Wellington loves a little food bar and a small but punchy Cuba Street shop simply named Fred's might just be the hottest place in town to grab a sandwich.

Just footsteps from the busy Cuba/Ghuznee intersection, Fred’s has no trouble standing out from the busy precinct thanks to its glorious retro orange colour scheme. A sign above the entrance says all that needs to be said: “sandwiches”. Inside, the layout combines the simple and the sophisticated with ease. Shiny white gloss tiles are juxtaposed against restored vintage chairs hailing from a London prison’s dining hall. Form and function are carefully balanced throughout, a necessity when making a compact space feel cosy.

Fred’s is all about the sandwiches, and well, you’ll find plenty of them here. The Romesco and Buffalo Mozzarella sandwich is a popular option, as is the Rare Roast Beef. The best selling sandwich, however, is said to be the Panko and Togarashi Crumbed Chicken (Fred’s is quick to point out Wellingtonians’ penchant for fried chicken). In addition, there’s a weekly special, and two of the sandwiches on the menu can be made vegan. 

Fred’s is also a great place to grab a cuppa, the perfect accompaniment to your sandwich. With a focus on using local produce, the crew happily serve up People’s coffee, the Don Wilfredo blend to be precise.

If you want to make a name for yourself on Cuba Street, simple often works best, and you’ll rarely go wrong by tapping into the locals’ intrinsic needs. As Fred’s puts it perfectly: “Who doesn’t love a sandwich?”