Finding the best pho in New York City can be a delightful adventure for food lovers, especially those who crave the aromatic and comforting flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. In a city known for its diverse culinary landscape, there are numerous hidden gems and popular spots that serve this beloved dish. From bustling Chinatown eateries to cozy uptown cafes, the quest for the perfect bowl of pho brings both locals and visitors to explore a variety of flavors and styles. Join us as we uncover the top pho destinations in NYC, where the broth is rich, the noodles are tender, and the experience is unforgettable.
1. Phở Grand
Pho Grand has been a staple in the community for over 20 years, initially standing out as one of the better Vietnamese spots in the area when Vietnamese cuisine was still relatively unknown to non-Asians. Over the years, while it may have lost its status as a destination restaurant, it remains a solid choice, especially if you’re in the neighborhood.
Despite prices having doubled since my first visit, this is reflective of the broader economic trend in the city and the world. The price-to-portion ratio is standard, making it a relatively cheap option compared to other places.
On my first visit, I was introduced to pho by a friend who recommended the roundeye cut of beef. The service was quick, and the food did not disappoint. The pho was delicious, accompanied by a giant heap of fresh herbs, jalapeños, sprouts, and lemon. The spring rolls were crispy and not greasy, making for a perfect appetizer.
My friend, a regular customer for years, recommended this spot for lunch. While the initial service was fine, there was a slight hiccup when we asked for more vegetables for our pho. The waiter mentioned there would be an extra charge, which could have been communicated more tactfully. Despite this, the food quality remained excellent, and we had no complaints about the taste.
The pho noodles were especially comforting after a long day in a cold office, filling us with warmth. The spring rolls, known for being one of their best appetizers, lived up to the hype – super crispy and perfectly paired with lettuce and sauce. The interior of the restaurant is cozy, with wooden constructs and soothing jazz music enhancing the dining experience.
Overall, Pho Grand offers a solid, dependable dining experience with delicious food, making it worth a visit when you’re in the area. While it may not be the destination it once was, it still holds its charm and provides a comforting meal.
Contact Info
- Address: 277C Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States
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Phone: +1 212-965-5366
2. Phở Bằng
Pho Bang defines comfort food with its generous portions and authentic flavors. It’s a relief to find a place in the city that finally serves a decent amount of rice. The restaurant offers an array of table sauces, allowing you to season your food just the way you like it. While some dishes can be a touch salty, it’s never to the point of being inedible. The atmosphere is homey and nostalgic, especially for anyone with South East Asian roots, making it a perfect spot to relive fond memories.
The food at Pho Bang is incredibly great, served by super friendly and thoughtful staff. During one of our visits, a colleague had to take a long phone call in the middle of eating. The server, noticing this, brought over a plate to cover the pho bowl to keep it warm – a gesture that highlights their attention to detail and customer care.
Having dined here multiple times, I can confidently say that Pho Bang still serves the best pho in NYC. The spring rolls were perfect – crispy and delicious. It’s impressive how the restaurant has maintained its high standards over the years. The taste, decor, waiters, and even the prices have remained consistent since my high school friends first brought me here. It’s fascinating to see a more diverse crowd enjoying the food now.
The bowls of pho are huge (you can order a regular size if you prefer), with an incredible broth, fresh fixings, and meat that’s perfectly cooked by the time you eat it. For those who enjoy authentic pho, they offer varieties with tendons, tripe, and other traditional ingredients, providing an authentic experience.
Contact Info
- Address: 157 Mott St, New York, NY 10013, United States
- Phone: +1 212-966-3797
- Menu: places.singleplatform.com
3. Hanoi House
If you’re a fan of authentic Vietnamese cuisine or eager to try pho for the first time, Hanoi House is a must-visit. Located in NYC, this restaurant offers a delightful culinary experience that brings the flavors of Hanoi right to your plate.
Atmosphere and Service: The atmosphere at Hanoi House is cozy, though it can be a bit chilly near the windows and entry door, so I recommend booking a table further inside. The service is excellent, with attentive staff ensuring a pleasant dining experience. The cleanliness of the restaurant, including the restrooms, is commendable.
Food Highlights: We started with the poached shrimp salad and crispy spring rolls, both of which were incredibly tasty. The shrimp salad was light and fresh, with a perfect balance of herbs and fish sauce, making it a refreshing appetizer. The crispy spring rolls were delightful, offering a crunchy exterior and a flavorful filling that left us wanting more.
For the main course, we opted for the pho, a dish that truly showcased the restaurant’s expertise. My parents, who were trying pho for the first time, chose the thin filet beef and brisket, while I went for the filet and bone marrow. The bone broth was rich and flavorful, a true testament to the slow-cooked goodness that makes pho so special. The thin slices of filet cooked perfectly in the broth, and the bone marrow added an extra depth of flavor that was simply outstanding.
Additional Dishes: We also tried the papaya salad, which was a standout dish. It was light, fresh, and had the perfect amount of Thai basil and fish sauce, making it a delightful addition to our meal. The chicken wings, while tasty, could benefit from more marination inside, but they were still enjoyable.
Overall Experience: Hanoi House provides an authentic and flavorful Vietnamese dining experience that is hard to match. Whether you’re a longtime lover of pho or a first-timer, this restaurant offers dishes that are sure to impress. With excellent service and a cozy atmosphere, it’s a fantastic spot for a memorable meal.
Don’t miss out on Hanoi House if you’re in NYC. It’s a culinary gem that brings the vibrant flavors of Hanoi to the heart of the city.
Contact Info
- Address: 119 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009, United States
- Phone: +1 212-995-5010
- Menu: hanoihousenyc.com
4. Pho 39
Pho 39 is a delightful gem in midtown, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. We visited around 5 pm on a Saturday and found the restaurant pleasantly half full. The ambiance is enhanced by Vietnamese music, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The exposed wood design adds a charming touch to the decor.
The food was served promptly, with generous portions of both the bowls and the meat. The pho was particularly impressive, with a delicate and complex broth that was piping hot, and the spring rolls were cold and crisp. The prices are excellent for the portion sizes, making it a great value.
The staff were welcoming and friendly, adding to the overall positive experience. Whether it’s a rainy day or a quick stop for a delicious meal, Pho 39 has proven to be a top choice. This spot will definitely be my go-to place in midtown. Highly recommended for anyone looking for quality Vietnamese cuisine!
Contact Info
- Address: 70 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018, United States
- Phone: +1 917-472-7119
5. The Pho 2
The Pho 2 is a fantastic spot for delicious and hearty Vietnamese cuisine. The pho, both chicken and beef, has quickly become a comfort meal for many, thanks to the exceptional broth and generous portions of meat. The banh mi and vermicelli are also noteworthy, with the Catfish Banh Mi and shrimp dry noodles standing out as particularly delicious choices.
The restaurant provides a no-frills dining experience with a focus on high-quality, fresh food served hot and in large portions. Even though the menu is limited, it covers all the essentials and delivers on taste. The servers, while busy, ensure that your food arrives promptly.
For families, The Pho 2 is accommodating and welcoming, making it a great place to dine with kids. The takeout service is efficient, with orders ready within 30 minutes, ensuring you can enjoy their tasty offerings at home.
Overall, The Pho 2 is a highly recommended spot for anyone looking for a simple yet satisfying meal, whether dining alone or with friends. The prices are reasonable, and the generous portions make it excellent value for money. A solid 10/10 dining experience!
Contact Info
- Address: 273 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States
- Phone: +1 917-261-7592
- Menu: thepho2ny.com
6. Pasteur Grill & Noodles
Pasteur Grill & Noodles is a must-visit restaurant, offering a delightful Vietnamese dining experience that stands out from the rest. The starters and main courses are delicious and fresh, with highlights like the fresh Pho, vermicelli, and steamed dumplings. The spring rolls and crab and shrimp soup are particularly exceptional, with the soup boasting perfectly seasoned broth, delicious tofu nuggets, and an amazing pork patty that absorbs the broth’s flavors beautifully.
Despite its small size, the restaurant’s atmosphere is inviting and relaxed, even when it gets busy, which it often does around noon. The service is incredibly fast and efficient, thanks to the two wonderful ladies who run the place. Their attention to detail and quick service ensure that your food arrives promptly and hot.
The overall quality of the food is outstanding, and the prices are reasonable, with a meal for two, including beers, costing around $59. The pork chops and other menu items are also highly recommended for future visits.
Although the music could use some improvement, the overall dining experience at Pasteur Grill & Noodles is highly satisfying. The stylish ambiance and excellent food quality make it a highly recommended spot, especially for their noodles. Whether you’re there for lunch or dinner, you won’t be disappointed.
Contact Info
- Address: 85 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013, United States
- Phone: +1 212-608-3656
- Menu: pasteurgrill.com
7. Madame Vo
Madame Vo is an exceptional Vietnamese restaurant that has left me thoroughly impressed. When my foodie Vietnamese friend recommended it, I knew it would be good, but the quality of the Pho, particularly the Madame Pho, completely blew me away. It’s hands down the best Pho I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to come back to try more items from their menu.
The wait staff are fantastic, adding to the overall positive vibes of the place. The ambiance is casual and inviting, making it a perfect spot for any occasion. I highly recommend making a reservation as the restaurant is often packed; we were seated about 10 minutes past our reservation time, but the experience was worth the wait.
For appetizers, the Madame Wings are a must-try, scoring an impressive 20/10 for their spicy flavor. The Short Ribs Pho is a solid 10/10, and the Tet Noodles are also very good at 8/10. The Iced Vietnamese Coffee and the Lychee Martini are both outstanding, with the latter earning a perfect score of 20/10.
On a walk-in visit, we were able to sit immediately at the bar. The fried spring rolls and the Madame Pho, modified to accommodate my no-cilantro request, were both incredibly tasty and fulfilling. The service was amazing, with our server providing excellent recommendations and practicing Spanish with us, making the experience even more delightful.
The grilled pork dish is also highly recommended, being perfectly moist and tender. The restaurant is ideal for a date night or enjoying delicious Pho during the cold weather months in NYC. Overall, Madame Vo offers an excellent dining experience with top-notch food and service. Highly recommended!
Contact Info
- Address: 212 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003, United States
- Phone: +1 917-261-2115
- Menu: madamevonyc.com
8. Nha Trang One
Nha Trang One is a hidden gem in Chinatown that offers a delightful Vietnamese dining experience at very affordable prices. We stumbled upon this restaurant while in the neighborhood and decided to give it a try. The banh mi and ten ingredients fried rice, a delicious shrimp fried rice that isn’t too salty, were both excellent choices. The food came out quickly, and despite the service being just okay, the staff was not rude and the atmosphere was pleasant.
The pho here is among the best I’ve had in Chinatown. The Beef Brisket Pho was incredibly fresh and flavorful, while my daughter’s Shrimp Pho was even better. The curry chicken noodle soup was a highlight, packed with fresh herbs that made each bite an explosion of flavor. The summer spring rolls and chicken spring rolls were also very delicious.
The small location adds to the charm, and the prices are very reasonable, making it a great spot for a tasty and budget-friendly meal. Despite being in Chinatown, the place was clean, and the other patrons were not too loud, contributing to a comfortable dining environment.
Overall, Nha Trang One provides great service, delicious food, and excellent value for money. It’s a place I’ll definitely return to on my next visit to NYC. Highly recommended!
Contact Info
- Address: 87 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013, United States
- Phone: +1 212-233-5948
- Menu: nhatrangnyc.net
9. Saiguette
Saiguette might just be one of the best restaurants in NYC. The food is consistently incredible, and having tried almost everything on the menu, I can confidently say it’s a top spot to eat in the city. My go-to dishes are the chicken thigh sandwich and pork bao, both of which are outstanding.
The roast pork sandwich lunch special is an absolute must-try. The portions are generous, with plenty of meat, cilantro, pickled carrots, jalapeños, and a fantastic sauce. The taro chips, while interesting, aren’t a standout but are still worth a try. Overall, the banh mi gets a solid 10/10.
Saiguette also offers unique dishes like Laska, which isn’t commonly found in many Asian restaurants. I tried the shrimp Laska, lemongrass pork sandwich, and beef pho. The beef pho met my high expectations, and the pork sandwich was delicious (though next time I’ll ask for no jalapeños). While the noodles in the shrimp Laska weren’t exactly what I expected, it was still a great experience to try something new.
The restaurant’s delivery service covers a wide range, and the food holds up well during transit, but it’s definitely worth venturing uptown to dine in. Saiguette is a highly recommended spot for anyone looking for flavorful, well-prepared Vietnamese cuisine in NYC.
Contact Info
- Address: 935 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025, United States
- Phone: +1 212-866-8886
- Menu: saiguette.com
10. Cha Pa’s Noodles and Grill
Cha Pa’s Noodles and Grill is an absolute must-visit for pho lovers and anyone seeking delicious Vietnamese cuisine in Manhattan. Despite being tucked away on a side street, this cozy restaurant quickly became our favorite spot thanks to its fantastic food and attentive service.
We were quickly seated even though the restaurant was full, and the food did not disappoint. The classic beef pho was rich in flavor with perfectly cooked noodles, and the broth was comforting and delicious. The portion sizes are generous, making it great value for money. We also enjoyed the grilled chicken over rice and the fried chicken gyoza appetizer, with the total coming to $65 after tip.
The restaurant also offers vegan options, which are equally impressive. The vegetable dumplings and vegan pho were fresh and flavorful, making it a great spot for vegetarians. The atmosphere inside is small but cozy, adding to the charm of the place.
One of the standout dishes is the banh mi, which is fresh and delicious, paired with quick and courteous service. Whether you’re craving pho on a cold day or looking for a great meal in Manhattan, Cha Pa’s Noodles and Grill is definitely worth a visit. Highly recommended for its excellent food, friendly service, and cozy ambiance.
Contact Info
- Address: 314 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019, United States
- Phone: +1 212-956-9300
The search for the best pho in New York City reveals a vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese culinary artistry. Each restaurant we explored offers a unique take on this classic dish, reflecting both traditional recipes and innovative twists. Whether you prefer a robust, aromatic broth or a lighter, herb-infused version, NYC’s diverse pho scene has something to satisfy every palate. We hope this guide, shared by foodvietnamese.com, has inspired you to embark on your own pho journey, discovering the rich flavors and welcoming atmospheres that define these exceptional eateries. So grab your chopsticks, dive into a steaming bowl, and savor the best pho that New York City has to offer.
