Best Pho Restaurants in Ottawa
ByWard Market to Somerset Chinatown — where Ottawa actually goes for pho.
An honest guide from a 26-year ByWard Market restaurant family.
The Pho Map of Ottawa
Ottawa's Vietnamese restaurant scene is concentrated in two neighbourhoods: ByWard Market downtown and Somerset Street West (Chinatown). Between these two corridors you will find every kind of pho — traditional, modern, halal-certified, vegan-friendly, and late-night.
We are Pho By Night — a family-owned restaurant on Dalhousie St since 2000. We list ourselves first in this guide because we genuinely believe we are Ottawa's best, and we will explain why. But we are also pho enthusiasts who have eaten at every Vietnamese restaurant in Ottawa more times than we can count, and the four other restaurants on this list are absolutely worth visiting. This is the guide we give to friends and visitors who ask "where should I get pho in Ottawa?"
Our criteria: broth quality (the single most important factor), authenticity of preparation, consistency across visits, hospitality, and accessibility for first-time pho diners. We did not use Yelp ratings or paid placements — this is purely a locals' opinion built over years of eating, cooking, and serving pho in Ottawa.
The Top 5 Pho Restaurants in Ottawa
Ranked by broth quality, authenticity, and consistency. Updated for 2026.
Pho By Night
Specialty: Halal-certified beef pho, late-night dining, family tradition
The benchmark for halal-friendly Vietnamese pho in Ottawa. 12-hour bone broth, full menu including banh mi, vermicelli bowls, and spring rolls. Open late Friday and Saturday. The most family-focused Vietnamese dining experience in ByWard Market.
Pho Bo Ga La
Specialty: Traditional chicken pho, Somerset Chinatown classic
A long-standing Somerset Chinatown destination with a loyal local following. Strong on traditional pho ga (chicken pho) and a quintessential old-school Vietnamese restaurant atmosphere.
Pho Thi Fusion
Specialty: Modern Vietnamese with strong pho
A more contemporary take on Vietnamese cuisine with a popular pho lineup. Good choice if you are exploring the Glebe or after a hockey game at the Sens arena downtown.
Pho Thu Do
Specialty: Classic Vietnamese, broad menu
Reliable Somerset St staple with a deep menu. Larger menu means less specialization than focused pho restaurants, but a solid choice for groups with mixed preferences.
Pho Mi Bo Ga
Specialty: Casual pho and bun bo hue
Casual Vietnamese spot with strong pho and one of the better bun bo hue options in Ottawa for those who like a spicier Vietnamese soup.
What to Look for in Ottawa Pho
Ottawa is a small enough city that you can taste-test the top pho restaurants in a long weekend. When comparing, focus on:
Broth clarity & depth
The broth should be clear, fragrant with star anise and ginger, and richly flavoured without being salty.
Fresh herb plate
Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, and fresh chili should arrive on a separate plate, not pre-mixed in.
Halal certification
If halal matters to you, only Pho By Night offers fully halal-certified beef and chicken.
Bun bo hue
The presence (and quality) of bun bo hue on the menu is a sign of a serious Vietnamese kitchen.
For a deeper read on what separates great pho from average pho, see our Six signals of authentic pho guide and our breakdown of why authentic pho costs what it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything Ottawa diners ask about pho.
More Ottawa Vietnamese Guides
Halal Pho in Ottawa
Where to find halal-certified pho
Best Late-Night Food Ottawa
Where to eat after 9 PM
ByWard Market Vietnamese
Vietnamese in Ottawa's market district
Vietnamese Food Guide Ottawa
Beyond pho — the full cuisine
Best Pho Near Me
How to find pho anywhere
Pho By Night Story
26 years on Dalhousie St