Vietnamese in Melbourne

Vietnamese in Melbourne When you crave a specific type of cuisine for your dinner, finding an appealing establishment amongst Melbourne‘s mammoth selection of restaurants and eateries is comparable to the old needle in a haystack scenario. But, Vietnamese you say? We leapt into the stack of hay, and have emerged from it with a handful of tried, tested and recommended Vietnamese restaurants that are sure to delight your taste buds and charm your wallet into paying the reasonable price of an authentic Vietnamese meal.

MaiTai Bar and Restaurant

MaiTai Bar and Restaurant is well-known Vietnamese bang in central Melbourne, its set menu being a fantastic way to experience a selection of Vietnamese starting from a mere $36. This will get you a variety of appetisers/sides including a particularly tasty Pork San Choi Bao, a main of Vietnamese Salad with Chicken, rice and a bottle of house white wine. For more choice the other two Set Menus offer a greater variety of dishes and a choice of dessert should you need to satisfy a sweet taste. If you prefer to select your own meal there are bountiful meat, seafood and veggie dishes to choose from.

234A Russell Street, Melbourne
(03)9663 2112

Nha Lan

Fancy Vietnamese on the go? The faultless Nhu Lan has long been delighting Melbournians with its French-style twist on classic Vietnamese. Fillings such as shredded pork, spring onions, taro, sesame seeds, and chilli are crammed into baguettes and pastries that make for perfect breakfast and lunch. All for under $4, this place is no secret, be prepared to stand your ground amongst the pushy mass of people who satisfy their bahn mi cravings here.

116 Hopkins St, Footscray, VIC
(03) 9689 7296

Chin Chin Restaurant

Chin Chin Restaurant on Flinders Street is notorious for its fantastic vibe and creative cuisine, as well as its refusal to take reservations! We seriously advise visiting this place for an early evening meal/ late lunch, otherwise the wait could be up to two hours for a table should you arrive anytime after 5pm. However, the food makes it well worth the wait, with Chin Chin’s caramelised pork dishes being amongst the favourites of regulars and newcomers alike. If you’re in any doubt the waiters are more than happy to assist you in your selection to ensure you have a satisfying dining experience.

125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
(03) 8663 2000

Red Spice Road

Ask any Melbournian or informed tourist about Red Spice Road and they’ll gush about the mouth-watering joy of the pork belly dish! Our advice is to take their word for it. A well-established restaurant in central Melbourne, Red Spice Road makes for a fantastic social destination to enjoy Vietnamese. An ideal place for dining with friends and family it boasts sophisticated and contemporary décor, as well as a courtyard for alfresco dining and private rooms available for tailored functions and events. Not the cheapest option, but certainly a cosmopolitan dining choice with great plates made for sharing with typical curries, and succulent meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes. The desserts in particular are a collision of creatively combined Asian ingredients that make for irresistibly appealing puddings.

27 McKillop Street, Melbourne
(03) 9603 1601

Thy Thy

Thy Thy can be found on Victoria Street, known as Melbourne’s own little tribute to Vietnam. Cheap, cheerful and honest, it is a Vietnamese that locals return to for reliable Asian cuisine. Cosmopolitan and glamorous it is not, but of course herein lays charm of the place. The décor is cheap and shabby; the food delicious and authentic. You’ll enjoy it if leave your pretentious eye and snobbery at the door, and simply take joy in the authentic food on offer. The $30 banquet style meal is the best value, and you quite simply want to go in, eat and leave. Limited space means this place gets crowded in busy periods, so keep your visit short and sweet. Perfect for all you unfussy travellers who want an authentic Vietnamese experience.

142 Victoria Street, Richmond
(03)9429 1104

I Love Pho 264

I Love Pho 264 is Melbourne’s tribute to the great simplicity of noodle soup. You will be confronted with numerous pho restaurants on Victoria Street but this joint has been labeled one of the best. Perfect for lunch, it is cheap, cheerful and quick. Great bowls of soup arrive no more than 5 minutes after ordering, unless you famished you may want to stick to no more than a medium-sized dish, because the large dish is comparable to a sinkfull of Vietnamese. Chunks of succulent beef mingling with vegetables and tofu are accentuated with chilli, while spring and rice rolls make an excellent side or snack. Expect to spend no more than $20 for your one-way ticket to I Love Pho addiction.

264 Victoria St
Richmond, VIC 3121
(03) 9427 7749

By Alexandra Macleod