If there were ten stars, I would give BANH MI CAFE those. We just got priced out of Cambridge after living there for years and years. What's helping us not to lose our minds is finding the beautiful library, our apartment in a high rise apartment complex, and some great foodie places for me to explore. My very fave is Nancy and her incredible BANH MI CAFE. The best Vietnamese coffee ever as well as the best sandwiches I have ever had. We've tried the beef, the original coldcut, and a breakfast type one which is sunnyside up and pate. All delish...my personal pick is original coldcut. Best coldcuts!! Lots and lots of interesting teas, boba. drinks, etc.Take out only, or Nancy's hub will deliver in the area
Rosa Ar
The shrimp spring roll was excellent. The dipping sauce was yummy and not spicy, perfect for kids. The classic cold cut banh mi got devoured as well. Loved the beef rice bowl, it was topped with a fried egg. And the bubble milk tea was legit ?It’s mainly for take out. A small cafe right across the Watertown Free Public Library.Parking: You can find paid parking lot behind Watertown Free Public Library and walk to the cafe if you cannot find paid street parking.
Banh Mi Cafe is a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered by all food enthusiasts. As a lover of Vietnamese cuisine, I can confidently say that this place exceeded all expectations, offering a culinary journey that left me craving more. Let's start with the star of the show - the banh mi sandwiches. Oh, what a delight! Each sandwich is a symphony of flavors, with perfectly toasted baguettes filled to the brim with a harmonious blend of savory meats, crisp vegetables, and zesty sauces. Whether you opt for the classic pork banh mi or venture into the realm of lemongrass chicken or tofu, you're in for a treat. But the greatness doesn't end there. Banh Mi Cafe also offers a variety of Vietnamese street food favorites, from fragrant pho to crispy spring rolls. Each dish is prepared with care and attention to detail, ensuring an authentic dining experience that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Hanoi. What truly sets Banh Mi Cafe apart, however, is the warmth and hospitality of the staff. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with genuine smiles and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the family. The service here is top-notch, with attentive staff always ready to offer recommendations and ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of spectacular. In conclusion, if you're craving the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine served with a side of hospitality, look no further than Banh Mi Cafe. With its delicious banh mi sandwiches, flavorful street food offerings, and friendly service, it's a culinary destination that's not to be missed. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Carrie Souto
Amazing lunch. Fresh, delicious, and fairly priced! Service and presentation is outstanding. Great new local family owned place to try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
United T.
Amazing lunch and amazing service from Nancy and care at Banh Mi Cafe! There is a reason they are so busy. Fresh, delicious, and fairly priced! Check it out! F
Happy Monkey
Great Banh Mi, a little cramp so its best for takeout.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chicken Banh MI, Fried Fish Cake Banh MI
Nick C.
A fantastic addition to the neighborhood! The bread is fresh and delicious -- the perfect combination of flaky outsode and soft inside. The veggies are crunchy and bright. And the tofu is expertly seasoned and cooked. Highly recommend!
Eugene W.
Excited to have a banh mi store open up so close to where I live! We tried the classic cold cut and the chicken. Both were delicious. The bread was nice and crisp on the outside, but fluffy on the inside. I loved the marinade for the chicken. I think I liked the cold cut slightly more - those meats and that pate was amazing. They have a really nice blend of ingredients for these banh mi. They are also decently filling! We also got a green milk tea with boba. Unfortunately, I don't think the boba here can compete with that of a dedicated boba shop, but it was decent. The tapioca was a tiny bit hard, but not too bad. At $4.50, it is a dollar cheaper than most boba stores, so that's nice. Prices are reasonable. I'll definitely be back for some more banh mi and possibly desserts. There are only 3 seats if you want to eat in the store, by the way. Service was very friendly and quick during weekday lunch!
A tiny Banh Mi shop located in Watertown. Very happy this place opened. It's convenient for when I want to grab lunch. Their Vietnamese iced coffee is STRONG. Be warned. This is how I had it in Vietnam and it was sooo good. But if you don't like strong coffee, you should opt for another drink. Personally, this is just how I like it. I tried the beef Banh Mi. It was so good. Bread is fresh and the veggies are crisp and refreshing. Had a bit of a spice to it, which was perfect. I think from the peppers on it. The staff is so friendly too. I would highly recommend popping by this gem for take out sandwiches and iced coffee. There is street parking, but main street can get hectic during rush hour. Lunch time is a breeze though.
Alondra Millan
Finally some competition in Watertown for best boba place. Prices for boba are extremely reasonable and cheaper than most places. My order included one beef Bahn Mi, 2 crepe cakes, and 1 large Thai iced tea. The total including 18% tip came out to around 27$. The beef Bahn Mi was pretty tasty although I wish there was more of a paste/sauce in the sandwich. Crepe cakes were decent although they were frozen, and the Thai iced tea was pretty good, not too sweet or overwhelming. Ordering is mainly done on a kiosk due to space limitations/ employees, so I would suggest having your card on hand. Overall, very excited to finally have a shop in the square that is open past 3pm!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric Hardiman
A phenomenal sandwich shop with great prices and great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Ying
The banh mi and spring rolls are legit. The vermicelli is okay though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
M N
Attention to detail in the sandwich preparation. Fresh and very tasty ingredients; what a crusty baguette! The meat spiced and seasoned well.Watertown food scene - amazing !
If there were ten stars, I would give BANH MI CAFE those. We just got priced out of Cambridge after living there for years and years. What's helping us not to lose our minds is finding the beautiful library, our apartment in a high rise apartment complex, and some great foodie places for me to explore. My very fave is Nancy and her incredible BANH MI CAFE. The best Vietnamese coffee ever as well as the best sandwiches I have ever had. We've tried the beef, the original coldcut, and a breakfast type one which is sunnyside up and pate. All delish...my personal pick is original coldcut. Best coldcuts!! Lots and lots of interesting teas, boba. drinks, etc.Take out only, or Nancy's hub will deliver in the area
The shrimp spring roll was excellent. The dipping sauce was yummy and not spicy, perfect for kids. The classic cold cut banh mi got devoured as well. Loved the beef rice bowl, it was topped with a fried egg. And the bubble milk tea was legit ?It’s mainly for take out. A small cafe right across the Watertown Free Public Library.Parking: You can find paid parking lot behind Watertown Free Public Library and walk to the cafe if you cannot find paid street parking.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood Ramen Bowl, Beef Rice Bowl, Shrimp Spring Rolls
Big portion. Very good!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Banh Mi Cafe is a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered by all food enthusiasts. As a lover of Vietnamese cuisine, I can confidently say that this place exceeded all expectations, offering a culinary journey that left me craving more. Let's start with the star of the show - the banh mi sandwiches. Oh, what a delight! Each sandwich is a symphony of flavors, with perfectly toasted baguettes filled to the brim with a harmonious blend of savory meats, crisp vegetables, and zesty sauces. Whether you opt for the classic pork banh mi or venture into the realm of lemongrass chicken or tofu, you're in for a treat. But the greatness doesn't end there. Banh Mi Cafe also offers a variety of Vietnamese street food favorites, from fragrant pho to crispy spring rolls. Each dish is prepared with care and attention to detail, ensuring an authentic dining experience that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Hanoi. What truly sets Banh Mi Cafe apart, however, is the warmth and hospitality of the staff. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with genuine smiles and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the family. The service here is top-notch, with attentive staff always ready to offer recommendations and ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of spectacular. In conclusion, if you're craving the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine served with a side of hospitality, look no further than Banh Mi Cafe. With its delicious banh mi sandwiches, flavorful street food offerings, and friendly service, it's a culinary destination that's not to be missed. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Amazing lunch. Fresh, delicious, and fairly priced! Service and presentation is outstanding. Great new local family owned place to try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing lunch and amazing service from Nancy and care at Banh Mi Cafe! There is a reason they are so busy. Fresh, delicious, and fairly priced! Check it out! F
Great Banh Mi, a little cramp so its best for takeout.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chicken Banh MI, Fried Fish Cake Banh MI
A fantastic addition to the neighborhood! The bread is fresh and delicious -- the perfect combination of flaky outsode and soft inside. The veggies are crunchy and bright. And the tofu is expertly seasoned and cooked. Highly recommend!
Excited to have a banh mi store open up so close to where I live! We tried the classic cold cut and the chicken. Both were delicious. The bread was nice and crisp on the outside, but fluffy on the inside. I loved the marinade for the chicken. I think I liked the cold cut slightly more - those meats and that pate was amazing. They have a really nice blend of ingredients for these banh mi. They are also decently filling! We also got a green milk tea with boba. Unfortunately, I don't think the boba here can compete with that of a dedicated boba shop, but it was decent. The tapioca was a tiny bit hard, but not too bad. At $4.50, it is a dollar cheaper than most boba stores, so that's nice. Prices are reasonable. I'll definitely be back for some more banh mi and possibly desserts. There are only 3 seats if you want to eat in the store, by the way. Service was very friendly and quick during weekday lunch!
Very solid banh mi
Restaurantji Recommends
A tiny Banh Mi shop located in Watertown. Very happy this place opened. It's convenient for when I want to grab lunch. Their Vietnamese iced coffee is STRONG. Be warned. This is how I had it in Vietnam and it was sooo good. But if you don't like strong coffee, you should opt for another drink. Personally, this is just how I like it. I tried the beef Banh Mi. It was so good. Bread is fresh and the veggies are crisp and refreshing. Had a bit of a spice to it, which was perfect. I think from the peppers on it. The staff is so friendly too. I would highly recommend popping by this gem for take out sandwiches and iced coffee. There is street parking, but main street can get hectic during rush hour. Lunch time is a breeze though.
Finally some competition in Watertown for best boba place. Prices for boba are extremely reasonable and cheaper than most places. My order included one beef Bahn Mi, 2 crepe cakes, and 1 large Thai iced tea. The total including 18% tip came out to around 27$. The beef Bahn Mi was pretty tasty although I wish there was more of a paste/sauce in the sandwich. Crepe cakes were decent although they were frozen, and the Thai iced tea was pretty good, not too sweet or overwhelming. Ordering is mainly done on a kiosk due to space limitations/ employees, so I would suggest having your card on hand. Overall, very excited to finally have a shop in the square that is open past 3pm!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
A phenomenal sandwich shop with great prices and great service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The banh mi and spring rolls are legit. The vermicelli is okay though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Attention to detail in the sandwich preparation. Fresh and very tasty ingredients; what a crusty baguette! The meat spiced and seasoned well.Watertown food scene - amazing !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5