You’ve just got to adore a Christmas sandwich. All the best bits of Christmas dinner packed between two slices of fluffy bread- what’s to not to love? With December here it’s the perfect time to shake up your lunch options by getting your chops round some of the delicious Christmas sandwiches on offer in Manchester this year. From festive toasties to burgers with all the bells and whistles to rival a decorated fir tree, check out our guide to the best Christmas sandwiches in Manchester.
1. Northern Soul
Marking Manchester’s official start of Christmas, the UK’s first grilled cheese restaurant, Northern Soul, has announced the grand return of its beloved Crimbo Dinner grilled cheese. Stacked high with fillings such as turkey, cranberry, stuffing, gravy and delicious cheese, the cult favourite sandwich is joined by an array of other festive bites, including grilled cheese sandwiches stuffed with brie, roast ham, festive chutneys and more. We’ve also got our eyes on two other Christmas toasted sandwiches from the Manchester spot: Hog Roast (pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing, gravy mayo and apple slaw) and Turkey ‘My Arse’ (Northern fried chicken, hoisin cranberry sauce, streaky bacon and slaw with roasted sesame dressing). Northern Soul, 44 Tib Street, M4 1LA and Escape to Freight Island, 11 Baring Street, M1 2PZ.
2. Harvey Nichols
‘Tis the season to treat yo’self and possibly one of the finest places to go in the city is Harvey Nichols. The Manchester department store’s restaurant not only boasts beautiful views of the city and an exquisite menu but you’ll also find some tasty Christmas sandwiches (a glass of Champagne or a cocktail alongside is optional). The decision to choose between all these sandwiches is also hard. Select from either turkey with brandy-soaked chestnuts, sage and onion stuffing and cranberry sauce; pigs on blankets, roasted gammon, smoked sausage, cheddar cheese and Harvey Nichols mustard; or Brie, stilton, Harvey Nichols Sour Cherry and Prosecco sauce. Plus all of Harvey Nichols’ Christmas sandwiches come served on fresh sourdough bread from local artisan bakery Companio. Harvey Nichols, 21 New Cathedral Street, M1 1AD.
3. Sndwch
The team behind Manchester’s fast-growing lockdown start-up ‘sndwch’ have apparently created the ultimate, indulgent Christmas butty to end all sandwich wars and these guys “take sandwiches seriously”. Featuring smoked turkey from a small, family-run farm, mouth-watering smoked bacon and sausage meat stuffing from Grandad’s Sausages, sndwch’s secret homemade blend cranberry sauce and a layer of spinach it’s pretty epic. And for the final flourish, the sandwich has the option of being topped with Fiddler’s Lancashire Crisps, with a choice of pigs in blankets or turkey and stuffing flavour, to create six merry layers of Christmas goodness. Find it at General Store group, which has outlets in Ancoats, Castlefield, Deansgate, Moss Side, MediaCityUK and Stretford Foodhall.
4. Porky Pig
Yes, it’s not exactly a sandwich but trust us on this. And yes, the Porky Pig queue is unbelievably long but once you have one of these bad boys in your hand you’ll be glad you waited. Returning to Manchester Christmas Markets with their beloved wraps, at Porky Pig Carvery you can opt to fill your wrap with a selection of meat including pork, gammon, beef, chicken and lamb, with veggies, stuffing and a choice of gravies to finish it off with, all wrapped up in a tasty parcel made from a giant Yorkshire pudding. And to top it off, you can order some battered pigs in blankets to go with that mighty wrap. Porky Pig, Manchester Christmas Markets, Exchange Square.
5. Bab
Manchester kebab kings Bab have introduced not one but three festive babs this Christmas offering an alternative to your standard lunchtime sandwiches. For the classic turkey lovers looking for a twist there’s the turkey shawarma featuring pickled red cabbage, sprouts, pigs in blankets, stuffing, cranberry chilli sauce and Bab spicy gravy. Plus vegans, Bab has got you with their vegan ‘turkey’ option complete with vegan pigs in blankets, stuffing, creamed cabbage and Bab spicy gravy. And if that’s not enough, Bab has a crispy, fishy and festive bab which includes salmon tempura, crispy samphire, shallots, lemon & dill sauce and fresh cranberries (because Christmas means cranberries). Bab, 14 Little Lever Street, M1 1HR.
6. Parmageddon
Bringing festive cheer to Manchester from the North East, Parmageddon has unleashed a mouthwatering menu of Christmas sandwiches/burgers. Located at Hatch as well as Manchester Christmas Markets, Parmageddon is offering the likes of festive parmos as well as being slapped in a brioche bun with bacon, gooey melted brie and cranberry sauce to rival many Christmas sandwiches. The parmo paradise is also serving up another festive butty featuring pigs in blankets, stuffing balls, gravy and more. Parmageddon, Hatch, Oxford Road, M1 7ED and Manchester Christmas Markets, Winter Gardens at Piccadilly Gardens.
7. Herbivorous
Veggies and vegans you need not miss out as Herbivorous has got one of the best plant-based Christmas sandwiches/burgers in Manchester. Their Christmas Cracker burger features shredded ‘turkey’ seitan, braised red cabbage, a sausage stuffing patty, cranberry sauce, and sage and onion mayo. Plus, for those looking for a meat-free pigs in blanket, Herbivorous is serving up a Cosy Pigs in Blankets sub with sausages and smoky seitan ‘bacon’, all of which can be enjoyed with mulled red wine gravy fries, which will be sure to cause some serious vegan food envy. Herbivorous, Hatch, Oxford Road, M1 7ED and 445 Wilmslow Road, Withington, M20 4AN.