A crackly baguette, a smear of pâté, pickled carrot and daikon, a fistful of cilantro and a few slices of jalapeño: the bánh mì might be the best lunch deal in the city. If you are looking for the best banh mi in Montreal, the good news is that you’ll find excellent ones in nearly every corner of the island, from a cash-only counter in Chinatown to a creative takeout window on Bernard. Here are 11 spots worth the detour.
We leaned on Tastet’s list of the best bánh mì in Montreal, updated in October 2026. As Tastet explains, “bánh mì” means “wheat bread” in Vietnamese. The Vietnamese baguette, a legacy of the French colonial era, is smaller than its Parisian cousin and made with a mix of wheat and rice flour, which gives it a thinner, crispier crust.
The best banh mi in Montreal: the legends
Marché Hung Phat (7099 Saint-Denis Street)
Since 2006, Hung Phat has been a pilgrimage for bánh mì fans, a short walk from Jean-Talon Market. Fresh, flavourful and authentic, it draws crowds at lunch, so go a little early.
Hoang Oanh (1071 Saint-Laurent Boulevard)
In the heart of Chinatown, Hoang Oanh makes some of the best bánh mì in town: generous, affordable, with a crisp baguette and fresh pickles. Tastet’s favourites are the barbecue pork and the special. Bring cash, it’s the only payment accepted.
Banh Mi 79 (79 Sainte-Catherine Street East)
One of the best options downtown for a quick lunch, with fresh sandwiches and friendly service, steps from the Quartier des spectacles.
Creative takes
Bánh Mì Cu Lắc (5788 Saint-Laurent Boulevard)
From a small takeout window on Bernard Street, Cu Lắc brings flavours from around the world into Vietnamese street food. The lapsang chicken and the classic pork are always on, alongside limited editions that change about every two months, all on a house baguette made with local flour.
Banh Mi Bánh Yiu (255 Saint-Viateur Street West)
A friendly Mile End sandwich shop and dépanneur, Bánh Yiu offers very affordable sandwiches with fillings like satay chicken, char siu chicken, braised pork, chermoula tofu and avocado pâté. A perfect excuse to stop by on a bagel run.
Sandwicherie Sue (2524 Beaubien Street East)
Sue has eight bánh mì on the menu, from the traditional (liver pâté, barbecue ham and Vietnamese sausage) to the Auber-Chine, with Chinese eggplant in a Szechuan sauce, and a shiitake version. Every sandwich gets homemade aioli, pickles, cilantro, spicy mayo and jalapeños. There is a second Sue on Duluth Street, near Parc La Fontaine.
Neighbourhood gems
TRAN Cantine (4690 Notre-Dame Street West)
This small Saint-Henri restaurant, opened in 2017, makes everything in-house, from broths to marinades. Tran‘s bánh mì come with chicken, beef or pork, and you can add an egg.
Le Petit Sao (1870 Centre Street)
In Pointe-Saint-Charles, Le Petit Sao serves homestyle Vietnamese cooking and bánh mì on a homemade baguette. There are several other branches around Montreal.
Café Viet Épicerie (159 Murray Street)
Griffintown’s go-to, with 10 flavours including char siu pork, sautéed tofu and lemongrass beef meatballs, plus Vietnamese iced coffee and a small grocery corner.
More on the east side
On Jean-Talon East, Banh Mi Hanoi (2499 Jean-Talon Street East) adds sticky rice and boba tea to its sandwiches. In Ahuntsic, Épicerie Banh Mi Linh (2151 Fleury Street East) pairs good bánh mì with soups, noodles and stir-fries at gentle prices.
What goes into a classic bánh mì
The sandwich is a meeting of French and Vietnamese ingredients. Tastet describes the classic as pan-fried pork, pork patties, liver pâté and head cheese, balanced with pickled carrots and white radish, cucumber, cilantro and a splash of soy sauce. Variations include grilled pork, grilled chicken, meatballs in tomato sauce and even sardines. The vegetarian version, bánh mì chay, swaps in tofu or seitan, and a breakfast take with fried eggs and onions is getting easier to find.
How to order
- Start with the classic, usually pork with pâté and cold cuts, before exploring.
- Say yes to jalapeños if you like heat. In Montreal they usually replace the chili sauce you’d get in Vietnam.
- Eat it fast. The baguette is best within minutes, before the pickles soften the crust.
- Carry cash, since some small counters don’t take cards.
A bánh mì and a bowl of soup make a perfect winter lunch: see our picks for the best pho in Montreal and the best dumplings. Bread lovers should also check out the best croissants in Montreal, and our food hall guide for group lunches. More in our Food section. Bon appétit!
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Photo: Jimmy Chen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources: Tastet
