Regina Troy Barrios

9 Unassuming Tuna Melt Sandwiches You Didn’t Know Were This Delicious

Article (news)

<p>The <strong>tuna melt sandwich</strong> is so ordinary it hides in plain sight—but don’t be fooled. The first bite should feel like a small triumph, with cheese stretching just right, the tuna perfectly seasoned, and bread crisp at the edges. Too much mayo, and it slumps; under-toast the bread and it collapses; overheat the cheese and it goes greasy. But, get it right and suddenly you’ve got a sandwich you’ll be craving long after the last bite. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772698512695717 Deli3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">717 Deli&#x27;s tuna melt | Photo: 717 Deli</span></span></span></div><p>In Metro Manila, tuna melts appear everywhere—from fast-food counters to plush cafés to chef-driven delis. So where do you find a truly good one? Metro’s rounded up the tuna melts that hit that elusive, delicious balance—proof that something so simple can be unexpectedly glorious. Scroll down to see the full list.</p><div><br/></div><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/717deli/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>717 Deli</strong></a> </h3><p>A generous pile of tuna mixed with tangy tartare sauce and American cheese is sandwiched in a house-made brioche loaf and served warm and perfectly melty. It’s a little unruly—the kind of sandwich that demands your full attention, both hands, a stack of napkins, and no distractions. Metro Group Head Christina Lopez fell for it immediately.. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772698498635717 Deli 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">The tuna melt that started this list | Photo: Christina Lopez</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/apartment1b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Apartment 1B</strong></a></h3><p>Apartment 1B treats the tuna melt with quiet finesse: brined tuna is sharpened with balsamic reduction and capped with Gruyère that melts into a cheesy-nutty blanket. It arrives with a petite salad on the side, a perfect plate of elevated comfort.  </p><div><br/></div><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/deandelucaph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Dean &amp; Deluca</strong></a> </h3><p>Dean &amp; DeLuca builds its tuna melt from good things: organic yellowfin tuna packed in olive oil, aged cheddar, and sturdy sourdough toast. The result is clean-tasting and quietly luxurious, the kind of sandwich that reminds you how far a few careful ingredients can go.  </p><div><br/></div><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/delibychele/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Deli by Chele</strong></a> </h3><p>Chef Chele Gonzalez takes the tuna melt a step beyond ordinary, blending tuna with mayonnaise, black pepper, lemon, Dijon mustard, parsley, and leeks, then topping it with a mix of Emmental and cheddar, all pressed between buttered, toasted sourdough. It melts on your tongue in perfectly layered flavors, warm and herb-scented in a way that makes you linger over each bite. This was the pick of husband-and-wife team Mari Santiago, Metro marketing head, and Kate Paras‑Santiago, beauty and wellness editor.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772698686734Deli by Chele.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo: Deli by Chele</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/olivabistrocafe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Oliva Bistro Cafe </strong></a></h3><p>Oliva Bistro keeps it direct: creamy tuna, melted cheese, and toasted bread. No frills, no pretense—just a perfectly executed classic that reminds you why the tuna melt endures.</p><div><br/></div><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/subwayphilippines/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Subway</strong></a> </h3><p>The chain’s familiar tuna filling—flaky fish mixed with mayonnaise—can be toasted with cheese to become a quick, customizable tuna melt with your choice of bread and vegetables. It’s fast, dependable, and surprisingly satisfying when the craving suddenly hits you.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772698758677Subway.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo: Subway</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sunnyside_manila/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>SunnySide Manila </strong></a></h3><p>At this Korean eggdrop sandwich spot, the tuna melt is made with buttery, thick brioche‑style bread and layered with melty cheese kissed with grill marks. It’s playful, indulgent, and the sort of sandwich that makes a weekday lunch feel like a treat.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772698809097Sunny Side.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo: Sunny Manila</span></span></span></div><h3><br/></h3><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wheatandbeanph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Wheat and Bean Bistro Cafe </strong></a></h3><p>Their <strong>Tuna Pesto Melt</strong> stacks tuna flakes, cheddar, vegetables, and house-made pesto mayo in a double-decker sandwich. The herby pesto keeps the richness lively, making each bite bright and unexpectedly fresh.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772698862778WheatandBean.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo: Wheat and Bean Bistro Cafe</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wildflourph_/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Wildflour Cafe + Bakery</strong></a> </h3><p>At Wildflour, olive oil–poached tuna is layered with melted cheddar on toasted multigrain bread and served with a crisp side salad. The poached tuna keeps the flavors clean and silky, letting the sandwich feel light without skimping on satisfaction. This one comes highly recommended by Lala Ventura, Head of Metro Channels.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772698906766Wildflour.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo: Wildflour</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Pick one today, and you’ll see why this unassuming sandwich is a classic.</p>

<p>Discover the 11 ordinary-looking tuna melts in Manila that turn simple ingredients into dangerously delicious, melty, crave-worthy sandwiches you didn’t know you needed</p>

Discover the 11 ordinary-looking tuna melts in Manila that turn simple ingredients into dangerously delicious, melty, crave-worthy sandwiches you didn’t know you needed

9 Unassuming Tuna Melt Sandwiches You Didn’t Know Were This Delicious

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9 Unassuming Tuna Melt Sandwiches You Didn’t Know Were This Delicious

Troy Barrios

Published Mar 05, 2026 04:26 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 05, 2026 04:43 PM PHT

Read More:

tuna melt manila

melty cheese sandwiches

lent lunch ideas

best sandwiches manila

deli by chele

717 deli

wildflour

manila comfort food

sunnyside manila

meatless lunch manila

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