Calgary is home to a strong Vietnamese food scene. Whether you’re craving pho, bun bo hue, pork rice paper rolls, or something harder to find, these are the Vietnamese restaurants I recommend for different reasons.
Most Consistent
This tropical-themed Vietnamese speakeasy and cocktail bar serves some of the most consistently cooked food in the city, thanks to chefs Nguyen Bui and Nguyen Tran, the parents of co-owner Nhi Tran. Ask what the kitchen is having, rotating staff meals prepared for the team.
→ Read the full review: Paper Lantern
Best Pho
Pure Street Food / Pure Saigonese
You can get some of the best pot au pho ($20) in the city at Chef Lam’s casual takeout stall, Pure Street, inside First Street Corner, or at his restaurant, Pure Saigonese Kitchen. Unlike many pho bowls, this one contains as much meat as noodles. I especially enjoy the high-quality cuts of tender beef shank and brisket in AAA Tenderloin Steak Pot Au Pho ($32). The broth is rich and deeply flavoured, so much so that it’s worth saving for a second meal the next day.
→ Read the full review: Pure Street Food
→ Read the full review: Pure Saigonese
Best Bun Bo Hue
Come here for the Bun Bo Hue ($19.45), spring rolls ($10.45), and pork-and-shrimp tapioca dumplings ($10.95). Other customer favourites include sliced rare beef with lime sauce ($17.95) and baby clams with vermicelli ($17.95).
→ Read the full review: Song Huong
Most Creative
My two favourite dishes on An An’s extensive menu are the bun cha and spring rolls ($21), and the beef rib banh mi ($18). The kitchen balances traditional Vietnamese flavours with creative infusion, resulting in dishes that feel both familiar and new.
→ Read the full review: An An Kitchen + Bar
Best Set Menu
Rau Bistro is best known for its Seven-Course Beef Set ($72 for two). There’s an impressive amount of thought and care behind each dish, right down to the sauces. Each one offers a distinct flavour profile.
→ Read the full review: Rau Bistro
Best Takeout
Follow @cookingmamayyc on Instagram to find out when this talented home cook is selling her famous jumbo seafood fried rolls, steamed rice rolls with pork and Chinese sausage, and other hard-to-find Vietnamese specialties. Quantities are limited and often sell out quickly.
→ Read the full review: Cooking Mama YYC
Hitting the Sauce 