Where to Find Great Toasted Sandwiches in Auckland

Whatever you want to call it — reuben, jaffle or croque monsieur — toasted sandwiches under various guises are popping up on menus around town. Done simply, with a couple of ingredients melted between two slices of bread, this dish can transport you back to another time; more extravagant versions are sure to contend with even the most gourmet of meals. Here are some of the best toasted sandwiches in Auckland:

1. Oaken
The jaffle from Oaken in Britomart is a tasty alternative to eggs on toast — with cured bacon, scrambled eggs, coriander and fermented daikon kimchi.
— 130 Quay St, Britomart

2. Federal Delicatessen
In line with the traditional diner theme, the Fed has an impressive version of the Reuben sandwich, with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, mustard and Russian dressing between two slices of rye.
— 86 Federal St, Auckland CBD

3. The Annex
The toasties at The Annex on Waiheke are as simple as they come — cheese grilled between two slices of organic sourdough, served with chutney.
— 10 Putiki Rd, Ostend, Waiheke

4. Guerrilla Grill
Although you'll have to track down where market stall Guerilla Grill is popping up next, their toasted sandwiches are worth the research. Choose from a selection of flavours including mushroom and truffle oil, slow-cooked beef or bacon jam.
— Visit their Facebook page to see regular locations

5. Greedy Guts
The grilled sandwiches at this Wellesley St lunch bar have impressive ingredients — try the 'Bird Face', which has jerk roasted chicken, chipotle mayonnaise, apple chutney and gruyere.
— 44 Wellesley St, Auckland CBD

6. The White Lady
There may be more complicated toasted sandwiches on the market now, but The White Lady has always made them the old-fashioned way: toasting your choice of cheese, tomato, egg, corn, ham, bacon, pineapple and onion between two slices of white bread.
— Cnr Commerce St and Fort St, Auckland Central

7. Petit Bocal
There's one key point of difference between a toasted sandwich and the iconic croque monsieur: bechamel sauce. At Petit Bocal you'll find a traditional version, with bread, ham, gruyere and lashings of white sauce on top. The croque madame includes an egg.
— 177 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham

8. The Dairy
As well as serving an array of delicious desserts, this fancy deli in Ponsonby Central offers toasties with a variety of ingredients, including gherkins, mahoe blue, prosciutto and pulled pork.
— Ponsonby Central, Ponsonby

9. Fort Greene
The folks at Fort Greene know their way around a sandwich. For breakfast, they grill four varieties of cheese between house bread, served with pickles.
— Shop 22, St Kevins Arcade, 183 Karangahape Rd, Auckland Central

10. Jess' Underground Kitchen
If you're lucky you might find jaffles in the cabinet at Jess' Underground Kitchen. The special flavours vary, including lasagne, classic creamed corn with brie or pizza, with pepperoni, Pomodoro sauce, mozzarella and basil.
— 203 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay

11. Madame George
If you find yourself in need of sustenance late at night, bypass the greasy kebab joints and head to Madame George, where they serve kimchi toasted sandwiches from 10pm after the main kitchen closes.
— 490 Karangahape Rd, Auckland Central

12. The Kapiti Store
It's fitting that cheese experts Kapiti would offer their own version of the toastie. You can order just a plain grilled cheese, filled with aged cheddar, or add extras for 50 cents each.
— 19 Shortland St, Auckland Central