The Upper West Side Sandwich Guide

The 4.4-star UWS institution since 1908 — cash only — where reviewers describe the nova lox on an everything bagel as 'the best nova I've ever had, bright, flavorful, and not too fishy' and specifically recommend the open-faced sturgeon sandwich on a bialy with scallion cream cheese, sliced onion, and tomato as the essential order.

The 4.5-star UWS institution since 1934 — part gourmet grocery, part deli counter, part cafe upstairs — where reviewers say 'run don't walk, the hand-sliced nova is NOT the only thing they have' and call the chunky whitefish salad, salmon salad, fresh prepared sandwiches, and bagels 'a staple of the upper west side that is a much better version of Whole Foods with a selection that is simply amazing.

The 4.6-star neighborhood bagel shop at the top of the UWS where reviewers describe 'probably the best overall texture in a bagel — pillowy soft on the inside with a nice crunch that holds its shape on the outside' and call it the top of their NYC bagel list, with jalapeño cream cheese and salmon salad as the standout custom combinations; they take card now.

The 4.7-star Vietnamese sandwich counter that reviewers describe as a 'genuinely almost perfect sandwich — I eat it once a week, the lemongrass pork shoulder with spicy creamy sauce, crispy-soft bread, and generously portioned pickled veggies is the best banh mi I've had' — takeout only, open daily until 8:30pm, two blocks from Central Park.

The 4.5-star UWS institution on Broadway where the French dip is the signature — reviewers call it 'messy, satiating, and impossible not to enjoy yourself while eating' with 'portions so huge the first time we thought it was a small size' — the warm buttery bread alone earns its own paragraph in half the reviews, and the patty melt with jus is the runner-up order.

The 4.5-star Israeli bakery at Lincoln Square where the bureka — a flaky, savory filled pastry — is described by reviewers as 'soft, flaky, and full of flavor, it instantly lifted my mood,' the egg sandwiches and fresh-baked loaves are the lunch anchors, and the chocolate babka is the reason reviewers leave with three loaves instead of one; open daily 7am–8pm.

The 4.4-star neighborhood cafe on Columbus Avenue that reviewers describe as 'super tiny with only four two-tops but it makes up for the lack of size with charm — the chicken salad sandwich was delicious, the staff was really friendly, and getting a hot drink and a sandwich here on a snow day was genuinely perfect'; open daily from 7am.