Steamy bowls of pho, crispy pork banh mi and iced coffees with enough caffeine to see you through until knock off. We’ve scoured the streets and laneways for the best Vietnamese restaurants and cafes in ³Ô¹ÏÍø so you don’t have to.

Phuoc Thanh Bakery

You’ll be obsessed with authentic Vietnamese bakery Phuoc Thanh Bakery in West ³Ô¹ÏÍø after you try its banh mi. The rolls are baked fresh daily and come with fillings like BBQ chicken, crispy pork, and tofu. Be sure to add coriander, pickled vegies and a smear of buttery pate.  

Pho Thin

You can’t get more authentic than a 40-year-old recipe direct from Vietnam. Hanoi-based opened its first outlet on ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Hardware Lane where you can try the signature dish, stir-fried rare beef pho. To level things up a bit, add a side of Vietnamese fried donuts, perfect for dunking and mopping up the aromatic broth. 

Banh Mi Stand

This tiny hole-in-the-wall banh mi shop has become a fast favourite with Melburnians. Pull up a little blue stool at Banh Mi Stand on Flinders Lane and feast on crispy rolls packed with pork, cold cuts, beef sausage and more. Don't forget to add a Vietnamese iced coffee to your order. Or try the salt coffee for a refreshing caffeine hit.

Hoiana

A beautiful new Vietnamese fusion restaurant has popped up on Little Bourke Street and the pork belly has to be tasted to be believed. Hoiana's sweet and sticky signature dish is adorned with coconut, puffed rice, lemon leaf and more. The rice paper rolls are far more luxe than your run-of-the-mill street food, too. Grab a taster plate of three flavours and pair it with a cocktail.

Hem 27

Water spinach noodle soup, vermicelli salad with shrimp mince wrapped in bean curd and a ginger steamed rice dish. Hem 27 in Flemington offer a huge menu featuring some of the lesser-known dishes from Vietnam’s hawker food culture. Thirsty? Try the sinh tố – a blend of fruit, condensed milk, sugar syrup and shaved ice in flavours like snow lemon, avocado and jackfruit.

VB Rolls

If the lunchtime line at VB Rolls is anything to go by, this cheap Vietnamese spot is worth adding to your list. Don’t go past its neatly packed noodle boxes from $11.50 and filled with your choice of pork, chicken, duck or tofu. Order the rice paper rolls with peanut sauce for a cheeky side dish and wash it all down with a $4 Vietnamese iced coffee. 

Heartbaker Bun Mee

Discover this hidden pork roll gem in ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s tiniest hidden laneway. Heartbaker Bun Mee has six fresh flavours including crispy pork belly, lemongrass beef and caramelised tofu for under $15. And for the vegans out there – Heartbaker has you covered with its plant-based roll. You can also find it in Spring Street.

Che Desserts

Need something a little sweet? Sample traditional Vietnamese desserts at Che Desserts. Try treats like crème caramel, condensed milk–loaded iced coffee, egg coffee and iced fruit teas. The signature 'che' layers fruit, coconut milk, pandan jelly, tapioca and durian for a refreshing parfait-style delight. The best part? You can add extra durian to your che if you're a fan of the divisive fruit.

Mama Le

Hidden in an industrial pocket of Kensington, Mama Le takes inspiration from the owner's mum's cooking and gives it a modern twist. Servings are more than generous so come with an empty stomach. If you're extra hungry, go for the feed me menu. It features go-to dishes like grilled beef betel leaf, crispy pork gua bao and Vietnamese chicken curry. 

N.Lee Bakery

Walk through the doors of for its famous banh mi and you know you’ve made the right choice. You’ll see stacks of freshly baked rolls coming out of the oven, a cabinet of tasty fillings and a queue of hungry regulars snaking down the street. This hugely popular spot is well worth the wait if you’re after one of the best Vietnamese pork rolls in the city.

Straight Outta Saigon

Head straight to Straight Outta Saigon for Vietnamese dishes with a modern twist and an epic cocktail menu to boot. Think crispy pork belly with apple slaw, fried chicken bao with sriracha mayo and flame-grilled prawns with a herb drizzle. As for that cocktail menu, try the Vietnamese espresso giving a generous nod to that sweet, iced coffee we all know and love.