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.
Two years ago I stayed in Old Mtl. Came here & end up changing other dinner plans just to come back. Everything tasted so good. The Bahn Mi & Pho Soup were SOO flavourful. Writing this review now because I was just thinking about how good it was hah.
I enjoyed my pho (even though it came with chicken & did not have a beef option, which is a bit strange in pho terms), but my girlfriend did not like the tofu. So 4 star is a middle ground. The atmosphere & service were great though.
My three kids & two parents ate here after AURA at the Basilica Notre Dame. The space is super cozy & clean & the food was excellent. We tried the Pho, Pad Pho, & Bun. We were very happy with the choice. The prices are much better than the bar-food options nearby & the food is better! The server also was very tolerant & helpful when we had an allergy question.
Jan 1, 2026
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A lovely lunch spot with super friendly & helpful staff. They helped me choose - without pushing the bigger sizes. I had a small grilled chicken pho, a grill tofu fresh roll, & a small bottle of beer. CA$35 (with tip included)
Yet - the star of my lunch was their house made SATE! An unforgettable condiment!
🥢🇻🇳 Le Petit Sao - un vent de fraîcheur vietnamienne à Montréal
Entre authenticité & ambiance conviviale, Le Petit Sao est une adresse où l'on vient bien manger, partager & sourire, fidèle à leur philosophie familiale 💚
👉 Ce qu'on a goûté :?Mini soupe pho au poulet: légère, savoureuse & bien équilibrée, parfaite en entrée?Bol bún au tofu: portions généreuses, un plat complet & gourmand (même si j'aurais aimé un peu plus de légumes 🥒 par rapport au vermicelle)
✅ Points forts :?• Service rapide, attentionné & chaleureux?• Prix abordable (~25$ par personne entree+plat) 💰?• Parfait pour un lunch ou un dîner sans prise de tête
⚠? Petit conseil : arrivez dès midi, le restaurant se remplit vite
💬 Verdict : un excellent rapport qualité-prix pour un vietnamien moderne, resto rapide.
Was a decent Pho experience, most of the menu is chicken or tofu. I had grilled chicken pho & spring rolls, the chicken was grilled well. The pho broth was fine, the drink menu is good not anything special.
We were getting a tickle in our throats & craved some hot soup. We picked the grilled chicken pho noodle. I chose the large size & asked if they had some spicy peppers for it. At first she said no but another girl said yes. A couple of small, red, very hot & spicy peppers came on the side with my soup. It was great & really helped my throat. We like it. My wife said she wished it came with a little more broth. Other than that, perfect. After they served us, it became very busy, obviously a popular place for lunch.
When I first tried this place two years ago I thought the food was average.
Since then I have returned a few times & every time I go I have been more & more impressed.
I have had the chicken pho & I love the quality & freshness of the chicken.
The banh mi, especially the pork is super flavorful with fresh crispy bread & tender pork. The only thing I can possibly say is I wish it was a tad spicier but I will ask for that next time.
Just OK. Broth is not particularly tasty. Asked for poached chicken with my Pho, got grilled chicken, instead. Fresh spring rolls were so-so; accompanying peanut sauce didn't have much peanut flavor.
