Canberra has several quality restaurants for those looking for some delicious Vietnamese food. From traditional options to modern dishes, there is something for everyone. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Canberra and a few of the most well-known dishes.
Skip to the list of Canberra's best Vietnamese restaurants
- Au Lac
- Bistro Nguyen's
- iPho
- Miss Van's
- Ms Ba Cô
- Pho Phu Quoc
What makes a great Vietnamese restaurant?
There are many things that go into making a great Vietnamese restaurant, here are a few of the key qualities to look out for:
Great food: Vietnamese food is known for being salty, sweet, sour and hot, and should be made using fresh ingredients. Great Vietnamese restaurants will be able to showcase the best of the cuisine and leave you feeling satisfied and feeling light. They should also provide a rather varied menu that features a number of Vietnamese dishes, offering something for everyone.
Enjoyable atmosphere: The restaurant experience isn't all about the food. Diners want to enjoy the atmosphere and feel comfortable while dining with friends or family and a good Vietnamese restaurant will offer a pleasant experience.
Excellent service: Good service is essential in any Vietnamese restaurant where meals can often be complex. They should be able to help you with your order, give recommendations when asked, and deliver food quickly.
Value for money: Vietnamese food is often made from fresh, affordable ingredients so you want to make sure you are getting bang for your buck.
When all of these elements come together, you will enjoy delicious Vietnamese food and a tremendous dining experience.
What are some popular Vietnamese dishes?
There are several popular Vietnamese dishes and and here three of the most well-known:
- Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup): Pho is synonymous with Vietnamese food and usually comprises of a protein (beef or chicken) served in broth over rice noodles and herbs with optional garnishes such as red chillies, lime and bean sprouts.
- Rice paper rolls (Summer rolls): A popular entrée when dining at a Vietnamese restaurant and a tasty snack. Traditionally include noodles, fresh herbs and choice of meat tightly wrapped in a thin rice paper. Often served with a delicious peanut dipping sauce, yum!
- Banh mi: Another staple of Vietnam's street foods. Typically features meat, shredded carrots, cucumber, coriander, chilli and mayo served in a crusty bread.
The best Vietnamese restaurants in Canberra 2024
To be listed as one of Canberra’s best, Canberra Daily requires them to have maintained a track record of positive reviews on Google and Facebook, with a minimum average of 4/5 stars. All Google rating shown were updated January 2023.
When looking for great Vietnamese food in Canberra, check out Canberra Daily’s list of the best local restaurants below.
iPho
Owner Vanessa’s family recipe for pho has grown into a popular, small restaurant in the city, dedicated to authentic Vietnamese food.
The restaurant works extremely hard to make sure their pho is delicious, fresh and nutritious, while their menu also consists of other classic Vietnamese favourites such as summer rolls and banh mi.
Fiona Kho Szambowska left this review on Google; “I ate here a few years ago and remembered the pho taste but I forgot the cafe name. I finally found it again this trip and was delighted to be able to taste the pho again. It’s definitely one of the best and my family agreed too! Generous portion and reasonable prices. No frills cafe but it is one of my favourite eateries in Canberra.”
Au Lac
With two locations across Canberra (Dickson and Woden), Au Lac is the perfect place to go if you are looking for fresh and tasty vegan food.
There is no meat or dairy found in any of their dishes, with the menu instead consisting of fresh vegetables and herbs, noodles and rice, tofu and soy imitation meat.
Jessica D left this five star review on Google; “Au Lac does the best vegan food in Canberra. Expansive food and drinks menu. A nice bright fit out and friendly staff.”
Miss Van's
Miss Van’s is a locally-owned Canberran restaurant serving up traditional Asian flavours in a modern setting.
By way of Vietnam and Laos, with years spent in refugee camps in Thailand; their food is best described as New Southeast Asian and is served from the heart. Some of the dishes on their menu includes; pork banh mi, prawn toast, spicy Lao sausage, penang duck curry and red curry mussels.
Hiro Noda left this five star review on Google; “Great food and wonderful service. I especially enjoyed the mushroom and cauliflower curry. Highly recommended, would come again when I’m in town!”
Ms Ba Cô
Ms Ba Cô provides Canberrans the chance to taste the amazing flavours of Vietnamese street food right here in the nation’s capital.
Customers will love the quality of their ingredients as they combine freshly cut vegetables with tender meat to create wonderfully tasting dishes such as pho, banh mi and summer rolls.
Local guide Cameron Dawson left this Google review; “Amazing Vietnamese street food restaurant in the CBD. Staff were super friendly and the food was amazing and fresh, and great value. Will definitely be frequenting for lunches.”
Pho Phu Quoc
Pho Phu Quoc is a family run restaurant in Dickson that serves authentic Vietnamese dishes with the odd Western influence.
They pride themselves on using quality ingredients and their dishes typically consist of fresh herbs or vegetables which gives the clean, fresh taste that Vietnamese cuisine is known for.
Terry Hill left this five star review on Google; “Had three of the specials – crispy chicken, curry chicken and garlic prawns – all of them were fantastic! Super quick service and very pleasant staff. We’ll be back soon!”
Bistro Nguyen's
Ideally situated in the city, Bistro Nguyen’s offers fast, delicious and authentic Vietnamese food, making it the perfect place for a quick bite to eat.
The food is made fresh with a great deal of care and passion, with the menu packed with a large selection of heartwarming soups, flavourful stir fry, rice dishes, rice paper rolls and more.
Cameron Dawson left this five star review on Google; “Great Vietnamese restaurant in the city centre. Nice range of dishes at a reasonable price. Service was friendly and prompt and all the food was delicious.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vietnamese food healthy?
Yes, it is considered one of the more healthy cuisines going around! Vietnamese food uses fresh, quality ingredients and incorporates plenty of vegetables of herbs into the dishes.
What is the most popular Vietnamese dish?
Pho is generally considered the most well-known and widely consumed dish from Vietnam. The simple, yet delicious noodle soup dish is enjoyed right around the world.
Can I make pho at home?
Absolutely. Pho is a delicious, flavoursome noodle soup dish that can be made at home if you have the time. Simply find a recipe you like and go for it. Here is a recipe to try and see how you go. You can always head into a restaurant and get a professional made pho if yours doesn’t turn out exactly how you planned.
Is Vietnamese food expensive?
No, dining at Vietnamese restaurants is generally inexpensive compared to other cuisines. The food is generally made with affordable ingredients such as basic vegetables, herbs and rice.
Is Vietnamese food spicy?
While Vietnamese cuisine incorporates a range of flavors, it is generally not known for being excessively spicy. However, there are some spicy dishes and condiments in Vietnamese cuisine, such as chili sauces and pastes, that can add heat and spice to certain dishes. It’s always a good idea to ask about the level of spiciness when ordering if you have a preference.
