Surprisingly, there are many similarities between Vietnam and the city of New Orleans. The subtropical climate, history of being a French colony, and predominance of the Catholic religion are all things that they have in common. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, there was an influx of Vietnamese immigrants to the city of New Orleans, and it's why, today, the city has such a large Vietnamese population.
Because of this, New Orleans is known for it's delicious traditional—and not so traditional—Vietnamese cuisine. The list below is a compilation of the top 10 best Vietnamese food places in NOLA!
10 Best Vietnamese Spots in New Orleans
1. Ba Chi Kitchen & Bar
3547 18th St., (504) 581-8490
facebook.com/bachicanteenla
Serving authentic Vietnamese food and asian fusion, Ba Chi Kitchen & Bar goes above and beyond to provide delicious food to its customers. Their menu includes delicious classics like vermicelli and pho, as well as yummy fusion foods like bacos—"asian tacos"—and po-boys with kimchi fries. Similarly, their ramen is sure to satisfy any ramen-fanatic.
Whether you need a classic Vietnamese dish or wish to try one of their spins on New Orleans or Asian classics, then Ba Chi Kitchen & Bar's friendly and inviting environment is the place for you.
2. Lilly's Café
1813 Magazine St. (504) 599-9999
This adorable, purple-painted, cozy cafe not only boasts a cute atmosphere but also serves up delicious food. Whether you need a refreshing lunch on a hot summer day or a warm and comfortable spot on a cold day, Lilly's Cafe has got you covered! Serving classics like banh mi or chicken pho, you are sure to get your Vietnamese fix in here.
Their most popular dishes, including the brisket pho, crab rangoon, and spicy tofu, have a delicious kick to them. They also offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options for those who want. Visit Lilly's Cafe for a cute lunch spot or a cozy dinner spot.
3. Tan Dinh
1705 Lafayette St., (504) 361-8008
tandinhnola.com
Proclaimed as Grenta's number one Vietnamese bistro, Tan Dinh serves delicious Vietnamese food made with high-quality ingredients and cooked with the most innovative techniques. Their elegant, yet inviting and warm, atmosphere is guaranteed to give you the best lunch or dinner experience.
Their large menu has a lot to offer. From eggs rolls to pho and vermicelli, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Their steamed banh baos are both savory and sweet and are a yummy option. Try their selection of French and Vietnamese coffees or tapioca drinks for some refreshing fun!
5. Pho Tau Bay Restaurant
1565 Tulane Ave., (504) 368-9846
photaubayrestaurant.com
You have a lot to choose from at Pho Tau Bay. The menu is huge. While the offerings here are quite traditional, there are still some vegetarian specials like the com dau hu luc loc (fried tofu sauteed with onions and garlic cook in a vegan sauce and served with rice and a salad) for those who don't prefer meat.
Beyond banh mi, vermicelli, rice, bun, and
pho dishes, there are specialty items like mi xao mem/don thap cam: vegetables
and pineapple with shrimp, squid, fishballs, and imitation crab, seasoned and stir-fried
and served on fried or soft egg noodles.
6. Viet Orleans Bistro
300 Baronne St., (504) 333-6917
This CBD restaurant is perfect for a quick lunch if you work in the area or a filling meal before you go to the game or bar-hop through the CBD/Warehouse District. Viet Orleans keeps the menu simple for your convenience. You simply choose from banh mi, pho, rice, fried rice, or bun and then choose which meat or veggies you'd prefer in it.
Some of the stand-out menu items here are
the Seafood Pho, which is labeled as very spicy and has shrimp and imitation
crab meat. The Combination Beef, Chicken, and Shrimp Fried Rice that gives
you the best of surf and turf in a heaping plate of steaming hot seasoned rice.
7. Café Minh
4139 Canal St., (504) 482-6266
cafeminh.com
Café Minh's fare goes far beyond Vietnamese cuisine. Chef Minh Bui and Chef Cynthia VuTran came together to make meals that begin with southern Vietnamese flavors, then get tweaked with French and American influences. This is apparent in the dishes like red curry shrimp pasta, Minh's Bouillabaisse, and Vietnamese BBQ catfish.
Don't forget about the pho, which has a
broth flavored with charred ginger, onions, and other aromatic spices. Café Minh
is happy to serve customers during lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday
through Friday and dinner between 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
8. Doson Noodle House
135 N. Carrollton Ave. (504) 309-7283
dosonnoodlehouse.com
Doson Noodle House sits on a busy stretch of N. Carrollton Avenue alongside some other amazing Mid-City restaurants. Doson Noodle House sets itself apart from its neighbors with traditional Vietnamese and Asian fare peppered with the occasional signature item. The NOLA Egg Roll is a crispy egg roll filled with shrimp, pork, and cabbage.
Doson Noodle House has many noodle-forward
dishes as well as pho and rice dishes. But take a look at the entrée section, too. Here, you'll see delicacies like honey chicken, sweet and sour shrimp, and lemongrass tofu.
9. Jazmine Café
614 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 866-9301
jazminecafe.com
Jazmine Café serves more than Vietnamese favorites. You are welcome to enjoy a poke bowl, a hearty salad, or even chicken wings in addition to ordering pho, vermicelli, or bun. Try the Vietnamese tuna salad with cabbage, seared yellowfin tuna, carrots, cucumber, onion, cilantro, shallots, and peanuts.
If you'd prefer something steaming hot, the mushroom glass noodle soup is divine: glass noodles, shittake mushrooms, celery, cabbage, beansprouts, tofu, onions, and cilantro in vegetable broth. There are also several raw and cooked spring rolls to sink your teeth into.
9. Banh Mi Boys
3244 Magazine St., (504) 354-8502
banhmiboysuptown.com
Known in New Orleans as "Vietnamese po-boys," banh mis are an incredibly popular, classic, Vietnamese dish. Combining French and Vietnamese culture and food tradition, Banh Mi Boys offer a selection of classic and unique dishes.
From their shrimp boudin egg rolls to their steak & egg banh mi, the restaurant's menu has plenty of delicious options. Whether you'd prefer a traditional po-boy with fried shrimp or oysters or a speciality banh mi with bulgogi or chicken katsu, you are guaranteed to find something you like.
10. TD Seafood & Pho House
1028 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, (504) 302-1727
tdseafoodphohouse.com
Located on the Westbank's ever busy Manhattan Boulevard, TD Seafood & Pho House offers all kinds of different Vietnamese classics. From pho, bun, and bahni mi to steamed rice and fried rice, there's plenty to enjoy.
TD also offers a selection of boiled seafood options including crawfish, shrimp, and crab, with or without sauce. Start off with some tasty spring rolls and save some room for a refreshing taro or strawberry and mango smoothie.
Where to Get Vietnamese Food in NOLA
Whether you're a regular Vietnamese-food enjoyer, or simply want to try a new culture's cuisine, the list above is guaranteed to help you! Did we miss your very favorite Vietnamese restaurant in New Orleans? Let us know where to go next!
