Le Petit Sao delivers authentic Vietnamese cuisine characterized by vibrant textures and aromatic herb profiles. The menu features traditional banh mi sandwiches prepared on crispy baguettes with savory pâté and pickled vegetables alongside robust bowls of phở brimming with aromatic broths and tender meats. Each dish emphasizes fresh ingredients to provide a balanced and flavorful culinary experience. The setting focuses on efficient service and a streamlined environment suitable for focused dining. Diverse vegetable additions and authentic spice blends define the kitchen approach to traditional street food preparations. The establishment prioritizes the integrity of classic recipes by maintaining precise flavor harmonies across its entire soup and sandwich selection. Culinary techniques here remain rooted in established regional traditions to ensure consistent delivery of bold and savory profiles for every patron.
Le Petit Sao is widely regarded as a charming, cozy, and vibrant destination in Old Montreal, popular for its fresh and modern take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Many diners praise the flavorful pho, satisfying banh mi, and refreshing house-made lemonades, frequently highlighting the generous portion sizes and reasonable pricing that make it a standout choice for a quick, healthy lunch. While the atmosphere is consistently described as welcoming and the staff as exceptionally friendly and helpful, some guests have noted occasional inconsistencies with order accuracy, dietary labeling, or temperature control within the dining area. Despite these minor points of feedback, the restaurant maintains a strong reputation for its vibrant aesthetic and overall quality, with many patrons becoming regulars who value the blend of authentic flavors and a relaxed, contemporary environment.
We made a reservation on Saturday for 1.45pm. After arriving there, & waiting in line to order, they tell us that they can't take our reservation (which was confirmed). Having walked all day, we wanted to sit down in the restaurant, hence why we planned & made a reservation there. Wanting to accommodate us, the employee suggested we wait 20 minutes for them to finish cleaning up *all* the tables, before letting us sit down at one. (There were many clean tables at the time). Good thing there are plenty restaurants so we were able to quickly find one without making a reservation.
Next time, it would be very helpful if reservations were reflective of real-time restaurant conditions, so that customers don't waste their time (why bother having reservations & confirming them if you can't even honor them?...)
Worst service I've ever had in a restaurant. We came in with the place basically empty but then parties coming in 20 minutes after us had their orders taken first. Extremely understaffed. After half an hour we had to flag down the server to get our order taken. Another hour to get food.
Ludicrously tiny portions. As someone who eats a lot of pho it was shocking. Even in a touristy district like Old Montreal there are far better places nearbye. Pho bowl was tiny, the broth luke warm.
Avoid at all costs if you like decent service, value, &/or good Vietnamese place. Total trashbag of a restaurant.
Very high prices for below quality food. It's not authentic vietnamese food, the drinks taste diluted & the bowls lack flavor & has so little protein. The curry came cold & the portions on the small side. If you're looking for authentic vietnamese food, this is NOT it.
Aug 7, 2026
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I'm a big fan of Petit Sao in Brossard, so I was excited to try the Vieux-Port location for lunch with colleagues. Unfortunately, the experience was very disappointing.
When two of us arrived before our other two colleagues, we explained that they were just a minute away. We were repeatedly told we couldn't have a table until all four people were present, even though we were ready to order immediately. After some hesitation & having to'ask permission,' they finally let us order & gave us a table.
A few minutes later, while our two colleagues were inside ordering, a waitress came to question us again about why we weren't four people yet-even though we clearly explained they were already inside placing their order. Once our food arrived, another waitress came by asking if we were finished, even though my plate was still full. It felt like we were being rushed from the moment we arrived.
Then it started raining. We brought our food inside & politely asked if we could have an indoor table. While waiting, we stood near the pickup area without blocking anyone. Instead of simply asking us to wait elsewhere, a waitress immediately approached us with a rude attitude, asking what we were doing there & telling us to move. Again, we explained that we were waiting for a table because of the rain.
Throughout the entire visit, the staff made us feel like we were an inconvenience rather than customers. We also noticed similar interactions with other guests nearby, so it didn't seem like an isolated incident.
The food was still excellent, which is why this review is especially disappointing to write. The kitchen clearly does a great job, but the customer service at this location completely overshadowed the meal. I will gladly continue visiting the Brossard location, but based on this experience, I cannot recommend the Vieux-Port location for lunch.
Je donne un 3 car le service était long. Servir de l'eau a prit 30 min. Il n'y avait pas de saké. Il faisait très chaud à l'intérieur. Nos plats étaient cependant excellent !!
Le banh mi au poulet grillé, un pur régal !!! Tout était excellent que ce soit le pain, la sauce, la viande.
Service rapide & le personnel était très aimable. Je recommande à 100%
Déçu par notre visite. Service moyen. Nouilles trop cuites & manque d'assaisonnements pour la viande. Les prix sont relativement élevés mais il faut s'y attendre dans le vieux Port. Nous ne reviendrons pas malheureusement.
Eten en service prima!! 5 sterren , lekker gegeten en niet duur. Maar team: maak de toiletten eens goed schoon, kleine moeite en geeft een veel betere indruk.
