1. Cây Tre
Enjoy authentic pho and other classic Vietnamese dishes from the streets of Saigon at Cây Tre in trendy Soho and Shoreditch. Choose from vibrant and creative dishes full of flavour and intensity, including delicious summer rolls, vermicelli bowls, curries and more.
Where: Shoreditch (301 Old Street, EC1V 9LA), Soho (42-43 Dean Street, W1D 4PZ)
2. Viet Grill
Tuck into traditional Vietnamese street food at Viet Grill in Shoreditch, featuring a dedicated pho bar, plenty of tempting sharing plates and grilled dishes, as well as a mouthwatering cocktail list. Try the BBQ honey-coated ribs or the grilled beef in a sweet soy marinade cooked over charcoal.
Where: Shoreditch (58 Kingsland Road, E2 8DP)
3. Sông Quê Café
Another staple on the Kingsland Road Vietnamese scene, Sông Quê Café is a no-frills, family-friendly pho joint and a locals’ favourite. From stir-fried flat rice noodles and stewed beef noodle soup to Vietnamese curries and all manners of pho, find all your favourite Vietnamese dishes at affordable prices.
Where: Shoreditch (134 Kingsland Road, E2 8DY)
4. Viet Hoa
There is a lot of competition between the Vietnamese restaurants on the Kingsland Road, but Viet Hoa’s authentic dishes, novel diner interactivity and incredibly sweet and strong coffee, give it the edge it needs to stand out from the crowd. Split into two sections, sample simple dishes at the upstairs cafe, or cook your own food at the downstairs “mess” where each table has an infrared grill for patrons to cook on.
Where: Shoreditch (70-72 Kingsland Road, E2 8DP)
5. Banh Mi Bay
Banh Mi Bay is one of London’s premier spots for bánh mì lovers. Not just a typical sandwich, these Vietnamese delicacies are traditionally filled with a variety of hot fillings such as meats, tofu, seafood and vegetables.
Where: Holborn (4-6 Theobald's Road, WC1X 8PN), Fitzrovia (take out only, 21 Rathbone Street, W1T 1NF) and Surrey Quays (Food Court, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Redriff Road, SE16 7LL)
6. Pho
With locations across the capital and beyond, Pho is a popular spot for Vietnamese street food. This chain restaurant features an open kitchen (so you can watch the broth magic happen), friendly and efficient service, and a wide selection of ingredients for you to choose from.
Where: Covent Garden (65a Long Acre, WC2E 9JD), Islington (39 Upper Street, N1 0PN), Soho (163-165 Wardour Street, W1F 8WN), Spitalfields (48 Brushfield Street, E1 6AG), St Paul’s (15 Upper Cheapside Passage, 1st Floor, One New Change, EC2V 6AG), Stratford (The Balcony, Westfield Stratford, E20 1ES), Westfield (The Balcony, Westfield Shepherds Bush, W12 7GE), Borough (9 Southwark Street, SE1 1RQ), Canary Wharf (Unit 21 Jubilee Place, 45 Bank Street, E14 5NY), Battersea (50-52 Battersea Rise, SW11 1EG) and more locations
7. Green Papaya
A long-established, family-run and well-loved restaurant in Hackney, Green Papaya offers a laid-back atmosphere with friendly staff and superb food combining Vietnamese staples with Xi’an Chinese influences, resulting in an eclectic menu. The grilled spicy lamb with cumin is a treat!
Where: Hackney (191 Mare Street, E8 3QE)
8. Bánh Bánh
Head to Bánh Bánh in southeast London for sublime Vietnamese food cooked by five passionate siblings and served in a relaxing, plywood-clad setting. Whether you're craving fresh summer rolls or the rich flavours of lemongrass-marinated grilled pork, a visit to Bánh Bánh will leave you craving for more.
Where: Peckham (46 Peckham Rye, SE15 4JR) and Brixton (326 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8QH)