N. Lee Bakery Cafe

4.3(316)

422-428 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

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Services:TakeawayDine-In

Fresh From the OvenGood ValueFriendly Staff

Known for

Banh miPateCrispy pork banh miTakeawayCoffeeBreakfastWheelchair accessibleCard & contactless payments

Why Choose N. Lee Bakery Cafe?

N. Lee Bakery Cafe is known locally for exceptional banh mi built on standout bread, crisp outside, soft and pillowy inside. The rolls are generously loaded with fresh vegetables and your choice of pork, pâté, chicken or meatball fillings, and they represent solid value for the CBD location.

About N. Lee Bakery Cafe

N. Lee Bakery Cafe is a Vietnamese bakery cafe in Melbourne's CBD where banh mi is a standout. We've heard the bread is the draw, crisp on the outside and soft and doughy inside, and it comes up almost every time someone describes a visit.

The crackling pork roll draws interest, and the crispy pork belly version has its own fans. Others rave about the barbecue pork, which is warmed on the griddle before it goes in, as well as the pork loaf with pate, the meatball roll and even a chicken schnitzel banh mi that won over a sceptic. Rolls come generously loaded with fresh vegetables and a bit of chilli heat. One local would have liked more pickled carrot, so ask if that matters to you.

It runs more like a cafeteria than a quiet cafe, with simple tables and seating that's clean and roomy rather than fancy. Locals say the queue moves quickly even when the place is full, and the staff are friendly. You can take your roll away or eat in, and they also do coffee and breakfast. A counter of cakes and cookies sits alongside the rolls. Prices sit a touch above a suburban banh mi, which people put down to the CBD location, though plenty still call it good value for a roll big enough to be a proper meal.

One customer reported a roll that was stale and chewy, nothing like the usual crisp bread.

The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and they take cards and mobile payments. They keep weekday hours that stretch across the lunch rush and shorter weekend hours, so check the hours before you head in. For a quick, filling banh mi in the city, this is a reliable bet.

Location

What Customers Say on Google

Bread

“Best Bahn Mi I have found in City so far. Also very cheap. Always fresh ingredients and crunchy bread.”

Bread

“The bread at N Lee!!!! Perfect crunch and perfect doughy gooshy inside. Omg the flavours. The chilli heat. Abundantly loaded.”

Value

“Competitively priced. Banh Mi = Good value for money - you get your carbs, protein & fiber in 1 filling meal.”

Source: Google Reviews

Community Comments

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Frequently Asked Questions About N. Lee Bakery Cafe

: N. Lee Bakery Cafe is a Vietnamese bakery cafe in Melbourne's CBD best known for its banh mi. The bread gets singled out again and again for being crisp outside and soft and doughy inside. Popular fillings include the crackling pork roll, crispy pork belly, barbecue pork warmed on the griddle, pork loaf with pate, meatball roll and even a chicken schnitzel banh mi.
: Yes, it's regularly described as good value, with rolls generously loaded with fresh vegetables and meat for a reasonable price compared to other spots in the Melbourne CBD. One visitor noted it was a little more expensive than typical banh mi given the location, but still considered it worth it for the portion size and quality.
: Both. N. Lee Bakery Cafe offers takeaway and dine-in, with basic seating and tables inside. Most visitors say the real drawcard is the food rather than the atmosphere, and service tends to move quickly even when the place is busy.
: Alongside its banh mi rolls, N. Lee Bakery Cafe serves coffee and breakfast, plus a counter selection of cakes and cookies. It's set up for a quick, casual visit, with wheelchair-accessible entrance and card and contactless payments accepted.
: It's considered one of the better banh mi spots in the Melbourne CBD, with many calling out the crunchy, fresh bread, generous fillings and friendly, efficient staff. The crackling pork and crispy pork belly rolls have a strong following, though fillings like pickled carrot can vary between visits, so it's worth asking staff what's fresh on the day.