Popular banh mi restaurant with a bakery will open a second location in Charlotte

Vietnamese food lovers and anyone who wants to savor sandwiches made with fresh baguettes have cause to celebrate. A second Charlotte location of Pineville’s popular Lula Banh Mi & Bakery is in the works.

Kacie Nguyen and Tony Vu opened their first location in 2022. Now, the couple is speeding toward opening their newest location of the family-owned restaurant later this month in the former Nusa restaurant space at The Arboretum.

“We’ve always dreamed of expanding, but we weren’t actively searching for a new space. This opportunity truly fell into our lap,” Nguyen told CharlotteFive. “We wish the previous owners nothing but success on their next venture. This location feels like the perfect extension of what we’re building.”

[PLAN YOUR TRIP: Your 2024 guide to eating your way through The Arboretum shopping center in Charlotte.]

In the 60-guest space at the Arboretum, there will also be bar seating and a small front patio where you can enjoy your meal.

Lula serves bánh mì on scratch-made bread, along with appetizers, curry and noodle bowls and other Vietnamese cuisine, along with small-batch baked goods.

“You’ll place your order at the counter, and then we’ll bring your freshly made-to-order dishes right to your table,” Nguyen said. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone into this new space — it’s designed to be warm and inviting.”

Most of the menu will remain the same, but Lula’s Arboretum location will add on two traditional Vietnamese dishes — pho and Bún Bò Huế (a broth-based dish spiced with lemongrass, shrimp paste and chili oil).

“Both Phở and Bún Bò Huế can be seen as a reflection of the patience and care that go into Vietnamese cooking, making it the ultimate comfort food,” Nguyen said.

You can also expect to see continuity at Lula’s Pineville location, where you can grab a breakfast sandwich, take home artisanal meats by the pound or finish your meal off with a sweet treat.

“We’re committed to maintaining everything our community loves about Lula Pineville. The same great food and welcoming service will continue there,” Nguyen said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support our community has shown us, and we’re looking forward to serving both neighborhoods with the same level of care and passion.”

Lula Banh Mi & Bakery

Location: The Arboretum, 8200 Providence Rd #700, Charlotte, NC 28277 (coming soon)

Location: The Centrum, 10400 Centrum Parkway , Suite A , Pineville, NC 28134

Menu

Cuisine: Vietnamese, banh mi

Instagram: @lulabanhmi