Schiacciata Superpower in Stockbridge

Edinburgh is deep into its sandwich renaissance — a city happily obsessed with bread engineering and filling integrity.

We have seen Wahaca team up with local dough deities Twelve Triangles for a Dusty Knuckle special; The Alby roll into The Spence with a bespoke breakfast sanger; and Mootz rocked up in Stocky late summer circa 2023, after research in Florence and Brooklyn ready to hand you a sandwich so gigantic you briefly reassess your life priorities.

Mootz, co‑owned by Andy Mitchell and Chris Thompson, is firmly Italian‑leaning. The schiacciata is the star: a Tuscan slab that’s focaccia’s sturdier sibling — all the flavour, none of the structural collapse. It’s as far from those supermarket curled up crimes as bread can get.

The place itself is a bit chaotic in a way that’s almost charming. Deliveries seem to go straight from truck to shelf, packaging and all. A giant roll of paper towels (you’ll need them), plastic chairs and half‑empty shelves create a no‑frills, no‑lingering vibe. The tea comes bag‑in and is excellent, which feels like a small but meaningful victory. Service is friendly and helpful. 

Just a humble sandwich shop

Fillings stick to the Italian deli playbook. The signature Mootz — mortadella, stracciatella, homemade pesto — is a very handsome, uber fresh, made-to-order sandwich and the one I break my cherry on. 

First bite is bliss: hot, toasted, oily bread with a crisp edge. I go for the small (£9) and still fail to finish it. The mortadella and cheese are generous and delicious; the homemade pesto is great but, for me, a bit too generous for the deli meat and cheese. Next time I would go light on the pesto (there will be next times). This is a sandwich that will see you through the day and absolutely holds its own against a restaurant lunch deal.

Mootz is reinventing the sandwich universe — it’s just making very large, very good ones. And honestly, that’s exactly the level of ambition a treat‑lunch needs. (S. Wilson)

Mootz - 62 Raeburn Place, Stockbridge