Raleigh is known for its authentic Southern cuisine and barbecue, but it also has an impressive sandwich scene and I’ve been taking note of my top sandwich spots and below you will find my personal favorite sandwiches in Raleigh.
From classic deli-style sandwiches to innovative creations, the city has something for every sandwich lover and if you are searching on your phone for best sandwiches near me, keep reading!
But I haven’t eaten everywhere, yet, and have only scratched the surface so would love for you to share your suggestions in the comments at the bottom.
Best Sandwiches in Raleigh (so far)
State of Beer
Located in downtown Raleigh, State of Beer offers more than just an awesome selection of craft and bottled local beers. They also have a great selection of gourmet sandwiches, both hot and cold sandwiches, which all have clever names.
Some sandwiches have been named after famous songs such as “Walk the Line” after the famous Johnny Cash song, which comes with turkey, pastrami, Swiss cheese, and house-made thousand island sauce, or “Sweet Home Alabama” which comes with roast beef, cheddar, Alabama white sauce, pickled red peppers, and crunchy onions.
I personally enjoyed my “Smoke on the Water” sandwich, which comes with chicken, bacon, smokey jalapeño aioli, mild cheddar, and pickled red onion served on a hoagie roll.
For vegetarians, there’s the Caprese sandwich, which is made with delicious house-made pesto, tomato, and mozzarella, and Apple & Brie which has whipped brie and Granny Smith apples.
All of their sandwiches (and they have hearty salads too) pair so well with your beer and are best enjoyed outside on their casual patio.
If you’re looking for places to eat sandwiches in Raleigh that are a bit more casual, then head over to Hillsborough St on the edge of the Warehouse District to State of Beer!
- Hours: 11.00am – 10.00pm Monday – Thursday, 11.00am – 11.00pm Friday and Saturday, 12.00pm – 10.00pm on Sundays
- Address: 401 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Website: TrophyBrewing.com/state-of-beer
Manhattan Cafe
Manhattan Cafe is a family-owned sandwich shop in downtown Raleigh that has an urban aesthetic with graffiti art and chalkboard menus. It’s a classic deli that serves up hearty deli sandwiches and from the press their paninis are very popular, all for less than $10.
A popular favorite is the Harvest Turkey sandwich, which comes with oven-roasted turkey, tomato, and delicious cranberry mayo and mesclun greens served on wheat bread.
Another popular favorite is the classic BLT, which when paired with a custom salad from the salad bar, is the ideal hearty meal.
They don’t have a vegetarian-friendly sandwich, but they do have the Garden Veggie wrap which is filled with fresh vegetables and a homemade chipotle sauce. And they do have gluten-free bread!
What I love about Manhattan Cafe is when you can’t decide between a sandwich or a wrap, you can choose their “pick 2” option, which allows you to select one wrap and one sandwich and pair it with a cup of soup or side salad.
Manhattan Cafe is a popular lunch spot in Raleigh with a fun atmosphere and decor, so be sure to get there early to avoid any queues.
- Hours: 11.00am – 3.00pm Monday – Friday
- Address: 320 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website: ManhattanCafe.com
Beasley’s Chicken + Honey
Beasley’s Chicken + Honey is another popular spot downtown where you can find some of the best sandwiches in Raleigh that the locals love, evidenced by the line out the door at lunchtime!
They are famous for their southern chicken, which is why the most popular sandwich on the menu is the Hot Chicken Sandwich, which comes with Carolina Reaper Hot Chili Oil – so not for the faint-hearted!
Some other popular favorites are the Chicken Salad Sandwich, Tuna Melt, and Beasley’s Smash Burger. For vegetarians, you can enjoy the Veggie Sandwich which comes with cheddar cheese, tomato, avocado, and sprouts.
Beasley’s has a rustic, industrial vibe with black-painted ceilings and round bar stools for seating. You can sit directly at the bar or at one of the tables, however, there is no outdoor seating.
- Hours: 11:30am – 8.00pm Sunday and Monday, 11.30am – 9.00pm Friday, 11.30am – 10.00pm Saturday, Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
- Address: 237 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website: Beasley’s Chicken + Honey
Capital Club 16
Capital Club 16 is a charming bistro located in the historic Capital Club Building at 16 West Martin street in downtown Raleigh that looks like it could fit in a small German village. The decor is cozy and quaint, with locally sourced traditional American decor and dark wooden furnishings.
If you think the atmosphere feels like home, just wait until you try the sandwiches. They pride themselves on offering scratch-made, classic dishes using their time-tested family recipes and locally sourced ingredients.
I enjoy their club sandwich, and if you’re visiting for lunch or dinner, don’t miss out on the Pork Shoulder Sandwich, which features dark beer roasted pork shoulder with caraway gravy, red beet horseradish, aioli, and shaved sweet onions inside a potato bun.
Another noteworthy sandwich is the Local Catch Sandwich, which features Atlantic Salmon of NC Shrimp, served with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and paprika aioli with a brioche bun. Both of these classic sandwiches are featured on the lunch and dinner specials.
- Hours: 11.30am – 2.00pm, 5.00pm – 9.00pm Monday – Thursday, 11.30am – 2.00pm, 5.00pm – 9.30pm Friday, 11.30am – 3.00pm, 5.00pm – 9.30pm Saturday and 11.30am – 3.00pm Sunday
- Address: 16 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website: ac-restaurants.com/beasleys
The Berkeley Cafe
The Berkeley Cafe is one of the oldest restaurants in downtown Raleigh and is set inside a century-old building opposite Nash Square and is well-known for its live music and entertainment.
As well as being a popular spot for live music, they also serve up some tasty sandwiches. The most popular sandwich on their menu is the Badass Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich, as well as the classic Philly Cheesesteak.
The food is delicious, filling, and affordable, plus there’s a good selection of draft beers to pair with it. We find the staff are really friendly and the cool dive bar vibe is unlike anywhere else in Raleigh. It also has a quirky back patio area.
- Hours: 11.00am – 11.00pm Monday – Thursday, 11.00am – 12.00am Friday, 12.00pm – 12.00am Saturday, 11.00am – 10.00pm Sunday
- Address: 217 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website: Facebook page
Union Special
Union Special is a modern deli that serves up classic sandwiches with a twist. If you want to try a less conventional sandwich, upgrade your sammy to a croi-sammy (a sandwich inside a croissant) for an additional $2.00.
If you’re visiting on a Wednesday, try the mega Triple Decker Club sandwich, which is filled with black forest ham, roasted turkey, gruyere cheese, crispy cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic mayo, and thick-cut loaf – the daddy of all sandwiches and is one that will take two hands to eat.
Any other day of the week, the Turkey Bacon Ranch sandwich and Italian Sub are a popular choice. There are two Union Special branches in Raleigh, the newest one being in downtown on Fayetteville Street.
- Hours: 8.00am – 3.00pm Monday – Friday
- Address: 401 Fayetteville St Suite 103, Raleigh
- Website: UnionSpecialBread.com
A Place at The Table
A Place at The Table is a unique concept where you can pay-what-you-can for a good cause. The vibe is friendly and open, with lovely staff and volunteers who are all very welcoming.
They have a good-sized sandwich menu, and you can also swap to gluten-free bread on request. All sandwiches are served with either fresh chips or fruit.
Some popular options on their menu are the Chicken Salad Sandwich, Turkey-Gouda Melt, or for vegetarians, the Black Bean Melt which has Latin-style black beans, sliced avo, goat cheese, and honey and lime drizzle. They also do great coffee using Black & White Roasters from Wake Forest.
For something a little different, try the Hummus Pesto sandwich, which is a vegan option made of hummus, vegan basil pesto, roasted bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and arugula.
- Hours: 8.00am – 2.00pm Tuesday – Sunday, Closed Monday
- Address: 300 W Hargett St #50, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website: TableRaleigh.org
The Morning Times
The Morning Times is one of our favorite breakfast places in Raleigh since it serves up an all-day breakfast, but it also has some tasty sandwiches that make a hearty lunch meal.
We enjoy sitting in the cozy upstairs dining area that also functions as an art gallery, or when the sun is shining, grab a table outside on the sidewalk.
Some popular sandwiches on the menu are the Morning Sandwich for breakfast, which comes with scrambled egg and cheese, or the Reuben Melt which comes with corned beef, swiss cheese, pickled cabbage, and Russian dressing.
Their sandwich menu is small, but they make up for it with flavor and location and coffee! They also have a small selection of wraps, and a breakfast burrito!
- Hours: 7.00am – 6.00pm Sunday – Thursday, 7.00am – 8.00pm Friday and Saturday. The kitchen closes at 3pm each day.
- Address: 10 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website: MorningTimes-Raleigh.com
Mitch’s Tavern
Mitch’s Tavern is one of the classic sports bars in Raleigh and right across from NC State University campus on Hillsborough St that also serves up some great sandwiches.
Established in 1974, it quickly became one of Raleigh’s most notable landmarks and is a favorite amongst NC State students and alumni. The bar area looks like a quintessential English pub, with wood-accent tavern vibes. It also has some quirky NC State memorabilia hanging on the walls too.
When it comes to the menu, I enjoy Mitch’s Reuben sandwich, which is a slow-roasted corn beef sandwich with sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and house-made Thousand Island sauce on toasted rye bread. It was hearty and filling.
For something special, try the Hidlay Hoagie, which is an oven-gold turkey sandwich with melted pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, and topped with oregano and jalapeno jam. It was named after Wolfpack’s own Trent Hidlay, who’s an ACC wrestling champion.
All sandwiches are served with a side of chips and a dill pickle. You can substitute a potato salad or a side salad for an additional $2
- Hours: 11.00am – 12.00am Tuesday, 11.00am – 1.00am Wednesday, 11.00am – 2.00am Friday and Saturday, 11.00am – 10.00pm Sunday, Closed Monday. Food is served until 10.00pm every night except Sunday when the kitchen closes at 9.00pm
- Address: 2426 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607
- Website: MitchsTavernRaleigh.com
Jubala Coffee
One of our favorite coffee shops in Raleigh is of course Jubala Coffee, and not just because of their great coffee, but also their food options. Everything is made fresh, from the coffee to the waffles to the delicious sandwiches and biscuits.
They currently have three locations; Lafeyette Village, in North Hills, and my favorite is their location on Hillsborough Street underneath the Aloft Hotel and opposite NC State University and its iconic Bell Tower – I love to sit on the sidewalk and watch the world go by!
While they are popular for their coffee, their biscuits and sandwiches are another worthy reason to visit. Their sandwiches are served between the hours of 11.00am and 4.00pm and are all served hot pressed with Boulted Bread and made to order.
Their turkey and avocado sandwich with sharp cheddar, chipotle aioli, and pickled onion, is a favorite of mine. I choose to switch it up by ordering sourdough instead of multigrain.
They also have a delicious Calvander cheese and country ham sandwich with herb mayo that is a popular choice, or for vegetarians, the Ricotta Openface is the cheapest sandwich on the menu and comes filled with seasonal vegetables or fruit on Boulted loaf. All sandwiches come with a side of Kettle Chips or a spring mix salad.
If you prefer to dine in, there is a small indoor seating area with round tables and benches and more seating outside on the sidewalk. It’s the perfect spot to sit and people-watch on a warm summer’s day.
- Hours: 7.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday
- Address: 2100 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607
- Website: JubalaCoffee.com
The Daily Planet Cafe
The Daily Planet Cafe is a cozy coffee shop within the compounds of the Museum of Natural Sciences. They pride themselves on being not your average museum cafe and using fresh, locally sourced produce and products from Tar Heel state.
They have a good-sized sandwich menu, with classic combos including Chicken Salad Melts, Smoked Turkey Clubs, and Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwiches.
For something a little different, try the Epic Short Rib French Dip which has slow braised chuck roast, provolone, and dijon mustard on a ciabatta bread.
- Hours: 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm Saturday, 10.00am – 5.00pm Sunday
- Address: 121 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website: thedailyplanetcafe.com
MoJoe’s Burger Joint
MoJoe’s is of course known for their great burgers (I personally love their carnivore burger with chili), and all round they offer some of the best burgers in Raleigh, but they also have some great sandwich options too, that our eldest daughter loves!
A popular sandwich on their menu is the Philly Cheesesteak. It’s made with savory steak, grilled peppers, onions, and melted provolone cheese.
If you’re not in the mood for a cheesesteak, try the Carolina BBQ Sandwich. It’s a classic sandwich with Carolina BBQ and a special sauce and slaw.
MoJoe’s has a real community feel with a wall of photos of customers and local regulars lining the walls. You can take a Polaroid and add it to the wall, and see if it’s still there on your next visit!
- Hours: 11.00am – 10.00pm daily
- Address: 620 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Website: mojoesburgerjoint.com
Sam Jones BBQ
Sam Jones BBQ is a family-owned restaurant that goes back for three generations. They are famous for making smoke whole hogs on site every day and are one of the best places to eat BBQ in Raleigh.
For sandwich lovers, try one of their hearty smokehouse sandwiches which all include one side dish. Choose between Pete Jones BBQ which has slow-smoked chopped pork, or the Pulled Chicken, or Smoked Turkey sub – I personally love their turkey sandwich and grabbed one to-go when walking to the Dreamville Festiville and I can’t wait to go back for more!
If you’re not into BBQ food, then you can also find a Chicken Club, Catfish, or Pimento Cheese sandwich on the menu. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, but their outside benches are the perfect place to sit and enjoy a hearty meal during a warm Raleigh summer.
- Hours: 11.00am — 9.00pm Monday – Saturday, 11.00am – 8.30pm Sunday
- Address: 502 W Lenoir St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Website: SamJonesBBQ.com/raleigh
The Players Retreat
Another hot spot for NC State students and alumni for more than 70 years is The Players Retreat. It’s famous for being the oldest continuously operating tavern between Washington D.C. and Atlanta.
The vibe is a quaint and traditional sports bar tavern with booths and bar stools at the bar where you can enjoy your food from. There’s also additional seating outside on the sidewalk.
On the menu is a good selection of 12 different sandwiches. All sandwiches come with homemade chips or pasta salad, or you can swap your side for something else such as onion rings or a small Caesar salad for $2.50. I don’t have a photo of their sandwiches, but I do of their awesome burgers!
If you’re looking for a family-friendly vibe for a Sunday lunch, note that kids eat free on Sundays. Go check them out!
- Hours: 11:30am – 12.00am Monday – Thursday, 11.30am – 1.00am Friday, 11.00am – 1.00am Saturday, 11.00am – 12.00am Sunday
- Address: 105 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh, NC 27605
- Website: PlayersRetreat.com
Now it’s your turn. Where do you suggest I go next for my next great sandwich in Raleigh? I’ve barely scratched the surface and would appreciate your suggestions?
