Little Bánh Bánh is a Vietnamese café and restaurant located in the heart of the City, offering a calm, design-led space for lunch and light meals. Recently refurbished, the space has been updated by South London design duo House of Baby, known for their work on Vietnamese restaurants across the capital.
The interior combines minimalism with considered materials. Concrete, glass blocks and pale tiles are offset by warm wood finishes and lime plaster walls. A series of hand-painted panels by artist Tomio Shota are integrated throughout the space, drawing on Vietnamese folk art and modernist design. The result is a clean and contemporary room, designed to feel quiet and low-key, despite its central location.
The menu is built around com van phòng, traditional office lunches common across Vietnam, with a focus on rice boxes served with a variety of protein and vegetable options. Dishes include crispy pork belly, prawn patties in tomato sauce, and a slow-cooked beef stew. Each box comes with jasmine rice, fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables, intended to be comforting and filling without being heavy.
In addition to rice boxes, the kitchen also serves bánh mì filled with options such as Vietnamese cold cuts, ginger-braised chicken or lemongrass tofu with mushrooms. A short noodle menu includes ph? and bún noodle salads, with broths and dressings made in-house. Portions are suitable for quick lunches or longer sit-down meals.
The drinks menu includes iced Vietnamese coffees served with condensed milk or salted cream, as well as soft drinks such as lime soda or a pineapple and coconut blend. The focus is on simple, refreshing drinks to pair with the food.
Little Bánh Bánh suits diners looking for a relaxed, visually appealing space to enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes without formality. The layout is designed to accommodate both eat-in and takeaway, and the service is fast but friendly. While the menu is compact, it reflects a clear focus on consistency, flavour and comfort, offering something familiar but well-executed for the lunchtime crowd.