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Restaurant

Alex Canteen

159 Victoria St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 17 people

Updated

Find Alex Canteen

159 Victoria St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 466 223 468
HoursMonday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Alex Canteen

Perched right on the edge of the Vic Market sheds, Alex Canteen cuts through the food-hall gridlock with no-nonsense Vietnamese cooking. The insider play: bypass the packed aisles and claim a table inside the quiet canteen dining room. Soup seekers zero in on the bún bò Huế—simmered for hours with lemongrass, shrimp paste, and slick chilli oil over chewy noodles. Market regulars bank on the crispy pork bánh mì for its blistered crackling and pickled carrots, while beef phở lands fast in heavy ceramic bowls alongside fresh bean sprouts and tableside mushroom seasoning.

  • Rich Bún Bò Huế: Slow-simmered broth laced with lemongrass, shrimp paste, and chilli oil over thick noodles and tender beef.
  • Crackling Pork Bánh Mì: Crusty baguettes packed with roast pork crackling, fresh herbs, and house pickles.
  • Quiet Market Refuge: Generous bowls of beef and chicken noodle soup served fast in a spacious canteen just off the market sheds.
RestaurantVietnameseRestaurant

What's On at Alex Canteen

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Alex Canteen

From crackling banh mi to deeply simmered broths, discover why Queen Victoria Market regulars make Alex Canteen their essential stop—book your table today.

  • Top-Tier Crispy Pork Bánh Mì

    Melbourne sandwich devotees consistently rate the crispy pork bánh mì among the city's finest, celebrated for its crackling baguette crust and vibrant, fresh herbs and pickled vegetables.

    I always go back for their crispy pork bahn mi. Goes well with their fresh veggies. It's on my top 5 list of bahn mis to try in melb!

    Andrea Reyes Sapina

  • Fast, Hearty Market Lunches

    Market workers and shoppers rely on Alex Canteen for lightning-fast, impeccably seasoned beef and chicken phở that delivers full, robust flavor without slowing down your day.

    The beef Pho was absolutely delicious. Perfect about of seasoning and flavour. It came out quick and the people who work there was super kind and sweets.

    Ayla Jona

  • Authentic, Slow-Simmered Regional Broths

    The kitchen takes no shortcuts with its regional soups, slow-simmering authentic bún bò Huế for hours with shrimp paste, fragrant lemongrass, and house-made chilli oil for deep, bold intensity.

    Broth was deeply rich, simmered for HOURS… lemongrass and shrimp paste hitting just right, bold but not overwhelming.

    Kai

  • Proper Tableware and Broth Care

    Unlike standard takeaway stalls, dine-in soup service features real ceramic bowls, reusable chopsticks, and accommodating custom broth heating tailored precisely to your taste.

    They use real ceramic bowls and good quality cutlery, with reusable chopsticks

    J Seth

  • Spacious Sit-Down Dining Room

    Alex Canteen provides a dedicated, sit-down retreat from the crowded market sheds, offering a comfortable layout with plenty of room to pause and refuel over a steaming bowl.

    Very spacious seating area if you dine in.

    Dani L.

  • Calm Market-Perimeter Refuge

    Positioned right along the Queen Victoria Market boundary, this unpretentious spot lets you bypass hectic food courts in favor of clean, relaxed canteen simplicity. Book your table now to enjoy high-voltage Vietnamese cooking at the pulse of the market.

    Nothing fancy, pure basic and simple.

    Junie June June

Market go-tos and signature Vietnamese staples celebrated by regular diners.

  • Crispy Pork Bánh Mì

    I think this is the best crispy pork banh mi I have come across in the inner north of Melbourne. Good bread, great pork, great sauce, good veg levels.

    Klara Kalocsay

  • Beef Phở

    The beef Pho was absolutely delicious. Perfect about of seasoning and flavour.

    Ayla Jona

  • Bún Bò Huế

    Aight so the Bún Bò Huế had me speechless. Broth was deeply rich, simmered for HOURS… lemongrass and shrimp paste hitting just right, bold but not overwhelming.

    Kai

  • Vietnamese Coffee

    The Vietnamese coffee was nice too. Quite strong, just the way I like it.

    Tan T

Before you head over

Plan your stop around Queen Victoria Market with practical advice on timing, ordering, and customized soups. Book your table now to enjoy an unhurried, flavorful meal.

  • Beat the Market Rush for Seating

    If you are looking to escape crowded market sheds, head to this perimeter corner venue before peak market hours to secure a comfortable sit-down table in the spacious dining room.

  • Customize Your Broth and Sprouts

    Staff are happy to tailor your order—ask for super hot broth if you prefer your bean sprouts cooked directly in your ceramic pho bowl.

  • Counter Ordering & Tableside Seasoning

    Meals move fast with counter ordering and semi-self service; take advantage of the mushroom seasoning on the tables for an umami boost over rice dishes.

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