11 of My Favorite Sandwiches in Los Angeles

1. All’Antico Vinaio (Venice): All’Antico opened in Florence in 1991 and has since expanded throughout Italy (so you know it’s good). In 2021, they expanded to the United States by opening a shop in Manhattan. Finally, in 2023, they blessed the west coast and are now stuffing my favorite sandwiches on Abbot Kinney in Venice. While I always seem to order La Paradiso (mortadella, stracciatella, pistachio cream and pistachio), there is not one bad sandwich on this menu so order them all…but not all at once (they are big!).

2. Clementine (Century City): The egg salad sandwich at Clementine is a mix of soft and crunchy in one bite. It’s egg salad with mayonnaise, red onion, watercress and cornichons on a rustic white levain. For dessert, grab a homemade chocolate chip cookie to go (you won’t regret it), and walk across the street to the Westfield Century City Mall (aka the greatest mall on planet earth).

3. Fiore Market Cafe (South Pasadena): The standout for me at this garden cafe is the roast chicken sandwich on homemade bread (!!!) with basil walnut pesto, mayonnaise and the creamiest burrata cheese. I’ve never had anything else here because I can’t not order the roast chicken sandwich.

4. Roma Market (Pasadena): Roma Market is an Italian grocery store and deli owned by Roario Mazzeo who hasn’t missed a day of work at the deli in over 70 years. Walk in, say hello to Rosario, grab a sandwich wrapped in pink paper from the stack on the counter, pay for said sandwich, and trust that you’ll be back for another one soon. The sandwich is a mix of cured meats and cheese (capicola, mortadella, salami, provolone, etc) and hundreds are made fresh every day. You don’t come here for any sandwich other than this one.

5. Carla Cafe (West LA): Ordering from Carla Cafe feels like you’re in the know and part of an exclusive club. It’s pickup and delivery only and they offer a few sandwich and salad options each day. The OG sandwich that put Carla Cafe on the map (and for good reason) is the garlic aioli chicken sandwich so order that if it’s available in the daily drop!

6. Clark Street (Brentwood, Echo Park, Larchmont, Downtown): Clark Street is a bakery first and foremost… which means the foundation for their sandwiches are out of this world. You can’t go wrong with any of them but I’m partial to the colorful veggie sandwich. In addition to a sandwich, don’t leave the premises without a few pastries for later.

7. DELIzioso Cinque (Pacific Palisades): Most people come here for the croissants but don’t sleep on the sandwiches. My go-to is the prosciutto, burrata and arugula sandwich but you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Take your sandwich to go and find an outdoor table across the street in Palisades Village, the high-end outdoor mall with plenty of outdoor seating and grassy areas to picnic.

8. The Old Place (Cornell): The Old Place isn’t a sandwich-only shop but instead is a former general store and mailroom that makes for a unique dining experience in the Santa Monica mountain community of Cornell (north of Malibu, south of Agoura Hills)... which also happens to serve a really delicious oak-grilled steak sandwich, consisting of sirloin, bleu cheese aioli and grilled onions. You can only order this sandwich for lunch until 4pm so drive out to Cornell, sit outside on what looks like the set of an old western film with your steak sandwich and a glass of wine from the Cornell Winery next door.

9. Nate’n Al’s (Beverly Hills): There are a lot of great Jewish delis in Los Angeles but for some reason I’m partial to Nate’n Al’s right smack in the middle of Beverly Hills. The pastrami sandwich melts in your mouth and that’s really all you need to know. There’s also a good chance you’ll spot a celeb or two in the dining room.

10. Yeastie Boys (Food truck, multiple locations): As a New Yorker living in Los Angeles, I can tell you that LA is not known for their bagels… sure, there are some great spots with open-faced bagel sandwiches but a good bacon, egg and cheese that you can eat on the go is hard to find. The Cheddy Wap at Yeastie Boys does the trick - crisp bacon, melty cheddar cheese, a fried egg and a toasted New-Yorker-approved bagel wrapped in tin foil and ready to eat while walking, driving or sitting down to enjoy… chef’s kiss.

11. Phillipe’s (Downtown): Closing out my list of favorite sandwiches with a downtown LA institution since 1908 - Philippe’s French Dip. Your choice of meat (roast beef, roast pork, lamb, turkey, pastrami or ham) and cheese (Swiss, American, cheddar, Monterey jack or bleu cheese), served on a fresh French roll and dipped in natural gravy. My go-to is roast beef or lamb with Swiss cheese… the sandwich actually melts in your mouth.

This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Los Angeles. For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Souvenir Advisors’s guide, Exploring Los Angeles, California.