Best Vietnamese Food in Ottawa

Vietnamese food in Ottawa goes far beyond pho. Chinatown's Booth Street and Somerset Street corridors are home to family-run restaurants serving bun cha, banh xeo, bun bo hue, and some of the best banh mi in the country — all for under $10. This guide covers the spots that showcase the full range of Vietnamese cuisine.

For pho specifically, see our best pho in Ottawa guide →.

Top Vietnamese Restaurants in Ottawa

1. Pho Tuan

Pho Tuan on Booth Street is the place for Vietnamese food beyond pho — ironically, given the name. The Bun Cha Ha Noi (Hanoi-style grilled pork with vermicelli and dipping sauce) is the signature dish, and it's the best version in Ottawa. The Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup from Hue) is rich, complex, and a step up from standard pho.

Family-run and small, Pho Tuan doesn't try to be everything — it focuses on a tight menu of Northern and Central Vietnamese specialties and executes them at a level that's earned a 4.8 Google rating.

Must-try: Bun Cha Ha Noi, Bun Bo Hue, Bo La Lot, Bo Kho

• Price: $
• Address: 300 Booth Street
• Hours: Tue–Sat 12–8 PM, Sun 11 AM–8 PM, Monday closed

2. Huong's Vietnamese Bistro

Huong's Vietnamese Bistro is one of the few places in Ottawa — possibly the only one — that serves Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crepe). The crispy, turmeric-yellow crepe stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts is a dish you rarely see outside of Vietnam, and Huong's does it properly.

The rest of the menu reads like a Vietnamese home kitchen: Bun Bo Hue, green papaya salad, and daily specials written on a whiteboard. It's family-run, unpretentious, and the kind of place where regulars know the owner by name.

Must-try: Banh Xeo, Bun Bo Hue, Green Papaya Salad

• Price: $
• Address: 359 Booth Street
• Hours: Mon/Wed–Thu 10 AM–9 PM, Fri 10 AM–10 PM, Sat 10 AM onwards, Tuesday closed

3. Banh Mi My Hang

Banh Mi My Hang on Somerset Street is widely considered Ottawa's best banh mi shop. The Vietnamese sandwiches are $5–6, stuffed with your choice of filling on a perfectly crispy baguette. Buy five and get one free.

But it's more than sandwiches — they also serve Banh Xeo, Banh Khot (mini crispy pancakes), Xoi (sticky rice), Che (Vietnamese dessert drinks), spring rolls, and Vietnamese iced coffee. It's takeout-focused and cash only.

Must-try: Banh Mi (any variety), Banh Khot, Che, Vietnamese Iced Coffee

• Price: $(most items under$8)
• Address: 788 Somerset Street West, Chinatown
• Hours: Daily 9 AM–9 PM
• Note: Cash only

4. Chez Lam

Chez Lam is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Ottawa's west end. Located on Hazeldean Road in Kanata, it saves suburban families the drive to Chinatown. The Bun Bo Hue is the signature — rich, spicy broth with tender beef and thick noodles.

The Tom Ram Khom (pineapple shrimp stir-fry) is a unique find that you won't see on most Vietnamese menus in Ottawa. Portions are generous, service is fast, and prices are fair.

Must-try: Bun Bo Hue, Tom Ram Khom, Spring Rolls, Vermicelli Bowls

• Price: $–$$
• Address: 484 Hazeldean Road, Kanata
• Hours: Mon–Thu/Sat–Sun 11 AM–9 PM, Fri 11 AM–10 PM

5. Parle by Viet Fresh

Parle by Viet Fresh in the ByWard Market is Ottawa's only halal-certified Vietnamese restaurant. The interior is more upscale than the typical Chinatown spot — think date-night Vietnamese rather than quick lunch.

They serve pho, banh mi, and a mix of Vietnamese and Thai dishes, with strong vegan and vegetarian options. The real draw is the late-night hours — open until midnight, making it one of the few places to get Vietnamese food after 9 PM.

Must-try: Pho, Banh Mi, seasonal specials

• Price: $$
• Address: 313 Dalhousie Street, ByWard Market
• Hours: 4 PM–12 AM

Beyond Pho: Vietnamese Dishes to Try in Ottawa

Comparison: Finding Your Perfect Spot

Tips for Vietnamese Dining in Ottawa

• Chinatown is the hub: Pho Tuan, Huong's, and Banh Mi My Hang are all within a 5-minute walk on Booth/Somerset. Plan a tasting crawl
• Bring cash for Banh Mi My Hang: They don't accept cards
• Go beyond pho: Ask for bun bo hue, bun cha, or banh xeo — these dishes show the full range of Vietnamese cooking
• Lunch is best: Most Chinatown spots are less crowded at lunch and the food is freshest
• Late night? Parle by Viet Fresh is open until midnight — rare for Vietnamese food in Ottawa