Lettuce eat sandwiches
Determined to maintain flavour while injecting more nutrients into my lunch, I’ve scoured the city to unearth some seriously good salad-forward sammies, and the results were a rainbow array of salty satisfaction
top pick
Frances Nation Grocer
The Arts Centre, Worcester Street
Home to the peanut butter sandwich of my (soon to be your) dreams. Tucked inside the ground floor of the Arts Centre, this is the edible outpost of the infamous Frances Nation gift store located upstairs. Owner Tessa Peach ensures the shelves are overflowing with incredible NZ producers – wine, cheese, produce, and preserves to inspire your dinner table. The biggest drawcard here is the sammies, and in the name of research, I ate two. You can’t go wrong with the egg, preserved lemon and chive, but for me, it’s all about the peanut butter with chilli carrot pickle. It’s a sandwich that both surprises and delights. It champions the humble carrot (using Ester’s pickle from Wellington), uplifts the overlooked iceberg, and re-invents the joy of a crunchy peanut butter sandwich. There’s a slosh of Culley’s picklenaise mayo and a sprinkle of dukkah encased in a soft bap from Grizzly, with a pillowy chew. Alongside Prima Roastery coffee and Sydenham bakery treats are hand-selected ingredients from all corners of Aotearoa, such as Hawke’s Bay’s Handsdown corn tortillas and jars of Raglan-aged Zeke’s Gold Candied Jalapeños. It’s a very special place with some very special sandwiches.
Hokitika Sandwich Co
129 High Street, Christchurch
No, I didn’t venture to the West Coast for this sandwich; although I totally would, I didn’t have to. This Hokitika institution has ventured east, complete with a full wall mural to emulate a quirky bush cabin. They’ve joined forces with Bellbird Bakery to create a bespoke ‘hoki roll’ which exists in a magic space between a cushy bap, ciabatta and an olive oil bathed focaccia. The half (still sizeable) seasonal roast vege sandwich involves mushrooms, zucchini, and red onion, alongside cos, goat’s feta, pesto, and aioli. You can add on to level up – double cheese, anyone? I went pickles and kimchi because great sandwiches welcome acidity and crunch. A truly laudable and fulfilling lunch.
Tom’s
36 Southwark Street, Christchurch
Tom’s is the new kid on Southwark St, offering a confident and curated selection of sandwiches that spark joy and intrigue. Inside the charming blue and maroon accented fit-out, you’ll find owner Tom Worthington making oat milk flat whites and toasting sammies. It’s the egg one here, a lightly baked omelette layered with smoked provolone cheese, greens, and a lick of mayo inside a perky and bronzed Grizzly burger bun. There’s halloumi with preserved lemon, and always a vegan option. If you miss out on a sammie, a slice of Cakes By Anna cake is a good substitute. I’ve been known to devour a giant wedge of quince sponge with spiced honey cream for breakfast and recommend you do too.
Grizzly Baked Goods
33 Buchan Street, Christchurch
Ever thought about putting roast chickpeas in your sandwich? The guys at Grizzly did, and dang, it’s good. They’ve mixed tender salty chickpeas with jackfruit and wedged them between two thick slices of moist Midnight Rye bread. Hiding beneath the chewy seeded crust, you’ll find crunchy cos, a smear of creamy mayo, and a hit of hot sauce. It’s wholesome and satiating, vegan too, but most crucially – delicious. I’m always impressed with the way Grizzly put their own twist on things. From the everything croissant with cream cheese filling to the rye sea salt chocolate cookies. There’s also a sesame tofu sammie in a long potato roll that’s hit the shelves recently, which I’ll be lining up for.