Kiama is famous for the Blowhole but there’s another local drawcard that’s got tongues wagging - the local sandwich scene.

Sandwiches are frequently overlooked as a culinary offering worth celebrating.

They are more than just a daily staple for school kids and office workers alike.

Kiama is proving the humble sandwich is anything but boring.

So, here is our local guide to some of the best sandwiches Kiama has to offer.

Scoops

60 Terralong Street

@cafekiamascoops

It’s 10am at Scoops and customers are already piling in to order ice cream and banh mi from Quang Nguyen, who started selling the traditional Vietnamese street food during the off-season.

Combining the flakiness of a French baguette with the fresh, tangy flavours that are signature to Vietnamese food, it seems banh mi is a strong choice for locals and tourists whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The banh mi sandwiches at Scoops draw inspiration from Quang’s grandmother’s secret recipe and are as good as they sound. A popular choice amongst tourists and locals is the Deluxe Crackling Pork banh mi.

And if that isn’t enough to get your taste buds tingling, bao buns are also on offer. Similar to banh mi, bao buns are instead made from pillowy, steamed buns that are designed to be a convenient, on the go meal.

In fact, bao buns are considered an egalitarian street food in Vietnam and are consumed by people from varying economic backgrounds due to their convenience and affordability. So, if you’re looking for a quick but tasty lunch on the go, then be sure to scoop one up for yourself.

Deliman

98 Terralong Street

@deliman2533

Luke O’Donohue opened one of Kiama’s newest food destinations, Deliman, after he first fell in love with Kiama six years ago and decided to permanently make the move.

Deliman boasts a range of Italian style deli sandwiches and also expands its offerings to meatballs and Roman pizzas, which are made using a focaccia slab rather than a traditional pizza base.

Despite sourcing fresh, local ingredients, including schiacciata bread, which is similar to focaccia but is flatter and chewier, from Parfait, Luke was at first hesitant about selling $20 sandwiches.

But he insists that people are happy to pay for good quality food. His point is driven home by a group of happy customers who can barely restrain their post-sandwich glee as they exit his shop.

He attests this customer satisfaction to a combination of good quality ingredients with a focus on bread and of course, a little bit of love.

If you’re yet to wrap your hands around a Deliman sandwich, then why not try The Don, made with double smoked ham, mortadella, salami cotto, rocket, red peppers, pesto and deli dressing. It comes highly recommended by the deli man himself.

Native

58 Terralong Street

@nativekiama

Though Twinkle Machado is not a native of Kiama, she certainly feels like one now. The cafe owner first developed her passion for food at her family’s restaurant (also called Native) in Ulladulla before deciding to open her own location in Kiama.

In addition to the specialty iced drinks that come in branded cans and are filled and sealed to order, Native has also developed a name for itself as the local spot for bagel sandwiches.

The most popular is the Brekkie Bagel, which includes a house-made relish. All the sauces and condiments at Native are made from scratch by head chef Harold Tuscano, including Native’s newest bagel sandwich, the Chilli Bird which is made with lemon herb chicken, mayo, breadbutter pickles, rocket and chillies that are fermented on-site for seven days.

Delicious filling can only get you so far when it comes to bagel sandwiches as the bagel should be soft on the inside but still slightly crunchy on the outside.

As a former resident of Montreal - a city famed for its bagels - I can confirm that Native has certainly stepped up to the plate (literally) with bagels that bookmark its delicious ingredients perfectly.

Lane

4/42 Collins Ln

@lane.on.collins

Lane is Kiama’s newest addition to the sandwich game and welcomes vegans, vegetarians and meat lovers as part of its clientele.

It really does seem that there is something for everyone, including those seeking gluten free options and the kiddos (yes, I’m referring to the big ones too) who will be thrilled to find Unicorn Bread, which is a nod to the childhood classic, Fairy Bread but also features white chocolate ganache.

Other popular options for those lacking a sweet tooth include the Chicken Katsu sandwich and the Miso Eggplant sandwich.

Keeping things simple has become an artform at Lane where owner Robbie Blackburn knows what he does and does it well.

But don’t be fooled, these aren’t your everyday, run-of-the-mill sandwiches, oh no. In addition to sourcing fresh bread from Parfait and insisting on using fresh ingredients that are sliced and crumbed daily, the sandwiches at Lane also feature its signature cross section garnish - a nice little flourish for a food item that represents simplicity and convenience.

Robbie is also passionate about building community and encourages his staff to do the same by chatting to customers while they make their sandwiches. And if all of that talking and eating has left you feeling a little parched, then there are plenty of drinks on offer including a variety of matcha lattes (strawberry, pistachio and mango), spritzes and cold brew coffees on tap.

But get in quick because the sandwiches at Lane change almost as quickly as the seasons!

Some other notable mentions include the gyros at Souvla & Grill and the wide range of sandwiches at The Deli in Gerringong.

But a girl can only eat so many sandwiches in one day, so go and try them for yourself.