The story
Hector’s Deli brings two-Michelin-starred precision to a humble sandwich counter on Little Collins Street. During his first visit, Jack’s Dining Room declared he “flew across the world for this sandwich,” calling the house-made creations “incredible” and built from hyper-local ingredients. The menu features a Beef and Pickle Sandwich, a Roast Pork Sandwich with pesto and spicy red pepper vinaigrette, a Fried Chicken Sandwich, and a Tuna Melt—all earning his enthusiastic approval.
Returning for a second look, Jack was equally emphatic, describing Hector’s as a “top-tier sandwich shop in Melbourne” where “everything is made from scratch.” He singled out the sauces as “phenomenal,” reinforcing that this is no ordinary deli. With a 4.5-star rating and a reputation for casual, takeout-friendly excellence, Hector’s proves that chef-driven doesn’t have to mean fussy—just exceptionally well-built.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2026.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 8 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers rave about Hector’s Deli’s tuna melt, calling it a perfectly crisped, nostalgic comfort. The overall vibe is warm, unpretentious, and deeply satisfying.
“I don't know if this is a hot take, but I feel like tuna melts deserve a lot more respect than they get. The cheese is melted perfectly. When the cheese is not melted in a tuna melt, it makes me want to punch myself in the face.”
“This one is like extra toasty, super warm. I grew up eating tuna melts every single weekend. This might not look like the prettiest sandwich, but it kind of hits that nostalgic vibe within me of a sandwich I grew up on. You get some jalapeños, gives a little spice. I feel like tuna melts deserve a lot more respect than they get and this is delicious. It looks simple, but really good tuna, super toasted bread, cheese is melted perfectly. When the cheese is not melted in a tuna melt, it makes me want to punch myself in the face. This is as good as a tuna melt comes. I'm very impressed.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered Hector’s Deli. Most active: Jack's Dining Room
- Jack's Dining RoomLoved
Trying what people say is the best sandwich shop in Melbourne 📍Hector’s Deli · @ 0:00
Hector’s Deli is a top-tier sandwich shop in Melbourne started by a two-Michelin-star chef, with everything made from scratch and phenomenal sauces.
Dishes mentioned
Beef and Pickle Sandwich
The crunch from this bread and the special sauce they use is phenomenal. It's their famous sandwich, and I can see why.
Roast Pork Pesto with Red Pepper Vinaigrette
I've been eyeing this bread since I walked in. The sauce game here is so strong. The roast pork is delicious. If this bread was toasted and crunchy like the other one, game over — it wouldn't even be fair. So maybe that's why they don't toast it, like 'we can't be too good.'
Tuna Melt
I don't know if this is a hot take, but I feel like tuna melts deserve a lot more respect than they get. The cheese is melted perfectly. When the cheese is not melted in a tuna melt, it makes me want to punch myself in the face.
Fried Chicken Sandwich
This is one of the better meat to bread ratios I've seen in a long time. Pause. It's not what it looks like. This cutlet tastes so much better than it looks. I don't know if you can see, but it has this chili seasoning in it. So juicy because it's thigh, it's not breast. Honestly, one of the better cutlets I've had in a long time.
- Jack's Dining RoomLoved
I Flew across the world for this sandwich! · @ 0:00
Hector's Deli is a Melbourne sandwich shop started by a two-Michelin-starred chef, serving incredible house-made sandwiches with hyper-local ingredients, and I was blown away by every single one.
Dishes mentioned
Beef and Pickle Sandwich
This is their famous beef and pickle sandwich, which is basically a pastrami sandwich. The pastrami is as good as any I've had in New York — it's so thin and warm, they cure it in-house. I'd say it's not as good as Katz's, but it's close, and that's the best pastrami in all New York City. The pickles break through the fat, the relish is incredible, the melted cheese, and this Russian dressing they elevated is out of this world. That was such a satisfying, warm, complete bite of a sandwich.
Roast Pork Sandwich with Pesto and Spicy Red Pepper Vinaigrette
This sandwich is great, but I wish it had the toast of the others. If this bread had some nice crunch, it'd be game over. It wouldn't be fair to the other sandwich shops. And honestly, maybe that's why they don't toast it — because he realizes if he toasted his bread, he'd probably put every other sandwich shop out of business. I kind of respect it. That being said, still a delicious sandwich.
Fried Chicken Sandwich
This is one of the better meat to bread ratios I've seen in a long time. Look at the size of this cutlet. This cutlet tastes so much better than it looks. It has this chili seasoning in it and you get a little spice. It's so juicy because it's thigh, not breast. It's honestly one of the better cutlets I've had in a long time. So crispy, but so juicy. And it's smart because they season the outside with so many spices. You get so much extra flavor.
Tuna Melt
This one is like extra toasty, super warm. I grew up eating tuna melts every single weekend. This might not look like the prettiest sandwich, but it kind of hits that nostalgic vibe within me of a sandwich I grew up on. You get some jalapeños, gives a little spice. I feel like tuna melts deserve a lot more respect than they get and this is delicious. It looks simple, but really good tuna, super toasted bread, cheese is melted perfectly. When the cheese is not melted in a tuna melt, it makes me want to punch myself in the face. This is as good as a tuna melt comes. I'm very impressed.
