Sandwich aficionados know West Haven. In this coastal Connecticut town, you’ll find delis and shops that will do just about anything to craft the perfect bite. Despite the (often overwhelming) choices these establishments offer, they make it easy to indulge. You kind of want to try them all, but you sure as hell don’t want to miss our definitive list for 2026.
Super Sandwich
$ | (203) 404-7800 | WEBSITE
Super Sandwich is great. Shoutout Super Sandwich. One time I went there right before closing, which was really, really late, so they still made me a fresh sandwich, which is awesome customer service. I don’t usually eat there just because I’m trying to watch my carbs, but when I do, I get that fricking spicy chicken cutlet super sandwich. Oh my god, what a guilty pleasure. It’s got perfectly cooked chicken with just the right kick and fresh toppings. It’s so good. It’s amazing.
I always worry I’m doing too much looking down at my phone charging and not enjoying the sandwich. But I’ll shout out their eggplant mozzarella, which I also can’t have anymore. I know they have a pretzel chicken cutlet, which will ruin you. I think they also do a Russian chicken cutlet. Sometimes my friend will get a bottled drink, which is very fun for the thirsty.
Del Monaco’s Italian Market
$ | (203) 468-0360 | WEBSITE
I really love Del Monaco’s. They have an insane sandwich menu. My go-to order is the Roast Beef on Hard roll, with generous portions of meat and freshly baked bread. The bread is a standout—so good, so crusty and delicious. I was there the other day and I was like, ‘Oh yes, I’ll have the Roast Beef please,’ and the guy behind the counter was like ‘You said you’re watching carbs, right?
Let me check, because I feel like the roll is pretty substantial.’ I was like, ‘What?’ Because I’ve been ordering it—like, been ordering it. He comes back and goes, ‘I’m so sorry, I don’t know who let you eat that. It totally has a ton of carbs in it.’ I was crushed, bro. I was crushed. Like, my brain broke for a second. Maybe it’s some sort of weird placebo thing, where I’m like, ‘It’s fine, I’ll eat it.’ Now I’m questioning my whole diet. I got the sandwich anyway, which was delicious also.
It wasn’t the low-carb option. I was so disappointed. Now when I go back I’m gonna be like, ‘Hello, temptation.’
Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe
$ | (203) 693-2227 | WEBSITE
Shout out to the West Haven location as well, they’re great. But the original spot has a little sort of old-school deli moment in the front where they’ve got vintage photos and the ceiling’s quite low and it’s cozier in there. It’s also pretty good for a gluten-free person. They have a gluten-free bread option all day, I wanna say, which is nice if you don’t do regular rolls.
They’ll also give you extra pickles and peppers on the side if you’re gonna have the Italian combo—best grinder I’ve ever had in my life. And their vegan Italian combo is insane. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s perfect. And the plant-based options, oh my god…f*cking disrespectful how good those sandwiches are. They come with a house-made vinaigrette, and then there’s another sort of spicy mustard. I always get them both, the vinaigrette and mustard. Double dip, delicious.
Harbor Eats
$ | (203) 693-3661 | WEBSITE
This is the sandwich shop that I order from, although now I think I have to go there because historically, I was ordering in. I didn’t even know where the actual location was. And then I was meeting with some colleagues and I said, ‘Oh, let’s go get sandwiches.’ But because there was a group of us, I said, ‘Well, why don’t we just go to the place?’ And we went and sat down to eat and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this food is better when you eat it fresh,’ obviously.
Best Corned Beef Reuben I’ve had in West Haven thus far. Their Cuban Panini is also really, really, really good. Last time I got the BBQ Philly, but the Chicken Cobb is crazy. It’s really welcoming, accessible, a nice atmosphere, friendly staff. Easy food. It’s good.
Olmo
$ | (203) 624-3373 | WEBSITE
Bagels do not get better. You can get exceptional bagels with a really non-pretentious environment. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is bustling. The highlight for me is always the spinach-artichoke schmear. It’s a creamy spread with artichoke hearts and spinach, I think. It always thrills. They also put dill and beet or some shit—delicious. And I’m vegetarian, so to find something that’s indulgent and fresh is almost impossible to do, especially at a bagel shop.
They had these classic bagel sandwiches, kind of like the Hot Pastrami, but with pastrami and some fixings—mustard? Those are really satisfying.
Subway
$ | (203) 932-1381 | WEBSITE
My go-to order is the Italian BMT, which is technically a cold cut combo. It’s got the spicy pepperoni and Genoa salami with provolone cheese. It ends up being more like a loaded sub, but the pepperoni and that provolone is crazy.
Falcon Pizza West Haven
$ | (203) 932-0000 | WEBSITE
Falcon Pizza West Haven is where I had my anniversary dinner. I had a Turkish feast. It’s another place that we visit once, twice a month—we have a cozy booth, tucked away near the kitchen inside the restaurant and there’s one particular booth in that nook. We always sit there. I’m obsessed with them. They’re so good to us. It’s the best doner in all of West Haven, hands down. My favorite dish of theirs is the lamp stew, which is rich and comforting. There’s tender meat in that and herbs.
Now that I am also trying lighter options, I just get the veggie pizza with extra cheese—anything to satisfy my cravings and it’s absolutely delicious.