Amelie CameronMost people hate winter, but I love it—mostly because I now have an excuse to consume pho as often as I want!
Pho is just the best type of soup. The bone broth is rich because it’s been simmering for hours on end, and your choice of meat soaks up all the flavours! You can even customize the pho further by adding more garnishes like cilantro.
The problem with pho, though, is that it takes forever to make. Fortunately, I don’t have to cook it on my own. I can just go to one of these excellent local restaurants!
Pho Tien Thanh
– From: moretobrunch
Address: 57 Ossington Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165886997
Pho Tien Thanh honours the cuisine from South Vietnam, so the flavours tend to be on the sweeter side. As a person who loves anything sweet, it’s not a surprise that I love the pho served here.
My favourite thing to get is Pho Dac Biet. It comes with a variety of beef cuts—fatty slices, beef brisket, and even tendon and tripe. The savoury richness of the beef meshes well with the slight sweetness of the broth. I swear I can finish several bowls in one sitting!
| Pro Tip: If you have any food allergies, let your server know so that they can accommodate your needs. |
Pho Linh
– From: thepholinh
Address: 1156 College St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—10 am to 8:45 pm
- Friday and Saturday—10 am to 9:45 pm
Contact Number: +14165163891
Pho Linh is an underrated spot on College Street. I love just how laid-back it is; I feel like I’m eating pho at a friend’s place!
I usually get the pho with rare beef, beef balls, and chicken because I’m a meat lover. I’m obsessed with how the beef balls absorb the broth, so every bite becomes an explosion of savoury goodness. The beef slices are thin and so tender that they practically melt on my tongue!
| Pro Tip: The restaurant is pretty small, so there are only a few seats. Avoid coming here during the peak of lunchtime (around 12 pm to 1 pm) or dinnertime (6 to 7 pm) because the place will be packed. |
Tho Rua Vang Golden Turtle Restaurant
– From: goldenturtleossingtonto
Address: 125 Ossington Ave
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165311601
Golden Turtle Restaurant has been operating since 1987, and in that time, it has won the loyalty of the locals. I don’t live in Trinity Bellwoods, but whenever I’m in the neighbourhood, I make the effort to come here.
I love Pho Ga Rau Cai Sa Te, which is made with satay chicken and vegetables. The broth is a combination of sweet and spicy, which I like. That said, the spice definitely builds up the more I eat, so by the end, my tongue becomes numb. I have no regrets, though!
| Pro Tip: You can request substitutions if you’re allergic to nuts and shellfish. Just keep in mind that you might have to pay an additional fee. |
Pho 90
– From: pho90intoronto
Address: 90 Weston Rd, Stock Yards Village
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14169012790
Looking for a vegan restaurant that serves delicious Vietnamese cuisine? Then, look no further than Pho 90!
The best vegan pho is called PO4 on the menu. This one is loaded with tofu, broccoli, and other greens, and rice noodles. The broth’s flavour is mellow, but it’s comforting all the same. I love customizing the taste by adding generous dollops of sriracha and black pepper.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant sells its special chilli hot sauce and duck foie gras that are made in-house. Buy them to spice up your own cooking at home! |
Linh Anh Vietnamese Cuisine
– From: linhanhvietnamesecuisine
Address: 3290 Midland Ave Unit 1, Scarborough Village Mall, Scarborough
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14163328688
Located in Scarborough, Linh Ann Vietnamese Cuisine first opened in 2020, the year when the COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns all over Canada and the world. Despite the unfortunate timing, this restaurant has endured and is still a beloved spot.
Their best pho, in my opinion, is Pho Bat Da. This one has everything I love: tender bone-in beef rib, bouncy flank and beef meatballs, and chewy tendon and tripe. The broth also packs quite the spicy punch; I always have to down several cold glasses of water just to put out the fire!
| Pro Tip: To make your pho even richer, I recommend adding bone marrow (you have to pay a small extra fee). You can also add other toppings like extra meat and vegetables. |
Pho Metro
– From: thephometro
Address: 2057 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 8:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14167508898
Pho Metro has several locations throughout the GTA, but my go-to spot is the one in Scarborough. This restaurant also delivers all over the region, so I can always order online when I feel too lazy to go out.
Pho Tai Sate is my favourite thing to order here. The broth is sweet and spicy, and I like to mix in a few dollops of peanut sauce for an extra kick of nutty sweetness. This pho also comes with several slices of rare beef, which are so fatty and tender.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant gets busy around lunch and dinnertime, so prepare to get stuck in a queue. That said, you won’t have to wait a long time because orders are delivered quickly. |
Bun Bo Hue Pho
– From: feedthepudge
Address: 2385 Finch Ave W, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14167477336
Situated all the way in North York, Bun Bo Hue Pho is a surprise for me. On the outside, this restaurant seems like a humble spot that doesn’t attract a lot of fanfare, but the dishes are absolutely insane!
The titular bun bo hue pho is understandably the main bestseller, so I recommend getting it. This hue-style pho is essentially a hotter and spicier version of your typical pho. It’s also super aromatic, thanks to the lemongrass that’s been simmering in the broth for several hours!
| Pro Tip: This restaurant only accepts cash, so keep that in mind before coming here. |
Pho Anh Vu
– From: phoanhvutoronto
Address: 3200 Dufferin St, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Thursday—11 am to 9 pm
- Friday to Sunday—11 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +16473469333
Another popular pho spot in North York is Pho Anh Vu. This restaurant specializes in North Vietnam-style pho, so the broth is predominantly salty and sour, with a hint of spice.
My go-to order is Pho Tai Nam Bo Vien, which has tender beef slices, chewy flank, and bouncy beef balls. Even when I order the large bowl, I still end up asking for extra broth and noodles because I just can’t get enough of this!
| Pro Tip: Come here before 1 pm because that’s only when you can get the beef bone special. This broth is super rich and savoury, and it’s such a hit among patrons that it always sells out fast! |
Mi Mi Vietnamese Restaurant
– From: mimigerrard
Address: 686A Gerrard St E
Operating Hours: Thursday to Tuesday—12 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14167785948
Mi Mi is a small family-owned Vietnamese restaurant, and that’s exactly what I love about it. The atmosphere is so cozy and homey!
There’s a variety of pho options here. I’m fond of the pho with BBQ pork because I love the flavour combination of sweet and savoury. I like rice noodles just fine, but I’m happy that this place lets me order my pho with egg noodles. I love how soft and chewy they are!
| Pro Tip: Please take note that this restaurant isn’t wheelchair-accessible or stroller-friendly. |
Pho Ha Noi
– From: mhmnoyeatz
Address: 374 College St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—4 pm to 4 am
Contact Number: +14169224415
Sometimes, I get a strong craving for pho late at night. Fortunately, Pho Ha Noi is open until 4 am every day, so it’s now one of my go-to spots for a late-night meal.
I love getting their own version of Pho Ha Noi Dac Biet. The house special soup is rich and multi-layered—savoury at the forefront, followed by a hint of heat. It’s also topped with all sorts of meat cuts, so there’s a good variety of texture with every bite!
| Pro Tip: To make your broth even spicier and more flavourful, I recommend ordering extra chilli oil, hoisin sauce, or hot sauce. |
Pho Hung Restaurant
– From: boltonsbites
Address: 350 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165934274
Pho Hung Restaurant has been around for about 40 years, which is super impressive. The first time I checked it out, I instantly understood why this restaurant became a staple in the neighbourhood.
The classic pho is my ultimate recommendation. You can choose between beef or chicken broth. I prefer beef pho because it’s richer and more savoury. This pho also has my favourite toppings, including spongy beef balls, chewy tripe, crunchy tendon, and tender brisket.
| Pro Tip: When you’re visiting in the evening, you can order any of the dinner specials. These specials include rice and dessert. |
Dear Saigon
– From: munchieswithannie
Address: 185 College St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14379149132
I was just walking down College Street when I passed by Dear Saigon and my nose caught a whiff of the aroma from the kitchen. The smell was so fragrant that I had no choice but to go inside!
Now, this is one of my favourite restaurants to go to when I’m craving pho. My favourite is P11, which has a broth that has been slow-cooked with beef knuckles for over 24 hours! This results in an extremely rich and complex flavour profile. It’s hard to describe, so I’ll just implore you to try it for yourself!
| Pro Tip: To make your meal more fulfilling, I recommend ordering the Dear Saigon Platter with your pho. This platter comes with fresh herbs, different types of sauces, sugar cane shrimp, spring rolls, and more. |
Cafe Pho Nho
Address: 2060 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday—4 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—4 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14165312282
Cafe Pho Nho is a lowkey spot in Toronto’s West End, and since it’s open until the wee hours of the morning, it’s a great place to go during late-night cravings.
I love the Pho Tai Sach Nam because it features a combination of different cuts of beef. If you don’t like beef, then I recommend you order Pho Ga, which has chicken pieces instead. The chicken pieces absorb the salty, savoury flavours of the broth, so every bite is a delight!
| Pro Tip: Take note that this place only accepts cash. Also, please keep in mind that the food here may contain peanut products. If you’re allergic to peanuts, be sure to let your server know. |
Oxtail Pho and Banh Mi
– From: oxtailpho
Address: 814 Dundas St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—4 pm to 4 am
Contact Number: +14165370188
Oxtail Pho and Banh Mi is best known for its pho broth, which they simmer for 24 hours. As a result, the flavour is rich and full-bodied, and sipping the broth feels like your soul receiving a warm hug!
The Sizzling Stone Bowl is a must-try. You build the bowl based on your preferences, and mine usually involves spicy tom yum for broth (I love spice in my pho), golden tofu, rib-eye beef, lemongrass chicken, and beef meatballs.
The bowl is also served with roasted beef bone marrow, which you can eat immediately as is or mix in the broth for more flavour. I personally love doing the latter.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant is also best known for its refreshing drinks. I recommend trying Cafe Rum, which is their specialty. It’s Vietnamese coffee with rum, cinnamon, and condensed milk. It’s sweet and strong; it will definitely energize you! |
Dzô Viet Eatery
– From: dzo_vieteatery
Address: 308 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +16473468843
Dzô Viet Eatery is all about celebrating “nhâu,” a Vietnamese term referring to the culture of coming together with friends and releasing all our burdens while enjoying good food and drinks. In other words, this place serves as an after-work hangout spot.
There are only a few pho options here, but they’re all great. I have to say that Pho Kho has to be my favourite. It’s dry pho, which means that the noodles and toppings are separated from the soup.
It’s an interesting kind of pho, and I like it because it lets me enjoy different flavours. The noodles have a sweet-sour flavour to them because of the tamarind sauce, and then I wash it all down by sipping the rich, umami goodness that is the broth.
| Pro Tip: To ensure your spot, be sure to book your reservation ahead of time. |
Pho Pasteur Restaurant
– From: unblockedto
Address: 525 Dundas St W
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14163517188
It’s easy to overlook Pho Pasteur Restaurant because it’s located on a busy street crowded with other dining establishments. But once you try the pho here, you’ll be coming back for more—even if it means braving through long queues!
I recommend the Special Beef Rice Noodle Pho because it has all the meat cuts in one bowl, so every spoonful is satisfying. The broth is also worth mentioning because it oozes in umami, and the scallions add a nice sharp bite as well.
| Pro Tip: Only cash is accepted here, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to stop by. |
