Where to find Melbourne's best banh mi

This humble Vietnamese street food has become a staple on every foodie’s lunch run. Here are our top spots to find this cheap and oh-so-delicious quick bite.

Heartbaker Bun Mee

Discover this hidden pork roll gem in Melbourne’s tiniest hidden laneway. Heartbaker Bun Mee has six fresh flavours including crispy pork belly, lemongrass beef and caramelised tofu. The best part? They won't cost you more than $15. And for the vegans out there – Heartbaker has you covered with its plant-based roll. You can also find this local fave at its new location on Spring Street while the Flinders Lane store is temporarily closed.

Banh Mi Stand

This tiny hole-in-the-wall banh mi shop has become a fast favourite with Melburnians. Pull up a little blue stool at Banh Mi Stand on Flinders Lane and feast on crispy rolls packed with pork, cold cuts, beef sausage and more. Don't forget to add a Vietnamese iced coffee to your order. Or try the salt coffee for a refreshing caffeine hit.

N.Lee Bakery

Walk through the doors of N.Lee Bakery on Little Collins Street for its famous banh mi and you know you’ve made the right choice. You’ll see stacks of freshly baked rolls coming out of the oven, a cabinet of tasty fillings and a queue of hungry regulars snaking down the street. This hugely popular spot is well worth the wait if you’re after one of the best Vietnamese pork rolls in the city. 

Little Brother

Little Brother is a neon-lit lunch spot that serves Vietnamese street food – including tasty but cheap eats like banh mi for $12.50. For extra crunch, grab the roast pork roll with crackling or opt for lemongrass chicken for a flavour punch. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, the crispy tofu should be high on your list. Thirsty? Add a coconut juice or oolong tea with lychee to your order. 

Phuoc Thanh Bakery

You’ll be obsessed with authentic Vietnamese bakery Phuoc Thanh Bakery in West Melbourne after you try its banh mi. The rolls are baked fresh daily and come with fillings like BBQ chicken, crispy pork, and tofu. Be sure to add coriander, pickled vegies and chilli if you like a bit of a kick.   

Hawker Boys

Located down one of Melbourne’s most popular dining streets on Hardware Lane, Hawker Boys' banh mi is fresh, tasty and comes with house-made pickles. To mix things up, the crew at this Vietnamese eatery offer something a little different when it comes to the fillings. Think crumbed chicken with a spicy kick, soft shell crab, crispy fried tofu or char siu BBQ pork.

Parco

Tiny Carlton cafe, Parco cures the morning blues with a breakfast roll that takes its inspiration from the banh mi. It features the perfect balance of sweet and salty with maple-glazed bacon and miso mayo. Add to that a fried egg, pickled carrot and of course plenty of coriander and you'll be well fuelled up for the day ahead.

Kenny's Bakery Cafe

Kenny’s Bakery Cafe knows how to make a good sandwich and you could argue that its banh mi is one of the best and most authentic in Melbourne. The buns are baked fresh daily, the pork is oh so juicy and here’s the best part – they won’t cost you more than a tenner. With locations all over the city, this hugely popular lunch spot is well worth lining up for.

VB Rolls

If the lunchtime line at VB Rolls is anything to go by, this cheap Vietnamese spot is worth adding to your list. This authentic and popular spot in an unassuming shopping arcade offers up a banh mi combo of roast pork and duck plus all the classic trimmings. Pro tip: wash it all down with a sweet and caffeine-packed $4 Vietnamese iced coffee.