Luke’s Bánh Mì hits Lonsdale Street with new coloured baguettes

The brand aims to open 30 stores by 2027.

Luke’s Bánh Mì has opened its sixth Melbourne store, launching on Lonsdale Street in the CBD on 18 June as the Vietnamese bakery brand continues its expansion across the city.

The new store marked the occasion with the launch of what the brand describes as Australia’s first coloured bánh mì baguettes, alongside a one-day opening offer of 50% off bánh mì.

In reference to the store’s address at 19–21 Lonsdale Street, customers aged 19, 20, and 21 received a free bánh mì of their choice on opening day with proof of age.

The coloured baguettes will remain available for a limited time at the Lonsdale Street location before being introduced as part of Luke’s new catering range in the coming weeks.

The red, green, and yellow baguettes are made using beetroot, kale, and imperfect carrots, drawing on a Vietnamese baking practice of using surplus fruit and vegetables to naturally colour bread.

The approach also aims to create demand for produce that may otherwise go unsold due to retail appearance standards.

The use of vegetables in baking gained attention in Vietnam in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when bakers worked with farmers to repurpose excess dragon fruit that could no longer be exported, helping reduce waste and provide farmers with another source of income.

Founder and third-generation baker Luke Vu said the Lonsdale Street opening reflects the changing nature of Vietnamese baking and bakers' ability to adapt through innovation.

Luke’s Bánh Mì currently operates stores in Moonee Ponds, South Melbourne, Little Bourke Street in the Melbourne CBD, Port Melbourne, and Preston.

The brand has set a target of opening 30 stores by 2027.