Aliu IsaI remember the first time I had banh mi in a little Vietnamese eatery tucked between a laundromat and a tattoo place. I ordered one that had pork and some kind of pickled veggies for under $8, then I took my first bite.
Unreal! Imagine a crispy baguette that’s chewy on the inside, paired with grilled pork that’s smoky and juicy. The pickled carrots and daikon had this zingy crunch, and the fresh cilantro just tied it all together—so yum!
Since then, I’ve tried several banh mi places in Toronto—food courts, hole-in-the-walls, trendy fusion spots—you name it. I’ve had BBQ chicken, lemongrass tofu, shrimp, cold cuts, even a kimchi pulled pork one!
So yeah, this guide was born out of pure obsession, but I would argue that only the best ones are. Here are Toronto’s top banh mi spots—all 100% worth the crumbs on your lap, I promise.
Little Banh Mi Shop
Media credit: missfoodieto
Website: https://wanderlog.com/place/details/4196155/little-banh-mi-shop
Yelp: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/little-banh-mi-shop-toronto
Address: Scadding Court Community Centre, 707 Dundas St W Unit 4B
Hours: Mon – Sat: 11:30 AM – 4 PM
Contact: Market 707 – (416) 392-0335
Must-Order: Beef Banh Mi
Tucked away at the west end of Market 707, right outside Scadding Court Community Centre, Little Banh Mi Shop is easy to miss—but don’t. This family-run stall is helmed by Hung Ta, his wife, and daughter, and it’s become a go-to for locals from Alexandra Park.
I just love their Beef Banh Mi, which I always order spicy—the beef is grilled fresh per order, and you can actually smell it sizzling as you wait! Add in that classic pile of pickled daikon, carrot, cucumber, plus warm, flaky bread, and it’s *chef’s kiss.
Other delicious banh mi options you can try are tofu, chicken, pork, and cold cuts. And you could also choose your spice level.
Pair your banh mi with their Ca Phe Sua Da, a Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk (don’t worry, it’s not too sweet). Another option is their iced tamarind-pineapple juice, which is tangy, lightly sweet, and definitely refreshing.
Pro Tip:
Whenever I want banh mi to go, I always ask the nice owner, Mr. Hung Ta, to pack the veggies on the side. This keeps the sandwich from getting soggy and preserves that perfect crunch for later (like when I’m in front of the TV!).
Hem Social
Media credit: hemsocialto
Website: https://hemsocial.square.site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hemsocialto
Address: 1424 Dundas St W
Hours:
- Wed – Thurs, Sun: 11:30 AM – 9 PM
- Fri – Sat: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
Contact: (416) 538-6868
Must-Order: Lemongrass BBQ Chicken Banh Mi
Located in the Dundas West area of Little Portugal, Hem (which means alleyway in Vietnamese) Social is a family-owned spot that serves comforting classics like pho, vermicelli bowls, and of course, banh mi.
My go-to order is the Lemongrass BBQ Chicken Banh Mi, which has a smoky, slightly sweet flavor—plus the garlic confit mayo gives a perfect bite. You also get that essential freshness from the pickled carrots, cucumber, and cilantro.
As for drinks, they have alcoholic and boozy options, but their Vietnamese Robusta coffee is the one for me. It’s deep and slightly bitter, but still totally delicious.
On weekends, you might catch one of their secret, off-menu dishes (if you’re lucky). We got to have their Black Garlic Fish and Chicken Noodle Soup, and it was phenomenal!
Pro Tip:
Hem Social is blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tiny, so I recommend skipping peak hours and weekend dinner rush. Otherwise, be prepared to hover or wait it out.
Beyond Banh Mi
Media credit: beyondbanhmi
Website: https://www.beyondbanhmi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondbanhmi/
Address: 398 College St
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10 AM – 9 PM
Contact: (437) 880-8497
Must-Order: Grilled Pork Belly Banh Mi
Beyond Banh Mi is smack dab in the middle of downtown Toronto. Their menu isn’t just banh mi—it’s a full-on Vietnamese experience, with pho, cafe phin, and spring rolls.
My favorite here is the Grilled Pork Belly Banh Mi, which is a bestseller for a reason. The pork belly is marinated in a rich, traditional sauce, making the meat juicy, tender, and a bit smoky.
Another must-order is the Char Siu Banh Mi, filled with juicy, Chinese-style BBQ pork tucked into a crisp baguette, with pickled veggies and cilantro.
Before trying their banh mi, order an appetizer first. I recommend their Fresh Shrimp Rolls, which come with crisp veggies, rice vermicelli, and huge shrimp pieces—dip them in their house sauce, and you’ll be blown away!
Pro Tip:
Don’t leave without trying one of their signature drinks—the Vietnamese coffee is strong and rich, made cafe phin-style with sweetened condensed milk. Another delicious option is the lychee drink, which has actual lychee pieces floating in it!
Rustle & Still Café
Media credit: rustleandstill
Website: https://rustleandstill.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rustleandstill/
Address: 605 Bloor St W
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (647) 350-8893
Must-Order: Garlicky Shrimpo Banh Mi
Since 2018, Rustle & Still Café has been serving top-notch Vietnamese eats in their plant-filled sanctuary in Koreatown. If you love fusion banh mi, this spot’s for you.
My first love here is the Garlicky Shrimpo Banh Mi—juicy garlic shrimp layered with slaw, pickled daikon, mayo, fried shallots, crushed peanuts, and sesame. You even get to pick your spice level (from “none” to “spicy”).
Other bold banh mi options they offer include Adobo, Gochujang Tofu Mushroom, and Lemongrass Grilled Meatball—all packed with umami.
As for drinks, they source their coffee beans directly from Vietnamese farmers—I suggest trying their Coffee Pandan Latte, a dreamy combo of earthy and sweet. Or go for their Peach Iced Tea, which is perfect on a hot day (or after a spicy sandwich).
Pro Tip:
Download the Rustle & Still Café app. Not only do you get to earn rewards every time you visit, but if you refer a friend, you both get a $5 credit—yay!
Banh Mi Huy-Ky
Media credit: feastsintheeast
Website: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/banh-mi-huy-ky-toronto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banh-mi-huy-ky/
Address: 1046 Gerrard St E
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9:30 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (647) 350-5707
Must-Order: Lemongrass-Garlic Pork Banh Mi
If you’re low on cash, head over to Banh Mi Huy-Ky on Gerrard East for delicious and affordable banh mi at $5.50 a pop. It’s a no-frills kind of place—cash-only, no reservations, and no trendy decor—just delicious Vietnamese bites.
My usual order here is the Lemongrass-Garlic Pork Banh Mi—honestly, a masterpiece for the price. The baguette is butter-brushed, with a flaky crust, and the juicy pork is infused with (drumroll please) lemongrass and garlic.
To pair with your banh mi, go for one of their creamy smoothies like the Durian one. Other flavors are available, too, such as Avocado, Mango, and Strawberry.
Just a heads up—parking around here can be rough if you’re not good at parallel parking. It’s mostly residential parking, so I recommend parking at Gerrard Square and taking a short walk over.
Pro Tip:
Always ask them to heat up your banh mi if you want it to taste 2x better! First, they place the meat on the bun, toast it, and then they add fresh pickles and herbs.
Banh Mi Boys
Media credit: banhmiboys
Website: https://banhmiboys.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banhmiboys/
Address: 392 Queen St W
Hours:
- Mon – Sat: 11 AM – 10 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 363-0588
Must-Order: Grilled Pork Banh Mi
Banh Mi Boys has been serving tasty banh mis since 2011. This little shop at Queen and Spadina was started by three brothers who wanted a modern, street-food twist on the classic banh mi.
What sets their Grilled Pork Banh Mi apart is their use of pork shoulder (not belly), which is thinly sliced and grilled to perfection. You’ll taste a hint of lemongrass balanced by the Asian BBQ sauce, pickled carrots, cucumber, and cilantro.
We also love their wild variety. I mean, where else can you get Duck Confit, Beef Cheek, or even Squid in your banh mi?
And the perfect partner in crime is their Kimchi Fries. They come topped with pork, kimchi, and sauce—a side dish that could honestly be a meal on its own.
Pro Tip:
During the colder months, be ready to keep your jacket on while dining here. The door tends to stick open, and with people always coming and going, it can get a little drafty.
Banh Mi Nguyen Huong
Media credit: tastetoronto
Website: https://nguyenhuong.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banh-mi-nguyen-huong/
Address: 322 Spadina Ave.
Hours: Mon – Sun: 8 AM – 7 PM
Contact: (416) 599-4625
Must-Order: Vietnamese Assorted Banh Mi
Banh Mi Nguyen Huong has been a family-run banh mi spot since 1986. What started as a small sandwich counter has grown into a Vietnamese deli and bakery, loaded with everything from cold cuts to sweet treats.
Speaking of cold cuts, go for their Vietnamese Assorted Banh Mi. It has pork sausage, jambon or Vietnamese ham, pork meatball, and pate—all placed inside a crusty, golden baguette.
I also love the Pork Belly Pig Ear Banh Mi—yep, pig ear. It’s sliced very thin and has this great chewy texture that contrasts nicely with the tender pork belly.
For drinks, you could grab a sweet mixed bean drink. But if dessert is what you’re after, snag a sweet potato with jelly, banana, and tapioca treat.
Pro Tip:
Note that this place is cash-only, and most of their banh mis are just $5.50. Bring some bills and consider stocking up for the road—or for later.
