William
A trip to must-try Vietnamese restaurants in Dallas, Texas, will give you a delightful break from mundane eats. If you desire to lean toward a plant-based diet while still enjoying the savoriness of meaty dishes, Vietnamese cuisine and its agents in the Big D will grant you your wish.
While I pay special attention to dining establishments that give you an authentic taste of Vietnam, you can also find ones offering fusion and hybrid dishes. Try them all, and you will find Vietnamese food a dynamic force alive with originality and innovativeness.
Pho-nomenal Eats: Vietnamese Restaurants You Can’t Miss In Dallas
Of the following places, most are opened by experienced Vietnamese chefs, while Vietnamese-American citizens are behind some others, and the rest belong to Western restaurateurs. But they all beautifully enrich Dallas’ food scene.
- DaLat Vietnamese Restaurant and Bar
- PHỞ DK
- LaVui Vietnamese Restaurant
- Sapa House
- Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen
- Pho Crimson
- Bistro B
- Mot Hai Ba
- Pho Chau
- Lá Me
- Pho Is For Lovers
- Ba Lẹ Restaurant
- Vietnam Restaurant Bar And Grill
- Malai Kitchen
- Cris and John
- D’Vegan
Spice Up Your Life With These Dallas Restaurants
What are the most popular dishes at Vietnamese restaurants in Dallas? If your answer is Pho and Banh mi, you’re not wrong. But it is anything but the whole picture. Read on to find out why!
1. DaLat Vietnamese Restaurant and Bar
Open daily from 11 AM to the early hours, this top-notch Lower Greenville eatery offers a large selection of Vietnamese and fusion bites for lunch, dinner, and late night.
Why choose this restaurant:
Named after Vietnam’s touristy highland city famous for its nightlife activities, DaLat Vietnamese Restaurant and Bar is home to a festive atmosphere and exciting night menu to match its namesake. Adding to that funky vibe is a full bar and friendly servers with helpful suggestions.
While its menu may not be 100% Vietnamese (one of its most popular items happens to be late-night ramen), its depth of flavor is palpable and highly evocative of proper Vietnamese cooking. To make the experience more inviting, you can enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio.
What to eat:
In terms of noodle dishes, beef Pho and Ramenlicious (ramen with clear broth, slow-cooked pork, baby bok choy, and hard-boiled egg) are equally tasty. You can also improve them with 5M Scoville Transcendental Sauce for more heat.
Looking for late-night fast food options? The Khanhwiches category with many kinds of Banh mi, from tuna salad to beef and spam, will wake up your taste buds.
Location: 2537 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
Website: http://www.dalatdallas.com/
Phone: +12148273200
2. PHỞ DK
This quaint spot is an offshoot of Din Ky, an immensely popular mini-chain of bistros in Vietnam.
Why choose this restaurant:
At first sight, PHỞ DK may not capture your imagination right away. While the interior is clean and brightly lit and equipped with plenty of seating, many restaurants in Dallas have this feature. However, I bet few of them can deliver authentic Vietnamese Pho and other eats like this cute restaurant.
The decades of experience accumulated by the family behind it ensures that your every bite is as flavorful as possible. Although the portions are generous, you can pay a small extra fee to make it even bigger.
What to eat:
After beef/ chicken Pho, Banh mi is the most precious gem on the menu, whether you choose the tofu-based variety (vegetarian-friendly, made with sauteed tofu, veggies, and pickles) or grilled pork one. Remember to order special fried rice (featuring various types of proteins and veggies).
Location: 14891 Preston Rd #130, Dallas, TX 75254
Website: http://phodk.com/
Phone: +19727081050
3. LaVui Vietnamese Restaurant
If you’re looking for an eatery in Oak Lawn with terrific food and not necessarily glamorous decor, this casual restaurant will fit the bill nicely.
Why choose this restaurant:
Once a doughnut shop, LaVui is now a little heaven of flavorful Vietnamese eats prepared in colossal portions. While its interior is exceptionally warm and welcoming, its exterior is rather nondescript, so make sure you don’t miss it.
At present, this restaurant only includes bubble tea, soft drinks, and iced coffee on the menu. But it is a BYOB place, so feel free to bring your favorite alcoholic beverages. Interestingly, LaVui also sells Oishii sushi, such as California rolls, tuna rolls, Flower rolls, and so on.
What to eat:
This hidden gem’s specialties consist of Lavui tuna appetizers featuring tuna, jalapeno, and truffle oil; Lavui special Banh mi with eggs, brisket, and pork belly; curry chicken with potatoes and baguettes; and lotus stem salad with shrimp.
Location: 5321 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75235
Website: https://lavuirestaurants.com/
Phone: +14697768212
4. Sapa House
Located in downtown Dallas, this trendy restaurant doles out not only Vietnamese dishes but also incredible bites from other Asian countries.
Why choose this restaurant:
A look at Sapa House’s menu may confuse you: it’s half Vietnamese, half Japanese, plus a few Thai eats. But rather than diluting the Vietnamese atmosphere, all the dishes retain their unique identity and complement each other nicely.
Another thing to love about this laid-back eatery is its impressive happy hour, which lasts from 3 PM to close on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and 7 PM for the rest. That is undoubtedly the best time to enjoy irresistible bar snacks and drinks.
What to eat:
Grilled pork/ chicken Banh mi and beef Pho are classic choices. In case you want to try non-Vietnamese food, pad Thai, sesame chicken, and various sushi varieties (particularly spicy tuna sushi rolls) are worth your attention.
Location: 1623 Main St #102, Dallas, TX 75201
Website: https://www.ordersapahousedallas.com/
Phone: +12147480746
5. Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen
Opened in 2020, though Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen is relatively new, it has already built a solid reputation as a provider of top-notch street food-style Vietnamese eats.
Why choose this restaurant:
Here is something you should know about Vietnamese cuisine: the Northern region has saltier flavors and more elaborate food presentation than other regions, and Hanoi is the king of Northern Vietnamese cuisine. Serving Hanoi-style bites, Ngon embodies those merits flawlessly.
The gorgeously decorated restaurant draws inspiration from street vendors to create fancy dishes that don’t look out of place in its roomy, upscale dining room. While they already contain mainly plant-based ingredients, vegan options are available for anyone in need.
Ngon’s menu items may not be the cheapest, but they are certainly among the most bold-tasting and visually stunning. To upgrade your experience, check out the lovely outdoor patio or chill at the full bar.
What to eat:
You can’t go wrong with the following combo: summer beet rolls (with sauteed tofu and king mushrooms) for starters; Mi go (egg noodles with wonton, shrimp cakes, sunny-side eggs) and Bun cha Hanoi (vermicelli noodles with chargrilled pork patties) for the main course.
If possible, you should also order shaking beef tenderloins. And finally, creamy egg coffee (express-based) for desserts.
Location: 1907 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Website: https://www.ngonvietkitchen.com/
Phone: +14692507183
6. Pho Crimson
With its diverse menu, Pho Crimson is a top-rated dining venue in Uptown Dallas for Pho fanatics.
Why choose this restaurant:
Some so-called Vietnamese restaurants cut corners by making Pho with frozen meat, sub-par noodles, and herbs having nothing to do with Vietnamese cuisine. Not Pho Crimson, though. It only employs slow-simmered beef broth and genuine Vietnamese basil and bean sprouts.
In addition, its gluten-free rice noodles are a pleasant surprise that will make your meal healthier. Besides Pho, the menu also encompasses many other Vietnamese dishes. All are available in portions so generous that you will probably ask for packaging to bring home.
Despite the “crimson” part in the name, this trendy restaurant features a wide range of colors, from mysterious dark brown to stimulating bright green. It also boasts a versatile BYOB policy and a spacious outdoor patio for enjoying your bites with a lovely view of Uptown streets.
What to eat:
If you want to go off the beaten tracks and try something other than Pho and Banh mi, grilled pork chop rice with veggies, beef/ chicken stir-fry with broccoli, and spring rolls with pork/ shrimp/ chicken breasts won’t let you down.
In addition, Pho Crimson also serves non-Vietnamese food, such as Korean BBQ burritos, Crimson wings (deep-fried chicken wings), and pad Thai.
Location: 3000 Blackburn St #140c, Dallas, TX 75204
Website: https://www.phocrimsoncafe.com/
Phone: +14695475443
7. Bistro B
Opened in 2006, Bistro B has left an indelible mark on Dallas’ food scene with its incredibly enormous selection of Vietnamese eats and Asian fusion bites. It has another location in Grand Prairie.
Why choose this restaurant:
Anyone who visits Bistro B for the first time is bound to be left speechless by the sheer size of its menu: over 500 items are ready to please you, including rolls, Banh Mi, noodle dishes, hot pots, and so on. And if you add in desserts, sweet soups, or smoothies, the number goes up significantly.
You can return to this spacious restaurant multiple times and never taste the same thing twice. Fortunately, as Bistro B is open from 8 AM to midnight, it is highly suitable for all meals of the day, from brunch to late-night snacks.
While picky eaters accustomed to genuine Vietnamese cooking may frown upon the liberal interpretation Bistro B puts on its food, the generous portions and generally robust flavors will win out anyone looking for good food and fun.
What to eat:
My go-to dishes are often egg rolls with Asian greens and sauce, Banh xeo tom thit (savory Vietnamese crepes with pork and shrimp), Chick-Pho-La (chicken Pho), house-special shaking beef, and Banh canh (Vietnamese thick noodle soup).
Of course, that is just a tiny bit of the staggeringly huge menu. Go with the moment and order anything that fancies you!
Location: 9780 Walnut St #340, Dallas, TX 75243
Website: https://bistrob.com/
Phone: +12145759885
8. Mot Hai Ba
One of the most popular East Dallas eateries since 2013, Mot Hai Ba allows you to try Northern Vietnamese in a new light.
Why choose this restaurant:
Nobody describes this elegant bar-restaurant’s fare as genuine Vietnamese food: after all, it is now spearheaded by chef Peja Krstic, who incorporates many Vietnamese-French hybrids into the menu. But the visual appeal of your order is surely stunning, albeit the relatively high price tag.
When it comes to the atmosphere, few Vietnamese-inspired dining venues can beat this place. While filled with comfy seats, it is small enough to evoke a sense of intimacy. The beautiful decor, with odds and ends that may have come from an antique store, provides a fashionable touch.
And whether your meal takes place in the romantically lit interior or the cute patio, you may be greeted by the energetic Peja Krstic himself and learn a few intriguing things about the dishes.
What to eat:
What do you think about having crispy Vietnamese rice cakes and lightly grilled oysters for appetizers? That is a good choice if you follow it up with shaking beef (with Angus tenderloin) and Vietnamese chicken curry on a bed of seasoned rice for entrees.
Location: 6047 Lewis St, Dallas, TX 75206
Website: https://www.mothaibadallas.com/
Phone: +19726387468
9. Pho Chau
This unassuming spot is a fantastic place for getting a quick Vietnamese lunch and dinner in Dallas.
Why choose this restaurant:
Savory broth is the soul of any Pho dish worth its salt: it requires hours of slow simmering and an appropriate ratio of exotic Vietnamese spices. Pho Chau satisfies both criteria and offers sublime Pho that can put many big dining venues to shame.
While the decor is relatively basic, the atmosphere is totally homely and welcoming. If you want a good meal with kind-hearted souls and nothing fancy, this hidden gem has that covered. In addition, its creamy bubble tea is another big hook.
What to eat:
Pho noodle soups with beef briskets, short ribs, or meatballs are naturally the most sought-after dishes. To diversify the flavors, ask for rice platters with grilled chicken, egg rolls, and cucumber salad. Alternatively, order a Banh mi wrap with wok-seared chicken and greens.
Location: 1640 W Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75235
Website: https://www.facebook.com/
Phone: +12146789600
10. Lá Me
Literally “tamarind leaves”, Lá Me is a cute restaurant serving traditional Vietnamese food and beverages.
Why choose this restaurant:
Whether you need a cozy meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Lá Me’s extensive menu can take care of it wonderfully. You can also find famed Vietnamese iced coffee among its offerings.
While a change in ownership has led to a departure from the original menu, it also brings about great features. For example, the new ambiance mixing flashy tones and homely comfort is quite adorable to dine in.
What to eat:
You can try the aromatic rice plate with grilled pork, chicken, egg rolls, and veggies. If you prefer something more filling, a bowl of crab and shrimp tapioca noodle soup won’t disappoint.
Location: 9780 Walnut St #140, Dallas, TX 75243
Website: https://www.facebook.com/
Phone: +19726698515
11. Pho Is For Lovers
This family-run casual Vietnamese restaurant boasts many wholesome eats for health-conscious eaters. It has another location, which is among the must-try dining venues in Richardson, Texas.
Why choose this restaurant:
Once you walk through the door of Pho Is For Lovers, its small and brightly decorated space will quickly catch your eye. Next, the refreshing aromas of Vietnamese spices will make you wrinkle your nose in pleasure.
Sit down, and the savory goodness of the restaurant’s fare will give your palate the ultimate treat. While Pho and Banh mi make up most of the menu, you can also find street food items too good to miss. Even better, some of them are wholly plant-based and vegetarian-friendly.
What to eat:
The undeniable crowd-pleaser is beef Pho with rare filets, brisket, meatballs, jalapeno slices, and bean sprouts. While not counted as traditional Vietnamese food, seafood Pho with shrimp, scallops, and calamari is very rich and comforting.
Noodle soups are not your thing? Then try daily special Banh mi (featuring French ham, pork belly, and pickles) or fried egg rolls with pork and shrimp-based fillings.
Location: 5521 Greenville Ave #105, Dallas, TX 75206
Website: http://www.phoisforlovers.com/
Phone: +19727081028
12. Ba Lẹ Restaurant
This small and unassuming spot offers home-cooked, finger-licking Vietnamese food in an unfussy setting.
Why choose this restaurant:
As a wall-in-the-hole eatery run by an old couple, Ba Lẹ Restaurant isn’t for just anybody. For instance, it may lack the glamor and prompt service delivered in the oily manner that big dining venues boast.
But if you’re looking for on-point Vietnamese food and a friendly atmosphere, you’ve come to the right place. This mom-and-pop fixture is a little mecca for traditional eats, from fragrant Pho to Banh Mi, vermicelli dishes, and noodle soups.
What to eat:
I bet you can’t resist Bun thit nuong cha gio (rice vermicelli with grilled pork and egg rolls), Hu tieu My Tho (clear noodle soup with BBQ pork, chicken, and shrimp), or Com ga xoi mo (fried chicken rice).
Location: 11404 Shiloh Rd #101, Dallas, TX 75228
Website: Not available
Phone: +19726132960
13. Vietnam Restaurant Bar And Grill
This family-owned restaurant has faithfully delivered authentic Vietnamese food and tasty bubble tea to Dallas locals since 1996.
Why choose this restaurant:
While its popular lunch buffet is a thing of the past, its slurp-worthy Pho and various Vietnamese dishes brimming with flavors still belong to the now.
The exterior may not look like much, but just step into the spotless dining room and order anything from the large menu. Then you will discover why many local foodies refer to it as an icon of the Old East Dallas area’s food scene.
What to eat:
Pho is the most wonderful delight this place offers. The broth is as rich and flavorful as Pho in Vietnam can be, and you can customize your serving with many choices of proteins, such as beef tendons, beef meatballs, chicken, tofu, etc.
Other options for a complete meal include a rice plate with pork chops, veggies, and shredded pork skin; stir-fried beef with mixed veggies and steamed rice; and steamed noodles with customizable spring rolls, veggies, and your favorite type of meat.
Location: 4302 Bryan St, Dallas, TX 75204
Website: http://vietnambarandgrill.com/
Phone: +12148214542
14. Malai Kitchen
While Malai Kitchen is one of the most fantastic restaurants in Fort Worth and Southlake, its two locations in Dallas showcases even yummier eats.
Why choose this restaurant:
While vastly different in many aspects, Vietnamese and Thai foods develop an amicable symbiotic relationship at this full-service restaurant, which also happens to feature a made-from-scratch menu and a trendy bar with house-brewed beers and craft cocktails.
Perhaps that’s why the original Malai Kitchen location in West Village, opened in 2011, is still packed with guests while many household names in the area have either closed down or moved out.
Of course, it won’t do to forget the fact that most menu items are gluten-free, vegan/ vegetarian, or both. The charming shaded outdoor patio is another big boon to enjoy. The only problem facing Malai Kitchen is perhaps that evenings and weekend brunch can see massive traffic.
What to eat:
The most sought-after dishes on the Vietnamese half of the menu are BBQ pork ribs with ginger soy glaze served on a bed of green curry rice noodles, classic Pho with thinly sliced beef tenderloin, and Hanoi-style breakfast soup featuring rich chicken/ beef broth, rice noodles, and herbs.
Website: https://www.malaikitchen.com/
Location 1:
Address: 3699 McKinney Ave #319, Dallas, TX 75204
Phone: +12145997857
Location 2:
Address: 6130 Luther Ln, Dallas, TX 75225
Phone: +19723734434
15. Cris and John
A famous Vietnamese-Mexican fusion restaurant, Cris and John amazes its patrons with beautiful dishes combining the best of both worlds. It serves lunch and dinner and is usually crowded for both.
Why choose this restaurant:
It is challenging to create fusion dishes without resulting in some culinary abominations, and doing so with entirely different cuisines, like Vietnamese and Mexican, is even more difficult. But this small and chic-modern restaurant, founded in 2017, nails it flawlessly.
By blending Vietnamese street foods with the bold flavors of Mexican classics, Cris and John prepares mouth-watering dishes with perfect seasoning and crispiness. Though they are far from healthy or authentic Vietnamese fare, these items are definitely on the fun side.
Besides Vietnamese-inspired food, this place also offers other Korean and Cajun menu items, among other things. While the overall prices can be a little high, you can check out the weekly specials available at a fixed price.
What to eat:
Phorrito (featuring pan-fried flour tortillas, rice noodles, Pho broth, and herbs) and Phodilla (with the same ingredients, plus mozzarella and fries) are the two most preferred fusion items.
You can enjoy them in tandem with Angry Pho (with cayenne pepper-infused beef broth, Pho garnish, and your choice of beef/ chicken cut). For desserts, cafe churros (mixed between Mexican cajeta and Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk) are an obviously toothsome choice.
Location: 5555 Preston Oaks Rd UNIT 5, Dallas, TX 75254
Website: https://www.crisandjohn.com/
Phone: +19728034750
16. D’Vegan
Vietnamese cuisine already boasts great eminence in terms of health values, but what if it goes vegan? Discover the answer at D’Vegan, a charming restaurant in the Walnut Street Mall.
Why choose this restaurant:
Founded by a Buddhist family, D’Vegan has spread the gospel of Vietnamese food’s deliciousness to locals since 2011. It lies next to the huge Hong Kong Market and can be a little tricky to locate. But its toothsome vegan fare and casual, friendly vibes are too pleasant to miss.
What to eat:
D’Vegan substitutes meat with soy protein and tofu in its offerings while still retaining the original savoriness. You will find its zucchini Pho, spicy lemongrass chicken, spring rolls, spicy and sour crab soup (featuring bamboo shoots), and shaking beef very hard to resist.
Location: 9780 Walnut St, Dallas, TX 75243
Website: https://d-vegan.com/
Phone: +19724373939
Vietnamese Restaurants In Dallas: A Romantic Tale Written In Flavors
Some restaurants in my article walk the line of long-established Vietnamese cooking, while others reinvent it and add characteristics of other cuisines. The result is a vast display of diverse Vietnamese eaters in Dallas that can cater to any eater, whether traditional or modern.
Of course, it isn’t a good idea to be stuck with just one preference. You should reach beyond your comfort zone and try all the places I suggest: perhaps your next favorite spot is waiting for you. Tell me about your experience in the comments, and don’t forget to share this post with your friends!
