The Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Melbourne

Hu Tieu Go Ong Map

Hu Tieu Go Ong Map is a Footscray favourite and conveniently a two-minute walk from my house. Order the hủ tiếu gõ, a beloved late-night street food in southern Vietnam. The bowls feature delicate white noodles, blanched bean sprouts, pork slices, quail eggs, beef balls, and fragrant pork rinds — ordered dry or with broth. Special mentions also go to the hearty beef stew with springy morsels of tripe and the stir-fried sea snails.

Phuoc Thanh Bakery

Phuoc Thanh has been a Richmond staple for over 20 years, nestled in the now-gentrified pocket of Victoria Street, where you’ll find little Vietnamese grocers with their produce and plants sprawling out onto the sidewalk next to gastro pubs and breweries. Skip the queues and order ahead at this casual West Melbourne bakery. Definitely get the signature crispy pork roll laden with crackling and the essential trio of spring onion, pickled carrot, and cucumber, all wrapped in a light, crunchy Vietnamese baguette.

Fresh Chilli Deli

Melbourne takes its bánh mì seriously, and so does Fresh Chilli Deli in Sunshine. This is one of my go-to spots for an order of the Mixed Charcuterie, featuring three types of ham, including giò thủ, a gelatinous and cartilage-clad cold cut terrine. The meats are rounded out with pâté, egg butter, pickled carrot, and daikon, cucumber, spring onion, coriander, soy sauce, and, in my case, scarlet studs of Thai chilli. Pair it with a Vietnamese iced coffee, and you have the perfect meal.

Super Bowl Pho and Bun Bo Hue

Famed for its exceedingly generous bowls of pho and spicy bun bo hue, this Richmond spot adds yet another Vietnamese feather to Victoria Street's cap. The super bowl is the largest size for the two noodle soups and is enough to feed two — or one hungry me. Equally enticing is the bun cha, a pile of vermicelli noodles topped with char-grilled marinated pork, crisp spring rolls, and fresh salad that gets doused with zingy nuoc mam.

Bun Cha Co Dao

This Footscray joint is my local go-to when the bun cha cravings hit. The classic iteration of this beloved dish, straight from the lively streets of Hanoi in northern Vietnam, offers up grilled pork on a bed of white rice noodles and fresh herbs with a tangy dipping sauce on the side. The crispy spring rolls and juicy pork meatballs served with a rich chicken broth is a must-try. Pro tip: Dig into it with a fresh sugarcane juice. This is some of the best Vietnamese food Melbourne has to offer.

Pho Bo Ga Hung Vuong Saigon

Affectionately dubbed the “cow and chicken” pho haven, owing to its iconic logo, this Clayton outpost stands tall among its renowned counterparts. The pho broth here is a masterclass in clarity, lightness, and freshness. My personal favourite? The rare beef with fatty brisket — a textural symphony of hot broth, crisp bean shoots, melt-in-your-mouth fat, and sinewy morsels of beef. This is my go-to if I’m feeling under the weather or in need of a warm hug on a cold Melbourne day.

Co Thu Quan

With locations in Richmond, Footscray, and Springvale, Co Thu Quan is a must for Vietnamese food enthusiasts. This is the spot I love to take visiting friends and family, clinking bottles of Vietnamese beer over a table littered with food. The canh bun here is a standout: a chicken broth infused with seafood crab paste and a rich tamarind shrimp paste, accompanied by springy rice noodles, congealed pork blood, crab meatballs, and Vietnamese pork sausage. The Hue-style claypot rice, com am phu, is another gem, featuring fermented pork and shrimp over tender rice, complemented by sides of marinated baby water crabs, pot-simmered shrimp with pork belly, pickled green mustard cabbage, and baby eggplants.

Co Do

This was one of my first pho experiences in Melbourne and I was swiftly inducted into the world of Vietnamese noodle soups. I paid Co Do a visit again more recently, and I tried their bún bò huế, a spicy tang of a broth loaded with gelatinous blocks of blood and thin slices of beef, pork, and springy beef loaf. It was a treat for the senses and one not to be missed, though nothing from the wide menu will disappoint.

Thanh Ha Vietnamese Cuisine

If you're a fan of the crispy, coconutty delight of bánh xèo like me, then Richmond’s Thanh Ha is your go-to spot. This vibrant Vietnamese "pancake," kissed by turmeric to mimic the warmth of sunshine, is a golden creation stuffed with pork, shrimp, and fresh bean sprouts — served with a shield of fresh lettuce to sandwich within each bite. Thanh Ha also makes bánh khọt, which are slightly denser, snack-sized bánh xèo that you can pop away in one bite. 

Saigon Desserts

I often equate freshness with Vietnamese cuisine, and the sweets are a prime example. At Saigon Desserts, nestled on my favourite stretch of Barkly Street in West Footscray, you'll find a delivery-friendly mecca of condensed milk-soaked tapioca pearls, tender lychees, and silky grass jelly. The caramel flan topped with shaved ice, colourful jelly cubes, and sweet red and green cherries is the perfect way to end any meal — or wile away a night on the couch.

Pho Chu The

Choosing the top pho spot in Melbourne can be a bit of a challenge, since each place has its own unique flair due to familial traditions and preferences. At Pho Chu The in Richmond, the broth stands out for its deeply umami flavour. The accompaniments are also spot-on: delicate slices of rare beef that cook perfectly in the broth or tender pieces of poached chicken and zesty pickled onions.

I Love Pho 264

This Richmond gem on Victoria Street was a staple for me and my university friends, much like Pho Chu The. I Love Pho holds a special place in my heart for its comforting, affordable bowls. I fondly remember a time when, grieving a loved one, I found solace in a steaming bowl of meatless pho I’d specially requested, made with chicken broth and dotted with lush florets of broccoli, shreds of white onion, and studs of carrot. The kind staff provided much-needed comfort. Today, there’s now another location in the CBD, serving up those delicious, heartfelt bowls that continue to embrace and satisfy.

Easy Vegan Restaurant

As the name suggests, this vegan Vietnamese restaurant on Victoria Street, just down from Phuoc Thanh Bakery, is your go-to for mock meats. Dive into a protein-packed pho with vegan pork bologna, beef, mushrooms, and tofu, or savour the rice paper rolls stuffed with vegan shrimp or lemongrass tofu. Every dish packs a flavour punch, making it a must-visit whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply a fan of delicious food.

Loving Hut

This vegan eatery on Victoria Street in Richmond offers hearty meals from across South and Southeast Asia. The bún huế features a piquant lemongrass broth with mushrooms and tofu, while the Malaysian menu includes flavourful dishes like curry laksa and char kway teow. There’s also a variety of gluten-free options.

Hoa Tran Vietnamese & Chinese Restaurant

I love rice in all its forms, and cơm tấm, or broken rice, has to be up there with one of my all-time favourite dishes due to its sticky nature and how it provides the perfect, neutral base for strong flavours. At Hoa Tran, order yours with a charcoal-grilled pork chop, shredded pork, an egg, a rich, springy slice of pork loaf, and a side of nuoc mam — a sweet, acidic fish sauce mix. It’s one of my favourites anytime I head to Springvale for a meal.

Viet Rose Restaurant

Viet Rose has long been a beacon of delicious food in Fitzroy. I’ve had many BYO nights here with friends, catching up over umpteen plates of food. You can order pho (stocked up with beef or vegan with bean curd), bun cha, rice noodles with protein (the grilled sliced chicken is my favourite), rice paper rolls, or fried noodle and rice dishes.

Brother Bon

Another exceptional vegan restaurant, Brother Bon is a Northcote staple. The mock meats on the Vietnamese-leaning menu here are noteworthy. Try the juicy plant-based burgers and southern fried chicken that almost perfectly mimics the real thing. If you’re craving Vietnamese, the bright Lemongrass Chicken Vermicelli is a no brainer.

Pho Thin 13 Lo Duc

I used to visit Pho Thin in the CBD during lunch breaks with colleagues whenever we craved a steaming bowl of pho. This Melbourne outpost, a 40-year transplant from Hanoi, proudly displays framed press clippings honouring its legendary founder, Nguyen Trong Thin. The signature dish features rare skirt steak fried with garlic before being added to a fragrant broth, accompanied by ginger, shallots, flat rice noodles, fresh spring onion, and coriander. Vietnamese doughnuts are on offer to tear apart with your hands and dip into the broth as you go.

Luke's Bakery

This hotspot in Reservoir is a must for vegans and porcine enthusiasts alike. The Special Baguette is a dream, featuring a decadent mix of charcoal pork and crackling pork, complemented by butter, chicken pâté, cucumber, pickled carrot, spring onion, coriander, fried shallot, hoisin sauce, and pepper. For a real treat, try the Favourite Baguette with charcoal pork and grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf, laced with lashings of butter, pâté, and a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients. Just about any sandwich can be made vegan too.

baNHmi on bell

As its name suggests, this Preston gem is all about bánh mì. The crispy pork roll delivers a satisfying crunch with tender layers of pork, while the mixed ham option — my personal favourite — takes the savoury experience to another level. Whether you're a bánh mì aficionado or a newcomer, the flavours here will surely impress. You also need to know that the shatteringly crisp pork spring rolls are the ideal anytime snack.

Bac 8

Nestled within the vibrant Springvale Central Shopping Centre, Bac 8 is a standout. And so is the bún mắm — a tangy-sweet-umami vermicelli soup rich with fermented fish. The menu offers an array of sides, from smoky barbecue chicken to decadent caramelised catfish, plus hearty options like bun bo hue, a tangy, spicy beef noodle soup. Don’t miss the fried rice either, which is infused with a tantalisingly smoky wok hei. 

Olivia Spring Cafe

Olivia Spring Cafe adds another winner of a restaurant to Melbourne’s vegan roster. This Moonee Ponds spot, like many other vegan restaurants on this list, features dishes from across South and Southeast Asia. Here you'll find cơm tấm with grilled vegan pork, a loaf-like tofu omelette, and shredded vegan pork, along with an array of fresh salad ingredients and a vegan fish sauce to boot. You also want to try the tom yum soup with potato noodles and the Burmese super salad with a garden of vegetables and the signature pickled tea leaf dressing. The majority of items on the menu champion fresh vegetables over mock meat, too.

Phuoc Hung Bakery

This hole-in-the-wall on Victoria Street is one of the area’s highest-rated restaurants. If I’m not at Phuoc Thanh Bakery in Richmond, I’m here — or ordering from home to avoid the queue. The grilled chicken and crispy roast pork are ample and generous, and there’s something so comforting about the thick slather of creamy chicken liver paté and Vietnamese mayonnaise-butter sticking to the roof of the soft bread rolls.

Lady Dan

Lady Dan, tucked away in Hawthorn, stands out in a neighbourhood not famed for Vietnamese cuisine. Co-owner, Lady Dan’s husband, Harry goes the extra mile, and it’s endearing to watch on as he guides newcomers through the art of savouring classics like bún bò huế and pho. Let’s cut to the chase: the bánh mì here is among the finest in the area. Order it with grilled chicken, crispy roast pork, or tofu, and be mindful if you ask for chilli in your bánh mì, they will make it spicy (good news for folks like me!).

N.Lee Bakery & Cafe

This Melbourne jewel for bánh mì serves the office crowd iconic sandwiches and egg and bacon rolls. The no-frills pies are a standout — simple yet delicious, thin and portable, with thick crusts and rich, beefy fillings. You won’t regret ordering the fish sauce-dressed crackling pork with vermicelli, fresh veggies and herbs, and a shower of peanuts and fried shallots.

Sunrise Café

This Fitzroy joint truly shines with its crispy pork. Whether it’s packed into a bánh mì with shattering puffs of crackling, wrapped in rice paper rolls, or featured in pho and bún chả, it’s unbeatable every time. That’s all you really need to know about Sunrise Café.

Peddler Tuckshop

Peddler Tuckshop in Noble Park serves up bánh mì with a cracked, Dutch tiger bread-like crust that I cannot get enough of. The mini bánh mì comes with all the classics and some lesser-seen fillings like lemongrass beef, crispy fried chicken, and vegetarian mock duck. Don’t sleep on the Crackling Pork Belly Baguette, each nugget of crispy fat and tender meat complemented by the crunch of that bread.

Xuan Bánh Cuốn

Still scrolling to find Melbourne’s best Vietnamese places? This Sunshine spot is the place to go for bánh cuốn — flat, steamed rice paper rolls with a glutinous texture and various fillings. My top pick here is the traditional minced pork or prawn, paired with pork loaf or squid cake. Other must-try dishes include the bánh giò, a savoury pyramid of sticky rice and pork wrapped in banana leaves, and hefty spring rolls as thick as Cuban cigars loaded with prawn and pork.