Best Christmas sandwiches of 2024

Having acquired a cult following in recent years, the humble turkey sarnie is a much-beloved Boxing Day ritual. Throughout the months of November and December, cafés and supermarkets offer up festive renditions of toasties, paninis and baguettes so we can enjoy a taste of tradition on our lunch breaks.

This year, we’ve been scouring Brompton Road for Knightsbridge’s very best Christmas sandwiches, from twists on Christmas classics to veggie options with a little spice. Here’s what we found…

Wrapped in a freshly baked baguette, layers of turkey and bacon rashers are laid on a bed of baby spinach for a very Paul iteration of the Christmas roast dinner. Sage and onion stuffing with a tangy cranberry sauce brings all the elements of this festive baguette together for an overloaded lunchtime feast.

£6.50, 122 Brompton Rd, SW3 1JD

Brie may be an all-year-round kind of cheese but this mouthwatering French brie baguette with a port and orange cranberry sauce from Pret solidifies its synonymity with Christmas. Completely indulgent, with the pepperiness of the rocket balancing the creaminess of the brie, the pistachios add an earthy crunch for all-out festive flavour (nutcracker not included).

£6.25, 132 Brompton Rd, SW3 1HY

Is there anything more British than bubble & squeak? Roasted butternut squash, crumbled potato and parsnip, and spiced pickled savoy cabbage sit on a bed of spinach and sweet chilli relish for a very festive vegan celebration. The crunch of crispy onions against the soft malted bread makes for an enjoyable taste experience.

£3.50, 118-120 Brompton Rd, SW3 1JE

Would it even be Christmas without some pigs in blankets? Sandwiched between rustic ciabatta, pork sausages and smoky bacon are combined with a sweet, caramelised chutney in Starbucks’s new festive offering. The savoury icing on the cake? A layer of hot melted cheese, which makes it the ultimate winter warmer.


£7, 44-48 Brompton Rd, SW3 1BW

For vegetarians, the festive season may feel a bit limiting when it comes to on-the-go Christmassy lunch bites. Until now. Enter the brand-new veggie Festive Feast panini from Caffè Nero. With crunchy roasted carrot ribbons seasoned with rosemary and thyme and bright spinach, the pumpkin seed-topped panini is packed full of texture. The highlight, however, has to be the cheesy roasted leeks. Shredded in a creamy melted mozzarella and cheddar sauce, the leeks are rich in flavour and combined with the nuttiness of the pesto, this veggie take on a festive panini is a must-try.

£5, 124-126 Brompton Rd, SW3 1JD

A masterclass in crafting the perfect turkey sandwich, the Pret Boxing Day toastie is a Good Food Christmas Highly Recommended finalist and for good reason. With succulent turkey breast and pulled ham, held together with creamy melted cheddar cheese, this festive take on a toasted sandwich is indulgent and hearty. The herby pork stuffing and sage mayo brings traditional tastes of Christmas.

£6.60, 132 Brompton Rd, SW3 1HY

Celiacs can rejoice as Sainsbury’s offers a gluten-free alternative of its Turkey Feast, including gluten-free pork, sage and onion stuffing and seeded bread. With classic Christmas flavours –British turkey on a layer of cranberry sauce, topped with beechwood smoked bacon – this seasonal sandwich is smoky and sweet with lots of delicious texture.

£3.25, Moreau House, 112-120 Brompton Rd, SW3 1JJ