BEST OF OTTAWA 2018: Pho

After over 20-years writing about life in Ottawa, we think we have
a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer.
In this weekly summer series, we’ll share our picks with you - 
our top hotels, live music venues, local brews,
bands and more. Check, share and discuss
#OLMBest every week!

Saigon Pho - Downtown: 232 Bank St., Orleans: 3722 Innes Rd, Unit 2

If you’re looking for easily accessible, authentic pho at a reasonable price, Saigon Pho is the spot for you! Their menu is vast, with more pho options than you can imagine. All served with a base of aromatic broth and fresh rice noodles, take your pick of beef meatballs, tenderloin, seafood, tofu and more. Ottawa is lucky enough to have not one, but two Saigon Pho locations, so whether you’re downtown or hanging out in Orleans, make sure to stop by!

Huong’s Vietnamese Bistro  - 343 Booth St.

With its simple, quaint exterior, it would be easy to not think much of Huong’s Vietnamese Bistro, but it really is a gem. Located on Booth, this little family-run spot serves amazing pho for an absolute steal–you can get a bowl for as low as $9! Don’t forget to order a side of their mouth-watering spring rolls as well and enjoy their complementary Vietnamese tea!

Saigon Boy Noodle House - 648 Somerset St. W.

Saigon Boy Noodle House is a popular spot in the heart of Chinatown. This small, family-owned, gem is known for their exquisite broth–slowly brewed, flavourful and aromatic. With its fresh ingredients and hearty servings, Saigon Boy Noodle House is the perfect place to grab a bowl of pho with a friend on a chilly fall or winter day!

Pho Thu Do - 781 Somerset St. W.

Another Chinatown gem, Pho Thu Do truly delivers on their serving sizes! You really get  good bang for your buck with their large noodle bowls and variety of options. Whether you choose chicken, seafood, veggie or any other of their pho flavours, you will not be disappointed.

SEN Asian Cuisine - 200 Marche Way, Unit 103

If you’re looking for a pho spot that is perfect for date night, we recommend SEN Asian Cuisine. Located along the trendy Marche Way strip at Lansdowne, the family-owned fusion restaurant serves a mix of Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese dishes. Pho is of course part of this delicious menu, with your choice of grilled beef, pork, chicken or tofu bowls. Their plating and presentation is also a food blogger’s dream!

New Mee Fung - 350 Booth St.

New Mee Fung has been a pho staple in Ottawa for years and it's still going strong! Popular for their exquisite pho broth and various noodle dishes, this is a must-go spot for all pho lovers and foodies in general. For as low as $6.50, you can get a generous bowl of soup with succulent rice noodles and meat of choice like shrimp, pork wontons, beef tenderloin and more. Craving this but don’t want to leave your house? No worries, New Mee Fung offers free delivery through the Doordash app!

Vietnam Palace - 819 Somerset St. W.

If you’re looking for a pho spot to throw a birthday party or a work event, we recommend Vietnam Palace! With its huge space and simple, yet classy decor, it’s perfect for large get togethers. A Chinatown staple for almost 30 years now, every dish makes you feel like you’ve been transported straight to Hanoi! We recommend their fun “Build Your Own Pho” option where you can combine two different types of meats in your bowl.

Pho 99 - 120 Lebreton St. N.

Blink and you may miss Pho 99! Tucked away in a quaint, mostly residential area on Lebreton Street, this place is a true hidden gem. This spot is perfect if you want a casual lunch away from the hustle and bustle of busy downtown. Their soups are always served up piping hot and fresh and the restaurant has a very home-y feel to it. They also deliver through SkipTheDishes!

Kanata Noodle House - 500 Hazeldean Rd. & 4049 Carling Ave

Live or work in Kanata? Well you deserve good pho too! Luckily for you, Kanata Noodle House has not one, but two locations serving the Kanata area. Whether you visit their location on Hazeldean or the one on Carling, you are sure to be blown away. They won the 2018 West Ottawa Business Excellence Award for Restaurant and Food Services and you’ll understand why when you have a taste of their #15 Special Pho.

Bien Pho - 5929 Jeanne D'Arc Blvd S.

Bien Pho is an awesome Vietnamese and Thai fusion spot serving the Orleans area. They’ve been around for over 15 years and are considered one of the best restaurants in Orleans. Their menu is vast, representing the very best flavours of both Thailand and Vietnam, so there is something for everyone! When it comes to their pho, we recommend the Bun Bi Hue, which is a beef pho with a spicy lemongrass broth.