The 7 Best Banh Mi Spots in Hanoi

Banh mi is one of the most famous dishes in Vietnam and has a strong case for being its national dish alongside pho. Banh mi is a traditional Vietnamese sandwich and Hanoi, the country’s capital, is the best place in the world to get a truly authentic banh mi. Consisting of a crunchy baguette, often split lengthways and filled with a range of meats and other savoury ingredients, banh mi is a firm favourite. Here are the 7 best banh mi spots in Hanoi.

Crunch, Flavour, Perfection: 7 Unmissable Banh Mi Spots in Hanoi

1. Bánh Mì Hội An

Also known as “Bami Bread”, it is little surprise that the house-made bread rolls are some of the best you’re likely to come across when eating banh mi in Hanoi.

And when a small shop has locations all throughout Vietnam – hence the Hoi An in its name – you know it’s going to be good stuff.

Expect fresh cuts of succulent meat, packed into a crusty roll and dipped in a thin jue, packing that extra punchy and umami taste which gets your tastebuds dancing.

And the best part – their sandwiches are so unbelievably cheap, meaning you know that you’re never going to spend over the odds for one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever taste. Whether you’re in the mood for their traditional egg pate offering (suitable for vegetarians), which comes in at €0.60, or if you’re feeling extra peckish and would like their house special, packed with a range of meats and other fillings, you’re only going to pay a maximum of €1.

Address: 98 P. Hàng Bạc, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 07:00–22:00 Thursday–Tuesday, 07:00–17:00 Wednesday

2. Banh Mi 25

Perhaps the most famous banh mi spot in all of Vietnam, let alone Hanoi, is Banh Mi 25.

Because of its popularity, a small, noisy minority likes to claim that Banh Mi 25 is overrated – but we can wholeheartedly assure you that this is not the case.

Banh Mi 25 started out as a humble sandwich cart on the streets of Hanoi and has since transformed into a restaurant visited by thousands and thousands of locals and tourists alike every single year.

And that’s the key point as to why it’s so good: if the locals eat there, you know that you’re in for a real treat. Authentic banh mi can be difficult to come by, especially in tourism hotspots, but Banh Mi 25 has managed to keep its authentic recipe for years, and their incredible range of flavours means that they cater for both locals and tourists. A real must-visit when you’re next in Hanoi.

Address: 25 P. Hàng Cá, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 07:00–21:00 Monday–Sunday

3. Hanoi Bami

Just a couple of streets away from Hoàn Kiếm Lake in downtown Hanoi, Hanoi Bami is dishing up some of the city’s best banh mi.

And what better way to appreciate Vietnam’s national sandwich than to order it for takeout and sit lakeside, taking in the spectacular scenery while enjoying one of the nicest sandwiches you’ve had the pleasure of eating?

What sets Hanoi Bami aside from other similar restaurants is their range of fillings for their own banh mi – they have a heavy emphasis on eggs – so whether you want them scrambled or fried, most of their sandwiches are complemented with a runny egg yolk bursting over the rest of the fillings, creating a rich, delightful flavour which you can’t find in lots of other banh mi sandwiches.

Whether you want to try their succulent sausage banh mi or you’re all about the crispy fried egg on top of a thick layer of paté – the choice is yours. The only thing we recommend is to remember where it’s located – because we can guarantee you’ll be back more than once.

Address: 20 P. Chân Câm, Hàng Trồng, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 09:00–21:00 Tuesday, Thursday–Sunday, 10:00–21:00 Monday, 12:00–21:00 Wednesday

4. Bánh Mì Trâm

Hanoi can be a loud and bustling city at the best of times, so where better to escape from the business of the city than down a quiet side street and into a comfortable cafe for some banh mi?

Found down a small alleyway, it may not be the first place that you think of going for your banh mi fix, but Bánh Mì Trâm offers some of the finest banh mi in one of Hanoi’s most unexpected locations.

Like many authentic banh mi places, locals love it here, so you know that you’ve found a real hidden gem amongst the tourist hotspots that will try and rip you off with cheap alternatives to the real deal.

A favourite on their menu is their Chinese-style char sui pork – succulent strips of pork loin marinated in a Vietnamese-Chinese style barbecue sauce and quickly flame-grilled for a delicious char. Try this in a banh mi, and you’ll never look back!

Address: 30 P. Đình Ngang, Cửa Nam, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 07:30–22:00 Monday–Sunday

5. Banh Mi Holic & Coffee

If you’re not already one before you arrive, you will certainly be a banh-mi-holic after you’ve visited Banh Mi Holic in downtown Hanoi.

Not only do they serve up delicious, succulent banh mi, but alongside this, they serve up the viral Vietnamese coffee – the original stuff, not the knock-off stuff that is often imitated but never duplicated.

This rich drink, made with condensed milk for an ultra-rich, ultra-sweet texture and taste, is the perfect accompaniment to one of their incredibly crunchy and spicy banh mi sandwiches, such as the chilli pork option.

And for those foodies or, indeed, anyone who is interested in learning more about Vietnamese coffee, banh mi or both, Banh Mi Holic & Coffee offers classes where you can learn the secrets of a good banh mi or how to properly make Vietnamese coffee.

Address: 66 P. Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 06:00–22:00 Monday–Sunday

6. Vegan Banh Mi

While most banh mi centres around meats such as pork, beef and chicken, Vegan Banh Mi does exactly what it says on the tin – vegan-friendly versions of one of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes.

While the majority of the menu focuses on offering a vegan version of banh mi – filled with vegan paté, tofu, soy and lots of good, nutritious vegetables- there are also lots of vegan-friendly side dishes on the menu, meaning that you can make a real feast from the offerings.

These side dishes (all of which are vegan-friendly) include bao buns, sui mai dumplings, spring rolls, mixed noodles and even pho.

So if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly banh mi, then look no further than Vegan Banh Mi, found in downtown Hanoi.

Address: 66B Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00 Friday, 08:00–19:00 Saturday, Monday–Thursday

7. Banh Mi Paté Cô Hà

Established in 1987, Banh Mi Paté Cô Hà has been serving up some of Hanoi’s best banh mi for almost forty years.

A simple street corner shop from the outside, Banh Mi Paté Cô Hà really brings the notion and idea of banh mi to life.

Crunchy bread rolls, split lengthways, are filled with their secret-recipe fillings: juicy, marinated meats (or vegetables – vegetarian options are available) soaked in a flavoursome sauce set on top of their homemade paté, which has been smothered on the bun prior to it being filled. Crunchy (but not underdone) vegetables are then stuffed into the sandwich to make this one of the biggest but most beautiful sandwiches you’ll ever have eaten.

And with their simplest offering of just a paté sandwich coming in at just over €0.50, there’s absolutely every chance that you’ll be back again and again to sample every different banh mi that they have on the menu.

Address: 11 P. Hàng Cá, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Opening Hours: 06:00–21:00 Monday–Sunday