With its large Vietnamese community, Montreal is brimming with excellent banh mi, true icons of Vietnamese street food. Born from a delicious fusion of French and Vietnamese culinary traditions, these gourmet sandwiches are often as affordable as they are delicious.
The secret to a good banh mi is the combination of fresh baguette, Vietnamese-style meat (or other protein), homemade sauce, and traditional crunchy and fragrant garnishes such as carrots, pickled daikon, and cilantro. Despite its seemingly simple proposition, the whole thing creates an explosion of flavors in the mouth that rarely leaves people indifferent. There's a huge variety of possible variations, so there's something for everyone!
Perfect for a quick lunch, but complex enough to accompany a cocktail in a trendy spot, banh mi can be enjoyed on any occasion. The establishments that serve them are just like the sandwich: varied, generous and resolutely tasty.
Tran Cantine Vietnamienne
4690 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montréal, H4C 1S6
Looking for authentic, tasty, perfectly executed Vietnamese cuisine? Visit Tran Cantine vietnamienne in Verdun! At Tran, gastronomy is a family affair. Their love of Vietnamese cuisine and traditional recipes was passed down from their parents, owners of the family restaurant Pho Tay Ho.
Read also:
Pho in Montreal: The Best Spots for a Comforting Tonkinese Soup
Tran's carefully concocted dishes are served in a chic yet relaxed atmosphere. There are four banh mi to choose from. Three with meat (chicken, beef or grilled pork) and one vegan option, all succulent. You'll love their crispy baguette and fresh fillings.
Sandwicherie Mi Bao
1073 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, H2X 3J3
Located on the bustling St-Denis Street, Sandwicherie Mi Bao is the new must-visit spot for lovers of banh mi and gourmet coffee. From classics with pork, chicken, or tofu to monthly creations inspired by pho, General Tao, griot, or beef stew, every banh mi surprises and delights the taste buds. Mi Bao also offers sandwich platters for your events or parties at home. On the beverage side, let yourself be tempted by Vietnamese egg coffee or hojicha latte. A friendly and tasty place that is definitely worth discovering!
Vua Sandwichs
Multiple locations
A little further up St-Denis Street, Vua Sandwich is the perfect place to grab a quick bite without breaking the bank. This Vietnamese counter not only offers delicious banh mis, but also a wide variety of prepared dishes: stir-fried noodles, grilled meats, bao buns, bubble teas, tapioca desserts, and much more. The service is fast, the prices are very affordable, and above all, the banh mis are delicious. We particularly recommend the famous banh mi Saigon, made with ham, cha lua, and pâté. Two sizes are available: 7 or 10 inches, depending on your appetite.
TT Café
5544 Rue Saint-Patrick, Montréal, H4E 1A8
Looking for an original date? Why not head to TT Café, a super friendly place where you can challenge each other to a game of table tennis before enjoying a delicious meal together. Loser picks up the tab! Their General Tao banh mi is as tasty as they come, and the Pandan Coco latte is a creamy little marvel to try, if you haven't already. In summer, TT Café also serves delicious ice cream in a variety of exquisite flavors. This little gem is definitely a place to visit, whether you're with someone or on your own.
Thé Perlé Banh Mi
4314 Rue St-Denis, Montreal, H2J 2K8
Thé Perlé Banh Mi, located on the Plateau-Mont-Royal, showcases the much-loved duo of bubble tea and banh mi, combining creativity and freshness in one place. The menu offers a delicious balance of sweet drinks and savory sandwiches. There are four banh mi options available: grilled chicken, five-spice beef, lemongrass pork, and braised tofu. The bubble teas come in a variety of flavors, from classic brown sugar to sweet taro, fruity strawberry coulis, and many others, to satisfy all tastes. The warm atmosphere makes this the ideal place for a quick meal or a gourmet break.
Banh Mi Madame Ly
766 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, H2S 1S7
Located a stone's throw from the Beaubien metro station, not far from Plaza Saint-Hubert, Banh Mi Madame Ly is a neighborhood gem. The restaurant continues the family tradition of filling each of its delicious sandwiches to make them as copious as possible. They serves quality grilled meat at a very reasonable price. In fact, their BBQ pork banh mi is one of the most highly recommended by loyal customers. Special mention should be made of the fact that Banh Mi Madame Ly is a BYOW, so you can settle in for an evening in good company while enjoying your meal with your favorite bottle of wine.
Marché Hung Phat
7099 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, H2S 2S5
It's impossible to make a list of the best banh mi without mentioning Hung Phat Market. Located next to Jean-Talon Market, it's the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before you do your shopping. A true institution, Hung Phat is a grocery store that has been serving a wide variety of authentic banh mi and other Vietnamese delicacies since 2006! Their baguettes are light and crispy, and the owners are particularly proud of their mixture of marinated daikon and carrots. We especially love the grilled chicken banh mi and the coconut tapioca.
Banh Mi Banh Yiu
255A Rue St-Viateur O., Montréal, H2V 1Y1
Since 2017, Banh Mi Banh Yiu has set up shop in the heart of the ever-trendy Mile-End. In this place with its retro, eclectic aesthetic, only one dish is prepared, but it's made to perfection. Three meat choices, four vegetarian options, including the surprising tofu chermoula, a testament to the owner's North African origins. You can accompany your sandwich with a nice salad, soup or homemade fruit juice. And don't leave without taking one of their gourmet cookies with you! Bonus point: prices are very affordable and include taxes. We certainly appreciate it.
Sandwicherie Sue
Multiple locations
With several locations across the city, Sue's Sandwich Shop has carved out a special place in the hearts of banh mis lovers. Recognizable by their football-shaped buns and generous fillings, their sandwiches are a pure delight! The Char Siu pork sandwich and the spring rolls with Szechuan-style sautéed eggplant are particularly appetizing. Sue's sandwich shops are also beautiful Asian grocery stores offering over 600 products. Take this opportunity to grab your ramen noodles or sriracha sauce while your sandwich is being prepared!
Bêden Càphê
1708 Avenue Laurier E, Montréal, H2J 1J2
Who said sandwiches had to be on the go? At Bêden Càphê, you can take the time to enjoy your banh mi with a delicious matcha latté or any other comforting drink. This cute café, particularly photogenic with its magnificent mural of books, was created by Bê, a Montrealer of Vietnamese origin. The dishes are inspired by her family recipes. Some of them were revamped with a little twist, such as Linh's Bêgel Nem, a decidedly tasty sandwich that's worth trying!
Le Bay Ca Phe
5263 Boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal, H2T 1S4
Le Bay Cà Phê welcomes you to an intimate setting enhanced by its dark wood walls. This Vietnamese bistro blends Vietnamese traditions with a Montreal touch, giving the place a warm and unique atmosphere. Located in Mile-End, not far from Ubisoft, Le Bay Cà Phê is a popular spot for local workers, whether for dinner or a 5 à 7. The food is just like the place: comforting, typical and sophisticated. Their banh mis stand out for their soft bread and perfectly grilled meat. They also make superb cocktails such as the Mango Tango or the eponymous Bay Cà Phe, a boozy Vietnamese coffee perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
Le Petit Sao
40 Place du Commerce, Montréal, H3E 1J6
Le petit Sao has made a name for itself with its Vietnamese food bursting with flavor. With no fewer than five branches in Montreal and on the South Shore, it's one of the most popular restaurants for their banh mis. They offer three sandwich options: the Buddhist, with tofu and avocado; the Gà, with grilled chicken; and the Chà, with lemongrass pork patties. There's also a pretty menu packed with other appetizing dishes like the Pho soup, the Coconut curry bowl and the Papaya salad. You're guaranteed to come back for more!
To round out this list, special mention goes to Bánh Mì Cu Lắc, a newcomer that brings a breath of creativity to banh mi with bold recipes, such as beef merguez banh mi. You can find them at Kaizen Manga Café.
Now that you're salivating at the thought of your next banh mi, why not indulge your cravings? Inexpensive, available all over town and delicious beyond compare, there's no reason not to indulge!
Want more? Check out our complete list of vietnamese restaurants in Montreal.
