I've been using this place for a few years now the service is excellent and so is the food. Fresh and cooked to order and some great specials this is a real hidden gem go seek it out
Lovely staff and wonderful pho. We are regulars for the rare beef pho. The sandwiches are delicious too.
Soooo good. Ban mi grilled pork soooo goood. Went two days in a row.
Excellent food in reasonable price & lovely staffs!!
Osiris my daughter works there, it feels very happy , in February we went to one of their restaurants and taste some real good dishes, even for me who do not eat meat , very good team.
I should have a loyalty card with this restaurant :-) I have been there more times than at any other restaurant in London - simply delicious food and fast friendly service. Glad this restaurant is my local for my office lunches.
Great food and great service
I love coming here
Amazing food and exceptional service! Highly recommended..must try and definitely coming back for the pho gà!
I'll always pop in for a bite, food is genuine and service is great. The crabmeat noodle soup actually has real crabmeat in it which is quite rare for cheaper oriental cuisine :)
my favorite takeaway in London! always simply great...
Excellent food and trendy ambience makes it a chic dining hotspot.
FINALLY!!! somewhere I can have Pho on my lunch break
We pre-ordered on the phone and then came by to pick it up. It was quick and easy. The menu had quite a few interesting items and we ordered an item from each area.
I quite liked their bun noodle salad since there was a fair amount of meat on them. The rice boxes were also quite nice, the Bay Special one had a few different types of meat on it. The prawn and pork pancake was also quite nice and it came with fresh herbs and lettuce. The noodles were ok.
I think that the flavours were nice and portion was not too bad. We did share it so can't be sure how filling a single portion would have been.
The Vietnamese baguette is a simple dish, but with varying levels of success. Always ideal for a lunch and just a step beyond the usual sandwich. Generally, the ones in Melbourne have been outstanding. It’s a mix of quality bread with wholesome fillings and flavours. And over in Toronto they’re a little modernised but still worthwhile. Unfortunately, I can’t say the one from Banh Mi Bay was as enjoyable. I do rate their meat and rice dishes, but the caramel pork (£5) was a bit of a letdown. The bread isn’t a proper crusty French baguette and the meat was unsatisfying. Cold (but this is advetised) and a bit dry. Also, butter and pate aren’t staples in the filling, they cost extra. Either would have definitely helped as the pork was a tad monotone in flavour without these additions. I request no chilli and ended up with chilli in the roll. I’d return for the rice meals at Banh Mi Bay but would give the banh mi itself a miss.
Hailing from Sydney I am spoilt for choice when it comes to cheap, fresh, delicious Vietnamese food. After dropping into the Thornbridge Tap Takeover at The Craft Beer Co in Clerkenwell this afternoon, I needed a nosh. My google search of what was nearby and worth it returned Banh Mi Bay – reviewers had praised their rolls. Off I trotted to get me one.
I’m not big on sandwiches. I mean, I like Pret as much as the next person, but I can’t get too excited about sandwiches for lunch. This is why, during my working days, I spent a large portion of my salary on sushi places and back when I worked in Holborn, I was lucky enough to work within strolling distance of a Banh Mi Bay, the local Vietnamese.
Absolutely amazing place for service and food. I'm a Pho addict and would say that this is the best place for it in London. I thought nothing would compare to I love Pho in Melb, Australia but this is definitely on par :)
The food is great, service is good and it has good veggie options. Lunch is very busy though.
Banh Mi Bay is well situated, on the corner of Grays Inn Road and Theobalds Road, just a stone’s throw from Holborn and not too far from the City. With their cheap, quick and easy Vietnamese baguettes (the eponymous Banh Mi) I imagine they would do a roaring takeaway lunch trade. My dining partner and I, however, had seen the full menu online and couldn’t resist trying out the restaurant for dinner one Friday evening. The décor is all pale green walls and light wood furnishings, with Vietnamese groceries for sale from a cabinet at one side of the spacious dining room. Whilst perfectly pleasant, these looks add to the casual, daytime feel of the place. The wine list was quite limited, offering just four whites, four reds and two rosés, and I was surprised by the absence of aromatics like Viognier that would really complement the spicy food. We opted for a bottle of the 2007 Kahurangi Estate Dry Riesling. Although not a wine I would usually choose, it had decent hints of steely citrus an
The grilled pork banh mi is better than the caramelised pork banh mi. Both were a little too heavy on the pepper. The pork was sweet and fatty just like it should be.
Going for the mixed rare and cooked beef Pho, the broth made me want more with every spoonfull. It was abundant with flavour and didn't meed a lot of extra condaments as it was quite perfect as it was.
The Food Connoisseur
+3.5
I still remember my very first banh mi, it was whilst holidaying in swtizerland. A friend of my aunts made some, and from then I was gripped by all the textures and flavours. Sadly at the time I had no clue what it was called to hunt for it in London until recent years I saw someone on twitter posting a photo of one.
I decided to take out as it was a hot sunny day. I went for banh mi special, pate, spiced pork, and pork roll. I was given a choice of three different breads to choose from. Brown, white or Vietnamese style. I went for Vietnamese style.I loved my banh mi and shall be returning for pho!
Opting for the shredded pork was a winner, as the cheaper meat options tend to use luncheon style meat. As well as the pork meat, there was cucumber, carrot, coriander and some kind of dressing but that was overshadowed by the flavours on the meat, which were very good.
Helen Around The World
+4.5
Inside Banh Mi Bay, I found a light and airy interior and a nice selection of baguettes and pho on the menu
I still have fond memories of one of the first Bánh Mi’s I ever ate. A lovely Vietnamese family, who had escaped their home country at some point and settled in Vientiane, owned it the capital of Laos. If memory serves me right they had a small shop, which I used to buy my cigarettes from, but it was the small cart they had outside their shop that has stayed with me all these years. I’ve always been a big sandwich eater, and even though I came from a really dull town, I’d even eaten a few baguettes. But nothing was to prepare me for what I was about to have. Those memories of my first visit to Laos back in 2001 and eating Bánh Mi almost everyday still linger on in my memory. The fresh bread, the pate, the pickled carrots and herbs that I never knew existed, the chilli sauce to tickle my fancy all seemed to work in unison and blew my mind. I’d even be real indulgent and have a spread of La Vache Qui Rit, (hey we are in French Indochina) just to blend the two cultures together even m
Nice comfy place to have lunch. I had the banh mi bay (cold sandwich) with pork roll, grilled pork and pate. It is a bit spicy but I can still enjoy it. Unfortunately they didn't have the Vietnamese bread so instead I had the brown bread which was nice. Reasonably priced and tasty food so will definitely come back!
This is such a great place to grab lunch. The place can be packed of an afternoon but don't let that put you off, as the service is always very quick. I'd recommend not going here if you have a busy afternoon though as you'll be ready for a nap after you finish eating.
Great Vietnamese place for a healthy, delicious lunch.
Small cute little restaurant. There is not a lot of space inside but they do take away lunches which are ideal if you're working in the area.
The menu is a little confusing at first because there are a lot of options. You can choose the base e.g rice or noodles etc then choose the topping.
I ordered the curried vietnamese beef on rice noodles with salad. It was fresh and bursting with authentic flavours. I requested the medium sauce and was warned it was quite hot, they were right but it was good as i like hot food. It was great they warned me as i think someone with a bit less of a tolerance for spicy food would not enjoy it. The beef was slow cooked and very tender and was perfect with the curry flavours.
For 6 pound for a lunch meal it was well worth it. The staff were extra friendly and I enjoyed the whole experience.
My ultimatego-to for Vietnamese food, Banh Mi Bay's premise is simple: fresh, delicious, and authentic Vietnamese cuisine at very reasonable prices. The chic, cafe-style interior makes it the perfect place to catch up with friends and I've visited so many times now that the staff know me by name (oops).
Unlike the slew of Vietnamese eateries lining Kingsland Road in Shoreditch, you won't find the oily slick at the bottom of your bowl when ordering a bun vermicelli salad from Banh Mi Bay. Their pho is the perfect remedy for a cold and an equally delicious winter warmer on a cold, rainy day. But for takeaways, I always opt for an order of prawn summer rolls (deliciously light and healthy) and a grilled pork banh mi. Their pickled carrots and freshly baked baguettes rival those I tasted in Vietnam and are definitely my favourite in London.
If you haven't tried it yet, it'll soon be your new haunt.
Food was really yummy! Was recommended this place by a friend and boy was it yummy. The broth was light but really tasty! And it came w beansprouts, thai basil and lemongrass (i think?) on the side to be added into it. I had tjhe mixed beef and chicken pho and both meats were really tasty and not chewy at all. My friend had the mixed beef and she found it really yummy too. We ordered fried spring rolls as well, surprisingly not too oily but juicy coz of the veg inside. Service was excellent, and theres quite a number of things on the menu to try. Will definitely go again! :)
I've been lucky enough to work a mere sauntering distance from here - be not alarmed by the queues snaking out the door, service is speedy & snappy. My ordering habits varied between the Lemongrass pork noodle salad, light, fresh and zingy with some of the best Nuoc Nam sauce I've ever had - or the Pork Banh Mi in a soft fragrant Vietnamese bread baguette stuffed to the brim with hunks of meat, coriander and chilli.
If you're particularly hungry, wash them down with some prawn summer rolls and you'll still have change left over from a tenner.
This is a good place to go for some good Vietnamese food. The prices are reasonable and there is a wide variety of food. For lunch I would really recommend the baguettes with the meat. Everything is cooked on the grill which gives a good taste to the meat and a nice smell inside the restaurant. This is also a very nice place to go for dinner. I had a Bo & ga soup which was very fresh. A good quality place that is popular in the neighbourhood.
One of the best lunch destinations in the area, Banh Mi Bay offers baguettes, pho, noodles and rice dishes with a range of meats for eating in or takeaway.Good quality Vietnamese food for a reasonable price - who could argue with that?
I recommend the satay chicken on Vietnamese bread - a delicious combination of flavours and textures with just the right amount of heat, but the rice and noodle boxes are a treat too, with all the meat freshly grilled in front of you.
Lunchtime, is a bit hectic, but service is prompt. However, this is a great place to dine in at on an evening too, with portions slightly larger for those opting to take a table. The eat-in menu also offers more variety than the one featured here, so well worth a visit. Plus who can resist the Kikkoman soy and Sriracha chilli on tap?
This place is the best. Simple, but delicious, vietnamese baguettes, and the pho won't disappoint either. The Vietnamese coffee is also delicious. Best of all, it's super cheap! Very student friendly, I would definitely recommend it for lunch or a lazy afternoon.
One of the best places for pho, their rice dishes are very good too. Always go here for take out and thought to try to dine in this time; the food portions are excellent for both the pho and the spring rolls. Authentic food, especially the spring rolls as most places now cheat on the roll wraps but Bahn Mi Bay does it properly and excellently. Well worth the visit
Nice pho, large portions, tender beef, tasty broth. The pancake starter was average. Shop is quiet and clean and staff are nice. Average price at around £21/ person
This place is the best, AND authentic - we’ve had take away from them numerous times, but only once did I remember to take a photo! Always too eager to eat their delicious food! Their spring rolls are great - fresh & crunchy, served with lettuce & Nuoc Cham dipping sauce. The White Cabbage Salad with Chicken can be ordered with a side of Tofu as well, which I recommend - SO good, tasty & healthy. The other dish we always have is the stir fried flat rice noodles with chicken (again with tofu as an addition for extra oomph if you like). It’s a generous serve so a good one to share along with some spring rolls, between 2. The other dish I always order is the stir fried bean sprouts - a simple and delicious healthy side - so good! 😋 The owner is a character & a half too - had the pleasure of meeting him a few times 🤩
Food delicious 😋😋😋 Prima 😉
Service friendly and smiling all the time 👌👌👌
Interior decor so-so .....
The pancake was exceptional! Very crispy.
Summer rolls portion size a bit small for the cost.
The garlic pork salad was incredibly charry and delicious.
Bahn mi was on the smaller side and could have more sauce.
Rare beef Pho had lots of flavour.
I cannot express how much I love this place!! The food is exceptional and so is the service and the staff! It is cheaper than other places but so so good! It's not just food, it is a culinary experience! I love the Banh Mi, I have also tried an iced tea and the drip coffee! Came back the next day for more and will come again for the pho. This place in itself is a London attraction, forget about sightseeing!
One of the best places in London to have Vietnamese food. Whether it's a hearty bowl of beef brisket pho, or chargrilled barbeque, Banh Mi Bay does not disapppont.
The restaurant gives you the immediate Saigon vibe with its wooden tables and chairs. I highly recommend chargrilled pork with rice, with extra meat. This is a carnivore's dream.
One item you should always order are their spring rolls, with the right mix of flavors and coming with lettuce and mint, an authentic touch to this dish.
The service is quick but the welcome is warm. Truly a must eat place in the City!
they offer white, wholemeal and vietnamese bread for their banh mis and i opted for vietnamese with garlic pork (£7.50) although i am intrigued how different the others are. i was pleasantly surprised by how big it was bc sometimes they are so small and skinny and it had a near-perfect texture too! - slightly toasty but still fluffy. the pork was seasoned well and there was a hint of chilli too but that classic chargrilled/bbq flavour that i love was missing :( my friends got their pho which was £10 for a massive portion and they all enjoyed it! i also really liked the whole vibe of the restaurant as it’s very chill and the staff were very lovely
Fantastic Vietnamese food and coffee!! Plus the friendliest staff and owner! I highly recommend the lemongrass beef bahn mi and get yourself a classic drip filter coffee. Vietnamese coffee is some of the best in the world and Bahn Mi Bay definitely showcases it! Will be coming back soon.
Pho broth was super flavorful, and the portion was really generous. Loved the calm quiet vibe in the evening and the staff was friendly as well
We pre-ordered on the phone and then came by to pick it up. It was quick and easy. The menu had quite a few interesting items and we ordered an item from each area.
I quite liked their bun noodle salad since there was a fair amount of meat on them. The rice boxes were also quite nice, the Bay Special one had a few different types of meat on it. The prawn and pork pancake was also quite nice and it came with fresh herbs and lettuce. The noodles were ok.
I think that the flavours were nice and portion was not too bad. We did share it so can't be sure how filling a single portion would have been.
Summer rolls is excellent but not too sure about the sandwich.
Best banh mi in London! Make sure to ask for the Rice-flour baguettes that's super fluffy! Super friendly staff, too. <3
The Pho is exceptional!!! The service was great and we had a table of 8 for a team lunch. Everything arrived at the same time and not one person didn’t enjoy the meal they selected. Reasonable prices for the large servings and would say at lunch time there is never not a line for eat ins and takeaways. Will totally be back for either take out or eat in.
Fantastic Vietnamese food, really enjoyed our meal here. The banh mi and bun are real classics and satisfying. The best surprise was the Vietnamese iced coffee, strong, intense and perfectly dosed with condensed milk, felt as if I was back in Vietnam. Highly recommend!
I went to Banh Mi Bay for dinner with my friend and we got their vegan mi xao, beef pho, and chicken wings. The food was very good! I do wish they had more veggie options, though. It was sad that they were out of the vegan broth because I would have loved to order the tofu pho. The customer service, however, is excellent. The staff are friendly. The interior design is super cozy and it was only lightly crowded. I would love to come here again and hopefully try the tofu pho I had meaning to the first time around.
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