November 17, 2025, 10:06 am | Read time: 6 minutes
The world of sandwiches is vast! From simple filled and folded slices of bread to hot dogs–whether with sausage or lobster–and even doner kebabs, many popular snacks qualify for the list of the world’s favorite sandwiches by “Taste Atlas,” based on user ratings. At the top, two fast-food heavyweights have been neck and neck for some time–currently, an Arabic classic is leading.
The sandwich is a culinary all-rounder. Sometimes it serves as a quick snack, sometimes as travel provisions, and depending on the type and filling, it can also be a complete meal. No wonder the sandwich plays an important role in diets worldwide, with almost every country having its own version. “Taste Atlas” includes them all in its list of the best sandwiches, based on user votes. The online travel guide, which also serves as a reference for traditional dishes and authentic restaurants, constantly receives ratings for international dishes. Therefore, the most popular sandwich in the world today might be different tomorrow.
The World’s Most Popular Sandwich According to “Taste Atlas”
Currently, Shawarma is in first place–a dish historically related to the Turkish doner kebab (see photo above). The origins of Shawarma can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire. “Taste Atlas” describes it as a “delicious meat dish from the Middle East.” The main animal ingredient–lamb, chicken, or beef–is marinated and roasted on a spit. Hence the name: The Turkish word çevirme translates to “turning” and refers to the rotating Shawarma spit. The portal primarily associates it with Lebanon, but Shawarma is also a staple in countries like Israel and Egypt.
Shawarma and doner kebab have quite different flavor profiles due to their seasonings. The Turkish version is usually milder, while Shawarma features notes of cinnamon and cardamom, among others. Doner meat is marinated with yogurt or dairy products and typically served with a yogurt-based sauce. In contrast, Shawarma uses ingredients like vinegar and olive oil. Visually, the top-ranked item on the “Taste Atlas” list of best-rated sandwiches resembles a Greek gyros pita more than its Turkish counterpart.
The Second Sandwich on the List Is the Secret Winner
Quite different is the second place on the list of the world’s most popular sandwiches. But in terms of ratings, it’s close to the leader–just a few weeks ago, it held the top spot itself. We’re talking about Bánh mì.
The Vietnamese sandwich, which has become increasingly available in German cities in recent years, is offered with various fillings. However, the “framework” is always the same: a crispy baguette. “Taste Atlas” reminds us that the French national bread was brought to Vietnam during the colonial period. Today, it is considered one of the few positive legacies of that era. The classic version of Bánh mì is served with grilled pork, pâté, and pickled vegetables, and garnished with plenty of cilantro–something that those willing to try it, who don’t like the herb, should definitely consider or opt out of.
As for the “Taste Atlas” list, Bánh mì plays a significant role among the most popular sandwiches. Different versions of the Vietnamese meat roll appear three times in the top 10. In fifth place is Bánh mì thịt ein–served with cold cuts–and in seventh place is the famous Bánh mì heo quay: with wonderfully crispy pork belly.
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A Special Doner in Third Place–and Other Mentions
The third place in popularity, according to user votes, is secured by the so-called Tombik Döner. Not familiar with it? It’s a special form of doner, served in a round-shaped flatbread called Pide Ekmek. The doner kebab, which is somewhat more common in Germany, is usually known from a triangular bread pocket–the serving portion is cut from a large, round loaf. Inside goes whatever the customer desires, such as doner meat “with everything,” or you can leave out tomatoes, lettuce, or onions.
By the way, the bread is not a mandatory criterion. This is shown by the Jibarito in ninth place: a special sandwich where the contents–usually meat, garlic mayonnaise, cheese, tomatoes, and some lettuce–are served between two flattened and fried plantains. According to “Taste Atlas,” the origin of this snack is still somewhat disputed. Some attribute the invention to Puerto Rico–which the portal would also lean towards–while others credit a restaurant in Chicago.
Interestingly, the good old hot dog itself didn’t make the list, but its bun did. To elicit good ratings from “Taste Atlas” users, it must contain real lobster meat. Both sixth and eighth places feature Lobster Rolls, once as Maine-style, served cold with mayonnaise, and once Connecticut-style: warm and tossed in butter with pieces of the exquisite crustacean. Incidentally, you can find general Lobster Roll interpretations outside of New England that don’t have to match either of the described styles. They still taste good–for example, in Denmark…
The Current Most Popular Sandwiches According to “Taste Atlas” as a List
- 1. Shawarma – Middle East
- 2. Bánh mì – Vietnam
- 3. Tombik Döner – Turkey
- 4. Pan con chicharrón – Peru
- 5. Bánh mì thịt (Bánh mì with cold cuts/meat) Vietnam
- 6. Maine-Style Lobster Roll – USA (Maine)
- 7. Bánh mì heo quay (Bánh mì with crispy pork belly) – Vietnam
- 8. Connecticut-Style Lobster Roll – USA (Connecticut)
- 9. Jibarito – Puerto Rico / USA
- 10. Zingara di Ischia – Italy (Ischia)
About the Methodology of the List
The ranking is based on user ratings, which “Taste Atlas” analyzes using various mechanisms to ensure the authenticity of the votes. Ratings identified as created by bots are not considered, nor are “patriotically biased” assessments. The votes of experienced users count more. For the list of the most popular sandwiches, about 17,400 out of a total of around 24,000 ratings were recognized as valid. The rankings are not meant to be a definitive judgment, the portal emphasizes. They are simply intended to spark curiosity about regional specialties and make traditional dishes visible.