As all die hard Asian foodies are well aware, Brisbane is flush with fantastic Vietnamese restaurants, all serving up delicious bowls of pho, banh mi, and the strongest, sweetest coffee known to humankind. And the best part is, they’re spread out across the city—so whether you’re a westside warrior or a northside native, there’s plenty of places to score yourself a ripper rice paper roll.
If you’re looking specifically for a steaming bowl of pho, you’ll find Brisbane’s best here, and we’ve also rounded up an epic list of banh mi right here, but if it’s a vermicelli salads, stir fries, curries and all those other Vietnamese delights you’re after then whip out those chopsticks and load up on fish sauce—these are the top Vietnamese restaurants in Brisbane.
Café O’Mai
Annerley
Nestled away on Chardon’s Corner, Café O Mai is a quirky Vietnamese café with a devoted banh mi following. Lunch faves include their drool-worthy free range chicken pho and lemongrass beef banh mi. There’s even a touch of luxe in their menu, in the form of a Cape Grim grass-fed black Angus pho guaranteed to take your breath away.
Red Lotus
Annerley
As if having just one of Brisbane's best Vietnamese restaurants in Annerley wasn't enough, Red Lotus sits just a few doors up from its sister establishment, Café O’Mai. While Café O’Mai shines during the day, Red Lotus rules the night with traditional Vietnamese dinners including crackling spicy curry stir fry, crackling pork vermicelli salads and wagyu beef pho. Red Lotus also does a very nifty take away menu for those who need a Vietnamese fix but don't want to dine out, and a cracking cocktail menu for those who want to stick around.
Quan Thanh
West End
A West End go-to for the past 20 years, Quan Than produces fresh Vietnamese meals that won’t hurt your pocket. A hot contender for the best pho in Brisbane, their steaming bowls of clear, aromatic soup topped with basil, chilli and sprouts never disappoint. Round out the experience with deep fried ice-cream and jasmine tea for a truly authentic experience.
Tan Thanh
Inala
Tan Thanh has lines out the door most days for their mouth-watering Vietnamese fare. But don’t worry—the lines move quickly. Known for their super fast service, this is the perfect place to pop in for a takeaway bowl of steaming hot chicken noodle soup, or rice vermicelli topped with spring rolls and grilled pork. Count us in.
Pho Hung
Sunnybank
For steamed wontons, rice paper rolls and satay chicken on the daily, head on down to Brissy’s official Asian foodie hub. And that’s just the appetizers. Treat yourself to Pho Hung’s rare beef and brisket pho for a lunch so good you’ll be licking your lips at the mere memory of it. Oh, before we forget—the claypot prawns are killer, too.
Ngon
Paddington
If you’re a Paddinton local, you’ve no doubt paid a visit to this longtime local fave. Overlooking the stunning vistas of Paddington's hills, Ngon brings a fresh interpretation of traditional Vietnamese cuisine to the streets of Brisbane. Using locally sourced produce and time-tested family recipes, it’s no surprise the Ngyuen brothers have earned themselves a cult following.
Rice Paper Vietnamese
Eight Mile Plains
For quality food in a casual setting, set your sights on Rice Paper Vietnamese. The budget-friendly meals are backed by delicious flavours guaranteed to tickle your taste buds. But our favourite part? The service is super fast, so you’ll be slurping up pho faster than you can say cam on! (That's Vietnamese for thanks).
District 1
Fortitude Valley
District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City is what Fortitude Valley is to Brisbane: fun, modern, and buzzing with the hustle and bustle of city life. It also happens to be home to some of the best street food in Vietnam—so it’s no surprise its local namesake boasts the same incredible menu. Expect fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers, and the best bahn mi the city has to offer.
Libertine
Petrie Terrace
Dishing up Brisbane’s best blend of French-Vietnamese cuisine, Libertine is nestled in Petrie Terrace’s historic, heritage-listed Barracks building. From the three-meter high chandelier-adorned ceilings to the decadent wallpapers, the Libertine dining room is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Whether you’re dining for lunch or dinner, there’s no shortage of boutique delicacies to sample, from turmeric yellow curry with tiger prawns to smoked speck san choi bao. BRB, just making a reservation...
Pho An Skylark
Inala
Back over on the southside, Pho An Skylark is a little slice of Saignon tucked away in the streets of Inala. Known for their house made iced coffee and delicious herbal drinks, this traditional Vietnamese noodle shop is the perfect place to swing by on a hot summer’s day. Their extensive pho selection is just the cherry on top.
Ming Ming’s Kitchen
Wilston
Located in the heart of Wilston Village, Ming Ming’s Kitchen is serving up the sensational taste of modern Northern Vietnamese Cuisine. Their menu combines all your go-to Vietnamese faves with a taste of something new, including wasabi prawns, slow cooked pork belly and pho for days. Better still, Thursdays are ladies nights, and with $15 cocktails on the menu, it’s worth paying Ming Ming’s a visit.
An Cafe
Kangaroo Point
For freshy and tasty street food with a view, hit up An Cafe by the Kangaroo Point cliffs. Their menu boasts delicious Vietnamese delicacies like crispy pork rice paper rolls with peanut hoisin sauce, and salt and pepper calamari fried to perfection. If you can’t make it to the cafe, swing by the Brisbane Weekend Markets and follow the wafting scents of freshly made bahn mi to visit their popular street food stall.
Trang
West End
A mainstay on the Asian foodie scene, Trang is an award-winning Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of West End. Trang’s authentic menu draws diners from all over Brisbane who are eager to taste the restaurant’s latest creations. Pick up a pork hock noodle soup and some chilli mussels for a next-level Vietnamese dining experience.
Kim Kanh
Darra
Indulge in a bowl of fabulous pho courtesy of the Kim Kanh team. Their traditional menu is packed with plenty of goodies to settle that rumbling stomach, and their value packs make it extra easy to order for two. Then again, who wants to share?
Okay, now that dinner’s sorted...anyone fancy dessert? Here’s where to find the best tiramisu in Brisbane.
Image credit: Yaseera Moosa