Melbourne’s Bánh Mì Obsession Heads Bayside with Luke’s Port Melbourne Opening

What followed was one of those very Melbourne success stories that spreads not through billboards, but through word of mouth, screenshots and queues. In 2025, Reddit threads exploded with claims of “best bánh mì in the city”, and Luke’s kept popping up. Not once, but repeatedly. Suddenly, a once local favourite was being discussed with the same intensity usually reserved for coffee beans and croissants.

The expansion came quickly. South Melbourne followed, then two CBD openings on Little Bourke Street and Queen Street. The Little Bourke debut alone saw more than 1,200 rolls sold on its first day, a number that feels less like marketing spin and more like a city clearly in the mood for good bread and decisive flavours. Port Melbourne was always next on the list, even if building delays pushed the opening into summer.

That timing now feels ideal. From January, Luke’s Bánh Mì will open on Bay Street, landing right as Port Melbourne hits its seasonal stride. Bay Street is one of those strips that works because it serves locals first. Beach walkers, swimmers, cyclists and office escapees all funnel through, looking for food that satisfies without slowing the day down. A well built bánh mì fits neatly into that rhythm.

The rolls themselves have become instantly recognisable. Bread baked daily, light but sturdy. Fillings that actually reach the ends. Pâté and Vietnamese style mayo made in house, sharp pickles that cut through richness, and proteins that range from crisp pork belly to thoughtfully done vegan options. It is generous food that still feels precise, and that balance is exactly why people keep coming back.

Vu has described the Port Melbourne site as a long time dream, not because it promises hype, but because it promises consistency. A neighbourhood that eats well, often and without fuss. That philosophy has underpinned the brand from the beginning and remains unchanged, even as the footprint grows.

The Bay Street opening is set for 12 January, with a one day launch offer of 50 percent off first orders, capped at thirty dollars per person and available in store until sold out. Expect early starts, lines down the footpath and a fair bit of smug beachside eating.

Melbourne’s bánh mì moment shows no signs of slowing. With its fifth location opening bayside, Luke’s Bánh Mì looks less like a trend and more like part of the city’s everyday food fabric. And honestly, that is where it belongs.