Best Pho and Vietnamese Food in Ottawa: Local Guide

Last Updated: October 13, 2026

Steam rises from a bowl of aromatic broth, rice noodles peek through fresh herbs, and the first sip transports you straight to the streets of Saigon—all without leaving Ottawa's Somerset Street.

Ottawa's Vietnamese food scene has quietly become one of the city's greatest culinary treasures, centred in the vibrant Chinatown district along Somerset Street West. For nearly five decades, Vietnamese-Canadian families have built a dining destination where authentic pho, crispy banh mi, and fragrant ca phe sua da compete for your attention on every block. Whether you're a pho purist seeking the perfect broth or an adventurous eater exploring beyond the noodle bowl, Ottawa's Vietnamese restaurants deliver flavours that rival any city in North America. This guide covers where locals eat, what to order, and how to navigate the Chinatown dining strip.

Key Highlights

TL;DR: Ottawa's Chinatown on Somerset Street West is the centre of the city's pho and Vietnamese food. Pho Bo Ga La, New Pho Bo Ga La, Pho Thu Do and Co Cham all sit within a short walk of each other on Somerset, and Pho By Night serves the ByWard Market from 309 Dalhousie Street. Prices change, so check each restaurant's current menu before you go.

Ottawa's Chinatown: Heart of Vietnamese Cuisine

Ottawa's Chinatown along Somerset Street West represents one of Canada's most authentic Asian food districts, and Vietnamese cuisine dominates the landscape. The story began in the 1970s and 1980s when Vietnamese refugees settled in Ottawa, bringing culinary traditions that would transform this stretch of Somerset into a dining destination.

Unlike some North American Chinatowns that have become tourist attractions, Ottawa's version remains deeply rooted in community. Vietnamese families still operate restaurants their parents or grandparents opened decades ago. The competition is fierce—several Vietnamese restaurants within a few blocks means only the best survive. This environment breeds excellence, with each establishment perfecting recipes passed through generations.

The distinctive red and gold Chinatown gates mark the neighbourhood's entrance, but the real gateway is the aroma of simmering pho broth that greets you blocks away. Walking Somerset between Bronson and Preston, you'll encounter Vietnamese restaurants, bubble tea shops, Asian grocery stores, and bakeries that serve the local Vietnamese-Canadian community daily. This isn't performative authenticity—it's genuine neighbourhood dining where English menus exist alongside Vietnamese, and regulars greet owners by name.

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Best Pho Restaurants in Ottawa

Pho By Night

Pho By Night is not on Somerset. It has been a family-run fixture of the ByWard Market at 309 Dalhousie Street since 2000, so it makes a good stop if you are already downtown. The restaurant says its bone broth simmers for more than 12 hours with star anise, cinnamon and roasted ginger.

What Sets It Apart:

• Broth simmered for over 12 hours with star anise, cinnamon and roasted ginger
• Halal-certified beef and chicken, according to the restaurant
• A full vegan menu, including vegan pho with tofu and vegetables
• Banh mi, vermicelli bowls and spring rolls alongside the pho

Must-Order: The Supreme Soup Bowl combines rare sirloin, brisket, tendon and house-made beef balls in the signature broth, so you get most of the cuts in one bowl.

Location and hours: 309 Dalhousie St, ByWard Market. Open Sunday to Thursday 11:30am to 9pm and Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10pm, according to the restaurant's website. Online booking is available for groups of 4 to 6 guests; call 613-789-8885 for larger parties.

Pho Bo Ga La

Pho Bo Ga La (listed as Pho Bo Ga L.A.) is a family-run restaurant at 784 Somerset Street West, and reviewers praise its well-seasoned broth and generous portions. The name points to the two broths on the menu, beef (bo) and chicken (ga), and the vermicelli platters and smoothies also draw recommendations.

Signature Qualities:

• Beef and chicken pho, with large and XL bowls that diners often share
• Vermicelli platters, rice dishes and smoothies on the menu
• An outdoor patio, mentioned by a recent reviewer
• Parking behind the building, according to its Restaurantji listing

Hours: Daily from 11am, closing at 10pm (9pm on Sundays), according to its Restaurantji listing. Hours can change, so check before a late visit.

New Pho Bo Ga La

New Pho Bo Ga La is a separate restaurant at 763 Somerset Street West, a short walk from the original. It describes itself as specializing in pho, served with beef or chicken, and its menu extends into other Vietnamese specialties for lunch or dinner.

Why Locals Choose It:

• Beef or chicken pho with a broth the restaurant says simmers for hours
• Other Vietnamese dishes beyond the pho
• Online ordering for pickup and delivery, with 10% off on its website
• Late hours: 11am to 11pm most days, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays

Source for hours: New Pho Bo Ga La's website.

Pho Thu Do

Pho Thu Do at 781 Somerset Street West takes its name from the Vietnamese for "capital city". Its menu lets you build your own bowl of pho by choosing the meats, and reviewers single out the large portions, the vermicelli bowls with spring rolls, and the Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.

Distinguishing Features:

• Build-your-own pho with a choice of meats
• Vermicelli bowls with grilled meat and spring rolls
• Gluten-free and dairy-free options, according to its listing
• Open every day from 11am to midnight, according to its Restaurantji listing

Co Cham

Co Cham at 780 Somerset Street West is a small, family-owned Vietnamese restaurant rather than a modern dining room. Regulars say they have been coming for ten years or more and that the food tastes the same, and the space was recently renovated. Reviewers single out the rice dishes (com tam), the lemongrass chicken, the pork and shrimp spring rolls and the banh mi.

What to Know Before You Go:

• Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 7:30pm, and closed Mondays
• Its listing notes that the restaurant does not accept credit cards, so bring cash
• No reservations and limited parking, according to the same listing
• Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available, and reviewers say the kitchen will make a vegan meal on request

Source: Co Cham on Restaurantji

Beyond Pho: Vietnamese Dishes Worth Ordering

While pho dominates conversations about Vietnamese food, limiting yourself to noodle soup means missing half the culinary landscape. Ottawa's Vietnamese restaurants excel across the menu.

Banh Mi: The Perfect Sandwich

The Vietnamese baguette sandwich combines French colonial influence with Southeast Asian flavours—crispy bread, pate, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and proteins ranging from grilled pork to cold cuts. Co Cham on Somerset and Pho By Night in the ByWard Market both serve it, and Co Cham's reviewers regularly praise its banh mi.

What Makes Great Banh Mi:

• Crusty baguette with soft interior
• Balance of savory pate and fresh vegetables
• Pickled daikon and carrot for crunch
• Fresh cilantro and optional jalapeno heat

Best Options: Most pho restaurants offer banh mi, but dedicated Vietnamese bakeries along Somerset often produce superior bread. Look for places where locals line up at lunch—the turnover ensures freshness.

Vermicelli Bowls (Bun)

Cold rice vermicelli topped with grilled meats, fresh vegetables, herbs, and nuoc cham dipping sauce offers a refreshing alternative to hot pho, particularly appealing during Ottawa's summer months.

Popular Variations:

• Bun thit nuong: Grilled pork over vermicelli
• Bun cha gio: Spring rolls with vermicelli
• Bun bo Hue: Spicy beef vermicelli soup (served hot)

Broken Rice Dishes (Com Tam)

Grilled pork chop over broken rice with pickled vegetables, a fried egg, and fish sauce represents Vietnamese comfort food at its finest. The broken rice grains absorb sauce beautifully while maintaining pleasant texture.

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Vietnamese Coffee and Bubble Tea Culture

No Vietnamese meal is complete without the right beverage, and Ottawa's Chinatown delivers exceptional options.

Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee)

Strong dark roast coffee brewed through a traditional phin filter, sweetened with condensed milk, and poured over ice creates one of the world's great coffee drinks. The slow drip process produces intense flavour that stands up to the sweetened milk, resulting in a balanced, addictive beverage.

Where to Find It: Most Vietnamese restaurants serve ca phe sua da, but quality varies. Look for places using traditional phin filters rather than pre-made concentrate. The wait for proper drip coffee is worth it.

Bubble Tea Paradise

Somerset Street hosts numerous bubble tea shops serving the Taiwanese-originated drink that has become synonymous with Asian cafe culture. Tapioca pearls, fruit jellies, and countless flavour combinations attract students, families, and bubble tea enthusiasts from across Ottawa.

Popular Shops: The concentration of bubble tea establishments along Somerset means competition keeps quality high and prices reasonable. Most shops offer both milk tea and fruit tea bases with customizable sweetness and ice levels.

Che (Vietnamese Desserts)

Traditional Vietnamese desserts combine beans, jellies, coconut milk, and tropical fruits in layered creations served cold. Less commonly found than pho or bubble tea, che rewards those who seek it out at restaurants with expanded dessert menus.

Chinatown Dining Tips and Etiquette

How to Order Pho Like a Local

Step 1: Choose your broth—beef (pho bo) or chicken (pho ga). Beef is traditional and more common.

Step 2: Select your protein. Options typically include:

• Tai: Rare beef (cooks in hot broth)
• Chin: Well-done brisket
• Gau: Fatty brisket
• Gan: Tendon
• Sach: Tripe
• Bo vien: Beef meatballs
• Dac biet: Special combination of everything

Step 3: Choose your size. Large portions feed most appetites; medium works for lighter eaters or those planning to order sides.

Step 4: Customize at the table. Add bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime, and jalapeno from the provided garnish plate. Squeeze hoisin and sriracha into a small dish for dipping meat, or add directly to broth according to preference.

Lunch Specials

Lunch specials and combinations differ from one restaurant to the next and change often. Ask when you order, or check the restaurant's online menu, such as Pho By Night's menu, before you go.

Cash vs. Card

Payment rules differ from one restaurant to the next. Co Cham's Restaurantji listing says it does not accept credit cards, so bring cash for that stop. Ask at the counter elsewhere, and keep some cash on hand for smaller Somerset spots.

Exploring Greater Ottawa Vietnamese Food

While Chinatown concentrates the best Vietnamese dining, excellent options exist throughout Ottawa for those unable to reach Somerset Street.

Westboro and Hintonburg: A few Vietnamese restaurants serve the western neighbourhoods, though selection is more limited than Chinatown.

Orleans and Kanata: Suburban Vietnamese restaurants cater to Vietnamese-Canadian families living in these areas, often with expanded menus and larger spaces.

Gatineau: Across the river in Quebec, additional Vietnamese restaurants serve the Hull and Gatineau communities.

For the most authentic experience and greatest selection, Somerset Street remains the destination. The concentration of restaurants, the competitive environment that demands quality, and the genuine community atmosphere cannot be replicated in suburban strip malls.

Planning Your Vietnamese Food Adventure

Suggested Itineraries

Quick Lunch (1 hour): Pick any reputable pho restaurant on Somerset, order a bowl and Vietnamese coffee, and experience the basics.

Half-Day Food Crawl (3-4 hours): Start with banh mi for early lunch, browse Asian grocery stores for snacks and ingredients, enjoy pho as a late lunch, and finish with bubble tea.

Evening Experience: Pho Thu Do is open until midnight every day, and New Pho Bo Ga La stays open until 11pm (midnight on Fridays and Saturdays). Combine dinner with exploration of Ottawa's nightlife scene downtown.

Combining with Other Ottawa Attractions

Chinatown's central location makes it easy to combine with other Ottawa experiences. The neighbourhood sits within walking distance of Little Italy on Preston Street and connects to downtown via Somerset. After exploring Parliament Hill or the ByWard Market, Chinatown offers a complete change of pace and flavour.

FAQ

Locals debate this endlessly. Pho Bo Ga La, New Pho Bo Ga La, Pho Thu Do and Pho By Night each have loyal followings and slightly different broths, so trying more than one helps you find your personal favourite.

Q: How much does a bowl of pho cost in Ottawa?

Prices vary by restaurant and by bowl size, and they have changed since this guide was first published, so check a current menu before you go. Each restaurant's website, online ordering page or listing carries its current menu. Restaurantji places Pho Thu Do, Pho Bo Ga La and Co Cham in its lowest price tier, and reviewers often mention generous portions.

Q: Is Ottawa's Chinatown safe to visit?

Yes, Chinatown is a busy, well-lit commercial district that feels safe during business hours and into the evening. Standard urban awareness applies, but the neighbourhood's active restaurant scene and regular foot traffic create a welcoming environment for visitors.

Q: Do I need to speak Vietnamese to order?

No, all Chinatown restaurants are accustomed to English-speaking customers. Menus include English translations and numbers, and staff are experienced at helping newcomers navigate options. Pointing at menu items or neighbouring tables works perfectly well.

Q: What if I don't eat meat?

Vietnamese cuisine offers excellent vegetarian options including vegetable pho, tofu vermicelli bowls, vegetable banh mi, and numerous vegetable dishes. Many restaurants have dedicated vegetarian sections on their menus. Ask about fish sauce if you're strictly vegan, as it appears in many traditional preparations.

Q: When is Chinatown busiest?

Weekend lunches (11am-2pm Saturday and Sunday) see the heaviest crowds. Weekday lunches attract office workers but move quickly. Evenings are generally less busy except Friday and Saturday nights. For a relaxed experience, try mid-afternoon on weekdays.

Final Thoughts

Ottawa's Vietnamese food scene represents decades of culinary tradition transplanted from Southeast Asia and nurtured by Vietnamese-Canadian families committed to authentic flavours. The concentration of restaurants along Somerset Street creates healthy competition that benefits diners—only the best survive, and mediocrity quickly fails in an environment where better pho is always a few doors away.

Whether you're craving the comfort of steaming pho broth on a cold Ottawa winter day, seeking a crispy banh mi for lunch, or exploring the broader range of Vietnamese cuisine, Chinatown delivers experiences that rival any city in Canada. The neighbourhood maintains its community character even as it welcomes visitors, offering genuine flavours without tourist-focused compromise.

Start with a bowl of pho dac biet at any of the recommended restaurants, add Vietnamese coffee, and explore from there. Each visit reveals new dishes, new favourites, and deeper appreciation for one of Ottawa's most delicious neighbourhoods.

Source: Pho By Night, New Pho Bo Ga La, and Restaurantji listings for Pho Bo Ga L.A., Pho Thu Do and Co Cham, checked October 13, 2026.

For more Ottawa dining guides, explore our Where to Go category and discover hidden gem restaurants throughout the city.