When a simple ham and cheese won’t do, Vancouver’s sandwich shops step up with bold flavors and fresh-baked bread that make lunch feel special. From classic delis to inventive cafes, you’ll find a spot for every craving.
Let’s get to it.
OMW Uptown Market
Tucked into a corner strip on E McLoughlin in Vancouver’s Arnada neighborhood, OMW Uptown Market feels like a true local gem. It’s part bakery, deli, coffee shop, and market all in one. The scent of fresh bread lingers in the air and there’s a welcoming coffee-shop vibe with free Wi-Fi and a community feel. Seating is limited, so the counter service and grab-and-go display make it perfect when you’re in a hurry.
Everything is made from scratch here. Artisan loaves appear daily for sandwiches and soups. Olympia Provisions deli meats, house-made chicken and tuna salads, and the reputation-making tuna melt all shine on fresh bread. On Sundays, the chicken salad sandwich studded with grapes draws a crowd. Lunch sandwiches range from $8 to $12, soups from $7 to $11 with a hunk of bread. Breakfast sandwiches and pastries fill out the lower end of the menu. Vegetarians won’t be left out… rotating veggie soups and custom sandwiches are always available.
Hours focus on daytime and brunch, with breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches, scones, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and the occasional Millionaire Bar. The spirit here is independent, with friendly service and a relaxed neighborhood pace.
Brewed Cafe & Pub
Since 2012, Brewed Cafe & Pub on Main Street in downtown Vancouver has been a family-run fixture for early risers and evening regulars. The breakfast menu features bagel sandwiches piled with Boar’s Head sausage or thick-cut bacon, along with egg scrambles. Coffee lovers can choose oat or almond milk in their espresso drinks. By lunch, the focus shifts to heartier melts and sandwiches like the popular Sriracha Melt or Mango Ham Melt. Vegetarians often opt for the Caprese-inspired grilled cheese or a classic B.L.T.A. Breakfast items run $4 to $8, and lunch plates land around $6 to $12. You can pick toasted ciabatta, a white loaf, or other daily bread options.
Inside, a cozy counter-service room with 37 lofted seats invites easy conversation and a neighborly vibe. All the coffee beans for cold brew come from Transcendence Coffee Roasters, a local roaster nearby. They don’t stay open too late—closing time is 9 p.m. and earlier on Sundays. Takeout and delivery play major roles here, but the downtown spot holds fast to what works, offering consistent service and quality to a loyal crowd.
Anoush Deli & International Foods
Anoush Deli & International Foods blends old-world tradition with everyday practicality in a bustling Mediterranean grocery near Vancouver Mall. The star here is the gyro—choose from halal lamb and beef or seasoned chicken, thinly sliced and wrapped in soft pita with house-made tzatziki. Vegetarians enjoy a solid falafel gyro or a hearty veggie option. The vegan borscht sits alongside sides like tabouli salad and Korean carrot salad, all prepared fresh each day.
Cold sandwiches on rye or homemade white bread are cut to order, or you can try the daily house-baked lepina for a taste of something unique. Meat and cheese selections come from a slicing station that feels straight out of an old-fashioned deli. Most meals range from $13 to $18, offering generous portions that won’t leave you hungry. Seating is minimal with only a couple of small tables, so takeout is common. Open every day, this family-run spot pairs a convenient grocery feel with genuine deli charm and no-nonsense service.
Foode Cafe & Catering
When it comes to scratch-made lunch, Foode Cafe & Catering delivers with house-roasted turkey, smoked pulled pork, and fresh artisan loaves. Sandwich classics get an upgrade here. The Prime Rib Ciabatta Melt and the Korean BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich both showcase house-baked ciabatta at its best. Meatless options include the Chickpea Veggie Smash and an Avocado Caprese. There’s even a dedicated prep space for gluten-free and vegan swaps, so dietary needs don’t feel like an afterthought.
Soups, salads, and those big, messy melts land in the $12 to $15 range, reflecting the care in sourcing ingredients. Portions are perfectly sized to keep you satisfied through the afternoon. Seating is limited—just enough room for a few folks to linger over a pastry and coffee—but the real emphasis is on takeout and catering. Their web-based ordering and boxed office lunches make weekday meals easy, and loyalty rewards keep regulars coming back. It might not be flashy, but every sandwich or salad feels thoughtfully crafted.
Philly Bilmos Cheesesteaks
From the moment you walk into Philly Bilmos Cheesesteaks in Vancouver, the aroma of sizzling steak and onions lets you know they’re serious about their sandwiches. Thinly sliced steak or chicken is piled high and tucked into genuine Amoroso rolls shipped from Philadelphia. You choose Cheez Whiz or white American cheese, and that detail makes all the difference in a classic Philly.
The menu also features East Coast favorites like pizza cheesesteaks with melted mozzarella and red sauce, roast pork sandwiches dripping in gravy, meatball subs, and hefty hot dogs. Boar’s Head cold cuts offer a cooler option if you prefer. Prices run around $11 to $14, and portions are generous enough to satisfy a big appetite.
Seating is simple and limited, but most people grab their food to go or settle in at a small table. Family-owned since 2000, this strip-mall location has found its niche, serving up no-nonsense, authentic Philly-style sandwiches for lunch and dinner.
City Sandwich Co
For more than twenty years, City Sandwich Co in downtown Vancouver has been serving up fresh deli favorites with a no-nonsense approach. They slice all their meats and cheeses each morning, tucking generous heaps of turkey, ham, or roast beef between house-baked loaves—the marbled rye being a longtime fan favorite. The Full Turkey with cheddar, provolone, and bacon is a go-to, and the pastrami special turns up on the menu when you time your visit just right.
The space is simple yet welcoming: a handful of sturdy farmhouse tables, classic retro accents, and a steady, cozy buzz at lunchtime. The bread lineup stays impressive with sourdough and rotating daily surprises, each loaf stacked shoulder-high with fillings. Vegans and vegetarians won’t feel left out thanks to a veggie selection starring mushroom and onion Field Roast plus other plant-based options.
Breakfast sandwiches arrive early, and burger specials make a nice change of pace. Service remains quick for the grab-and-go crowd, with online ordering and pickup running smoothly. Catering trays handle larger appetites across town. Open weekdays for breakfast and lunch, City Sandwich Co sticks to what it does best—straightforward, hearty deli sandwiches with downtown spirit.
Bruchi’s Cheesesteaks & Subs
When it comes to cheesesteaks, Bruchi’s Cheesesteaks & Subs puts its menu front and center. You’ll find the classic steak, a decadent Steak Supreme, and even versions loaded with cheddar, bacon, and blue cheese. If you’d rather branch out, there are plenty of subs, Philly fries, burgers, soups, and house salads to choose from.
Their rolls are baked fresh each morning in-house, which regulars often cite as the reason every sandwich feels just right. Meats and veggies are prepped on site, and the turkey is roasted right in their kitchen. Chicken arrives marinated to the shop’s own recipe. You can swap to gluten-free bread or try one of the vegetarian variations without missing out.
Sandwich sizes range from a six-inch at eight and a half dollars up to a twelve-inch that’s perfect for sharing. Ordering is easy at the counter, then you can pick a seat indoors or outside and relax into a casual, lively atmosphere. Bruchi’s keeps things comfortable and affordable every time.
Steak Your Claim
Real Philly cheesesteak fans head to Steak Your Claim in Vancouver when they want an authentic taste. There’s no cutting corners here—the choice ribeye is sliced in-house, and the iconic Amoroso rolls arrive just as you’d find them in Philadelphia. If you’re in the mood for something different, their house-cured pastrami shines in the Reuben or the Brooklyn Midnight on rye, with a sourdough option that holds its own.
Hoagies aren’t afterthoughts either. The Italian and club versions come piled high with meats, cheeses, and crisp veggies. Vegetarians can customize a hoagie or stick with the truffle fries, which almost steal the spotlight. Sandwiches range from eight to twelve inches, hovering around fifteen dollars for a filling meal.
A carefully curated beer selection and a bottle-shop vibe add to the casual bar atmosphere. Seating is limited, and the focus is on fast-casual service for lunch and dinner crowds. At Steak Your Claim, every detail aims to deliver a genuine Philly cheesesteak experience.
