Best Vietnamese Restaurant in Ottawa — A Complete Dining Guide to Vietnam Palace
If you’re searching for an authentic vietnamese restaurant ottawa locals have trusted for decades, your search ends at Vietnam Palace. Nestled in the heart of Ottawa’s vibrant Chinatown on Somerset Street, Vietnam Palace has been serving the capital’s most beloved Vietnamese cuisine since 1989 — making it Ottawa’s longest-running Vietnamese restaurant and a true cornerstone of the city’s dining scene.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Vietnamese food or trying it for the very first time, this complete dining guide will walk you through everything that makes Vietnam Palace the best vietnamese restaurant ottawa has to offer. From our legendary pho to lesser-known specialties, from weekday lunch deals to unforgettable group dinners, consider this your insider’s look at one of Ottawa’s most cherished restaurants.
Why Vietnam Palace Is Ottawa’s Favourite Vietnamese Restaurant
For over 35 years, Vietnam Palace has earned its reputation as the go-to destination for vietnamese food ottawa residents genuinely love. What began as a modest family restaurant in 1989 has grown into a Chinatown institution — the kind of place where regulars bring their children, and those children eventually bring their own families.
So what keeps people coming back, generation after generation? It starts with authenticity. Every dish at Vietnam Palace is prepared using traditional Vietnamese recipes that have been perfected over decades. We source fresh ingredients daily, prepare our broths from scratch with hours of slow simmering, and never cut corners on flavour. Our kitchen team brings genuine expertise and passion to every plate that leaves the kitchen.
But authenticity alone doesn’t explain why locals consistently choose Vietnam Palace over dozens of other options. It’s also about the generous portions, the fair prices, and the remarkably consistent quality. Whether you visit on a busy Saturday evening or a quiet Tuesday lunch, you can count on the same outstanding meal every single time. That reliability has built a level of trust that no amount of marketing can replicate. Discover more about why we’re considered the top family Vietnamese restaurant in Ottawa.
Exploring the Menu — Over 150 Dishes of Vietnamese Cuisine in Ottawa
When most people think of Vietnamese food, pho immediately comes to mind — and yes, our pho is exceptional. But Vietnam Palace offers a staggering menu of over 150 dishes that showcase the incredible breadth of vietnamese cuisine ottawa diners rarely get to experience elsewhere. Let’s explore what awaits you.
Appetizers and Starters That Set the Tone
Every great meal begins with the right appetizer, and our starter menu is designed to awaken your palate. Our fresh Vietnamese spring rolls — translucent rice paper wrapped around tender shrimp, crisp vegetables, vermicelli noodles, and fragrant herbs — are a perennial favourite. Dipped in our house-made peanut sauce, they’re the perfect light beginning to any meal.
For something with more crunch, try our golden fried imperial rolls, packed with seasoned pork, mushrooms, and glass noodles, served with fresh lettuce leaves and nuoc cham dipping sauce. We also offer crispy wontons, satay skewers, and our popular Vietnamese crepes (banh xeo) — savoury, turmeric-tinged crepes stuffed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Each appetizer is a small celebration of Vietnamese flavours and textures.
Soups and Pho — The Soul of Vietnamese Cooking
Our soup menu is where Vietnam Palace truly shines. Our signature pho — whether you choose the classic rare beef pho, the combination beef pho with brisket and tendon, or the fragrant chicken pho — features a broth that simmers for over 12 hours. Every bowl arrives steaming, aromatic, and deeply satisfying, served with a generous platter of fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, and chili peppers so you can customize each spoonful.
But pho is just the beginning. Our bun bo hue, a spicy and robust beef noodle soup from central Vietnam, delivers bold lemongrass and chili heat that pho lovers should absolutely try. We also serve wonton soup, hot and sour seafood soup, and a selection of other traditional broths that warm you from the inside out. Planning a group outing around our legendary pho? Check out our guide to pho and group dining in Ottawa.
Noodle Dishes and Vermicelli Bowls
Our vermicelli bowl selection is one of the most popular sections of the menu, and for good reason. These bowls feature soft rice vermicelli noodles topped with your choice of grilled meats, spring rolls, or a combination of both, all nestled on a bed of fresh lettuce, pickled carrots, cucumbers, and crushed peanuts. Drizzle the nuoc cham sauce over everything and you have a dish that’s simultaneously refreshing, hearty, and bursting with contrasting textures.
Beyond vermicelli bowls, we offer a wide range of stir-fried noodle dishes — from pad Thai-style preparations to wok-tossed egg noodles with beef, chicken, or seafood. Our signature lemongrass chicken noodles and our garlic butter shrimp chow mein are favourites among regulars who know the menu inside and out.
Rice Plates and Stir-Fries — Hearty and Satisfying
For those who prefer rice as their base, our rice plate selection offers incredible variety. Choose from lemongrass grilled pork chops, marinated chicken thighs, grilled shrimp, or crispy tofu — each served on a bed of steamed jasmine rice with a fried egg, pickled vegetables, and a side of fish sauce. These plates are the everyday meals that Vietnamese families have enjoyed for generations, and our versions stay true to those comforting roots.
Our stir-fry menu takes things further, with dishes like sizzling lemongrass beef on a hot plate, ginger chicken with mixed vegetables, curry chicken or shrimp with coconut milk, and tender sliced beef with broccoli in oyster sauce. The wok-kissed flavours and perfectly balanced sauces make these dishes some of the best vietnamese food ottawa diners can find anywhere in the city.
Seafood Specialties
Seafood lovers will find plenty to celebrate at Vietnam Palace. Our menu features whole fried fish with ginger sauce, salt and pepper squid, garlic butter prawns, and a stunning seafood hot pot that brings together shrimp, fish, squid, and vegetables in a rich, fragrant broth. We also offer clay pot dishes — a traditional Vietnamese cooking style where seafood or meat is braised with caramelized sauce in a clay vessel, creating deep, complex flavours that are utterly unique. For a broader look at our place in the neighbourhood, explore our guide to Asian dining in Ottawa’s Chinatown.
Vegetarian and Plant-Based Options
Vietnam Palace is proud to offer a thoughtful selection of vegetarian dishes that go far beyond afterthoughts. Vietnamese cuisine has a rich Buddhist-influenced vegetarian tradition, and our menu reflects that heritage. Enjoy vegetarian pho with a rich vegetable broth, tofu vermicelli bowls, stir-fried mixed vegetables with tofu, vegetarian spring rolls, and curry tofu with coconut milk. Every vegetarian dish is prepared with the same care and complexity of flavour as our meat-based offerings, ensuring that plant-based diners enjoy a truly satisfying experience.
Drinks and Beverages
Complete your meal with one of our authentic Vietnamese beverages. Our Vietnamese iced coffee — strong, dark-roasted coffee slowly dripped through a traditional phin filter and mixed with sweetened condensed milk over ice — is the perfect balance of bold and sweet. We also serve fresh coconut juice, lychee drinks, Thai iced tea, mango smoothies, and a selection of hot teas that pair beautifully with any meal on the menu.
Seasonal Specials and Lunch Deals in Ottawa
At Vietnam Palace, there’s always something new to discover. We regularly introduce seasonal specials that highlight fresh, in-season ingredients and celebrate different regional Vietnamese traditions. From summer seafood features to warming winter hot pot specials, these limited-time offerings give our regulars a reason to visit even more often.
Our weekday lunch specials are particularly popular with the downtown Ottawa crowd. Enjoy a complete, satisfying Vietnamese lunch at a price that makes eating out an everyday possibility rather than a special occasion. Our lunch combos typically include a main dish, a spring roll, and a drink — perfect for a flavour-packed midday break without the long wait. Whether you’re grabbing a quick solo lunch or meeting colleagues, our lunch service is fast, friendly, and consistently delicious.
The Vietnam Palace Dining Experience — More Than Just Great Food
A meal at Vietnam Palace is about more than what’s on your plate. Located at 819 Somerset Street West in the heart of Ottawa’s Chinatown — on Somerset between Bronson and Preston — our restaurant sits in one of the city’s most culturally rich and walkable neighbourhoods. The energy of Chinatown, with its bustling shops, colourful storefronts, and authentic Asian grocers, sets the stage for an experience that feels like a genuine cultural journey.
Inside, the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and unpretentious. We’ve designed our space to accommodate every kind of dining occasion. Families with children will find a relaxed, kid-friendly environment with plenty of approachable menu options. Couples looking for a memorable date night in Ottawa will appreciate the intimate ambiance and the chance to share dishes family-style. And groups — whether it’s a birthday celebration, a team dinner, or a gathering of old friends — will love our ability to seat larger parties and serve generous, shareable platters.
Our staff takes pride in making every guest feel at home. Many of our servers have been with us for years, and their knowledge of the menu means they can guide you to exactly the right dish, whether you want something adventurous or comfortingly familiar.
Dine In, Take Out, or Get Delivery — Vietnamese Food Your Way
We understand that sometimes you want to enjoy vietnamese food ottawa style in the comfort of your own home. That’s why Vietnam Palace offers convenient takeout and delivery options alongside our full dine-in experience. Our takeout packaging is designed to keep everything fresh, hot, and properly separated so your meal arrives in perfect condition.
Whether you’re ordering pho for a cozy night in, picking up vermicelli bowls for an office lunch, or feeding a crowd with a selection of appetizers and stir-fries, our takeout and delivery service brings the full Vietnam Palace experience to your door. Call us at (613) 238-6758 to place your order or ask about our current specials.
Visit Vietnam Palace — Ottawa’s Best Vietnamese Restaurant Since 1989
After more than 35 years of serving Ottawa, Vietnam Palace remains what it has always been — a place where authentic Vietnamese recipes, generous hospitality, and genuine passion for food come together in every single meal. We’re not the newest restaurant in town, and we’re not chasing trends. We’re simply committed to doing what we’ve always done: cooking honest, delicious, soulful Vietnamese food for the people of Ottawa.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime regular, whether you’re craving a steaming bowl of pho on a cold winter day or a refreshing vermicelli bowl on a summer afternoon, Vietnam Palace is here for you. Come experience why Ottawa has called us their favourite ottawa vietnamese restaurant for over three decades.
Vietnam Palace Restaurant
📍 819 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON (Chinatown — Somerset between Bronson & Preston)
📞 (613) 238-6758
🍜 Dine-in | Takeout | Delivery
Ready to explore the best vietnamese food ottawa has to offer? Visit us today or call ahead to reserve your table. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Vietnam Palace family.