These Are London’s Best Upscale Toasts, Clubs & Fancy Sandwiches
The UK has an affinity for toast. It is in the fabric of our making, the endless food trend, with beans on toast being loved by over 3/4 of the population. With the foundation of our simple toasts being the make-or-break of our day, upscale restaurants have harnessed that fondness and developed their concepts of the simple things that lie on top of or within our beloved bread. Here’s a list of London’s best upmarket toasts and sandwiches for a nostalgic bite on your fancy nights.
Brasserie Angelica
At newly opened Brasserie Angelica in Fitzrovia, the sandwich course arrives with a touch of theatre thanks to a roaming open sandwich trolley. Rolled through the dining room at lunch, the cart serves Nordic-style open sandwiches directly to tables, bringing back an old-school style of service that feels both nostalgic and high end. It’s a playful reminder that sometimes the simplest dishes — bread, toppings, a little butter — are the most satisfying.
Read our full Brasserie Angelica review
Where: 49 Newman St, London W1T 3EB
Website: www.brasserieangelica.com
Forget the standard lunch menu; the real magic at Brasserie Angelica arrives on wheels. The sandwich trolley is an experience like no other. It’s the kind of place that inspires immediate ‘order envy’ the moment the trolley rolls past.
Beth, Social Media Assistant
Pan Pacific London
Luxury doesn’t always mean complexity. At Pan Pacific London, the Signature Triple Cheese Toastie proves that elevated comfort food can be wonderfully simple. Built on 75% sourdough made exclusively for the hotel and fermented for 24 hours, the toastie layers Barber’s Farmhouse Vintage Cheddar, Mrs Bell’s Blue and mozzarella for the ultimate molten centre. It’s the humble grilled cheese perfected.
Where: 80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB
Website: www.panpacific.com
Cafe Kowloon
Over at Cafe Kowloon, toast takes a Hong Kong turn. The standout is their Hong Kong–style French toast, injected with peanut butter and drizzled in condensed milk for a sticky-sweet finish. Crisp on the outside, soft within and unapologetically indulgent, it’s a nostalgic street-food classic reimagined in a stylish London setting. A crowd favourite on their very quickly iconic menu.
Read our full Cafe Kowloon review
Where: 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PH
Website: www.cafekowloon.co.uk
One of my favourite desserts I’ve had in London recently, this was the most nostalgic form of toast I could have imaged. The perfect golden, definitely my favourite thing on the menu.
Mallory, Junior Food & Drink Editor
The American Bar
Hidden behind the historic courtyard of The Stafford London, The American Bar offers a refined setting for classic sandwich indulgence. On the menu, you’ll find elevated bar staples, including the American Bar Club Sandwich and the Reuben Grilled Sandwich, perfect alongside a cocktail as the courtyard comes alive in spring.
Where: 16-18 St James’s Pl, London SW1A 1NJ
Website: www.thestaffordlondon.com
Daffodil Mulligan
At Shoreditch favourite Daffodil Mulligan, chef Richard Corrigan is proving the open sandwich deserves a comeback. Served weekday lunchtimes, these bold creations range from steak with caramelised onions and chimichurri to fried chicken with pickles and fermented mayo or spiced paneer with spinach and curried egg — each accompanied by a seasonal cup of soup.
Where: 70-74 City Rd, London EC1Y 2BJ
Website: www.daffodilmulligan.com
Bread Street Kitchen
Only Gordon Ramsay could turn a viral meme into a luxury lunch. At Bread Street Kitchen, the Idiot Sandwich upgrades the internet-famous joke with slow-cooked BBQ beef brisket, melted Double Gloucester and pickled cucumber, all tucked into a sesame seed bun with BBQ sauce. Playful, indulgent and surprisingly refined, it’s comfort food with a very obvious Gordon Ramsay twist.
Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com
Bbar
Just moments from Buckingham Palace, Bbar serves one of London’s most satisfying toasties. Their famous cheese toastie (£18) features crunchy golden sourdough loaded with molten cheese and served with a rich smoked ketchup for dipping. For the full experience, upgrade to enjoy it alongside a trio of wines (£45 per person).
Where: 43 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PP
Website: www.bbarlondon.com
CORD
Did you know the original Coronation Chicken was actually a Le Cordon Bleu invention? Created in 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the dish has become one of Britain’s most beloved sandwich fillings. At CORD Café, chefs have given the classic a high-end refresh, serving their elevated version on artisanal toast. It’s all carefully balanced spices, impeccable technique and premium ingredients — a modern homage to a 70-year-old British icon.
Where: 85 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AE
Website: www.cordrestaurant.co.uk
The New York Bar
Inside The Rubens at the Palace, The New York Bar champions comfort classics. The menu is packed with sandwich standouts, from the Honey Roast Ham & Smoked Red Leicester Toastie (£17) to the indulgent Rubens Club Sandwich (£26) stacked with free-range chicken, bacon, egg, avocado and tomato. It’s the perfect stop for a relaxed lunch or pre-theatre bite near Buckingham Palace.
Where: 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
Website: www.rubenshotel.com
Love sandwiches? Read all about my top sandwich shops in London.
