Pho Bang New York is a busy Chinatown staple in Montreal, praised for its authentic pho with a clear, aromatic broth, generous beef and noodle portions, and value that keeps customers coming back. The experience is often fast and efficient, even when the room is crowded, and staff can be multilingual, but reviews note that the space is compact and lines can be long. A persistent caveat is the cash only policy, with an on-site ATM and occasional complaints about the lack of receipts or card options, which some diners find inconvenient. Flavor and consistency vary by visit, with many calling it among the best pho in the city while others feel seasoning or heat can fall short at times, though weekend specials like ox tail soup add variety. Overall the restaurant is seen as a dependable, no-frills option for a hearty, affordable bowl of Vietnamese comfort in Chinatown, drawing loyal fans who appreciate reliable portions and quick service.
Terrible experience, 1st: they only accept cash. 2nd: they don't give you a receipt. 3rd: There's an atm machine charging fees for the withdrawal.
I asked the cashier to add a $2 tip on the bill for a total of $33.5. But then the waiter came again with the tray yelling at me asking for 5 dollars more in tips, as I didn't have a receipt I couldn't show him, so I left $2.50 more & not the 5 he was asking for, I had him on my back yelling things at me & he didn't believe me I had left a tip already... so in total they wanted to force me pay $7.50 in tips! Never coming back to this restaurant, it's overcrowded & food is also average
I was very disappointed with my experience. The service was terrible, & the staff's attitude toward customers was rude & dismissive. Being forced to pay despite such poor service felt unreasonable & frustrating.
The food was also quite unseasoned & lacked the authenticity & depth of flavor you would expect from Vietnamese cuisine. Overall, the experience did not live up to expectations, & I wouldn't recommend this place unless they seriously improve both their service & food quality.
Feb 20, 2026
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Ce restaurant vietnamien est une véritable institution qui respecte parfaitement les standards qu'on attend d'un établissement de cette cuisine. Dès l'entrée, on retrouve les arômes authentiques, les bouillons savoureux & les plats préparés avec soin. La constance de la qualité est remarquable : chaque visite offre la même fraîcheur, le même équilibre de saveurs & un service attentionné. On sent le savoir-faire & la passion derrière chaque assiette. Une adresse fiable, authentique & incontournable pour quiconque aime la cuisine vietnamienne traditionnelle.
When we realized it was cash only, we were about to switch restaurent. The waiter said e-transfer was fine & insisted us to stay.
We ordered & the food came fast. The pho was alright.
When we got to the cashier, she said we don't accept e-transfer & so she directed me back to the waiter. The waiter tells me to talk back to her so it was a lot of back & forth. This whole process took 15 min before they finally let me pay by e-transfer then they tell you aggressively to tip.
I used to come here often. In fact, Pho Bang New York (not in New York) was the one that first taught me to appreciate this Americanized northern Vietnam dish more than three decades ago even though there were many pho places in town. The first day when I revisited Montreal recently, I brought my grown daughter to Pho Bang New York. We returned to this place several times during our short stay.
Their noodles are less bouncy than I prefer. But their meat cuts are superb, & their soup has a different emphasis from what I often get now. After all these years, they still keep their prices low, although they seem to have adjusted portions somewhat understandably due to inflation. Surprisingly, they now have a weekend special with ox tail soup. That soup has hot spices, & they offer a special hot sauce. You don't want to miss it if you visit on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday!
I still remember the weekend evenings when diners quietly - nay, loudly wait to enter near the small doorway at the plain-looking storefront. Today, people do the same. Their interior used be plain, too. But now, they have quite a bit of decors that look loud but do not necessarily go together. General atmosphere here is cozy. Staff speak fluent French & English - many speak Vietnamese, too.
Space is tight in this restaurant. So, expect some inconvenience if you visit during winter. (They now have a coat rack in the back although not many people notice that.) & prepare to pay cash. (How do you suppose they can keep price so low?)
A rare restaurant where taxes are actually included in the prices. It's honest & transparent - I love that. The pho is also great & free tea is served at the table. The prices are quite a bit higher now than that were a few years ago though - gone are the days of getting a meal here for $10. It's more around $15-$20 today.
⭐?⭐?⭐?⭐?⭐? re-visit 2026 QA check 🙏
One of the Best Ph? Experiences in Montreal Chinatown
Pho Bang New York never disappoints. I ordered the ph? ??c bi?t (large), & it was outstanding from the first sip to the last bite.
The broth is crystal clear, deeply aromatic, & perfectly balanced-rich without being heavy. The bowl was generously loaded with a variety of tender beef cuts, silky rice noodles, & topped with fresh onions, cilantro, & green onions. Everything tasted fresh, authentic, & prepared with care. The large size is truly satisfying & great value for the price.
Served piping hot with a fresh plate of basil & bean sprouts, the ph? arrived quickly despite the restaurant being busy. Service was efficient & professional, exactly what you want when you're craving real Vietnamese comfort food.
If you're in Montreal's Chinatown & want authentic, no-frills, high-quality ph?, this is the place. The ph? ??c bi?t l?n here is a must-order.
Delicious pho. In my opinion ,it's the best pho in montreal. Sometime the new workers forget some of the order ,but the experienced workers are amazing . Sadly ,its cash only but its cheap & delicious & has a atm 🏧
Jan 17, 2026
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C est la deuxième fois qu on s'y retrouve en famille.
Bon rapport qualité prix avec soûle de hué le weekend .
En revanche un des serveurs ne parle pas du tout français, peu d anglais & nous a assez mal reçu & pris la commande. Nous ne nous sommes pas senti très à l'aise...
All gluten free rice noodles! The broth was alright, decent meat serving size. They only take debit, or cash (USD or CAD). Slight unfavorable exchange rate. For a place this popular I would expect them to set up a Credit card system.
I've been to Pho Bang New York a couple of times for lunch, & it's always a satisfying stop in Chinatown.
The pho comes out quickly, the broth is flavourful, & the portions are generous enough to keep you full for the rest of the afternoon. Service is efficient even when the restaurant is busy, & the menu has plenty of classic options to choose from. A reliable place for a warm, comforting bowl of pho in the heart of Montreal's Chinatown.
Definitely over hyped. The staff are nice though. Broth is very light & not much flavor. The place is packed & you're sitting really close to people you don't know.
