This Mississippi Gulf Coast Vietnamese Kitchen Serves Pho, Banh Mi, And French Bread Baked In House
Some of the best meals hide behind plain storefronts, and Mississippi has its share of them. I walked in expecting a quick sandwich and walked out holding a warm loaf of bread like it was a prize.
The broth was fragrant, the menu was full of surprises, and the bread on the counter had clearly been baked that same day. If you love Vietnamese food or just love good bread, this little kitchen deserves a spot on your list.
French Vietnamese Comfort Near The Gulf
Tucked into a busy stretch of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Henry’s Café & Bakery Vietnamese Cuisine is a modest cafe that cooks French Vietnamese food. It sits in D’Iberville, just a short drive from the beaches and casinos of Biloxi.
Locals and travelers come for steaming bowls of pho, crusty banh mi, and loaves of French bread made right on site.
The place keeps things simple. There is no fancy dining room drama here, just a low-key eatery where the kitchen does the talking.
Alongside the savory dishes, a bakery case holds French bread and Asian baked goods that many people take home for later.
Why does that blend matter? Vietnamese cooking picked up bread baking during the French colonial era, and the baguette became the base of the famous banh mi sandwich.
A kitchen that bakes its own bread is honoring that history in a very practical way.
For anyone exploring the coast, it offers a different kind of flavor than the seafood shacks nearby. The menu leans on fresh herbs, slow-simmered broths, and grilled meats.
It is a spot built for everyday eating, whether you want a fast lunch or a relaxed early dinner after a day out.
Finding The Cafe On Auto Mall Parkway
You will find the cafe at 10345 Auto Mall Pkwy, D’Iberville, MS 39540. The address alone hints at the setting, a commercial road better known for car lots and errands than for handmade bread.
That contrast is part of the charm.
First-time visitors sometimes admit the outside looks a little plain, and some even feel unsure before walking in. Then the door opens, and the mood shifts.
Guests describe the interior as clean, attractive, and surprisingly pleasant, with music playing softly in the background.
D’Iberville sits just across the Back Bay from Biloxi, so the drive is easy from most parts of the coast. One past diner who used to come weekly made a point of saying anyone in the Gulfport or Biloxi area should make the trip.
That kind of loyalty usually means something.
The location also works well for anyone shopping or running errands nearby. You can grab a bowl of soup between stops or pick up a fresh loaf on the way home.
Parking along this type of road tends to be simple, which takes some stress out of a quick meal.
Keep the phone number, 228-354-9591, handy if you want to check anything before heading over.
Bread That Starts The Whole Story
Picture tearing open a loaf still a little warm, the crust crackling under your fingers. One regular said a single bite of a take-home loaf pushed them to finally write about the place.
That is the effect the bread has on people.
French bread is one of the most talked-about items here, and for good reason. It is baked in house, giving it a freshness that store-bought rolls cannot match.
The outside is crisp, while the inside stays light and airy, which is exactly what a good banh mi needs.
Plenty of guests skip the sandwich entirely and simply buy loaves to carry home. They work with almost anything, from a bowl of beef stew to a simple breakfast with butter.
Some people even plan their visit around picking up bread for the week.
Vietnamese bakers often make their baguettes a touch lighter than classic French versions. Some recipes include rice flour, which helps create that thin, shattering crust.
Whatever the exact method here, the result has earned a loyal following along the coast.
If bread is your weakness, check the bakery case for Asian baked goods too. Steamed buns have earned special praise from visitors who could not stop smiling about them.
Banh Mi And Vietnamese Po’Boys
On the Gulf Coast, people know their po’boys. So it makes sense that diners here sometimes call the banh mi a Vietnamese po’boy, and the comparison fits nicely.
Each sandwich starts with that house-baked French bread. From there, it gets layered with savory fillings, crunchy vegetables, and bright herbs.
One visitor called the barbecue pork version the star of their meal, praising both the quality of the meat and the mix of vegetables tucked inside.
There is also a Banh Mi Special combination for people who want the classic mix of cold cuts and pate. Fans of rich, layered flavor tend to gravitate toward this one.
Others prefer grilled meats for a smoky, sweet bite that pairs well with the crisp crust.
Here is a fun bit of history. Banh mi simply means bread in Vietnamese, but over time the word came to mean the sandwich itself.
Street vendors in Saigon helped turn it into a worldwide favorite.
For a quick lunch, a banh mi is hard to beat. It travels well, it fills you up without weighing you down, and it shows off the bakery side of this kitchen better than any other dish on the menu.
Pho With A Clear, Fragrant Broth
Pho comes up more than any other dish when people talk about this cafe. It is clearly the heart of the menu, and many guests call it among the best they have found on the coast.
What stands out most is the broth. One diner who had tried several pho spots near Biloxi described this version as clear and clean tasting, not greasy at all.
Another praised its rich flavor and the perfect amount of spice. Those comments paint a picture of a soup made with real care.
The menu covers several styles. You can order chicken pho, a combination bowl loaded with different cuts, or tai nam pho with rare steak and well-done brisket.
Visitors who grew up eating Vietnamese food say some bowls taste just like home, which is a strong compliment.
Requests are welcome too. One guest asked for chicken without bones or skin and was happy with the result.
Pho is usually eaten with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili on the side. Adding them a little at a time lets you shape each spoonful to your taste.
Slurping is perfectly fine, and honestly, it is part of the fun.
Bo Kho, Spicy Beef Soup, And Other Specialties
Ever had a stew that comes with its own bread for dipping? Bo kho, the Vietnamese beef stew, is a perfect match for a kitchen that bakes daily, and guests here love the combination.
The stew is simmered with warm spices like star anise and lemongrass, often with tender carrots. One visitor who ordered it alongside fresh rolls and fried rolls said everything was delicious.
That same guest noted that specialty dishes like this set the cafe apart from other Vietnamese spots.
Spicy beef soup has its own fans as well. One diner called it unforgettable, mentioning it together with shrimp rice wraps as highlights of their visit.
For anyone who likes heat, this bowl brings plenty.
Roasted duck shows up on the menu too, giving adventurous eaters another option beyond the usual favorites. Each of these dishes reflects a deeper side of Vietnamese home cooking that some restaurants skip.
Not sure what to try? Ask your server.
A first-time guest once followed the staff’s suggestions, stepped outside their comfort zone, and left planning a return visit to sample even more. Sometimes the best meal is the one you would never have picked on your own.
Rolls, Buns, And Vermicelli Bowls
Small plates have a way of stealing the show. Spring rolls and egg rolls come up often among regulars, and they make an easy starter to share while you wait for soup.
Fresh spring rolls are wrapped in soft rice paper with shrimp, herbs, and noodles inside. They taste light and cool, which balances a hot bowl of pho nicely.
Fried egg rolls go the opposite way, crisp and golden, ready for a dunk in sauce.
Vermicelli bowls deserve attention too. Bun thit nuong, grilled pork over rice noodles with fresh greens, earned praise for its fresh ingredients and great flavor.
One guest noted the portion was big enough to share, which makes it a smart pick for couples. Another recent visitor simply called the pork vermicelli bowl delicious.
Then there are the steamed buns. Soft, fluffy, and filled, they got an enthusiastic shout-out from a diner who could not stop raving.
Mixing a few of these with a main dish turns lunch into a small feast. Ordering family style, where everyone grabs a little of everything, is a very Vietnamese way to eat and a great way to explore the menu.
Smoothies, Teas, And Vietnamese Coffee
Drinks here are more than an afterthought. Several guests mention them right alongside the food, which says a lot about how much flavor goes into each glass.
Vietnamese coffee is a highlight for coffee lovers. It is traditionally brewed slowly through a small metal filter and mixed with sweetened condensed milk, creating a strong, smooth drink.
One recent visitor called it perfect.
Smoothies earn steady praise too. A guest described theirs as heavenly with a bold taste of the fruit it promised.
Another fan returned just to add the smoothies to their glowing comments.
Tea drinkers have choices as well. Thai tea, with its creamy orange color and spiced sweetness, reminded one diner of home.
Strawberry tea got love for being refreshing and balanced, not too sweet and not too tart.
These drinks pair especially well with spicy dishes. A cold, creamy tea can calm the heat from a fiery bowl of soup, while iced coffee gives an afternoon boost before heading back out.
Kids and adults alike can find something they enjoy, so it is worth leaving a little room on the order for a drink you have never tried before.
A Loaf Worth Carrying Home
By the end of a meal here, most people are already thinking about their next order. That might be the clearest sign of a kitchen doing something right.
Henry’s Café & Bakery Vietnamese Cuisine blends two traditions in a way that feels natural. French bread baked in house gives the banh mi real backbone, while slow-simmered broths and fresh herbs show off the Vietnamese side of the menu.
Add creative drinks and specialty dishes like bo kho, and you have a place with far more depth than its roadside look suggests.
It suits a lot of situations. Travelers on the coast get a break from fried seafood.
Locals get a dependable everyday spot. Anyone curious about Vietnamese food gets a friendly place to learn, with staff willing to point them toward something new.
If you go, start with pho, add a banh mi, and grab a drink you have never tasted. Then, on your way out, buy a loaf of bread for tomorrow.
Long after the soup bowl is empty, that crackly crust waiting on your kitchen counter will remind you why this little D’Iberville cafe earned a spot on your Gulf Coast map.