Best Vietnamese restaurant
YOUR PICKS
1) Pho #1
You say, “My measure for good Vietnamese will always be the establishments Bo Kho. And Pho #1 has the best in town. Even better than my Vietnamese mother-in-law makes at home.”
2) Co’m
4) Pho Dai Loi
5) Lee’s Bakery
OUR PICKS
Crispy Lemongrass Tofu from Nam. Photo: Becky Stein / special
1) Nam
AJC dining critic Meridith Ford Goldman says, “Alex and Chris Kinjo of MF Buckhead and MF Sushibar extend their flair from their native Japan to Vietnam, with Nam’s hip, elegant menu of nouvelle Vietnamese cuisine. Flavors here are fresh, clean and thoughtful — allowing for Vietnamese traditions while embracing an unmistakable modernity.” For more on each of these picks, see In Search of …
4) Lee’s Bakery
5) So Ba
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93 comments Add your comment
Vietnamese Lover
February 22nd, 2010
12:47 pm
Co’m (the one on Buford Hwy) overall.
Nam for Vietnamese Fine Dining.
Pho 79 for Pho.
Lee’s Bakery for Bahn Mi.
Buford Highway Exile
February 22nd, 2010
12:53 pm
Vietnamese is my favorite Asian cuisine.
My favorite is Com Vietnamese Restaurant on Buford Highway. The Papaya Salad is the best I have had. The grilled grape leaf rolls are killer, my favorite it with lamb. This place is a must and please take friends, they will love it.
I like Chateau de Saigon on Buford Highway, the menu is much more extensive, but they are not up to Com. Very nice, new atmosphere.
I go to the Scotts Antique Market every month in Jonesboro. Pho Dai Loi is very near by, they have good pho, is inexpensive and it’s quick. I highly recommend it!!
Ji
February 22nd, 2010
1:55 pm
I agree with Pho 79 for Pho. I don’t know about fine dining. I might have to give the Nam that Vietnamese Lover suggested.
Vicki
February 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
For Pho i’d say Pho Dai Loi
For banh mi i’d say Quoc Huong in Asian square.
For fine dining, Nam.
Chris
February 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Pho #1 on Buford Hwy… They have everything and it is all delicious.
Chris
February 22nd, 2010
3:27 pm
My measure for good Vietnamese will always be the establishments Bo Kho. And Pho #1 has the best in town. Even better than my vietnamese mother-in-law makes at home.
BGirlie
February 22nd, 2010
4:03 pm
C’OM Vietnamese all the way. They have a new location on Peachtree Parkway at the Super Target Center called Sen Lotus, it’s good too!
Linda Compton
February 22nd, 2010
4:27 pm
I love Co’m. Always wonderful, staff helpful and friendly. I often ask the waiter to order for me and choose something I’ve not tried, sometimes off menu. Never disappointed.
Randi
February 22nd, 2010
4:31 pm
It’s Pho Dai Loi in Forest Park for me. I love their pho and bun!
Lee’s Bakery for banh mi.
I Miss Cha Gao
February 22nd, 2010
4:36 pm
Anyone long for Ms. Le and the springrolls from Cha Gao (sp?) in midtown, used to be near the Margaret Mitchell house. Great food and wonderful American story.
Atlanta Native
February 22nd, 2010
4:37 pm
C’om (Buford Highway) is the best
Saigon Deli in Asian Square has great Pho and all around quality – I love their Banh Mi, so good!
Nam is up there
I miss Bien Thuy!
Food Lover
February 22nd, 2010
4:39 pm
Chateau de Saigon
This brand new Vietnamese/Chinese chateau cooks in both styles and does so with ease. The service is charming and the space is comfortably furnished, with a diverse menu featuring delightful meat and seafood dishes, Chinese noodle bowls, as well as classic Vietnamese bun plates. 4300 Buford Highway. 404-929-0034. http://www.chateaudesaigon.com
Atlanta Native
February 22nd, 2010
4:40 pm
I miss Chi Go also.
Pho Phan
February 22nd, 2010
4:53 pm
Chateau de Saigon for me…I’m very particular about Viet food being one and eating it all of my life. Their pho is good as is everything on their menu. Also has a clean atmosphere which most Viet restaurants do not appear to have.
MochaDLyte
February 22nd, 2010
4:56 pm
Saigon Cafe in Duluth and Norcross
Pho Phan
February 22nd, 2010
5:04 pm
Saigon Cafe? Are you kidding? The original was good when it first opened, but now it’s like eating Viet McDonald’s. Junk.
LoveToEat
February 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
We are one of the fans of Vietnamese foods. We stopped by alot of Vietnamese restaurants. There is a brand new Vietnamese restaurant on Buford Hwy, known as Bamboo Grill & Hotpot. We had a grilled combination meat combo and Thailand hotpot. Oh, my God! The food were so delicous. Specially, the hot pot.
Derek
February 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
Pho Dai Loi on Buford! I’m too far from Forest Park.
C’om, Chateau De Saigon, Quoc Hong, and Pho Bac are all excellent as well…more people need to try it, it blows all other Asian cuisines away!
reservoirDAWG
February 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
I agree Pho. Saigon Cafe is terrible.
AsianFoodLover
February 22nd, 2010
5:39 pm
Me too, I just went to Bamboo on their grand opening day and trying out the grass jelly milk teas at the new restuaran, it was outstanding, and totally different….
BobDog
February 22nd, 2010
5:58 pm
Nam is great, sort of high end. It is in a strip on Monroe Dr. in Midtown across from Grady High’s football stadium. I have made the drive in from the ‘burbs several times and it has been worth it.
If you’re in North Fulton or South Forsyth, you should try Sen on Peachtree Parkway at Mathis Airport Rd. They have really good food, nice decor, and friendly, helpful service.
Keckels
February 22nd, 2010
6:05 pm
Canton House…
ex- Atlantian
February 22nd, 2010
6:27 pm
I too miss Cha Gao, best I’ve eaten
Chris
February 22nd, 2010
9:35 pm
Keckles the Canton House isn’t Vietnamese.
jeff
February 22nd, 2010
11:28 pm
Saigon Cafe on Pleasant Hill is the best food and service – even compared to other locations, this is the best.
Pho Bac is an example of a place that serves decent food that can’t compensate for the awful service. If they bring you the wrong item, then YOU must have ordered the wrong thing. So many more problems with this place . . . just check your food before you eat it.
Stephen
February 22nd, 2010
11:58 pm
Pho Bac on Buford Highway for Pho, Saigon Deli in Asian Square for Banh Mi.
Used to like Pho #1 but stopped going, Dai Loi is above average. The other banh mi place in Asian Square – the bread is too crusty & dry.
Been meaning to try What the Pho? On Pleasant Hill for a while now – anyone been?
Pho Phan
February 23rd, 2010
1:23 am
Seriously Stephen, you think the food is authentic with a name like What the Pho? Been there, and it’s horrible. Clever name and that’s about it.
Kena
February 23rd, 2010
6:20 am
C’om Grill on Buford Hwy
Nan Restaurant
jls
February 23rd, 2010
6:20 am
Dai Loi!
Certainly not C’om
lizinsarasota
February 23rd, 2010
7:24 am
I’ve been gone awhile. Is Bien Thuy still on Buford Highway? Last time I was there Suzanne was moving back to Vietnam and then I moved away.
However, best restaurant ever in Atlanta was Honto. Their pan-fried Pompano and salt & pepper squid still lives in my memory!
Matt
February 23rd, 2010
7:48 am
Pho Dai Loi on the Southside and Lee’s Bakery for Bahn Mi
Dana
February 23rd, 2010
7:54 am
Pho #79 is the bomb…..my friend Charles (RIP) introduced me to Pho there! Great welcoming environment and great Pho and ice coffee!
Marvin Mangrum
February 23rd, 2010
8:12 am
Sorry, but I live in Macon and you do the same as the macon paper, that is instead of telling me how to make my local dishes better, you want me to learn of all the cultures that have come to my country. I do not give a frying poot about chinese, about korean, about vietnese, about indian about any of that stuff. I am an American, let me say that again, I am an American and I do not want any of that junk. I do not get it, thats all there is in the food sections anymore. Gee, Dang!
donald stewart
February 23rd, 2010
8:19 am
Pho Dai Loi is “as good as it gets”
David
February 23rd, 2010
8:29 am
Nam.. Hands down the best
Keith
February 23rd, 2010
8:33 am
I am a big fan of Moses Malone’s Vietnamese restaurant “Pho, Pho, Pho”
brent
February 23rd, 2010
8:37 am
For those not lucky enough to live near Buford Highway, Pho & Com Asian Grill in Roswell is awesome. I live just a few miles away and go all the time.
Lancelot Link
February 23rd, 2010
8:39 am
Pho Dai Loi in Forest Park.
Andy
February 23rd, 2010
8:40 am
Pho #1 hands down best.
Skippy Trung
February 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
Enter your comments here
brent
February 23rd, 2010
8:55 am
Marvin get a life. It is a restaurant review. “American” cuisine is a collection of cuisines of the world. We came from Europe, Asia, Africa so all your “American” food came from other places. It is fun to sample food from other cultures. Aren’t you tired of McDonalds?
Laura
February 23rd, 2010
8:55 am
Pho #1 on Buford Highway. I’ve tried other pho around the city and nowhere even comes close.
whathephoyoulookinat?
February 23rd, 2010
8:57 am
Shame about Saigon Cafe, i know the owner and it was some of the best in the beginning; I will tell you that his distribution center is impeccably clean. They kept trying to expand into Thai.
Skippy Trung
February 23rd, 2010
8:58 am
Dai Loi 2 on Buford Hwy for Pho just like mom makes it – best in town hands down.
Lee’s Bakery for Banh Mi – reminds me of the mother land.
‘Fine dining’ is an OXYMORON when it comes to Vietnamese food. We don’t have such a thing as fine dining our cuisine – commom man food 24-7. Skip NAM, take your $$$ to any hole in the wall on Buford Hwy and chow down with the natives for a better meal and feed a family of 10 instead of 2 for the same price.
Kar
February 23rd, 2010
8:58 am
I still miss Pho Hoa Bihn on cheshire. they had the best pho broth hands down. The new one on Buford just isn’t the same.
Bill
February 23rd, 2010
9:01 am
Pho Dai Loi #2 on Buford Hwy for Pho, Chateau de Saigon for everything else Vietnamese.
Sandy
February 23rd, 2010
9:04 am
Chateau de Saigon for Pho and Bun
Lee’s Bakery for Banh Mi.
DowntownGirl
February 23rd, 2010
9:04 am
Dua on Broad Street in downtown Atlanta! It’s consistently delicious, well managed, and the perfect location for intowners. The house pho is fantastic but also try the bun!
They were apeaking Asian or something
February 23rd, 2010
9:08 am
I too miss Cha Gio. I was heartbroken when they went Thai/whatever.
Bien Thuy was my replacement. Suzanne totally turned me on to new things I hadn’t tried before. Then she left. I went to Saigon Deli across the street; they have excellent bahn xeo if you’re in the mood.
A good one on the north end is Le Mekong. It just opened up and is where the former and excellent Ginger operated. It’s located at 141 and Abbotts Bridge.
I’m always looking for good bahn xeo. Anyone out there know where to find some of that crepe goodness?
altomama
February 23rd, 2010
9:10 am
Dua Vietnamese Noodle Soup on Board St in Downtown is awesome. The regular size Pho is enough for two meals. A Great place with a very friendly staff. The wait is worth it!!
Phan-o-Pho
February 23rd, 2010
9:40 am
I live just off Buford Hwy. and have tried several Pho restaurants up and down the corridor. For Pho, I highly recommend Pho #1 on Buford Hwy. (a few blocks north of Clairmont Rd). Further north is Pho #79 on Winter’s Chapel Rd (just outside 285 off Peachtree Industrial Blvd), also a great choice for Pho. Bon Appetit, y’all!
jennifer
February 23rd, 2010
9:43 am
Lee’s Bakery for Bahn Mi.
JMT
February 23rd, 2010
9:50 am
New Saigon Vietnamese Bistro is our favorite. We drive over an hour to be there.
mimi
February 23rd, 2010
9:51 am
Pho Bac for Pho, Quoc Huong and Lee’s Bakery for bahn mi. For a decent spot in Tucker (of all places!) try Mint’s Grill. It’s owned by the Lee’s Bakery folk.
jimjoe
February 23rd, 2010
10:01 am
Nam @ 931 Monroe (near Piedmont Park) is great. Subtle flavors, yummy dishes, and not greasy at all. It’s been on our list of “great and reliable” Atlanta restaurants for years. If you’re either new to Vietnamese food or want to upgrade from a cheap greasy joint, this is the place to go.
Pegster
February 23rd, 2010
10:02 am
For cheap Vietnamese I like Saigon Deli at Asian Square on Buford Hwy. The bun (cold noodles with BBQ meat) was really good.
I too miss Cha Gio and Bien Thuy.
ScottyV
February 23rd, 2010
10:06 am
Dai Loi, either location on Buford Hwy or on Jonesboro Rd in Forest Park are ‘da bomb! Best Pho I have ever had. The owner, Luke, is a fantastic guy.
Ms. Mac
February 23rd, 2010
10:17 am
DUA — downtown Atlanta, Broad Street
Souffle Chef
February 23rd, 2010
10:31 am
Chateau de Saigon is amazing. Everything is fresh and delicious.
jsin
February 23rd, 2010
10:44 am
pho 79…hands down!!
Sara
February 23rd, 2010
10:47 am
Dai Loi
Macon too
February 23rd, 2010
10:47 am
Gee Marvin, calm down and expand your horizons a bit!
ATL, Dawg, ya dig?
February 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
Marvin- What’s the best restaraunt in Macon? Either Locos or Zaxby’s. Either way, it’s great American food. After I eat wings at Locos, I like to watch the grass grow. Macon’s the best.
Darktoaster
February 23rd, 2010
11:08 am
I love the banh mi at Quoc Huong. I could eat it every single day and never get sick of it.
Don Ho
February 23rd, 2010
11:09 am
Poo-Poo platter is my favorite, and I make it at home!
Ho Fun
February 23rd, 2010
11:15 am
Pho Hoa is the best Pho. If your looking for realism, go to Saigon Cafe, I have gotten bugs in my food twice there.
Ho Fun
February 23rd, 2010
11:20 am
Once I got an inchworm and the other time it was some sort of beetle. Not a huge issue, they just need to clean their veggies a little better.
Miss Ly
February 23rd, 2010
11:34 am
Com Grill for sure. Their food tastes like my Mom and Aunt’s. Quan Ba 9 also had a few good grilled platters. Pho Hoa has gone down in the quality of the pho. Lee’s Bakery has the best Banh Mi. Here it the question: where can you get GOOD Banh Xeo?
Amanda
February 23rd, 2010
11:38 am
Com Dunwoody is great too. Dua Vietnamese (on Broad Street downtown) gets my vote often at lunch. So Ba in East Atlanta is pretty good as well.
Johns Creek Jerk
February 23rd, 2010
11:46 am
CO’M by a mile
They were speaking Asian or something
February 23rd, 2010
11:47 am
Miss Ly-
I had the banh xeo at Le Mekong a couple of weeks ago. It is a new place in Johns Creek. It was just okay, though. A little on the greasy side. Other than there, the only place I’ve been able to find it is Saigon Cafe in Asian Sq.
VietFoodie
February 23rd, 2010
12:04 pm
No offense, but you can tell who are the American’s when they recommend COM or Saigon Cafe.
Chateau de Saigon for authentic grilled meats and fish wraps. Platter of fresh grilled pork, Bo La Lot – betal leaf beef warps (COM uses a fake grape leaf), grilled shrimp, shrimp on sugar cane. They provide, herbs, veggies, rice paper for you to make your own spring rolls. Make sure you ask for “MAM” sauce (shrimp paste) They assume American’s won’t like it due to the intense strong smell and taste. But all my friends love it.
Pho – Pho #1 (more intense darker broth flavor, the rest of the menu is very good as well) or Pho Dai Loi (lighter flavor both, rest of the menu sucks) – just depends on your preference.
Quoc Huong by far has the best sandwich – they use homemade pate with roasted pork. Unlike other places that substitute roast pork for some Americanize ham. The mini egg rolls are excellent provided with a huge plate of fresh herbs and veggies. A must try!!!
NAM – for upscale Viet! Shaking Beef with Filet Mignon, Seabass in Banana Leaf, and Voted one of best dishes in Atlanta by AJC is “Banh Nam” sorta like a rice tamale.
For dessert, make sure you try Viet Ice Coffee!!!
april
February 23rd, 2010
12:39 pm
hey marvin – how about some wings and fries on pio nono avenue? open your mind a bit.
Yummy Food
February 23rd, 2010
12:45 pm
Lee’s Bakery is by far the best Bahn Mi. Nam is the best overall!
jetlagjim
February 23rd, 2010
12:58 pm
CO’m on Buford Highway.
Also, Pho Hoa on Buford Highway for pho — it looks like a high school cafeteria, but the food is great.
Willow
February 23rd, 2010
1:42 pm
Marvin…what absolute horror to learn about other cultures! Much less eat or become aware of their food ways. If even Macon is becoming more worldly, maybe you ought to move to Cordele. Or Smarr. Enjoy your Freedom Fries (which originated in Belgium and not France, BTW).
Catie
February 23rd, 2010
3:48 pm
Chateau de Saigon…wonderful. Wish I lived closer.
C
February 23rd, 2010
4:27 pm
Marvin you are otp
Bun Lover
February 23rd, 2010
4:59 pm
C’om on Chamblee Dunwoody. They have wonder service to boot. The pork spring rolls are so fresh and so heavenly. The pork bun is my favorite. The noodles, sauce, pork and vegetables make for a wonderful, aromatic taste.
Lil Bit
February 23rd, 2010
7:35 pm
Pho #1 for your pho cravings
Chateau de Saigon for a family style dinner
Lee’s Bakery for a sammie
Nam for upscale dining. Kinda hard to pay 5 times as much and still be hungry though.
Dellis Amustelli
February 23rd, 2010
11:19 pm
How about Le Mekong in Johns Creek?
At Abbott Bridge Road and GA 141
http://www.lemekongcuisine.com
Jess
February 24th, 2010
10:59 am
Pho #1
Jayde
February 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
Anyone know which Vietnamese places have vegetarian items on the menu? Or can reliably prepare vegetarian on request (there’s often a language barrier)? Not just made with vegetables, but vegetarian…no meat broths, no shrimp paste in the sauce, etc.
Patricia
February 24th, 2010
1:59 pm
Sen Restaurant in north Forsyth has the best Pho Soup in town, the Vietnamese Crepe is AWESOME.. As for everything else. You gotta try Sen Restaurant!!!!!
reservoirDAWG
February 24th, 2010
2:43 pm
Sen is in south Forsyth. We have been several times and it is good.
Carpetbagger
February 25th, 2010
1:09 am
Pho Mimi in Duluth on Pleasant Hill near Buford Highway has always had good pho.
Brent
February 25th, 2010
6:24 am
Pho Dai Loi in Forest Park for pho and bun. Outstanding food & service make it the best in my book!
TH
February 25th, 2010
10:37 am
Pho Bac
Lee’s Bakery
Chateau de Saigon
Eric
February 25th, 2010
10:37 am
Best Bahn Mi’s in Atlanta: Lee’s Bakery on Buford Highway. In fact, all of the food is excellent. Besides. it is hard to beat $3.00 for a sandwich. I went with a friend yesterday and had the “Special”. Half a Bahn Mi and a big, delicious bowl of Pho for $6.50. Highly recommended.
donkey200
February 25th, 2010
11:24 am
Cafe du Saigon (Buford Hwy) or C’om (Buford Hwy).
Bill
February 25th, 2010
11:19 pm
Never been to a Vietnamese resto. Guess we’re running out of things to vote on here.
Mike
February 26th, 2010
10:34 am
We went to CO’M on Buford the day it opened, and continued at least twice a week for for months..We still visit fairly often. Simple, authentic and just plain good. Reminds us of our days in France (which has a lot of Vietnamese restaurants). For us this is a special place.
CO’M Dunwoody was opened later by the same two brothers, is a little more elegant and has changed hands since.
Billy Joe Bob
March 1st, 2010
9:22 am
Recently tried Pho for the first time (at Pho Bac). It was a great meal and very cheap. Terrific option especially for those cold rainy days.