Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson raves about incredible sandwich at tiny Sydney deli: ‘Outrageously good’

Celebrity chef and culinary icon Nigella Lawson has declared her love for a Sydney sandwich so sensational, it’s sent social media – and food enthusiasts – into a frenzy.

In a glowing Instagram post, the Domestic Goddess revealed she’d made a ‘customary pilgrimage’ to Small’s Deli, a pint-sized but wildly popular sandwich shop nestled at 166 Victoria Street in Potts Point.

‘I’ve been in Sydney for a while now,’ Lawson wrote, ‘and so it was past time for my customary pilgrimage to Small’s Deli. Delayed gratification is not really my thing! But my patience was rewarded.’

The reward? A show-stopping sandwich called The Toto – named for the beloved Italian film star Totò – which Nigella described as ‘outrageously good’.

‘Spread with lemony butter bean purée and pesto, it’s bulgingly stuffed with mortadella and mozzarella, exuberantly sprinkled with chopped toasted almonds, and topped with peppery rocket,’ she wrote, alongside a photograph of the open-faced sandwich in the making.

‘Then, of course, the only thing on my mind was eating it!’

The British food writer’s post has sparked a wave of foodie fervour, with fans vowing to make their own pilgrimage to the deli that now bears Nigella’s unofficial royal seal of approval.

Locals, however, have long known the magic of Small’s.

Celebrity chef and culinary icon Nigella Lawson has declared her love for a Sydney sandwich so sensational, it’s sent social media – and food lovers – into a frenz 

A show-stopping sandwich called The Toto – named for the beloved Italian film star Totò – is one Nigella described as ‘outrageously good’

Despite its modest footprint, the deli has built a cult following since opening in 2020. 

With a handful of cosy seats and a constant stream of loyal regulars, the team behind Small’s have perfected the art of the gourmet sandwich.

From the Comrade Ovo (a rich and eggy delight) to the crowd-favourite Bon Jambon, each sandwich is lovingly crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, generous fillings, and unexpected touches that turn lunch into an event.

Online reviews are positively stacked with five-star ratings.

‘A sandwich lover’s dream come true,’ one reviewer gushed.

‘This tiny deli punches well above its weight in flavour, creativity, and charm.’

Another praised its authenticity and consistency: ‘They have never ever skimped on quality or quantity – each order is filled to the brim. Always super friendly service.’

There’s often a queue, particularly on weekends, but savvy locals recommend calling ahead or grabbing a takeaway and heading to nearby Fitzroy Gardens for an al fresco feast.

Small’s is open from 8:30am to 2:30pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 8:30am to 2:00pm on Sundays

Small’s is open from 8:30am to 2:30pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 8:30am to 2:00pm on Sundays.

It’s closed Mondays – giving the hardworking team a well-earned rest, and giving customers just another reason to count down the days until their next visit.

Whether you’re a Nigella-level gourmand or just a sandwich enthusiast looking for Sydney’s best bite, Small’s Deli has officially become a must-visit destination.

Earlier this month, the much-loved British food icon first touched down in Western Australia and declared a tiny Margaret River winery one of her favourite places on Earth.

Taking to Instagram, Nigella shared a swoon-worthy post about her long lunch at Cullen Wines.

Nigella described it as ‘heaven’ and ‘[her] cure for jet lag and recipe for deep joy’.

Under the shade of her ‘resplendently red sun umbrellas,’ she kicked off her afternoon with a glass of their life-affirming Pét-nat (short for Pétillant Naturel, a natural sparkling wine), before diving into a delicious spread.

First on the table? Perfectly baked bread paired with a ‘divine’ Pipián – a silky, smoky dip made from pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, peppers, and a hit of garlic, lime and coriander.

Nigella shared swoon-worthy pictures of her long lunch at Cullen Wines, describing it as ‘heaven, heaven, HEAVEN.’ Pictured: Her first course of baked bread paired with a ‘divine’ Pipián – a silky, smoky dip made from pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, peppers, and a hit of garlic, lime and coriander

And it only got better from there.

Nigella revealed she ‘inhaled’ delicate scallops served with cauliflower and a surprising ‘chickeny’ sauce, admitting it sounded strange but tasted ‘heavenly’.

The star was left practically speechless over a crispy potato and celeriac terrine draped in cabbage, resting under a cloud-like sauce so flavour-packed she admitted she ‘panicked’ at the thought of never eating it again.

For mains, the culinary queen devoured a melt-in-the-mouth Rankin cod, topped with charred sweetcorn, XO mussels, snapper sauce and a scatter of sunrose leaves – a citrusy native plant, that she never knew existed before.

She followed it up with an indulgent Arkady lamb rump, paired with pumpkin, creamy white polenta and Kunzea, another native ingredient Nigella described as tasting ‘fresh and honeyed at the same time’.

Despite the fine-dining presentation, Nigella insisted the food had a ‘joyous flavour’ and said it ‘tasted of food, if you know what I mean’.

Under the shade of red umbrella’s Nigella kicked off her afternoon with a glass of Cullen’s Pét-nat, a natural sparkling wine

Of course, no Nigella feast would be complete without dessert, and her spread of not one, but three plates did not disappoint.

‘Caramelised apple (from the tree near where we were sitting) and almond cake, with spiced oats and guava ice cream; honey mousse with macadamia, quandong and banana ice cream; and Cambray Blackwood Blue cheese (which I’ve fallen in love with) seeded crackers, pear and walnuts,’ she wrote.

While she ran out of room to properly describe the wines Nigella assured her followers they were as spectacular as the food – sharing a final snap showing off the bottles she sampled.

Cullen Wines was founded in 1971 by Dr. Kevin Cullen and Diana Cullen and has been family-owned for over 50 years.

Since taking the reins several decades ago, it states on the official Australian Wine website, that Vanya Cullen has transformed the family business into one of Australia’s best boutique wineries and most environmentally sustainable vineyards.

Vanya posted to her own personal Instagram on the weekend thanking Nigella for ‘her contribution to Australian hospitality,’ as well as her positive energy at a time when ‘things are really tough’.

Nigella treated herself to six-courses – including three dessert options

It’s not the only culinary destination Nigella was excited to visit for her trip down under – telling told Gourmet Traveller that Ester in Chippendale was also at the top of her list.

Praising chef Mat Lindsay as ‘extraordinary’ for his surprising yet delicious creations, she revealed it was the Sydney restaurant she can’t stop thinking about.

She recalled being convinced by a waiter named Ollie to try Ester’s famous chicken fat oysters – a dish she initially thought sounded unappealing but ended up adoring.

‘I love oysters anyway, but these were extraordinary,’ she said, adding that while the concept might sound improbable, the flavours completely won her over.

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