Is it even Christmas without one?!
There’s no denying that one of the best things about Christmas is the food! There’s so much to choose from: boxes of chocolates, candy canes, mince pies, overflowing mugs of hot chocolate – the list goes on and on.
But one of the most anticipated food items every year is the iconic Christmas sandwich. And we’re not just talking about the leftovers from Christmas Day (which we all know hits the spot!)
These 10 must-try Christmas sambos have been expertly prepared with the perfect amount of Christmassy ingredients to get you in the festive mood. Definitely try these if you need some fuel for all the Christmas shopping around town:
Sonny’s Deli
Hidden away just outside town is the charming Sonny’s Deli. With its red awning and old-school feel, this deli is serving up Black Forest Christmas brownies and dark ginger cake on their counter for Christmas.
But, most importantly, what’s in their festive sambo? The Sonny’s Deli Christmas Sandwich features orange and fennel roasted turkey crown that’s alongside some of Sonny’s Deli cranberry and balsamic chutney, herb and onion stuffing, mayonnaise, and finished off with some rocket.
O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausage Co.
A trip to town isn’t complete without something from O’Flynn’s. Always reliable and always delicious, let’s see what kind of Christmassy offering they have this year!
Prepare yourself for the Kris Kringle Sandwich: it’s a fresh roll with cranberry sauce, a foot long and homemade spiced apple sausage, stuffing, crispy onion, mayo, and some fresh parsley on top. This is the only thing we want for a Kris Kringle gift this year!
The Grumpy Bakers
Not only have The Grumpy Bakers a new sandwich in time for the holidays – they have 3 Christmas sandwiches to choose from! Here’s the low-down on your options.
The hardest part is choosing which one to pick! All 3 sandwiches are served on their delish sourdough – and they say to dip your crusts into their sage and onion pesto mayo. Run, don’t walk to their shops on Washington Street or in Midleton!
Dustin Special: Ham, turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and St. Kevin’s brie.
The Food Dude: Roast sweet potato, roast sprouts, grated carrot, toasted seeds, cranberry
sauce, stuffing, and St. Kevin’s brie.
Jingle Beef: Tom Durcan spiced beef, red cabbage, Hegarty’s cheddar, and pickled red onion.
Griolladh
Cork’s newest spot for cheese toasties, Griolladh, can be found at the Marina Market as well as in the food court at Douglas Village Shopping Centre.
Fun fact: ‘Griolladh’ means ‘grill’ in Irish! Now you know what they’re all about, what’s their Xmas griolladh like?
Make way for The Crambo – it’s Griolladh’s signature cheese toastie with Ballymaloe cranberry sauce, roast turkey, glazed ham, packed with stuffing, crisps, gravy mayo, and their special sambo sauce. You’ll be full until Christmas 2024 if you eat all of this!
Café Gusto
Always bringing their A game, Café Gusto returns with this year with their Christmas classic: The Café Gusto Festive Sandwich.
There was talk of them switching their festive sambo up, but they said on their Instagram that “none of them taste as good as ours!” That’s fighting talk!
Get ready for a mouth-watering combination of turkey, brie, house made cranberry sauce, herby bread stuffing, mayo, and baby spinach – all served in your choice of ciabatta, sourdough, wholemeal bread, wrap, or non-gluten bread. Something for everyone!
Greenwich
Festive toasted turkey, brie & stuffing with Ballymaloe cranberry sauce. One of many lunch offerings daily over the festive period 🎄
— Dermot O’ Sullivan (@GreenwichCork) December 13, 2023
Open daily up to and including Christmas Eve 🎁
📍19 Caroline street
Behind Brown Thomas 🛍 pic.twitter.com/3haOOXaj9u
Perfect for a midday lunch, Greenwich is located near a lot of popular shops on Caroline Street in the city. As well as their tempting, all-day brunch and Christmas treats like homemade mince pies and Christmas pudding with brandy butter, this café has its Christmas sambo ready to be enjoyed!
The Festive Turkey, Cranberry, and Brie has everything you need: turkey, melted brie, Ballymaloe cranberry sauce, and stuffing on toasted Pana bread and served with a mixed leaf salad.
Duke’s Coffee Company
Another café in a perfect location to take a break as you do your Christmas shopping is Duke’s on Carey’s Lane.
They always have lovely coffee and good music playing in this busy spot, so it’ll definitely help you get in the festive spirit! In a recent Instagram post, they’ve declared that they have “Cork’s best Christmas sandwich”, so you’ll have to go there yourself and decide if they’re right or not!
The Cork’s Best Christmas Sandwich from Duke’s starts off with a sourdough baguette, then there’s spiced beef, turkey, Duke’s chutney and slaw, and smoked Gubbeen, served with a beetroot salad on the side.
Paper Boys
Another new addition to the list in Cork this year is the beloved Paper Boys. Located on Tobin Street on the grounds of the Triskel alongside Bishop Lucy Park, Paper Boys has already won over the hearts (and stomachs) of Corkonians since opening back in June.
Their festive samba is powered by Tongue Tied hot sauce and it looks as delicious as it sounds. Hand carved glazed ham, roast turkey, herb & onion stuffing, brie, cranberry sauce and mayo. TAKE.MY.MONEY!
Arthur Maynes
If you’re after a Christmas sambo in a unique, romantic, and intimate spot, then head over to the legendary Arthur Mayne’s on Pembroke street. This converted pharmacy is the perfect spot to have a candlelight catch up with friends or loved ones.
Their Christmas sambo comes with handsome beer brined turkey, Tom Bradley smoked bacon, French mustard, Swiss cheese, cranberry and Aperol jelly all served in toasted focaccia bread.
Monty’s Cafe
Last but most certainly not least is Monty’s Cafe over in Midleton. Recently affected by the floods, it’s now more important than ever to support local and take a trip out East to Monty’s.
Their epic Christmas sambo comes with roast turkey, brie, cranberry sauce, and their delicious homemade stuffing. A stellar addition to the list!