When you’re trying to get through the work week, soggy homemade sandwiches for lunch get old real quick. That’s where banh mi comes in – at its best, it’s a crusty yet fluffy baguette overflowing with a flavoursome protein like pork, beef, chicken, or even tofu, slathered with pâté, and accompanied by toppings like fresh cucumber, coriander, chilli, and pickled carrots.

Typically eaten for breakfast in Vietnam, Novocastrians have adopted banh mi as our lunch of choice. Thankfully, banh mi is everywhere in Newcastle if you know where to look. Here’s our guide on where you can get banh mi in Newcastle (and a bit further afield in the Hunter Valley), from the hidden gems to well-known local favourites.

Banh Mi 233

Banh Mi 233 is a go-to in the CBD for not just banh mi, but a huge range of Vietnamese dishes like rice paper rolls, vermicelli bowls (or bún, in Vietnamese), xôi (Vietnamese sticky rice), and pho.
Where: 233 Hunter St, Newcastle

The Big Banh Mi

After their banh mi sold out every week at the Newcastle City Farmers Markets, cousins Eddie and Ethan decided to open their own banh mi shop in March 2023. Expect six flavours of banh mi including crispy pork, lemongrass beef, and tofu and mushroom. Each roll is packed with filling, so you certainly won’t leave hungry.
Where: Shop 1/122 Hunter St, Newcastle

Cafe HaHa’s

While Cafe HaHa’s serves up its own takes on Aussie cafe classics, you’ll be pleased to know it also specialises in Vietnamese fare, with banh mi, rice paper rolls, and spring rolls on the lunch menu. If you’re keen to eat banh mi at breakfast like is traditional, Cafe HaHa’s even does a breakfast banh mi!
Where: 266 Brunker Rd, Adamstown

Cardiff Bakehouse

Located on Cardiff’s main strip, this bakery is a great spot for locals looking for a quick lunch. A heads up though – it's cash only, so come prepared.
Where: 343 Main Rd, Cardiff

Daily Bakehouse

With two locations across Newcastle, Daily Bakehouse is a convenient spot to get your banh mi fix, as well as plenty of other tasty baked goods.
Where: Westfield Kotara, Cnr Park Ave & Northcott Dr, Kotara | Ground Floor, Marketown Shopping Centre East, 23 Steel St, Newcastle West

Desa’s Takeaway & Vietnamese

This takeaway shop has been a firm local favourite for years, known for both its fried takeaway staples as well as its Vietnamese food. Expect a hefty banh mi from Desa's, but also a cracking pho.
Where: 61 Brunker Rd, Broadmeadow

East Maitland Bakehouse

Craving a banh mi with super crunchy pork crackling? East Maitland Bakehouse is the spot for you. This local favourite doesn't disappoint when it comes to value for money either – you can always expect a loaded roll.
Where: 217 Newcastle St, East Maitland

French Hot Bread Charlestown

French Hot Bread Charlestown is popular with local workers grabbing a feed on their lunch break. Get there with plenty of time if you can, but the wait is worth it!
Where: 182 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown

Greenhills Bakehouse

The roast pork banh mi at Greenhills Bakehouse always hits the spot – perfect for when it's time for a lunch break after you've been shopping.
Where: 17 Mitchell Dr, East Maitland

JL Bakery

Beaumont Street is home to a host of global cuisines, and Vietnamese is no exception, with JL Bakery offering banh mi alongside bread, pastries, and cakes.
Where: 104-110 Beaumont St, Hamilton

M&M Bakehouse Rutherford

M&M Bakehouse Rutherford has long been a favourite in the area for its incredible banh mi. A popular spot with workers in Rutherford, this local gem does some excellent house-made pork crackling to top its banh mi with.
Where: Shop 19/15 N Mall, Rutherford

Mayfield Corner Cafe

Banh mi disciples are known to frequent this spot on Mayfield's main strip of cafes and shops, and for good reason. Mayfield Corner Cafe does an incredibly well-balanced banh mi, achieving that tough-to-nail ratio of bread, meat, and veggies.
Where: 2/141 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

Mayfield Bread & Rolls

Mayfield Bread & Rolls (formerly Mayfield French Hot Bread) offers six different options on their banh mi menu, making it one of the most extensive in Newcastle. There’s even a vegetarian banh mi loaded with tofu, which can be hard to come by.
Where: 135 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

Ms Cô Giang

Ms Cô Giang is a fresh face on Beaumont Street, with the Vietnamese joint offering a huge range of Vietnamese eats for takeaway and delivery. The banh mi here is a standout, and thankfully there are 11 flavours to choose from (including two vegetarian options!).
Where: 2/55 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Newton Takeaway

This local gem not only offers classic fish and chip takeaway menu items, but a cracking banh mi as well. Expect your roll to be packed with ingredients, including plenty of fresh veggies to balance out the rich pork.
Where: 1/112 Newton St, Beresfield

Pork Rolls King

Pork Rolls King certainly lives up to its name – this little takeaway joint in Mayfield East serves up some underrated pork banh mi. There's a few other rolls on the menu too that aren't strictly banh mi, if you're that way inclined.
Where: 7 George St, Mayfield East

Rutherford Bakehouse

Don't get Rutherford Bakehouse mixed up with M&M Bakehouse Rutherford – this bakery and banh mi spot is just a short walk away in the shopping centre. Expect a chock-full banh mi, plus plenty of other sweet treats to pick up and enjoy after your roll.
Where: Shop 24 E Mall, Rutherford

Saigon Corner

Located in Lake Macquarie Square in Mount Hutton, Saigon Corner is home to banh mi, pho, rice paper rolls, and more Vietnamese dishes. You can also have Saigon Corner delivered via Menulog, if you're keen on staying in.
Where: 46 Wilsons Rd, Mount Hutton

Thurst Burst

Thurst Burst might be an unsuspecting spot for banh mi, but rest assured you can expect the Vietnamese staple at this Marketown joint. Wash it down with a fresh fruit juice or smoothie.
Where: Marketown Shopping Centre West, Cnr King St & National Park St, Newcastle West

Tre Viet Kitchen

This authentic, no frills Vietnamese restaurant does an array of delicious dishes like pho, rice paper rolls, vermicelli noodle salad, and Vietnamese fried rice, as well as pork and chicken banh mi at lunch time. Make sure you get in quick before they sell out!
Where: 98B High St, East Maitland

VietKing

VietKing has long been a Darby Street staple, and the restaurant got a revamp in 2023, bringing with it a fresh look and delicious new menu items. You can now get banh mi for lunch at VietKing! Grab one as part of  a value combo, which includes a banh mi and Vietnamese iced coffee for just $17.
Where: 116 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Vietnamese Food Van

This spot really is what is says on the box – a Vietnamese food van. Don't let the deceptively simple name deter you from ordering – the banh mi here are just $8.50, and with a choice of four fillings (pork, beef, chicken, or vegetarian), you can't go wrong at this friendly, authentic food truck.
Where: 8 Lindesay St, East Maitland

Vo’s Bakery

The banh mi at Vo’s Bakery are affordable, fresh, and tasty. Located just around the corner from Darby Street, it’s a convenient lunch spot if you live, work, or study in the CBD.
Where: 307 Hunter St, Newcastle

Wallsend Bakery

Wallsend locals can get their banh mi fix from Wallsend Bakery, with flavours like classic pork and lemongrass beef on offer. Accompany your roll with a Vietnamese iced coffee or dishes like pho.
Where: 120 Nelson St, Wallsend

West Wallsend Hot Bread Shop

Made fresh to order, the banh mi at West Wallsend Hot Bread Shop are a winner. It's a great spot to stop by for lunch if you're local or passing through on the M1, but it's also worth the pilgrimage if you're a banh mi devotee from further afield. 
Where: 1/8 Withers St, West Wallsend

Have we missed somewhere? Email us!