& Banh Mi is a stylish Vietnamese sandwich shop tucked away on an unassuming side street in Toronto's downtown core.

Instantly recognizable by the ampersand above its front door, & Banh Mi (pronounced "And Banh Mi") offers a wide selection of Vietnamese sandwiches and snacks, made with fresh vegetables and flavourful meats.

A plastic barrier separates the restaurant's kitchen from its dining area, allowing customers to watch the chefs at work while waiting for their food.

It's not by chance. Owners Tony, Thy Thy and Matthew explain that they wanted to give visitors a glimpse into their process so that they would know exactly what they were getting.

Everything on the menu is prepared in-house. Baguettes are baked from scratch every morning, while lattes are made with imported Vietnamese coffee beans.

The owners tell blogTO that they wanted to create a more elevated, immersive experience, showing their customers a different side of Vietnamese cuisine. They also say that the restaurant's name was meant to evoke a sense of togetherness and community.

"It's all about connections," Thy Thy tells us excitedly. “The 'and' in our name is meant to show that good things can come from unlikely combinations. For example, Toronto and Saigon. Tradition and innovation. Me and you.”

In order to emphasize this theme of togetherness, each of the menu items contains an ampersand somewhere in its name.

& Crackle ($14.75), or banh mi heo quay, is & Banh Mi’s signature sandwich. Crispy roasted pork belly is paired with pickled carrots, daikon, cucumbers, spring onions and coriander, creating the perfect balance of meat and vegetables.

& Betel Leaf Beef ($16.25), or banh mi bo la lot, consists of grilled beef wrapped in fragrant betel leaves. Lemongrass sauce enhances the meat's peppery flavour, while crushed peanuts give the sandwich a satisfying crunch.& Cold Cuts ($12.50), or banh mi cha lua, is a meat lover's dream, made with barbecue pork, pork sausage, pork floss, pate and barbecue sauce. Of all the sandwiches we tried, this one was my personal favourite.& Garden Crackle ($14.75), or banh mi heo quay chay, is a vegetarian version of the & Crackle. Plant-based pork subs in for pork belly, while plant-based sauce is used in place of barbecue sauce. Beyond that, the two sandwiches are almost identical.& Matcha Chili Crunch ($8.90), or banh mi nuong muoi ot sot matcha, is a sweet and spicy snack, made with matcha syrup, chili sauce, pork floss and your choice of beef or pork jerky.

Though the combination of ingredients was a bit overwhelming at first, the flavour grew on me the more I ate.& Lychee Iced Tea ($7.00) is a light, floral drink with a refreshing citrus finish. It pairs well with many of the restaurant's spicier dishes, like the aforementioned Matcha Chili Crunch.& Salted Cheese Cloud ($6.75), or ca phe kem muoi pho mai, combines bittersweet Vietnamese coffee with salted cream cheese, creating a drink that's equal parts sweet and savoury.& Coconut Tofu Pudding ($5.90), or tau hu cot dua, is a soft, silky dessert, whose creamy flavour is heightened with the addition of chewy coconut balls.& Banana Ice Cream ($5.90), or khem chuoi, is sold in small, individually-wrapped bricks, making it ideal for eating on the go.

Each piece contains layers of sliced bananas, roasted peanuts and shredded coconut, surrounded by a coating of coconut cream. Though & Banh Mi has only been open since May of 2026, the sandwich shop has already become a popular spot for students on their way to school and office workers on their way to work.

The owners tell blogTO that they're grateful for the attention they've received and promise to continue providing their customers with the quality they have come to expect.& Banh Mi is located at 13 Elm Street.