Roast chicken is objectively better than roast turkey (don’t @ me), so it shouldn’t really be all too surprising that one of the best Christmas sandwiches this year contains the more diminutive (and delicious) poultry. Big Jo’s Xmas special is a showcase of what the bakery does best: the simple, headstrong flavours of roast chicken, sage and onion stuffing, and cranberry all coming through strong between thick slices of Big Jo’s signature sourdough and a generous smear of bread sauce mayo. Be quick, though, as these sarnies are selling out at a clip.

Even the most ardent of Grinches will find it hard to resist humming along to The Waitresses’ ‘Christmas Wrapping’ once armed with The Good Egg’s festive bagel. Available for the whole of December, this sesame-coated Montreal bagel is filled with smoked turkey, red sauerkraut, harissa mayo, pork and pistachio stuffing, and a handsome drizzle of zhoug. Not only will that chewy bagel deliver on festive cheer but The Good Egg will also donate £1 of every bagel sold to the Local Buyers Club London Winter Toy Appeal. 

All of the sandwiches at The Dusty Knuckle Bakery are gift-wrapped delights worthy of place under the Christmas tree but the vegetarian-friendly charred greens and romesco number is far and away the most festive of the lot. Not only does this sandwich proudly display the colours of the Christmas season but the caramelised and chargrilled hispi cabbage, sprout tops, and crispy shallots all play off each other very nicely under a coating of vibrant romesco sauce.

Louisianian gastropub Plaquemine Lock never fails to pull out the stops with its 12” po boy sandwiches — this year’s unique Christmas riff is no different. Moist slices of roast turkey are laid to rest in a toasted carb boat with a sweet and spicy combo of cranberry and jalapeño before being joined by lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayo. Nothing fancy, just good flavours.

The heroes at Dom’s Subs have created two festive masterpieces to see sandwich fans through the bleak midwinter. The ‘Papi Noel’ is packed with chilli spice-rubbed roast turkey, green chorizo stuffing, cranberry salsa, mole-inspired gravy, and curtido. The vegan ‘Feliz Mala-Dad’ contains hot and numbing Brussels, salted black beans, Xinjiang spice-coated crisps, shredded iceberg, coriander, black vinegar-laced vegan mayo, and toasted sesame seeds. Both come served in Dom’s fresh semolina sub rolls. 

The ‘Twisted Xmas Sandwich’ from the Carl Clarke’s Chik’n is pretty much an entire Christmas meal in and of itself. Juicy buttermilk-brined fried chicken breast is joined in a glossy potato bun by cranberry hoisin, crispy bacon, kewpie mayo, and pink pickles sourced from London-based Eaten Alive. What’s more, for every sandwich sold, Chik’n will sponsor a room for the night for a young homeless person via the Centre Point charity. 

The ‘AK Christmas Sarnie’ is The Muppets Christmas Carol of Christmas sandwiches: a wholesome, hearty, and utterly charming delight that one could quite easily consume every day of the month without getting tired. Two handsome wedges of Bread Station sourdough encase slow-cooked Stepney City Farm pork shoulder, roast turkey breast, mushroom and spinach stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, mayo, and a token lettuce leaf to tie it all together. Is the lettuce necessary? Absolutely not. But green is good in December. The sandwich is available at Allotment Kitchen for the whole of December and there’s even a vegetarian version knocking about for the non-meat eaters.

For those who want to get their hands on the festive sandwich of Elmer Fudd’s dreams this December, get down to Shack-Fuyu and order the ‘Christmas Katsu Sando’: a creation of fried, breaded rabbit, cranberry sauce, red cabbage, and romaine lettuce for a tidy £8.50. That’s what’s up, Doc. 

Is a burger a sandwich? Yes. Yes, it is. Does that mean that Christmas burger is a Christmas sandwich? Yes. Yes, it does. This festive special from Honest Burgers is a proper joy to the world — a well-timed beef patty shrouded in a smörgåsbord of smoked bacon, deep-fried camembert, cranberry sauce, and rocket. There’s even a vegetarian option available with a Beyond Meat plant patty and This Isn’t Bacon for those looking to pass on the meat.

For a Christmas sandwich with subtle Scandi accent look no further than the ‘Jule Feast’ turkey stuffing melt toastie from Ole & Steen. Available at all of the Danish bakery’s London outposts, this sandwich is equal parts huge and hygge. Served in fresh focaccia and toasted till crisp and golden, each sandwich is filled with a Christmas dinner’s worth of roasted turkey, pork and apple stuffing, sweet cranberry sauce, tarragon mayo, Cheddar cheese, and spinach. The vegan version subs out the meats and cheese for plant-based alternatives and roasted squash.

Queen’s Road wine bar Peckham Cellars has pulled out all the stops this festive season. PC’s Christmas sandwich is a showcase of all those favourite Boxing Day flavours with turkey schnitzel, bacon jam, homemade stuffing, brie, and cranberry sauce all wrapped up under slices of soft white bread. It comes served with a ramekin of jus (gravy) on the side for essential dunking. 

Available until the 31st of December, the Christmas sandwich from Peckham’s American diner-inspired spot Larry’s is large and in charge. Crisp and craggly Turkey breast schnitzel comes sandwiched in light and airy focaccia alongside an acid mixture of sprout top Kimchi, fermented cranberry umeboshi ketchup, mustard mayo, and melted cheese that gives the whole thing a lively brio. Like umami? You’re gonna love this. 

The Christmas Quacker special from submarine sandwich specialists Sub Cult looks set to be one of the hardest to get ahold of this month. Only available at Brockley Market on the 12th and 19th of December, this grailed sub — which does away with tradition — is definitely worth seeking out. Confit duck may have the lead role but its the supporting cast of pigs in blankets, orange and cranberry sauce, buttered Savoy, roast chestnuts, and sage mayo that bring the whole thing home in triumphant fashion.