This one is for the soup lovers.
The crown jewel of most Vietnamese restaurants in town is pho, the soup known for its signature, soul-warming broth. Local eateries serve it with a host of toppings, from bean sprouts and herbs to jalapeños, Sriracha hot sauce and fragrant hoisin.
Here’s where to find it in the Capital City. Did we miss a great bowl of pho? Tell us at [email protected].
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Ava Street Cafe
5207 Essen Lane
This family-style restaurant dishes out nearly 20 savory varieties of pho. Try The Works, with brisket, flank, meatballs and rare steak; or Seafood Pho, with shrimp, squid and crabcake. Pair it with an app, like crab rangoon, and dessert, like Oreo fried ice cream.
Ava Street Cafe is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8:30 p.m.
Bao Vietnamese Kitchen
8342 Perkins Road
This Perkins Road spot provides a modern setting and several Vietnamese soups. Try the Tofu Pho; the Beef Pho, with meatball, rare steak, brisket, tripe and tendon; or the Hu Tieu, a meat and seafood soup. Bao also has a full-service bar equipped with specialty beverages, like basil seed coconut drinks.
Bao is open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cafe Mimi
329 Florida St.
This downtown cafe is known for its Vietnamese- and Chinese-style breakfast and lunch specials with Southern twists. Try a bowl of Brisket Pho or Shrimp Pho paired with a creamy Vietnamese Iced Coffee.
Cafe Mimi is open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
Find it on Instagram at @cafemimibtr
Dang’s Restaurant
12385 Florida Blvd.
A Florida Boulevard hidden gem, Dang’s is a casual kitchen plating banh mi sandwiches, milk teas and nearly 30 varieties of pho and stew. Try the Meatball Pho or the Pork Noodle Soup with Crispy Duck.
Dang’s is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.
Find it on Instagram at @dangsrestaurant
Drunken Fish
4410 Highland Road
Situated near LSU, Drunken Fish has long been a hangout for students. Inside, the walls are decorated with hand-painted murals of mountainous landscapes and koi fish. The menu is a blend of Japanese and Vietnamese classics like sushi and vermicelli. Try the Combination Pho, with beef, meatballs, brisket and tripe; or the Shrimp Hu Tieu soup garnished with fried onions and cilantro.
Drunken Fish is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. It is closed on Saturdays.
Find it on Instagram at @drunkenfishhighlandbr
Pho 97
15540 George Oneal Road
Come for the pho, stay for the vibes. This Instagrammable restaurant serves up hearty soup and cute photo-ops, with floral displays and neon signs. Try the Seafood Pho and a pink lychee beverage.
Pho 97 is open 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. daily. It is closed on Mondays.
Pho Cafe
3851 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.
Head over to Pho Cafe for some pho-nomenal Vietnamese dishes like rice vermicelli and egg noodle stir fry. Try the Spicy Seafood Pho, with shrimp and crab; or Meat Balls Pho.
Pho Cafe is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. It is closed Mondays.
Pho Viet Noodle House
503 LA 30 W., Suite F, Gonzales
The team behind Bao Vietnamese Kitchen is behind this Gonzales noodle concept. The menu boasts nearly 10 varieties of pho and Vietnamese-style soups, from seafood- and veggie-loaded bowls to Bo Kho, a hearty beef stew served with Dong Phuong Bakery bread. It also serves fried rice, chicken wings and “bacos” made with fluffy steamed buns.
It is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saigon Noodles
1295 N. Sherwood Forest Blvd.
Saigon Noodles specializes in authentic Vietnamese dishes and noodle bowls, like Pho Seafood, Pho Shrimp or Bun Bo Hue spicy beef soup. Cap off your bowl with a slice of green tea cheesecake.
Saigon Noodles is open from Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It is closed on Wednesdays.
Tiger Pho Vietnamese Kitchen
6413 Jones Creek Road
Use your noodle at this local and family-owned eatery, which slings soups like Pho Chay, a Vegetarian pho with tofu, Napa cabbage, bok choy and other veggies; and the Pho Hai San, with shrimp and imitation crab in a veggie broth.
Tiger Pho is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. It is closed on Tuesdays.
Find it on Instagram at @tigerphobr
Viet Garden
11990 Florida Blvd.
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Drop into Viet Garden to slurp authentic Vietnamese soups, like Pho Ga Hon Hop, with sliced white and dark chicken; or the Pho Dac Biet, a specialty all-beef soup with rare eye-round steak, well-done brisket, well-done flank streak, tripe, tendon and Vietnamese beef meatballs.
Viet Garden is open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Find it on Instagram at @vietgarden