Neighborhood matters too. Several favorites sit within a few blocks of each other in the CID, and others are spread across the south end and north Seattle. Browse the Seattle neighborhood guides to plan your meal around the rest of the day.
Phở houses worth the trip
Phở Bắc (Rainier Ave S)
Head to 3300 Rainier Ave S in Mount Baker, where this decades-old institution offers a long list of phở variations, nineteen in all. The fragrant broth leans northern style and comes filled with tender cuts such as thin-shaved brisket or big beef ribs. A recent refresh brightened the walls, though longtime regulars will still recognize the brown tile floor underfoot.
Phở Bắc Sup Shop
Over at 1240 S Jackson St in the CID, the family's newer shop pairs serious soup with a lively bar glowing in pink neon. The short rib bowl is a big draw, and keep an eye out for the occasional off-menu chicken phở, which arrives with a whole half bird poached in the broth. Pass around small plates like pork and shrimp egg rolls and tamarind-coated wings, which make this a smart pick when you are out with a group or showing visiting friends around.
Phở Ba
Slip into this small CID shop at 415 7th Ave S for a sweet, savory broth that many regulars eat without adding any sauces at all. The dining room is snug, so expect to sit close to students and neighborhood regulars while a steady stream of takeout heads out the door. Bring cash if you can, since the shop prefers it even though it is not cash-only.
Miss Pho
Tucked into a Greenwood strip mall at 10023 Holman Rd NW, Miss Pho draws diners from across north Seattle and beyond. Order the phở hà nội for a cinnamon-scented broth with beef shank and a raw egg yolk. Vegetarians are well served by a mushroom-rich meatless broth with plenty of spice, and the staff are known for unusually attentive service.
Pool, cocktails and a night out
Billiard Hoang
Rack up a game at 3220 S Hudson St in Columbia City, where this no-frills billiard hall doubles as one of the most praised Vietnamese kitchens in the city. Big bowls of aromatic phở with steak or oxtail come out of the kitchen while you shoot pool. Fish sauce wings, fried tofu rolls and bún thịt nướng round out the menu, and plentiful seating makes it a natural fit when you are rolling in with a large group.
Ba Bar
Ba Bar, at 550 12th Ave in the Central District, sets the mood with dim lighting, jazzy music and a strong cocktail list. Plan a first date here, pull up a seat at the bar or settle in for a late evening. Share the pork imperial rolls and caramel-glazed wings, then keep a bowl of brisket and rare beef phở in its warm cinnamon broth all to yourself.
Reckless Noodle House
Find Reckless Noodle House at 2519 S Jackson St in the Central District, where a small, dark dining room glows under lanterns and hanging plants, an easy choice for date night. Pair crispy duck rolls with one of the house ginger beer cocktails, and try the signature turmeric fried rice with pastrami. The attached bar shows sports, so it also works for a casual meal after work.
Lotus Pond Vietnamese Cuisine
Slide into a roomy booth at this diner-style spot at 12752 Aurora Ave N in Haller Lake and take your time with its very long menu. Locals order the spam bánh mì with a thin egg crepe, lemongrass grilled chicken over jasmine rice and shrimp wonton soup. Don't skip the fries, which come with a gravy seasoned like phở. The kitchen also gets attention for its vegan and gluten-free options and strong takeout.
Bánh mì for a quick lunch
Bé Mi
Stop at Bé Mi, at 90 Yesler Way in Pioneer Square, for bánh mì piled with chili jam, crushed peanuts, fried shallots and plenty of fresh herbs. Fillings run from charred, rich pork to cold cuts with pâté. The dining room makes a handy lunch break while you explore the historic blocks nearby, and it works well for solo diners and kids alike.
Saigon Deli
This International District deli at 1237 S Jackson St is a go-to for an affordable, reliable sandwich. Grab the grilled pork bánh mì, served on fresh, crusty bread with a generous layer of bơ and a heavy dose of coarse black pepper. Most people order at the counter and take lunch to go.
Make a day of it
Pairing a meal with sightseeing is easy here, since the CID and Pioneer Square sit right beside each other. Bé Mi, Phở Ba, Saigon Deli and Phở Bắc Sup Shop are all close enough for a walking lunch. Fill the afternoon with a few Seattle landmarks, or browse more things to do in Seattle for ideas near Columbia City and the Central District.
Hours and menus change, so check each restaurant's own website or social pages for current details before you go.
