Pho Bac receives strong praise for authentic, flavorful pho with rich broth and generous portions at a reasonable price, with fast, friendly service that many describe as warm and welcoming. The Chinatown location is convenient and the staff often go the extra mile, making guests feel at home, though several reviews note an aging space with a noticeable odor around the dining area and bathrooms that can detract from the experience. While the food is consistently described as comforting and delicious, occasional issues include variable service, crowded seating, and a few quality hiccups such as certain dishes not meeting expectations or concerns about cleanliness. Despite these concerns, many customers still call it a go to spot for Vietnamese bowls and recommend the XL sizes for value.
I went there with my family & we had an amazing time. The service was good & fast, the staff was friendly, especially Hien with who we had a good time laughing. I would recommend this place 100%!!
Family-owned restaurant, right in the heart of Chinatown. We've been eating their pho for years now & it's still excellent (especially their grilled chicken pho).
Although the place looks kinda old, the service makes up in niceness & efficiency. You'll be in for a good meal for a very reasonable price. Recommended!
The pho is very generous & tasty 100% recommend it but what truly made the experience special was Hannah (Or Anna) she is truly a spectacular hostess & treated us like family I can't stress more how everyone should give this Gem a try. Definitely will come back!
Definitely would recommend this place if you're in downtown montreal. Food was fantastic, quick service, & very nice people. Came here during a hockey tournament & half the team came by & the workers were so happy. Did not get the lady's name but she was so amazing & nice. 😊
For years, Pho Bac was our'go to' place for Pho in Montréal. Their broth was perfect! The flavours of, practically, everything on the menu was perfect - & we've pretty much tried it all. We ate there so often the servers knew us & we recommended it to so many people, we've lost count.
Unfortunately, about a year ago, the restaurant was overwhelmed with this horrible smell of…..sewage? Initially, we thought perhaps it was a broken pipe or something & it would be temporary. But when we went back a couple of weeks later, the smell was still there. The third time we went back, the smell was so strong, we actually left & went to a dumpling place across the street.
A few months back, we decided to give Pho Bac another shot. It was our place, after all, & we hadn't found another Pho that even came close. But as soon as we walked in through the door, that awful smell of stale urine & old pipes went straight up our noses. We just turned around & left. We haven't gone back.
It kills me to give this places anything less than 10 stars. The food really deserves it! It really is the best Pho in Montreal. But the smell is unbearable & it kinda makes you wonder - that horrible smell is clearly caused by something & if they haven't felt the need to fix it in over a year, what else is being neglected in the background, ya know?
Aug 2, 2025
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A small Vietnamese restaurant located right in Chinatown. I ordered the bun bo hue. It is very authentic & tasted perfect. I highly recommended ordering this dish if you are looking for some good quality Vietnamese cuisine.
C'était super bon, trop bondé & les tables trop près les unes des autres. Pour dîner vers 13h15 c'était bien sinon à midi ca fait la file. Service très bien à la caisse & pour recevoir notre commande. C'est style cafétéria. Je recommande ce resto.
We chose Pho Bac on a whim after a quick search while visiting Montreal, & wow, we were not disappointed. The food was amazing, the service was great & helpful. Would definitely recommend it to anyone that wants a great Pho, that's full of flavour & very delicious.
First time been here & first time trying North Pho noodle. I was not sure if it was the exact taste of North Pho, so gave it a try, the soup was not salted, not too much flavor compared to other Pho I tried. It was ok. Fast service. I ordered a Special Pho (M size) & 1 combo of beef pho + 1 spring roll. I paid cash & was charged without tax, of course I tipped. The price was pretty not bad. Would recommend.
A classic that has been around forever. The pho is good, although inconsistent depending on how "young" the broth is (that who know, know ;) ). The noodles & everything else is always fresh. Definitely recommend. If you go early in the week it is a lot less busy. Great quick lunch spot. You can be in & out in 15-20 min of there are open tables.
I've been going to this place for a long time. I always loved the food, & still do. For a quick sit down or a longer meal always super nice & attentive. I recommend the conchinouse soup number 16!
On a l habitude d'avoir notre spot favori de pho & bun mais on a malheureusement voulu essayer autre chose ? Deception totale les rouleaux etaient froids & graisseux bruns, le poulet grille vieux & caoutchou on sait pas si c est du poulet, qq morceaux de salade bref c était catastrophique pour ceux qui connaissent l autre vrai bol de vermicelles. Je ne recommande pas du tout
Our final stopping point was China Town during our visit to Old Montreal, & our visit to China Town wasn't complete until we found a place to eat & enjoy our late lunch, & our great find was Pho Bac!!
As far as pho was concerned, I can honestly say it was one of the best Pho Tai I had, & I had quite a few phos in various countries & places. The pho broth was excellent. My wife also enjoyed her Bun with grilled chicken & especially imperial rolls. She said this vegetable-filled spring roll was simply the best she ever tasted.
Service was rendered with courtesy & efficiency.
Oh, btw, this is NOT cash-only establishment as many other reviewers stated. They take cc & debit cards.
What a gem of a place this really is! Highly recommended!
