Ottawa's pho and banh mi scene is anchored in Chinatown along Somerset Street West, with standouts in ByWard Market and the suburbs too. This list was built from public reviews and ratings on Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp and Restaurant Guru, cross-checked against each restaurant's own site or listing where one could be found.
1. Vietnam Palace
Area: Chinatown, 819 Somerset St W · Rating: 4.3 on Google (671+ reviews) · Since: 1989
One of the oldest Vietnamese kitchens in the city, Vietnam Palace has been serving a sprawling menu of 100+ dishes for over 35 years. Reviewers consistently point to the depth of the broth and the sheer size of the menu, and the room doubles as a fully licensed spot with karaoke, which sets it apart from the strictly-lunch-counter feel of some Chinatown neighbours.
2. Pho By Night
Area: ByWard Market, 309 Dalhousie St · Rating: 4.8 on Google (3,600+ reviews) · Since: operating 25+ years
Pho By Night pulls the highest review volume on this list by a wide margin, and it has built that reputation on a menu that covers vegan and gluten-free pho alongside the traditional beef and chicken bowls. Regulars single out the fresh shrimp rolls and the house tea, and it is one of the few Vietnamese spots downtown open late, which makes it a go-to after a night out in the Market.
3. Pho Thu Do
Area: Chinatown, 781 Somerset St W · Rating: 4.5 on Google · Since: continuing a 30-year family recipe
Now run by a younger couple carrying on a three-decade tradition, Pho Thu Do gets called out repeatedly for having some of the best broth in the city. It is a smaller, no-frills room, which suits people who want a fast, unfussy bowl over a sit-down production.
4. Pho Tuan
Area: Chinatown, 300 Booth St · Rating: 4.8 on Google · Specialty: traditional family-run pho
Tucked a block off the main Somerset strip, Pho Tuan is small and easy to miss, but it has built a loyal following on generous portions of tender meat, fresh herbs and wallet-friendly prices. It suits diners who want a quieter, more intimate room than the busier Chinatown anchors.
5. Pho 99
Area: LeBreton/Chinatown, 120 Lebreton St N · Rating: 4.5 on Google
Pho 99 shows up in reviews as an underrated pick, with customers noting flavourful broth, fresh rolls and portions that feel oversized for the price. Free parking across the road makes it a practical stop for anyone driving in rather than walking Chinatown.
6. Pho Bo Ga King
Area: Chinatown, 778 Somerset St W (also a Merivale Road location)
With late hours running past midnight on weekends, Pho Bo Ga King fills a niche as a late-night option beyond Pho By Night. Reviewers on delivery platforms highlight the pho, pad Thai and vermicelli bowls as consistently fresh, and the second Merivale location gives it reach beyond the downtown core.
7. Saigon Boy Noodle House
Area: Chinatown, 648 Somerset St W · Rating: 4.6 on Google · Rating: 4.4 on Tripadvisor (ranked #192 of 2,027 Ottawa restaurants)
Saigon Boy is one of the better-ranked Vietnamese spots citywide on Tripadvisor, not just within its category. Reviewers praise the flavourful broth, generous meat portions and quick service, and it works equally well for a fast lunch or a casual dinner with a group.
8. My Hang Vietnamese Submarine
Area: Chinatown, 788 Somerset St W · Rating: 4.6 on Google
My Hang is less about pho and more about banh mi, and it is regularly called out as one of the best banh mi counters in the city. It is a cash-only takeout shop, so it suits a quick, cheap lunch grab rather than a sit-down meal, and the sandwiches run noticeably larger than the price suggests.
9. Co Cham
Area: Chinatown, 780 Somerset St W · Rating: 4.6 on Google · Rating: 4.5 on Tripadvisor (#388 of 2,037)
Co Cham covers pho, rice dishes, vermicelli, rolls and banh mi in one menu, and reviewers point to fair pricing and friendly staff as the consistent draw. Seating is limited, so it suits smaller groups or off-peak visits more than a big party.
10. Barrhaven Vietnamese Restaurant
Area: Barrhaven/Nepean, 3777 Strandherd Dr · Rating: 4.7 (4,000+ ratings)
For Ottawa's south end, Barrhaven Vietnamese Restaurant is the standout, with a review volume that rivals the downtown Chinatown institutions. Customers describe the pho as tastier than expected for the price point and note quick service, making it the practical pick for anyone who doesn't want to drive downtown for a bowl.
How We Built This List
This list was compiled from public sources, including Google ratings, Tripadvisor, Yelp and Restaurant Guru reviews, plus each restaurant's own website or listing where available. It is not a paid placement and no business on this list is affiliated with ottown. Ratings, review counts and history noted above reflect what was published at the time of research and can shift over time. Last reviewed: August 2026.
Source: Best Pho and Vietnamese Food in Ottawa, Via Ottawa and individual restaurant listings on Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp and Restaurant Guru.
