Best banh mi in London: 10 places to find this Vietnamese favourite

Everyone loves a sandwich, right? A thick layer of filling wedged between two chunks of bread, it’s perfect for a hearty meal by yourself at home, or if you’re looking for something quick to eat on the go. Although sandwiches are loved around the world, no-one does it quite like the Vietnamese. Banh mis are something that every child grows up eating in Vietnam, and will often continue to be a favourite through to adulthood. With the popularity now spreading throughout the capital, the best banh mis in London are never hard to find - but what makes them so special?

When it comes to a good sandwich, there are a few boxes that need to be ticked before it can be hailed as superior.

Firstly, texture plays an important role in separating the best from the rest, with a banh mi managing this through both the unique baguette used with its crisp exterior and soft, untoasted middle, as well as the pickled vegetables that provide some extra crunch. The latter of which, leads us on to our second point - flavour.

This sarnie really packs a punch when it comes to flavour, with the tang of the pickle, richness from the pate, and heat from the chillies, each bite is a taste sensation. Plus there’s such a large range of fillings from sticky pork to slow roasted duck, that you’re always able to keep it interesting. And finally, it’s equally as important that we’re getting some serious bang for our buck with this. In a world that is becoming increasingly expensive, we’re passionate about getting value for money from each of our meals, meaning you won't find anything on this list that will set you back more than a tenner.

The best banh mis in London can be found all across the city, from small family run spots over in Hackney, to busy lunchtime eateries in Soho, meaning you’re never far from your next tasty meal. Some of these even make it into our list of the best Vietnamese food in London, so you can have confidence that you're in for something special.

Banh Mi Aha!, Holborn

What: Banh Mi Aha! is a charming Vietnamese spot in the heart of London that offers everything from summer rolls through to a variety of phos, but it’s the banh mi that really get tongues wagging here. Fillings range between anything from crackling pork belly to chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce, but we’d recommend the trio of meat with crispy pork belly, char siu pork and roast duck for a real treat.
Where: 39 Lamb's Conduit Street, WC1N 3NG
Book now: Banh Mi Aha!

An's Oriental Supermarket, Archway

What: They say you shouldn’t shop on an empty stomach, so why not tuck in to one of London’s best banh mis as you walk round? At An’s Oriental Supermarket, you can stock up on variety of Asian groceries and tuck into one of London’s best sandwiches all under one roof.
Where: 599 Holloway Road, N19 4DJ
Book now: An's Oriental Supermarket

Viet Populaire, Soho

What: You can safely assume any restaurant that has landed a spot inside Arcade Food Hall is going to be impressive, so it comes as no surprise that Viet Populaire, situated inside the Oxford Circus site, is serving up some of the best banh mis that London has to offer. Choose between a breakfast, tofu or classic banh mi to find out what all the fuss is about.
Where: 30 Rupert Street, W1D 6DL
Book now: Viet Populaire

Hai Cafe, Clapton

What: Located a little further afield in Clapton, this small Vietnamese cafe is a hit amongst locals. Selling all of the regional favourites like phos and noodle curries, you can choose anything off the menu and have confidence it’ll be delicious. But it’d be criminal to stop by without ordering one of the banh mis, offering all of the classic fillings.
Where: 120b Lower Clapton Road, E5 0QR
Book now: Hai Cafe

Ant House, Hoxton

What: Ant House certainly know a thing or two about how to make a decent banh mi, with each element being carefully considered. The first sign that they take these sandwiches seriously, is that the bread is made fresh in house everyday to create the perfect ight, crispy crust and soft, airy texture inside. They’re all a safe bet but we’d recommend trying the signature, with marinated egg yolks, shredded chicken, onions and fried garlic.
Where: 97 Kingsland Road, E2 8AG
Book now: Ant House

Banh Mi Town, Soho

What: It may come as no surprise that Banh Mi Town is known for it’s banh mis. Whilst the menu is a little more varied than what you might expect, it’s still these Vietnamese favourites that’s got people excited about this place - and at just £7 a pop, it’s no wonder why.
Where: 29 Hanson Street, W1W 6TS
Book now: Banh Mi Town

Bánh Mì Hoi-An, Hackney

What: This cosy spot has limited seating so you’ll have to come early if you’re looking to dine in, but thankfully the banh mis are also available for takeaway too. If you’re after something slightly indulgent, go for the roast duck option (trust us, you wont regret it).
Where: 242 Graham Road, E8 1BP
Book now: Bánh Mì Hoi-An

Banh Mi Bay, Holborn and St Paul's

What: Banh Mi Bay is the super laid back Vietnamese restaurant that has taken London by storm, with sites cropping up across the city. Offering healthy and authentic home cooked dishes, you can get all of the favourites like coconut curry and chicken pho. Of course, it’s the banh mis we’re really interested in though, and they play a large part in why this mini chain is so popular.
Where: 4-6 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PN
Book now: Banh Mi Bay Holborn

Keu, Various locations

What: This deli-cum-cafe is the perfect laid back spot to get your banh mi fix, with shared tables, friendly staff, and plenty of natural light. There’s a wide range of fillings to choose from, and once you’ve finished tucking into that you can grab yourself something from the deli to takeaway with you.
Where: 9 Poland Street, W1F 8PY
Book now: Keu Soho; Keu Shoreditch; Keu Moorgate

Nam Nam, Surrey Quays

What: Nam Nam offers banh mis to go, with its kerbside pick-up style site. Its lack of indoor dining wont put off locals from swarming to this place for a super satisfying lunch though, because the sandwiches here are worth eating elsewhere. Whilst they’re all delicious here, we’d recommend going for the grilled beef option.
Where: 138 Lower Road, SE16 2UG
Book now: Nam Nam

Love a sandwich? We’ve scoured the city to find all of our favourites, from overfilled focaccia options to deli-style subs, so check out our list of the best sandwiches in London to find your next favourite lunch spot.