We tried 12 of the city's Christmas sandwiches. Read our verdicts here (subscriber only)
It may be only November but Christmas sandwiches are coming in hot, fast and with all the trimmings - and not a moment too soon if you ask us. Here's where to get a Christmas sandwich in Dublin right now, and we'll be updating this list as more hit menus.
The Christmas Sandwich, Joli, Stoneybatter
Newly opened Joli in Stoneybatter get extra points for their use of roasted ham hock instead of slices, as well as carved turkey, herby stuffing, and homemade cranberry aioli. It's served toasted and while on the more simple side it looks pretty perfect to us.
The Open Sandwich, Farmhouse Café, Dublin 12
We might have been skeptical of an open Christmas sandwich, before this delight for the eyes from Farmhouse Café came into our lives (via our feeds). They take toasted sourdough, top it with cranberry mayo, sourdough bacon and cranberry stuffing (fried in butter), roasted turkey, melted Durrus cheese, and finish with a dollop of their own cranberry jam. It's a three course meal in one but we're game.
The Christmas Croque, Oxmantown Smithfield
We love a Croque Monsieur and we are loving Oxmantown's Christmas spin on the traditional French classic - a baked sandwich with turkey, ham, stuffing, braised red cabbage, cranberry, mustard béchamel and gruyere cheese. They also have a veggie Christmas special with spiced celeriac, roast Brussels sprouts, braised red cabbage, stuffing, melted brie and cranberry.
Christmas Sandwich, Honey Honey, Portmarnock
Honey Honey Café is giving honey-baked Christmas ham the spotlight it deserves. They add homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce, brie, mayo and mixed leaves, before toasting to melted perfection. If you're big on brie and not so big on turkey, this is the one for you. They also have a veggie option with roasted butternut squash, toasted hazelnuts and all the trimmings.
The Crambo Sambo, Park Life Café Crumlin
Park Life Café has managed to pack a roast into their "Crambo Sambo" with turkey, ham, seasoned stuffing, Dubliner cheddar, cranberry sauce and thinly sliced roast potatoes with Himalayan rock salt and rosemary. It's all served on toasted firehouse sourdough, and they had us at roast potatoes.
Crimbo Sambos, Bang Bang, Phisborough
Bang Bang have three Christmas sambos available, each looking as good as the others. They have house-roasted turkey, veggie brie and vegan spiced jackfruit, all served with sesame sprout slaw, rocket, port and orange cranberry sauce, and sourdough stuffing. Definitely worth a trip or three to Dublin 7. (Read what we thought of it here)
The Christmas Special, Grump's, Foxrock
The Christmas Special at Grump's has carved roast turkey, maple glazed Christmas ham, homemade herby stuffing, tangy cranberry sauce and mustard mayo on sourdough. They're also offering a vegan option with roasted sweet potato & lentils with cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg, balsamic onions, vegan homemade herby stuffing, tangy cranberry sauce and vegan mustard mayo on sourdough.
Christmas Bap, McNally Family Farm, North County Dublin
If you are looking for meat-free options, you need the Christmas baps from Mc Nally's Family Farm. The veggie option has sesame roast carrots, Brussels sprout and celeriac slaw, garlicky mayo, peppercorn cheese, herby stuffing, and cranberry and port sauce. The vegan bap has all of that without the cheese. They're both served on garlic and rosemary focaccia, and we don't think you'll miss the meat.
The Chrimbiatta, Old Street, Malahide
Old Street's 'Chrimbiatta' is another one for non-turkey lovers, filled with honey glazed ham, housemade cranberry sauce, herbed stuffing, and spiced brussels sprout slaw. It's served on a toasted ciabatta with a side of handcut chips.
Christmas Sambo Slam, Urbanity
Urbanity always go the extra mile, and it's no different with their Chistmas sandwiches. They've just launched their "Chrimbo Sambo Slam", with a different sandwich each week for the next three weeks, and the ones with the most votes and sales coming back for Christmas week. First in line is a Christmas Banh Mì, with miso & honey glazed ham, sprout & Chinese cabbage slaw, pickled carrot & parsnip, garlic & herb kewpie mayo, cranberry & chili sauce, and fresh coriander, with a five-spice gravy for dipping.
There's also a veggie option on for the month, with maple & cider roasted butternut squash, kale & pecan pesto, brie, rocket, cranberry chutney, and stuffing pangrattato on Tartine sourdough. (Read what we thought of it here)
The Christmas Special, 147 Deli
Rarely have we seen the level of excitement reserved for the 147 Deli Christmas special, from anyone who's ever eaten it. It's got honey-glazed ham, turkey, bacon fat sprouts, crispy bacon crumb, Brie, sage & hazelnut stuffing, and cranberry sauce on granary bread, served with a side of chicken wing gravy. Join the queue. (Read what we thought of it here)
Xmas Special, Tír Deli
Another sandwich with a legion of fans from last year is Tír Deli's Xmas Special. They take turkey breast from Feighcullen farm, stuff in turkey sausage made from leg meat, and roll it into a 'turketta', before cooking it sous vide for six hours for maximum juice. Then they add house-smoked ham, house gravy, cheddar, Christmas tree mayo and cranberry sauce, load it onto a ciabatta and toast it. We've already had reports that it's as good as ever. (Read what we thought of it here)
Spiced Beef Christmas Sambo, Daddy's
Daddy's in Rialto are mixing it up this year and we love to see it. From now until the 23rd of December you can get your hands on their Christmas sandwich special with Ennis Butcher spiced beef, McNally's organic brussel sprout and cranberry slaw, and house horseradish mayo, on 30% rye organic Tartine sourdough. If you're around Rialto way you should also pop into The Cupcake Bloke for one of his smoked bacon, pear and cheddar mince pies. (Read what we thought of it here)
Christmas Bao, Soup, Dun Laoghaire
Bored of bread? Sick of stuffing? Soup in Dun Laoghaire have the remedy. Their Christmas bao features pulled turkey in Korean spiced cranberry sauce, bacon and bourbon jam, and miso parsnip purée. Our heart rate's gone up just thinking about it.
The Christmas Sambo, Póg
Póg's ultra cheesy sandwich is back on the menu in all locations. They fill their sourdough with turkey, ham, brie, homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo, and toast it to get the cheese all melty. (Read what we thought of it here)
The Veggie Festive Sandwich, Queen of Tarts
For all of you complaining about the lack of veggie Christmas sandwiches, Queen of Tarts have just launched theirs, with brie, red cabbage and pumpkin seed pesto on homemade focaccia. Non-veggies can also add bacon.
The Kevin Mc Callister, SUP Coffee Shop
SUP Coffee know a thing or two about coffee, and apparently now Christmas sandwiches. 'The Kevin McCallister' comes with more honey and mustard glazed ham than we ever get on Christmas day, aswell as roast turkey, Christmas stuffing, turkey and stuffing crisps (yum), Applewood smoked cheddar, cranberry mayo, and rocket leaves on ciabatta. We can see why it's likely to sell out so DM to preorder.
Christmas Special, Leroy's
A lot of R&D goes into a good Christmas sandwich, and reckon the guys at Leroy's put the time into this one. Roast turkey, smoked ham, bacon and cranberry jam, chestnut and sprout slaw, pickled beets, Brie and Christmas stuffing are served on crunchy ciabatta from Tartine Organic Bakery - we see your efforts guys and we appreciate them. DM them to order in advance or risk disappointment if you just rock up to Merrion Cricket Club.
The Seasonal Sambo, South Bank Café
In Harold's Cross, South Bank café have a Christmas Sandwich for non-Brie lovers. Their seasonal sambo comes with roasted turkey, home-cooked ham, slow-braised red cabbage, herb stuffing, cheddar, mustard mayo, and cranberry sauce served on sourdough bread. It's only available Monday - Friday, and you can also get it on deliveroo direct to your couch or home office.
The Greenville Christmas Sandwich, Greenville Deli
Greenville Deli kicked things off early this year, launching their Greenville Christmas Sandwich with hand-carved turkey, honey-roasted ham, herby stuffing, pickled red cabbage (we love this addition), creamy Brie, cranberry sauce and mustard mayo, all served on sourdough bread. They also have a Vegan Christmas Special, and both are available in Inchicore, Rathmines and Surge in Clontarf. (Read what we thought of it here)
The Festive Special, Honey Truffle
If you're trying to get into the Christmas spirit near Grand Canal Dock, head for Honey Truffle. Their 'Festive Special' features home-baked ham, roasted turkey, sage, thyme and caramelised onion sourdough stuffing, and a good dollop of lightly spiced cranberry, orange and port sauce.
Roast Turkey Special from The Wooden Spoon
The Wooden Spoon in Blackrock is going a more simplistic route this year with their roast turkey special that comes with turkey, stuffing, Brie, and cranberry mayo. One for the less is more sandwich lover.
Christmas Sandwich, Gerard's Deli
Gerard's Deli is back with their Christmas sandwich, filled with baked ham, turkey, Brie, Gerard’s stuffing, mixed leaves, cranberry mayo, and the somewhat unusual but delicious sounding addition of crispy onions. Loose pants are recommended.
The Happy Cheesemas Toastie, Meltdown
The Christmas lights are on, Meltdown's cheesemas toastie is back, Christmas has finally begun. Home to some of the greatest toasties in the capital, their 'Happy Cheesmas' is right up there, with mature cheddar, creamy Brie, crispy bacon, roast turkey, homemade stuffing, mayo, and cranberry sauce on sourdough bread. See you there.
The Santa Baby, Goat's Gruff
The Santa Baby is back at Goat's Gruff in the Stawberry Beds. It features ham, turkey, Brie, stuffing and cranberry sauce, served on wood-fired ciabatta which we're betting takes it to a whole new level. Pair it with a garlic dip to eliminate any dry sandwich fear. (Read what we thought of it here)
The Festive Feast, Sprout
If you've reached your carb quota after trying all these sandwiches, here's something different from Sprout. The 'Festive Feast' is a salad with herby roasted chicken, roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, nutty bulgar, pomegranates, kale with cranberry vinaigrette, and sourdough stuffing, and it can also be served in a bowl or wrap. The healthy option if you are looking for one.
