Written by Colin Fraser
Ok, I have to come clean. I’m a fraud.
As a food blogger, foodie, taste traveller – whatever you name me – vibrancy and lots of flavour are key in my world. But when it comes to my lunches at home, I’m one hell of a snorefest. The same ham salad wrap graces my plate each day – it’s boring, but it does the job.
So you can imagine when I come to my senses and break tradition, a bumper toastie or a sandwich of skyscraping stature always comes to mind.
Here’s some of my top picks that really cut the mustard when it comes to sandwiches in Aberdeen.
A logical place to start for a fitting grilled cheese would have to be a cheese shop right? Well if that’s the case, Gourmet’s Cheese Co. over in Rosemount is a grate stop (couldn’t resist that pun, sorry).
This cheesemonger scours Scotland and the globe to bring the finest selection of artisan cheese to its home on Rosemount Place. Choose your cheese and add some meat from its deli and chutney to devise your masterful cheese toastie. Or if your cheese knowledge isn’t too encyclopaedic, there’s a few suggestions to choose from created by the Gourmet’s themselves.
And while you’re waiting for your toastie to grill, peruse its shop loaded with nibbles, wines, chutneys – the works – to get all your pantry supplies in check.
Photography by @wafflingonaboutfood
Venture down the Rosemount Place to Richmond Street and check out the come of hearty feasts. If you’re in a ‘I could eat a horse’ mood, Richmond Street Deli has made its name over the years as the location for loaded lunch options.
Its Club Sandwich receives rave reviews, sandwich specials never disappoint and its chunky toasties are packed to say the least. Amongst its selection of butter basted toasties and sandwiches, my go to is The Katsu flatbread with succulent breaded chicken, broccoli and a delicious cashew and cranberry salad.
Dine in or head to nearby Victoria Park, but to be completely honest the location becomes redundant when your eyes are glued on these menu items. Consider that horse devoured.
Photography by @thefoodhooveruk
I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but I love Second Home Studio + Cafe. If you’ve got a soft spot for art, chill energy and top notch food, this is the place for you.
Every time I visit, I try something new and every time I leave a happy soul. My recent visit was no different with a preview of its new lunch options.
The roasted sweet potato quesadilla is a delicious addition topped with feta and a herby zhoug. I didn’t know what zhoug was either, but it’s a blend of chillies, garlic, oil and coriander which originates from Yemen.
If that doesn’t float your boat, the toasties are the next port of call. The ‘big cheese toasties’ never disappoint with swiss and cheddar cheese and oozings of béchamel. I highly recommend adding the garlic mushrooms, basil and walnuts into the mix of this one.
Don’t be fooled if you think you’ll leave with only conquering lunch, fully expect to buy cake when you’re settling at the till. There’s always a broad selection of cakes on the go.
Check out what events are on the cards for April at Second Home Studio + Cafe.
Photography by @thefoodhooveruk
Photography by @thefoodhooveruk
If a chalkboard with a humorous scribbling catches your eye outside of a shop on Union Grove, chances are you’ll be near Birchtree Sandwich Shop.
I’m still to give this place a try but if its overflowing mac and cheese panini is anything to go by, I’ll be well looked after. Packing paninis full to the brim is what this place does best with plenty of classics and daily specials to lure customers in with. Previous specials include deep fried pork belly, haddock goujon panini and char siu Pork panini – need I say anymore.
Photography by @aberdeenfoodfan
Photography by @aberdeenfoodfan
The traditional sandwich shop of Upperkrust is no stranger to a busy lunchtime shift with nearby office workers and shoppers dropping in for a take-away lunch.
Go panini, baguette, wrap or thick cut bread made to measure with your choice of fillings or pick from its house favourites. I love a good brie and cranberry number so the Crush a Grape with grapes (shocker I know), brie, rocket and caramelised onion. Superb.
If you manage to leave without a traybake in your order – I salute you.
The universe answered prayers last year bringing a bagel shop to the streets of Union Street. So… NYC stacks up over 25 hot, cold and sweet fillings sandwiched between chunky bagels baked fresh by The Bread Guy’s Bakery. When I say chunky, these bagels give a tractor tyre a run for its money.
The Badda Bing is right up there in my favourites with a crisp chicken schnitzel, mozzarella, rocket and pesto packed in with no bagel left bare. Make sure to arrive hungry and make no plans for food soon after, these bagels are of epic proportions.
Photography by @thefoodhooveruk
From the centre of the city to Bridge of Don, Grub is spread across the city like a generous layer of mayo on a crisp baguette. It is here that heroes and villains come head to head but not in a clash of capes but battle of baguettes, paninis and toasted wraps. Now that’s an Avengers film I could sign up for.
The Mighty Zeus panini with chicken, mozzarella and dollops of pesto always has my vote. And when I’m fancying a change, the Scooby Snack’s layerings of chicken, peanut butter and sweet chilli comes calling.
Whether you’re admiring the works of Aberdeen Art Gallery, strolling the cobbles of Old Aberdeen or broadening the mind at Aberdeen Science Centre, there’s a Grub at key visitor spots across the city.
Photography by @grubfreshfood
Consider your next lunch run filled in the city with those finds to hand. With more up my sleeve, expect more to come.
To keep up with my food escapades, follow on Instagram, read the blog and listen to the Dishin’ It podcast.
