Melted cheese, buttery bread and a cheeky sprinkle of Himalayan rock salt. Toasties really are the best thing since sliced bread. Try these winter warmers on your next lunch break.

A truffle-loaded toasted sandwich

There's nothing more satisfying than biting into a perfectly crispy toastie. American-style deli Sloppy Joe's went one step further when it came to its sandwich menu. Elevate your toastie experience with truffle mushie melt. It's loaded with oven roasted portobello, truffle salsa, caramelised onions, mozzarella and double cream brie. For something nostalgic, look no further than a classic tuna melt for that perfect cheese pull. Hot tip: you can also find this must-try toastie menu at sister store Joey's Doughies.

A spicy chilli chicken melt

We love a little spice with our sandwich and the chilli chicken melt from Supersede Coffee hits the spot. This charming cafe is tucked away in the heart of Queen Victoria Market. It offers up a pretty impressive menu of toasties as well pastries and sweet treats. On the drinks menu you can’t go past the iced ube latte and the Mont Blanc coffee. 

A toastie dripping in homemade XO sauce

You won’t find a toastie more jam packed than the ones at Bonza. This must-try deli is big on flavour and on quality ingredients. We can’t go past the mushroom toastie dripping with homemade XO sauce. Or the one filled with a crispy tuna croquette, American cheese, pickled chilli and shaved cabbage. Pair yours with a signature matcha drink and you’ve got yourself the best lunch.

A French-style monte cristo

This North ³Ô¹ÏÍø gem is has made a name for itself with beautifully burnished pretzel baguettes and cheese toasties. Why not get a little fancy with your order and try Baguette Studios' Monte Cristo. This hard-to-find French delight is made with delicate white bread slices dipped in a panko crust to make it extra crispy. Inside you'll find American and Swiss Cheese and generous layers of Virginia ham. Wash down your feast with an iced milk tea.

The cult-status beef and pickles toastie

If anyone knows a good sandwich it's Hector's Deli. Now with two stores in the CBD at 61 and 430 Little Collins Street, this is the go-to spot for a top quality toastie. The star of the show has got to be the iconic beef and pickles. Packed between two slices of rye bread is tangy mustard pickle spread, dill pickles, kraut and beef pastrami.

Hot honey and mortadella toastie

Hot honey is having a moment and Golden Coffee and Toastie Bar has invented a toastie with that sweet and spicy kick. Enter the ‘bolonga affair’ – an Italian-inspired cheesy number loaded with mortadella, basil peso, fior di latte and crispy shallots. Try other menu highlights like the one filled with poached chicken and roasted capsicum, a spanakoita-style sandwich and more.

Next-level beef cheek toastie

Now this is setting the toastie bar pretty far in our opinion. The sandwich aficionados at Nico's have a melts menu that is pretty hard to beat. The ox tail option should be next on your must-try toasties list. It features red wine braised oxtail, beef cheek, soft taleggio, Swiss cheese, pickled fennel and sesame all pressed together between two slices of sourdough. Perfect.

$10 lunch and coffee special

Coffee and toasties – there isn't a better winter duo. Check out for classic combos like ham and cheese, egg and bacon or cheese and tomato. Score this bundle of toasty yum with a standard latte (with beans by Reverence Coffee) for just $10 during winter.

Ripe cheese all-Australian toastie

Ripe has one of the ooziest toasties in town. Bite through thick buttered sourdough for a mozzarella, sharp cheddar, blue cheese and caramelised leek flavour sensation. Standout toasted sandwiches include the triple cheese and the torched ham and cheese – visit regularly and you'll be able to try them all.

Meat-free sandwiches in an iconic picnic spot

Fitrzroy Gardens cutie KereKere Green has all the standard cheesy sandos, but the meat-free fare is a must during winter. Go all veg with a mushroom, goat cheese, sun dried tomato and artichoke sensation. Not digging dairy? The falafel, roasted pumpkin and cashew pesto toastie should hit the spot. And even better, the entire toastie menu clocks in at $11 or less.

Gourmet toasties perfect for a lunch break treat

Tucked into the corner of Equitable Place on Collins street you'll find Louie. Pop by for your daily caffeine hit while picking up a delicious gourmet toastie. The current line-up includes the creamy mushroom and tender chicken, with more options added and rotated on a regular basis.

A toastie complete with dipping sauce

This cult-status sandwich shop has landed in Southbank ready to serve you one of the tastiest toasties in town. Head to OlMates and grab the roast beef sanga. This signature lunch-time must-have is packed full of spice-crusted beef, mint and coriander chutney, and comes paired with a rogan josh dipping sauce. Order a cup of joe on the side and you're sorted.

Laneway vegan jaffles

Go vegan, go to Union Kiosk. This tiny hole-in-the-wall specialises in 100 per cent vegan jaffles. Think dairy-free ham, cheese and hollandaise, or a meat-free cheeseburger inspired toastie. The homemade baked beans are a warming winter hunger buster, too. Don't forget to grab a giant bar of vegan chocolate and an almond chai before you go.