Banh-Mi and Tea
Written by Anni Mara
If you ever find yourself in Glasgow and fancy a bite- which, let’s be honest, you probably do unless you’ve just walked out of a big meal- I’ve got a recommendation. Right on Dumbarton Road, in the heart of Partick, there’s a gem of a Vietnamese spot that never misses. It’s the answer to almost everything: hunger, cravings, a touch of sadness, or a quiet little celebration.
Banh-Mi and Tea is a cosy, family-run restaurant serving the same small but mighty menu year-round. You’ll find just what you need- a warm, soul-soothing bowl of pho or a crusty, flavour-packed banh mi. The banh mi itself is a product of fusion: born in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) during the French colonial period, it marries a classic baguette with Vietnamese ingredients like pickled veg, coriander, pâté, and seasoned meats. Simple, clever, and deeply satisfying.
The same friendly team runs the show day in and day out, and service is fast. Dishes appear within minutes, often staggered- your pho might arrive while you’re still settling in. Expect water in a plastic pint glass, menus fixed with masking tape, and handwritten signs announcing small changes. Most items come in disposable containers, with the humble ceramic pho bowl often being the only reusable thing on your table. It’s not fancy, but it’s functional- and in a way, charmingly no-frills. The restaurant has expanded from its tiny beginnings to a larger space with plenty of seating (I always go for the table by the big windows, if I can). It’s good any day, any time.
The menu doesn’t change, and that’s part of the appeal. The chicken pho is rich and restorative- a clear, pale broth at first glance, but transformed once you start adding in Thai basil, chilli oil, bean sprouts, lime, and fresh chillies. It’s a build-your-own-balance kind of meal. Before you know it, you’ve created something fragrant, spicy, and deeply warming- something that wouldn’t feel out of place on a red plastic stool in a Vietnamese street market.
While the pho or banh mi alone will leave you full and happy, I always suggest adding a side of Vietnamese rolls. They’re served with rice noodles, crushed peanuts, and a sweet chilli oil that’s completely unnecessary- but totally worth it. You’ll find yourself dipping, slurping, nibbling, and rotating through your dishes like a well-rehearsed ritual. It’s comfort food at its best.
And if the weather calls for it (or even if it doesn’t), order the Vietnamese coffee. If you’ve never tried it, it’s a bold, punchy black coffee sweetened with a very generous layer of condensed milk at the bottom. Served hot or iced, depending on your mood or the season, it’s the perfect finish- or pick-me-up- to any visit here.
Banh-Mi and Tea doesn’t try too hard, and it doesn’t need to. It’s warm, it’s fast, and it’s got heart. And when you find a place that consistently delivers a good meal, a fast seat, and a little moment of escape- well, you keep going back.
Banh-Mi and Tea is located 340 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow G11 6TG
Recommended items from the menu
Pho Ga £14
Banh Mi Vietnamese Tofu £7
Cà Phê Vietnamese Coffee £5
