Vietnamese Bakery & Cafe

If you're after a banh mi in Fyshwick, Vietnamese Bakery & Cafe is the name that comes up first. Locals talk about it the way they talk about a favourite they'd happily send out-of-towners to, and it's easy to see why once you look at what comes out of the kitchen.

The rolls are the draw. The crispy pork gets plenty of love, with crackling and meat that people say is barely fatty, and the roast pork and BBQ pork have their own fans. The lemongrass beef and lemongrass chicken are popular too, and one local who prefers a lighter hand with the mayo still came away planning a return visit. If you want something fresher and less heavy, the poached chicken with extra chilli is a regular order for some. The bread is made in-house, and rolls are fresh from the oven, with salad, herbs and pickled veg that taste properly fresh. Portions are generous, and people often mention that the rolls are among the biggest around. One regular puts it simply: great quality and size, and a fair price for what you get.

There's more than rolls here. Dim sims come up, along with a BBQ pork noodle salad, and the Vietnamese iced coffee gets a good word. You can dine in or take away, sit indoors or out, and grab a coffee or breakfast as well. Locals tell us the building has a much longer history as a neighbourhood bakery, with a loyal crowd who remember the pies and sandwiches from earlier days under different owners.

The staff are friendly and quick, and the owners get a warm mention for making people feel welcome. It gets very busy around lunch, but the line moves fast. Parking is free on the street, though spaces are limited at peak times, so arriving a little before the lunch rush or parking a short walk away makes life easier. Check the hours before you head in, as they're not open every day of the week.

For a quick, filling, good-value lunch in Fyshwick, the banh mi and pork rolls are popular choices.