Montreal's Vietnamese food scene has quietly become one of North America's most authentic, with family-run joints serving steaming bowls of pho alongside lesser-known regional specialties that transport you straight to Saigon.
From Côte-des-Neiges to Laval, we've curated the top Vietnamese spots based on review analysis and local word-of-mouth. These kitchens represent everything from traditional northern-style pho to creative Vietnamese-Quebecois fusion.
📍 All 10 Locations
⚡ Quick List
- Pho Lyla — Laval's Hidden Treasure
- I Am Pho — Downtown Pho Perfection
- Pho Viet Huong — Authentic Hue Flavors
- Restaurant Ho Guom — Lemongrass Grilled Excellence
- Phnom Penh — Cambodian-Vietnamese Classic
- Pho Long Phung — Neighborhood Noodle Sanctuary
- Pho Anh Vu – Montreal — Spicy Specialty Haven
- La Belle Tonki — French-Vietnamese Fusion
- Le Mekong — Traditional Mekong Comfort
- I Am Pho — South Shore Standout
1. Pho Lyla
✨ Best for: Laval's Hidden Treasure
📍 Laval · ⭐ 5.0 · $
This Laval newcomer has quickly earned a devoted following for its pristine pho broth that simmers for 24 hours and delicate banh xeo crepes that arrive sizzling at your table. The spring rolls are wrapped to order, their rice paper translucent and taut around fresh herbs and perfectly seasoned pork. Young Vietnamese families pack the simple dining room during weekend lunches, always a good sign for authenticity.
Must-Order:
Pho BoBanh Xeo Vietnamese CrepesFresh Spring Rolls
Insider Tip: Hit the lunch rush between 11:30-1pm when the pho broth is at peak freshness and the bánh xèo crepes are made to order.
2. I Am Pho
✨ Best for: Downtown Pho Perfection
Tripadvisor📍 Montreal · ⭐ 5.0 · $
Tucked into a narrow downtown storefront, I Am Pho specializes in northern Vietnamese comfort food that hits different from the typical pho joint. Their bún chả arrives as separate components—grilled pork patties, fresh noodles, and aromatic dipping sauce—that you combine yourself. The pho broth runs lighter and more herbaceous than southern-style versions, topped with paper-thin beef that cooks instantly in the hot liquid.
Must-Order:
Bún ChảNorthern-Style PhoFresh Spring Rolls
Insider Tip: Arrive before noon for the best table selection in the intimate space, and don't miss the complimentary Vietnamese iced coffee.
3. Pho Viet Huong
✨ Best for: Authentic Hue Flavors
Tripadvisor📍 Montreal · ⭐ 5.0 · $
This family-run operation on Saint-Laurent serves the most authentic bun bo hue outside of central Vietnam, a spicy, lemongrass-scented soup that puts regular pho to shame. The broth carries serious heat from fermented shrimp paste and dried chilies, while thick rice noodles provide satisfying chew. Vietnamese students and homesick expats crowd the fluorescent-lit space, slurping loudly and sweating through the spice.
Must-Order:
Bun Bo HueTraditional PhoCrispy Spring Rolls
Insider Tip: Come prepared for spice—their bun bo hue is authentically fiery, so ask for extra herbs to cool your palate.
4. Restaurant Ho Guom
✨ Best for: Lemongrass Grilled Excellence
📍 Montreal · ⭐ 4.8 · $
Ho Guom's lemongrass-marinated grilled meats are legendary among Montreal's Vietnamese community, charred outside and impossibly tender within. The kitchen excels at rice paper rolls packed with herbs so fresh they must be picked daily, while their pho strikes the perfect balance between rich bone broth and clean, bright flavors. Office workers from nearby Concordia University pack this place during lunch rushes.
Must-Order:
Lemongrass Grilled PorkPho TaiFresh Rice Paper Rolls
Insider Tip: The lemongrass grilled meats sell out by mid-afternoon, so lunch visits guarantee the full menu experience.
5. Phnom Penh
✨ Best for: Cambodian-Vietnamese Classic
📍 Montreal · ⭐ 4.8 · $$
One of Montreal's Vietnamese pioneers, Phnom Penh bridges Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisines with dishes you won't find anywhere else in the city. Their beef noodle soup carries the complex spicing of Khmer cooking, while traditional banh mi sandwiches arrive on crusty baguettes with housemade pâté. The cramped quarters and vintage décor haven't changed in decades, exactly as regulars prefer it.
Must-Order:
Cambodian Beef Noodle SoupBanh MiCrispy Spring Rolls
Insider Tip: This tiny spot fills up fast on weekends, but the wait moves quickly thanks to efficient service and communal tables.
6. Pho Long Phung
✨ Best for: Neighborhood Noodle Sanctuary
📍 Montreal · ⭐ 4.7 · $
Long Phung operates like your Vietnamese grandmother's kitchen—no menus in English, whatever the chef recommends that day, and flavors that transport you immediately to Hanoi's Old Quarter. The house specialty changes seasonally, but expect intensely flavored broths, hand-pulled noodles, and vegetables so fresh they practically crunch. This is where Montreal's Vietnamese cooks eat on their days off.
Must-Order:
Chef's Daily SpecialHouse PhoSeasonal Vegetable Rolls
Insider Tip: Trust the chef completely—point to dishes at neighboring tables if the language barrier seems daunting.
7. Pho Anh Vu – Montreal
✨ Best for: Spicy Specialty Haven
📍 Montreal · ⭐ 4.7 · $
Anh Vu specializes in central Vietnamese cooking, meaning their bun bo hue packs serious chile heat and their spring rolls come stuffed with aromatic herbs most local places skip. The pho here runs richer and more complex than typical Montreal versions, with a bone broth that's clearly simmered for days. University students and Vietnamese families fill the bright, modern dining room during peak hours.
Must-Order:
Spicy Bun Bo HueCentral-Style PhoHerb-Packed Spring Rolls
Insider Tip: The well-lit dining room gets packed during lunch, but the bright atmosphere makes solo dining comfortable.
8. La Belle Tonki
✨ Best for: French-Vietnamese Fusion
📍 Montreal · ⭐ 4.7 · $
La Belle Tonki represents Vietnamese-Quebecois fusion at its most playful, serving dac biet poutine topped with Vietnamese herbs and fish sauce alongside French-technique beef carpaccio with Vietnamese seasonings. The kitchen balances these creative impulses with spot-on traditional dishes, creating a menu that appeals to adventurous eaters and Vietnamese food purists alike. Weekend reservations disappear fast among Montreal's foodie crowd.
Must-Order:
Dac Biet PoutineVietnamese Beef CarpaccioTraditional Pho
Insider Tip: Weekend reservations are essential, and the fusion dishes work best when shared among adventurous groups.
9. Le Mekong
✨ Best for: Traditional Mekong Comfort
📍 Montreal · ⭐ 4.6 · $
Le Mekong operates in the old-school tradition where the chef decides what you need based on the day's best ingredients and your apparent tolerance for authentic flavors. Expect intense, uncompromising Vietnamese cooking—soups that make you sweat, herbs that bite back, and textures that challenge Western expectations. This is Vietnamese food for serious eaters who want the real experience, not a sanitized version.
Must-Order:
Chef's RecommendationMekong-Style SoupHouse Spring Rolls
Insider Tip: Call ahead during dinner hours, and come hungry—portions are generous and meant for sharing.
10. I Am Pho
✨ Best for: South Shore Standout
Tripadvisor📍 Brossard · ⭐ 4.5 · $
The South Shore location of I Am Pho focuses on Vietnamese classics executed with precision and consistency that keeps Brossard families coming back weekly. Their pho dac biet loads every possible beef cut into one magnificent bowl, while vermicelli bowls arrive topped with perfectly grilled meats and nuoc cham that balances sweet, sour, and spicy in every spoonful.
Must-Order:
Pho Dac BietGrilled Pork VermicelliTraditional Spring Rolls
Insider Tip: Lunch service runs smoothly and efficiently, making this perfect for quick workday meals without sacrificing quality.
Tips for Finding Great Vietnamese Food in Greater Montreal
Follow the Crowds: The best Vietnamese restaurants are packed with Vietnamese families, especially during weekend lunch hours. If you see multiple generations eating together, that's your cue.
Venture Beyond Pho: Try bun bo hue for spicy complexity, bánh xèo for textural variety, or vermicelli bowls for fresh herb combinations that showcase Vietnamese cuisine's range.
Timing Matters: Arrive early for lunch when broths are freshest and daily specials haven't sold out. Many spots close between lunch and dinner service.
Cash is King: Family-run Vietnamese restaurants often prefer cash payments, so come prepared to avoid awkward card reader situations at the end of your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Picked These Spots
We analyzed ratings, review patterns, and local recommendations to identify Vietnamese restaurants that consistently deliver authentic flavors and quality ingredients. Our selections prioritize family-run establishments with strong community followings over trendy newcomers.
Every restaurant on this list has a full profile on our site with photos, hours, menus, and insider tips.
Last updated: February 2026
