny westside bakery café with fresh bagels and beautiful pastries.
Must try: The Everything Bagel Sandwich, a Garlic Bagel, the Almond Croissant.
Pro tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Parking is tight.
3003 37 St SW · Map for Millo Millo Bake Shop
Soft buttered milk bread, big fillings and a mashed-potato hash brown you'll order a second of.
Must try: The Meat Lovers (add cheese), the Classic Egg and Cheese, the Chipotle Lobster, an extra hash brown.
140 11 Ave SW · Map for Egg Club
A cozy downtown café with hot sandwiches big enough to skip dinner, and an egg salad the office fights over.
Must try: The Salmon Croffle, the Smoked Brisket, the Spicy Bulgogi, a Seoul Latte.
440 2 Ave SW · Map for Bread & Brew
Also see: Stoop Café and Apprentice Café on the Coffee page. Erin's picks for a breakfast sandwich.