Brew & Banh Mi Cafe – Authentic Vietnamese Coffee & Sandwiches in Milpitas, CA

Wasn’t initially sure about trying this place as I read in the reviews that a coffee cost someone $12! but decided to go and try it anyway in support of small local businesses. Firstly, the coffee is NOT $12. It’s $6.95 for the foam one you see in the photo I posted and $5.95 for the regular Vietnamese coffee which we also got. I asked the barista to make mine less sweet so that it’s super strong (I love strong coffee!) and she did it exactly that. 10/10 absolutely delicious and I’m definitely going back! I ordered the salt foam for anyone wanting to try the foam selection - I’d suggest this one… it was just so delicious and it offsets the bitterness of the coffee well. If you like the taste of strong coffee unfettered then go for the regular Vietnamese coffee. The shop itself is super clean and tidy. The location is also super easy to get to right off of McCarthy.

Brew & Banh Mi Cafe has the most diverse menu I’ve seen for a cafe. I love how their menu has so many traditional Vietnamese items. The drinks are priced fairly (~average $7 per drink) and they have many traditional Vietnamese snacks like Banh Mi, Pate Choud, etc. Their service was quick and quality. Coconut Blended Coffee ($7): My favorite drink from Brew! Strong coconut flavor followed by the bitterness of the coffee. Very creamy but not too sweet. Phin Coffee w/ Matcha Cloud Foam: Strong but smooth Phin flavored coffee. The matcha cold foam was strongly herbal and surprising. Soursop Tea: Had soursop bits and strong tea flavor. Super strong flavor that did not resemble soursop, so I would pass on this drink next time. Sugarcane Juice: Extremely sweet and definitely needs to be diluted with ice. Pandan Waffle: One of the best pandan waffles I’ve had in a while! They make the waffle fresh in house. The batter has a mochi-like consistency that is chewy but crispy on the outside. It was not too sweet which I personally enjoy and paired well with its fresh warmth and my coconut coffee. Their diverse menu keeps me interested and motivated to come back – I’m looking forward to trying the other drinks to find my new favorite soon! They are a newer cafe and seem to be experimenting with their drinks but with time I’m sure they will find their groove.

Had great drinks and food. We got the vegetarian Banh mi which came with pickled veggies and avocado. The small was already quite a bit of food. Also got the chicken pate chaud which was flaky. For drinks we got matcha and egg foam coffee. Would definitely come back!

This Vietnamese cafe has recently opened. It’s located next to the Chevron Food Mart. This is quite unusual because normally cafes don’t sit next to gas stations. I heard that the previous business is also a cafe except that it wasn’t Vietnamese. The place really looks nice inside and they seem to take the time to place nice decorations. They serves literally most type of items: bahn mi, coffee, pastries, milk tea, etc. The coffees are usually served in smaller cups and bahn mi comes in different sizes. They actually both taste good though. It’s like a good spot to go if you’re planning to get some gas and Vietnamese snacks at the same time.

I recently visited Brew & Banh Mi Cafe in Milpitas and it has quickly become one of my favorite spots! The drink menu is huge — from refreshing fruit teas and fresh juices to creamy coffees, matcha, and even fun slushies. Everything I tried tasted fresh and well-balanced, not overly sweet like many places. Their Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich was packed with flavor and super affordable. I also loved the pastries — the waffle was light and crispy, the croissant buttery, and the bun was perfectly fluffy. The vibe of the café is casual, cozy, and perfect for either hanging out or grabbing something quick on the go. Definitely a hidden gem in the Bay Area — I’ll be coming back often!

I’m a bit torn. This spot has some solid options for drinks and food. The salted coffee was delicious, and so was the banh mi. The service was good as well. And even with it being at a gas station, the space felt comfortable and high end. My main complaint really is the value. They aren’t particularly more expensive for a drink, but my drink that I ordered was almost entirely ice. I’d probably order lighter on the ice if I were to get it again. Even the sandwich felt like it was a bit more bread than fillings. TLDR: Tasty food and drinks, but don’t expect it to be the best budget value option around.

I visited this Vietnamese coffee spot for the first time during my work trip to SJ and it was such a great experience! The Vietnamese coffee was absolutely amazing, strong, smooth, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. I also tried their Banh Mi Chicken Sandwich, which was fresh, flavorful, and packed with delicious ingredients. The quality of both the coffee and food really stood out, and I can definitely say it’s worth the visit. I’ll be coming back for sure!