Amelie CameronVietnamese cuisine is one of my favorite cuisines because it’s herby and aromatic, and I always feel satisfied after eating. Pho is probably my go-to Vietnamese dish, but sometimes, I get an intense craving for banh mi (Vietnamese-style sandwich).
I’ve been checking out several Vietnamese spots that offer banh mi. I’ve also asked for more recommendations from local Vietnamese foodies because I’m sure there are some spots I’ve overlooked.
Out of the banh mi spots I’ve tried in Toronto, here are the ones I’ve loved and will recommend to others.
Banh Mi Boys
Address: 392 Queen St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—11 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14163630588
Banh Mi Boys is a spot that I personally love and banh mi lovers recommend, so you can’t go wrong with this one. It has multiple locations in the city, but my go-to is the one on Queen Street.
I enjoy getting the fried chicken banh mi here. The chicken is perfectly crispy, and the pickled carrots and cucumber add a tangy freshness to the whole sandwich. When I’m feeling extra hungry, I’ll order the banh mi combo, which gives me a side and a drink.
Aside from the banh mi, this place also sells steamed bao and tacos. I recommend trying the five-spice pork belly steamed bao as well. The bao is so soft like a pillow, and the pork is tender and oozing with all the flavors, especially sweet, sour, and savory.
| Pro Tip: I recommend coming here in the afternoon because that’s when there’s not much of a crowd inside the restaurant. |
Vit Beo
Address: 858 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—12 to 4 pm, 5 pm to 12 am
Vit Beo is an underrated gem on Bloor Street that deserves more love!
They only have three options for banh mi, but they’re all great. I personally recommend the fried chicken banh mi, which has papaya chunks that add a bit of sweetness to an otherwise savory sandwich.
I also really like the pork belly banh mi. The pork belly has that smoky, barbeque flavor, and the sourness from the pickled carrots and the sweetness of the papaya complement that flavor well.
| Pro Tip: There are only a few seats inside the restaurant, so I recommend coming here as early as possible. |
Nguyen Huong
– From: tastetoronto
Address: 322 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14165994625
Located in Chinatown, Banh Mi Nguyen Huong is a mom-and-pop shop that has been around since the 1980s. This place offers a wide variety of banh mi options, and I love coming back just to try a new flavor.
I’m a big fan of the lemongrass sausage banh mi. It smells so good, and I love the symphony of different flavors (floral, tangy, lemony, and even gingery). I also like the sardine banh mi, which is surprising because I don’t normally enjoy sardines.
If you don’t eat meat, don’t worry because there’s a vegetarian banh mi here.
| Pro Tip: This spot also sells ready-to-eat meals that are perfect when you’re hungry but not in the mood to cook. Stock up on them when you can! |
Banh Mi Huy-Ky
Address: 1046 Gerrard St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9:30 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16473505707
Banh Mi Huy-Ky is one of my usual spots to go when I’m broke because the banh mi options here are so affordable. Plus, they’re delicious as well, so all the more reason to come here often!
My favorite thing to order is the lemongrass-garlic pork banh mi. The pork chunks are super tender and taste garlicky, savory, and herby. The pickled carrot strips and white radish add a splash of tanginess as well.
When it comes to drinks, there are several smoothie flavors available. I love the mango one because it’s so sweet and refreshing.
| Pro Tip: I recommend coming here via public transportation instead of driving because it’s hard to find a parking spot here. If you prefer to drive, the nearest parking lot is at Gerrard Square Shopping Center. |
Banh Mi Ba Le
Address: 538 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—9 am to 7 pm
- Friday to Sunday—9 am to 8:30 pm
Contact Number: +14169772168
Another great spot you can go to when you’re on a budget and craving banh mi is Banh Mi Ba Le. This restaurant boasts a casual atmosphere and cheap prices!
I really like the shredded chicken banh mi here. The chicken chunks are savory and well-moistened by the dressing. The cilantro, cucumber slices, and pickled toppings add a tanginess to every bite, and when I want a kick of heat, I add splashes of hot sauce.
If you’re looking for other Vietnamese treats, I recommend trying the banh cuon. It’s a Vietnamese-style rice roll, and it’s so good! The minced pork filling is peppery, while the wrapper is delicate and soft to the touch.
| Pro Tip: This place only accepts cash, so keep that in mind before coming here. |
Little Banh Mi Shop
– From: waynesworldoffooding
Address: 707 Dundas St W Unit 4B
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—11:30 am to 5 pm
Also along Dundas Street is Little Banh Mi Shop, another one of my favorite banh mi spots in Toronto.
I recommend ordering the pork banh mi. The pork chunks are cooked perfectly—with a bit of caramelization—and the baguette is also stuffed with fresh chilis for a kick of heat. Meanwhile, the cucumbers and carrots provide a freshness and crunch that I like.
Usually, I pair my banh mi with a cup of Vietnamese iced coffee. Vietnamese coffee is notorious for being strong, which is why I only order it when I need an energy boost.
| Pro Tip: This shop is pretty small, so I recommend coming here as early as possible to avoid getting stuck in a long queue. |
Komi Banh Mi Bar
Address: 1100 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—11 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +16476559309
Komi Banh Mi Bar is a beloved spot for Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of Toronto. I also love the staff here because they’re always so lovely to everyone.
My go-to order here is the chicken banh mi. The chicken chunks are generously tossed in honey garlic sauce (you can also opt for the teriyaki or lemongrass sauce), so they taste sweet and garlicky.
I also like the pork banh mi. The pork chunks have that sweet and smoky barbeque flavor (it reminds me of char siu pork, which is Chinese-style BBQ) that I can’t get enough of.
| Pro Tips: This shop has no designated parking area, so you’re better off using public transportation to get here. Avoid coming here during rush hour (usually, around 6 and 7 pm). |
Banh Haus
Address: Lwr Lvl, 81 Huron St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 3 pm
What I like about Banh Haus is that dining here feels like I’m back in Vietnam. This place has the tiny tables and chairs that I always find in Vietnamese restaurants, and the atmosphere is always warm and lively.
The banh mi option here is filled with vegetables, herbs, and homemade pickles. The special sauce ties the whole thing together. Every bite is just an explosion of savory and tangy goodness.
Be sure to taste their other offerings, especially the steamed buns. They’re so fluffy, and the meat filling is always well-seasoned.
| Pro Tips: Sometimes, you can get a special discount if you order online via their website. Take advantage of that when you can! If you’re planning a party, you might be interested in booking their catering services. |
Banh Mi Metro
Address: 2055 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14167509979
Banh Mi Metro is the sister restaurant of Pho Metro, and as you can gather from the name, this shop specializes in banh mi.
The braised pork belly banh mi is my favorite thing to order. The pork chunks are so succulent (thanks in part to their fatty bits), and the strips of cucumber and carrots add a bit of freshness and crunch to the whole sandwich.
Another one that I like is the lemongrass chicken banh mi. The chicken strips have that amazing herby flavor, and they’re also slightly charred.
| Pro Tips: For a fee, you can add extra meat or egg to your sandwich. Food prep does take some time here, so I recommend coming here a few minutes before your usual lunch/dinner time. |
Cà Phê Rang
Address: 147 Spadina Ave. Unit 109
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165468995
Cà Phê Rang has been featured in the Michelin Guide, so you just know that this restaurant is a must-visit. It also has a wonderful interior—plants everywhere and natural light brightening up the space—so I always feel at ease here.
You should try the brisket banh mi. The pork is so tender and juicy, and you’ll also get a mouthful of freshness, thanks to the vegetables stuffed in the baguette.
To wash everything down, order the avocado milkshake. It has a thick, creamy consistency, and the avocado taste is subtle.
| Pro Tip: Order the pho dip for your banh mi. The dip adds more depth to the sandwich’s flavor: savory with a hint of spice. |
Lamhan Banh Mi
Address: 733 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165304545
If you’re in Toronto’s Koreatown neighborhood, you should check out Lamhan Banh Mi. This spot offers a wide variety of banh mi options, and they’re all delicious and affordable!
My favorite is the grilled beef banh mi with cheese sauce. The charred, savory flavor of the meat complements well with the milky, tangy taste of the mozzarella cheese. Plus, it’s so fun doing the cheese pull every time I go for a bite!
If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, then you might like the papaya tofu banh mi. Its flavor profile is a mixture of sweet and savory, with strong sour notes because of the tamarind sauce.
| Pro Tip: You can order a party box, which includes six or nine banh mis. This is perfect if you’re hosting a special event! |
Rustle and Still Cafe
Address: 605 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16473508893
Another wonderful Vietnamese restaurant you can find in Koreatown is Rustle and Still Cafe. This place offers different dishes, but in my opinion, the main highlight is the banh mi.
I love the adobo banh mi, a Filipino-Vietnamese fusion dish that knocked my socks off. The pork adobo is wonderful—perfectly salty, sour, and sweet—and the vegetables make the sandwich crunchier and even more nourishing.
I also recommend the gochujang tofu mushroom banh mi, especially if you don’t eat meat. This sandwich tastes both sweet and spicy, and it also has a crunch thanks to the peanuts and sesame.
| Pro Tip: Are you planning a special event? You can book Rustle and Still Cafe’s catering services! |
Oxtail Pho and Banh Mi
Address: 814 Dundas St W
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday—4 pm to 4 am
Contact Number: +14165370188
Oxtail Pho and Banh Mi is mostly known for their pho dishes (the broth preparation takes a whole day, so the end result is a broth with a rich, deep flavor profile). But the banh mi is also worth checking out here.
Their banh mi is simple yet tasty: it’s a fresh baguette stuffed with cucumbers, cilantro, pickled carrots, and radish. If you want more protein in your banh mi, you can add your preferred meat or fried egg.
While you’re here, you might as well try their pho. You can’t go wrong with the titular oxtail pho. The beef meatballs soak up all the flavors from the broth, and they pair really well with the chewy rice noodles.
| Pro Tips: This place only takes cash or a debit card—no credit cards or mobile payments. Also, this place only gives one bill per table, so if you’re dining with other people, you need to have an agreement on how to split the bill. |
