Looking for great sandwiches in Paris? After 9 years of living here, I’ve eaten my way across the city in search of the ones actually worth your time. This guide is a straight-up round-up of my go-to spots, from classic jambon-beurre on a proper baguette to loaded bánh mì and everything in between. If it’s in here, it’s somewhere I’d happily queue for myself.
My Favourite Sandwich Spots in Paris
Paris has some seriously good sandwich spots, which makes sense when you think about how obsessed the French are with bread. Baguettes, focaccia, country loaves, there’s no shortage of the good stuff here. Add proper butter, great cheese and quality ham and you’ve got lunch sorted.
A sandwich is still one of my favourite quick and affordable lunches in the city. After 9 years living here, I’ve worked my way through more than I can count. Below are the places I keep going back to. No particular order, just spots that consistently get it right.
Chez Alain Miam Miam
Note: Chez Alain Miam Miam has now moved out of the market and is now located on 26 Rue Charlot – literally a few minutes walk away from the old location.
Formerly located in the middle of the Marché des Enfants Rouge in Le Marais, Chez Alain Miam Miam is one of the city’s most famous sandwich spots. People queue here for a long time and for good reason. Run by the fantastically friendly Alain, Chez Alain Miam Miam is a sandwich shop like no other.
It’s not some kind ofSubway sandwich spot – each sandwich is made with a lot of love and a lot of ultra high quality ingredients. Imagine ham being sliced to order, huge cheese wheels being grated infant of your eyes – it’s quite the experience. Alain personally makes it for you whilst asking what you like, dislike and puts your mega sandwich together infant of your eyes.
The idea is that you choose one meat (Jambon Blanc, Prosciutto, Chicken, Pastrami), one cheese (Comté or Cantal) and then a selection of vegetables (caramelised onions, avocado, mushrooms etc). It’s then seasoned with lots of salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil. The only downside? It’s a very popular spot.You can expect to queue for at least 30 mins and up to 1 hour on weekends. I’d advise going very early if you don’t want to queue!
What to know before you visit
- Closed Mondays
- It’s take-out only
- Prepare to queue!
Address: 26 Rue Charlot, 75003
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ChezAlainMiamMiam/
Le Petit Vendôme
Le Petit Vendôme is one of the most well-known spots in Paris for a classic French baguette sandwich.
Yes, it’s in a touristy part of town. No, it’s not a tourist trap. It’s a proper old-school bistro with loads of charm, mildly chaotic staff and a loyal local following. You’ll recognise it instantly by the queue snaking outside.
If you’re not set on takeaway, skip the line and grab a seat inside at a table or at the bar.
And the sandwiches? They’re excellent. Simple, quality ingredients done right. The jambon beurre, just baguette, salted butter and thinly sliced jambon de Paris, is superb. Add a few cornichons and you’ve got a perfect little Parisian lunch. I’d go as far as saying it’s up there with the best in the city.
One more thing. The fries are genuinely great. Not traditional with a baguette sandwich, but order some anyway. You won’t regret it.
What to know before you visit
- They’re closed on Mondays
- Prepare to queue during lunch if you want to take-away
- If you want to eat in, skip the queue and ask for a table
Address: 8 Rue des Capucines, 75002
Tel: 01 42 61 05 88
Website: https://lepetitvendome.fr/en
Caractère de Cochon
Caractère de Cochon is probably where you’ll find the best baguette sandwich in Paris, or more specifically the best jambon-beurre in the city. Located just off the very lovely rue de Bretagne on a quaint little side street which is adjacent to the Marché des Enfants Rouge. Here, you’ll find this incredible, old-fashioned charcuterie shop with a vast variety of cheeses and hams to take away or to have freshly sliced into a sandwich!
The idea is simple, there’s cold sandwich base price (jambon-beurre) and you choose your ham from the counter and then your cheese. There’s a fantastic array of different hams including French and Spanish specialities – Serrano, hay smoked ham, Jambon Cru made from the famous ‘noir de bigorre’ pigs. The basic version uses an incredible Jambon Blanc with a cheese of your choosing.
I last had a ham with wild garlic and comté cheese. Their truffled ham is also incredible. It is on the pricier side – expect at least €13 per person. This makes it around 3 times more expensive than the average Jambon-Beurre sandwich from a boulangerie. Is it worth it? Definitely. You also can’t eat in so I’d advise you go to the nearby Square du Temple – Elie Wiesel park.
What to know before you visit
- They’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
- Prepare to queue during lunch times
Address: 42 Rue Charlot, 75003
Tel: 01 42 74 79 45
Website: https://www.instagram.com/caracteredecochonparis/
Vandal
Vandal is a new killer sandwich shop in the 19th arrondissement right next to the stunning Buttes-Chaumont park. It’s the perfect lunch time spot if you want to take-away and eat in the park. I eat their a lot when the weather’s nice during my lunch break.
The menu is small – they have 4 sandwiches on rotation and they’re all very good. My favorite is their superb ‘spicy sardine’ sandwich with pickles, beetroot and sriracha mayo.
Their take on the classic meatball sub is classy. A brioche sub roll, tomato sauce and their rich chicken meatballs (with a bit of liver in there I think) finished off with a deluge of parmesan is killer.
For the veggies there are usually 2 options. One of which I had recently was their mushroom & soft boiled egg sandwich with hummus tofu. It’s genuinely a flavour bomb full of umami with pops of crunch from peanuts and citrus from coriander – delicious.
What to know before you visit
- Closed on the weekends
- Open for lunch from midday-3pm
- There’s a couple of seats inside
- You may have to wait 10-20 minutes once you’ve ordered
Address: 56 Rue des Alouettes, 75019
Website: https://www.instagram.com/vandal_paris/
Project Sausage
Project Sausage provides a taste of my home country (the UK) to Paris. Probably the only British deli in Paris, Project Sausage serves up home made (and very well made) pies, sandwiches and other British treats in the city’s 11th arrondissement.
They have a limited menu given the size of their deli but what’s on offer is awesome. Their sandwiches started with locally sourced fresh bread (no long-life sandwich bread here) and their fillings are all made in house. The house classic sandwich is a great roast beef sandwich with caramelised onions and house-made mayo.
They’ve also got a killer coronation chicken sandwich which is on in the summer. For vegetarians there’s a beautiful miso glazed aubergine and house slaw sandwich. After something else? They’ve got incredible sausage rolls and pork pies all served with a great chipotle mayo.
What to know before you visit
- Closed Sundays & Mondays
- It’s take-out only
- They have vegetarian sandwiches available
Address: 57 Rue du Chemin Vert, 75011
Tel: 01 42 74 79 45
Website: https://projectsausage.com
Le Rigodon
Le Rigodon is a great produce focused restaurant in the 11th arrondissement serving up some superb sandwiches at lunchtime. Perfectly located next to the uber cool Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, it’s a great spot to pick up a French baguette sandwich with a twist. It’s a spot to check out if you’re exploring the area around République and the Canal-Saint Martin.
Their sandwiches are seasonal and change regularly (at least once every 3 weeks). A departure from the classic Jambon-Beurre and sub style sandwiches, Le Rigodon’s creations are a lot more interesting. Confit chicken dressed in a spicy green Harissa sauce is zingy and finished with marinated veg and egg slices was awesome. I’d also definitely recommend getting one of their chocolate sesame cookies – it’s so moist and tender.
What to know before you visit
- They serve sandwiches to eat in and take away at lunch time
- You can order online
Address: 10 rue des Trois Bornes, 75011
Tel: 07 78 82 58 88
Website: https://lerigodon.fr
Homer
In the mood for something a little more extravagant? Homer is an awesome lobster roll restaurant that has 6 locations across the city. Perfect for hot days, their lobster rolls are awesome (I admit I was a bit sceptical at first but they are superb). Yes it’s an expensive sandwich but is it worth it? Definitely!
Their standard lobster roll comes in a €20 by itself and is a mix of lobster and crayfish. You might be a little concerned at this point but don’t be. The mix is generous, well seasoned and very creamy. Sure it’s a mix but it tastes fantastic. The brioche bun is toasted with plenty of butter to order and the sandwich is finished off with lots of freshly minced chives. It might not seem like much but lobster is very protein dense so you’ll feel full quickly. If you want to push the boat out you can get the XL roll for €25 and even add caviar for another €30!
What to know before you visit
- Ample seating available in most of their locations
- You can order online but it’s really worth getting your roll just after it’s been freshly toasted.
Addresses
Marais: 21 Rue Rambuteau, 75004
Odéon: 15 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006
Victor Hugo: 106 avenue Victor Hugo, 75116
Website: https://www.homerlobster.com
Nonette
Nonette is a fantastic restaurant/café specialising in awesome Bahn Mis and home made donuts. Located just opposite it’s incredible sister restaurant, The Hood, in the capital’s 11th arrondissement. The small café is take-out only but they’ll usually have standing tables if the weather’s good.
Their Bahn Mi sandwiches are superb with a focus on ultra high quality, home made ingredients. All their Vietnamese charcuterie is home made including their Vietnamese porchetta, mortadella and pâté. My favourite has to be their not-so-traditional but awesome fried chicken Bahn Mi. The bread is super tender inside with an awesome crunch on the outside. It may be rich but there’s plenty of acidity from the beautiful pickled vegetables in the background. YUM!
What to know before you visit
- It’s take-out only, there’s no inside seating
- Open every day of the week
Address: 71 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011
Tel: 01 47 00 66 84
Website: https://www.nonettebanhmi.com
