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, 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

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 does a breakfast banh mi!
Where: 266 Brunker Rd, Adamstown

Cardiff Bakehouse

Cardiff Bakehouse is known for its chicken banh mi. Located on Cardiff’s main strip, this bakery is a great spot for locals looking for a quick lunch.
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.
Where: 61 Brunker Rd, Broadmeadow

French Hot Bread Charlestown

French Hot Bread Charlestown is popular with local workers grabbing a feed on their lunch break. The wait is worth it!
Where: 182 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown

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

Mayfield French Hot Bread

Mayfield French Hot Bread offers seven 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.
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 veg to balance out the rich pork.
Where: 1/112 Newton St, Beresfield

Roll’d

With stores in the food court at both Westfield Kotara and Charlestown Square, Roll’d not only serves banh mi, but plenty of other Vietnamese specialities like pho and bún.
Where: Westfield Kotara, Cnr Park Ave & Northcott Dr, Kotara | Charlestown Square, 30 Pearson St, Charlestown

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.
Where: 46 Wilsons Rd, Mount Hutton

Simply Roll

Grab a fresh banh mi all week long at Simply Roll in Charlestown Square. With flavours like slow-cooked BBQ beef and lemongrass chicken, you’ll get to try something different from the norm.
Where: Charlestown Square, 30 Pearson St, Charlestown

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 this year. 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

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

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 the Value Lunch, which includes a banh mi and Vietnamese iced coffee for just $15.
Where: 116 Darby St, Cooks Hill

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.
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.
Where: 1/8 Withers St, West Wallsend

Have we missed somewhere? Email us!