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Where to Get Authentic Vietnamese Food in Philadelphia

It’s widely known that Philadelphia is a unique spot to explore, visit, and dine in. This city is full of amazing culinary experiences and different cuisines to try.

lovely family eating vietnamese cuisine in philadelphia

When you’re in the mood for something especially delicious, I recommend Vietnamese food.

But how will you ever know where to go? Well, I’ve put together a list of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants in town, so you can take the guess work out of it.

Whether you’re looking for a spot with strictly pho or one with a wider menu, there’s a spot for you on this list. From small strip mall restaurants to larger, refined spots, there’s a place for every occasion. Keep reading to learn a bit about each location!


Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Philadelphia

Pho 75

1122 Washington Ave F, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 271-5866
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Claiming their pho is the perfect hangover cure, Pho 75 is a can’t-miss spot. Though this restaurant is located in a strip mall, you won’t want to write it off just yet.

Pho 75 is also a cash-only establishment, so make sure to bring some with you.

Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Pho 75 is great for any time of the day. Try out the eye-round steak and fat brisket pho, chicken pho, pho tai nam, or well-done brisket pho.

Make sure to grab a Vietnamese coffee on your way out!


Nam Phuong Restaurant

1100 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 468-0410
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When you’re trying to find a restaurant with a wider range of options, swing by Nam Phuong Restaurant.

With nearly 900 reviews, it’s clear this is a popular spot among locals. This place offers a charming and sleek interior, great for any occasion.

Nam Phuong serves plenty of soups, noodles, rice dishes, and even a wide variety of vegetarian options.

We recommend the rice noodle soup nam vang style, vegetarian noodle soup, needle noodle stir-fried with shrimp, or broken rice with pork chops!


Cafe Nhan

1606 W Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: 215-551-2407
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Cafe Nhan brings the flavors of authentic Vietnamese cuisine to the Washington Square neighborhood. It’s about ten minutes away from the Liberty Bell, and locals always frequent this spot.

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The restaurant boasts a light, comfortable atmosphere adorned with sleek, modern decor and warm lighting. 

Take the time to indulge in mouthwatering dishes such as the Bahn Mi Ga, which is a juicy BBQ chicken hoagie that has been marinated in lemongrass beforehand.

Or, you can go for the Bo Hue Dac Biet, a spicy beef noodle soup that tantalizes the tastebuds with its rich flavors. They also serve vegetarian dishes and a variety of delicious beverages.


Vietnam Restaurant

221 N 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-592-1163
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Vietnam Restaurant is close to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and several other landmarks, making this stop a great place to have lunch while touring the city.

Enjoy the hospitality at this cozy neighborhood eatery that has a second-floor bar and overall casual decor. The service is excellent, and you can tell they use the freshest ingredients for every meal. 

My favorite dish at this restaurant is the Pho Tom, which is a sort of shrimp noodle soup that has beef broth, rice noodles, hot peppers, basil, bean sprouts, lime, and scallions.

It’s so tasty and comes in a large portion. I also enjoy the crispy pork spring rolls and the Polynesian cocktails with my meal.  


Bánh Mì & Bottles

712-14 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: 215-800-1533
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Bahn Mi & Bottles is a fantastic culinary destination near Rittenhouse Square. I can’t say enough good things about how upbeat the atmosphere is at this restaurant.

Not only do you get excellent and extensive drink options, but the food is top tier. 

Think of this as one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Philadelphia that offers a modern twist on the cuisine.

Guests rave about the Signature Obama Bowl, a contemporary version of the Bun Cha Hanoi dish (vermicelli noodles, grilled pork sausage, grilled pork, and more). You don’t want to miss Bahn Mi & Bottles, trust me!


Cafe Diem

1031 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: 215-923-8347

Cafe Diem is near notable landmarks like the Italian Market and Magic Gardens. At Cafe Diem, you can savor the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine with dishes such as their aromatic Pho, which is a comforting and flavorful noodle soup, or their scrumptious Bahn Xeo, a crispy Vietnamese crepe filled with a medley of savory ingredients.

I particularly love the bubble tea drinks and how the staff offers recommendations when you’re unsure what to pick.

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With its friendly ambiance and diverse menu, Cafe Diem provides a memorable dining experience where you can hang out and enjoy great company with delicious food. 


Vietnam Cafe

816 S 47th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Phone: (215) 729-0260
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Hoping to enjoy some Vietnam cuisine and drinks? We recommend Vietnam Cafe. This family-owned restaurant has been operating for nearly 40 years. With cocktails and delicious dishes, you’ll want to keep coming back here.

Vietnam Cafe’s menu offers a vast array of classic Vietnamese dishes. Be sure to try the shrimp vermicelli, crispy egg noodles with chicken, pork claypot, or tofu curry.

Don’t forget to try a Polynesian cocktail like the flaming volcano or bachelor’s downfall!


Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant

907 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 627-8883
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With over 500 reviews, it’s clear Pho Xe Lau Viet Thai Restaurant is an amazing option for Vietnamese cuisine. This local restaurant focuses on fresh and authentic food as well as affordable prices, so you won’t break the bank.

Pho Xe Lau Viet Thai Restaurant serves a mixture of Vietnamese and Thai dishes. Try out the bbq pork chop on rice, phad thai, well-done beef rice noodle soup, stir-fried vermicelli with shrimp. Make sure to grab a smoothie!


Thang Long Noodle Restaurant (Kensington)

2534-36 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: (215) 425-0078
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Looking for a Vietnamese spot with options for everyone? Check out Thang Long Noodle Restaurant. This family-owned restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine as well as delicious drinks.

Serving plenty of tasty dishes including vegan options, everyone will be able to find something they like here.

Be sure to try the pulled chicken banh mi ga, lemongrass beef with rice, hanoi porkbelly and springroll vermicelli, or vegan chicken pho. Don’t forget to sip on a bubble tea!


Pho Cali

1000 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-629-1888

Pho Cali is in the Chinatown neighborhood, surrounded by colorful cultural landmarks and bustling streets.

The atmosphere at Pho Cali is casual, with basic decor and stellar service. Their specialty is Pho, a massive bowl of delicious broth, tender meat, fresh herbs, and fragrant spices.

They also have other traditional Vietnamese dishes like Bahn Mi sandwiches, tasty spring rolls, and stir-fries.

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With its authentic flavors and welcoming ambiance, Pho Cali is a must-visit for Vietnamese cuisine lovers in Philly. My favorites are the vegetarian pho and the Fish Ball Soup. I suggest you try both on your visit!


Pho Ha

600 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 599-0264
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If noodles are your favorite, head over to Pho Ha. This local restaurant is a casual spot with pho and other noodle soups. This spot is cash only, so be sure to come prepared to pay for your meal.

Pho Ha serves a menu with plenty of noodles as well as a few other options to choose from. We recommend the pho tai nam, pho tom, hu tieu ga tuoi, or banh mi thit nuong. Be sure to have che ba mau or cafe sua da, too!


Pho Ga Thanh Thanh

2539 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: (215) 427-0483
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Looking for a casual spot to grab some Vietnamese food? Try out Pho Ga Tanh Tanh. This local restaurant serves pho as well as rice bowls. With plenty of reviews praising the food at this place, you’ll definitely want to put it at the top of your list.

Though Pho Ga Tanh Tanh’s menu is limited, it’s just as delicious. We recommend the chicken pho, many say it’s the best they’ve ever had. Be sure to stop by between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day of the week!


Gabriella’s Vietnam

1837 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: 272-888-3298
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Take a trip to Gabriella’s Vietnam, one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Philadelphia. It’s near TIldie’s Toy Box, a neighborhood toy store.

This charming eatery offers a fun atmosphere for family-style meals. At Gabriella’s, I found they take pride in using locally-sourced ingredients, meaning your food is always fresh. 

There are many options on the menu that are worth trying. Still, locals suggested the Shaken Beef, which is marinated filet mignon cubes, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.

It was spectacular, tender, and cooked perfectly. I also thoroughly enjoyed trying something more exotic- the Buttered Frog. Don’t knock it till you try it!


Feeling hungry yet? I definitely am. Though Philly has plenty of amazing restaurants to try, it’s clear this city is the number one spot for Vietnamese cuisine specifically. Whether you need a fast stop or a sit-down restaurant, now you’ll know where to go.

Looking for something other than Vietnamese food? Check out our favorite spots for vegan food by clicking here.

Which restaurant will you try first? Let us know! Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.