Rossie Banh Mi

If you're after a banh mi in Hawthorn, Rossie Banh Mi is a name that comes up locally. It sits on Glenferrie Road, and the word around the area is that the bread is the thing: crisp on the outside, soft and fresh inside, with the kind of buttery crunch that keeps people coming back.

The crispy pork is the one locals rave about, with crackling that gets described as addictive and a generous filling of coriander and spring onion. Lemongrass pork is another regular order, and a house chilli sauce gets a mention from people who like a bit of heat. Fried rice is often recommended alongside, and there's Vietnamese iced coffee to wash it down. We've heard more than one person say it's the best banh mi they've had in Melbourne, which is a big call, but it's a view that comes up often.

Vegetarians and vegans are well looked after here, and that's a real draw. The vegan meatball banh mi, usually ordered with chilli, gets plenty of love, and so does the vegan chicken lemongrass, which people say is generously filled for a fair price. Vegan char siu pork is on the menu too, and the matcha is vegan-friendly, though one local suggested the drinks list could flag that more clearly. Another noted that most of the serving ware is disposable even when you eat in, so it's worth knowing if that matters to you.

You can dine in, with seating inside and outside, or take your order away, and delivery is available too. They open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, and the hours run slightly shorter on weekends, so check before you head in. Staff are regularly described as friendly and kind, which makes first visits easy.

One person found the wait long and the rice-to-meat balance off on a rice dish, and another was unhappy with a traditional cold-cut roll on their visit. Those are the exceptions, though. For most, it's a fresh, good-value lunch worth the trip along Glenferrie Road.