A tiny Italian sandwich shop tucked inside a laneway off Sydney’s George Street has become the city’s newest obsession, with foodies declaring one of its paninis the ‘best sandwich in Australia’.

La Panineria, hidden in Curtin Place near Wynyard, has quietly built a cult following among CBD workers desperate for something fresh, generous and actually worth stepping away from their desks for.

And one customer’s now-viral review summed up the hype for the $20 meal.

‘The Mamma Mia is the greatest sandwich in Australia – Italian sausage, spicy nduja, roasted capsicum, smoked provola and grilled onion. Just sensational,’ the diner wrote.

People are tired of flavourless sandwiches and bland food-court salads – they’re choosing places that offer freshness, value and a bit of fun.

That’s where Italian paninis shine – salty cured meats, creamy cheeses, roasted vegetables and warm focaccia that actually tastes handmade.

La Panineria seems to have nailed that formula, and reviews online are overflowing with praise.

‘The serving is so generous, flavoursome with super fresh and high quality ingredients,’ one said.

‘Perfect layers of thinly sliced double smoked ham, mozzarella, peppery rocket and the right amount of pesto. So full after this,’ another wrote.

Even the coffee is earning loyalty.

‘Tried the pistachio piccolo – really smooth and perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up,’ one fan shared.

And, crucially for corporate workers on the run, the service is famously quick.

Foodies say the focaccia is the star – freshly baked, crisp on the outside and soft in the centre, sturdy enough to hold indulgent fillings without falling apart.

‘The bread had a perfectly crispy exterior and a nice, moist inside. The fillings were so fresh, especially the capsicum sauce which had a nice little kick to it,’ a worker raved.

‘It was the freshest and most well-balanced panino I’ve ever tasted. You could tell the bread was baked on premises,’ a second echoed.

Customers also rave about the Italian hospitality.

One diner said one of the owners handed him a complimentary lobster-and-pistachio croissant after he mentioned he’d be back to try .

‘A beautiful Italian experience. This place is by the Tessuto crew in York Street. Great work,’ he added.

And for those who want to try everything, there’s good news: the menu is big enough to keep you coming back all week.

La Panineria fits neatly into a growing shift in city eating.

Office workers are willing to queue for quality – see the daily crowds at CBD bakeries, gelato shops and banh mi counters.

For food lovers chasing Sydney’s next buzzworthy bite, La Panineria may just be the new must-try – a tiny laneway shop proving that sometimes the best lunch of your life is hiding right under your office.