The competition for the best sandwich in Spain is heating up, and this year, Ibiza has joined the race with a gourmet creation that is already turning heads.
As the second edition of the Best Sandwich Spain National Championship gets underway, 129 sandwiches from all over the country are battling it out for the public’s vote. Among them is a standout entry from Ibiza’s Can Gourmet restaurant, aiming to secure the title of the best sandwich in Spain with its daring and sophisticated proposal.
The National Sandwich Championship
Organised by Best Sandwich Spain, the National Sandwich Championship has become a popular culinary event showcasing the creativity, quality, and innovation of sandwich makers across the country. The 2025 edition brings together 129 unique entries representing all corners of Spain. This includes four sandwiches from Palma de Mallorca, the only other entries from the Balearic Islands, making Ibiza’s participation even more significant.
The competition’s main aim is to highlight how far a humble sandwich can go in terms of flavour, presentation, and imagination. With public participation at its heart, the event allows food lovers to sample the competing sandwiches and vote for their favourites.
A sophisticated take on surf and turf
Ibiza’s contender for the best sandwich in Spain comes from Can Gourmet, a restaurant known for its creative twist on classic deli concepts. Their entry is called ‘Mar y Tierra’ (literally ‘Sea and Land’) and it lives up to its name with a striking combination of ingredients that blend land-based and marine flavours.
This gourmet sandwich includes:
- Slow-cooked roast beef
- Tuna sauce inspired by vitello tonnato
- Parmigiano Reggiano
- Semi-dried cherry tomatoes
- Rocket
- Caper powder
The result is a bold yet balanced sandwich that Can Gourmet describes as “a sandwich that breaks boundaries and elevates tradition”.
According to the restaurant, ‘Mar y Tierra’ is a culinary statement. The tender, flavour-packed roast beef is slowly cooked to retain its juiciness, while the creamy tuna sauce offers a velvety contrast inspired by the Italian dish vitello tonnato. The Parmigiano Reggiano contributes a rich, complex depth, while the semi-dried cherry tomatoes introduce a touch of sweetness that balances the intensity. The rocket adds freshness and crunch, and the caper powder finishes the bite with a hint of the sea: salty, bold and refined.
This meticulous construction of textures and flavours is what Can Gourmet believes could make their creation the best sandwich in Spain.
Public voting and how it works
What sets this championship apart is its democratic voting system. The public plays the most important role, as only diners can decide which sandwich deserves to win. Participants need to visit any of the establishments offering a competing sandwich, taste the entry, and vote using a code provided at the location.
Votes can be cast until 4 May 2025, giving sandwich fans across Spain ample time to sample and support their favourites. To add extra excitement to the event, every person who casts a vote is automatically entered into a prize draw for the chance to win the upcoming iPhone 16.
Why Ibiza’s sandwich stands out
In a competition packed with culinary creativity, Can Gourmet’s sandwich shines for its sophisticated pairing of ingredients and its bold reinterpretation of the classic surf and turf concept. Unlike traditional sandwiches that rely on simplicity, this entry goes the extra mile with technique, presentation, and premium-quality products.
The island’s food scene has long been associated with Mediterranean flair and vibrant local ingredients. However, this sandwich shows another side to the island’s culinary talent, refined, cosmopolitan, and gastronomically ambitious. It is a reflection of how even something as everyday as a sandwich can be transformed into a gourmet experience.
A growing trend: gourmet sandwiches in Spain
The rise of competitions like the National Sandwich Championship highlights a growing trend across Spain: the reimagining of casual foods with a gourmet touch. From artisan breads to complex flavour pairings, chefs and restaurants are turning sandwiches into high-end dishes worthy of national recognition.
Ibiza, already known for its luxury tourism and world-class cuisine, is a natural fit for this trend. The island’s entry into the championship puts it on the map not just for beach clubs and nightlife, but also as a serious contender in Spain’s evolving food culture.
Taste and vote
For those in Ibiza or planning to visit soon, tasting the ‘Mar y Tierra’ sandwich from Can Gourmet is a must, not only to support the local entry but also to discover why it could be crowned the best sandwich in Spain. With the competition open until 4 May, there is still time to get involved, cast your vote, and maybe even win an iPhone 16.
Whether you are a food lover, a curious traveller or a local resident, this is your chance to take part in a national celebration of creativity between two slices of bread.
