Pho Lien is a Vietnamese restaurant that offers great quality food for the whole family at an affordable price. The menu features lots of soups, some noodle-based dishes, spring rolls and grilled mains flavoured with lemongrass and sesame.
Pho Lien is widely praised for its rich broth, fast service, and generous bowls that many call the best pho in Montreal, with some reviewers claiming it is the best pho they have ever had. The menu covers beef and chicken pho and assorted combos, plus fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and extra chilies, all served quickly in a casual, busy setting with small tables and a straightforward atmosphere. A recurring caveat is that the place is cash only and an ATM on site can charge fees, which deters some customers who would prefer credit cards, especially since portions and prices are debated and some find it expensive for a pho place. Occasional notes mention August closures and the hope that a reopening will bring refreshed quality, while others look forward to returning after a break. Environmental minded patrons note that bringing their own containers to reduce waste is appreciated. Overall the reviews describe Pho Lien as a reliable option for pho when in the area, with a strong aroma and broth that earn high marks.
THE BROTH 🙂???🙂???🙂??? Thank you!
We got food to go & the vibe in the restaurant was so cute, everyone was so happy to have their fav open again after the fire, it was nice to see/feel ☺?
Feb 27, 2026
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Sadly incredibly mid. This place gets recommended constantly, & I'd heard people were excited when it reopened after the fire, so I really wanted it to be good. Sadly, it was a huge letdown.
The broth tasted almost entirely like MSG. MSG itself isn't the problem, but here it felt like the only flavour, flat & one dimensional. The noodles were thin & broken apart, the meat portions were tiny, & the rolls were mushy & completely forgettable.
It's also more expensive than most pho spots, which makes it harder to justify. The service was slow & disorganized, the room was cold, & the music was loud, horrible radio slop that made the whole place feel even more unpleasant. They even charge for tea, which came in a tiny teapot & tasted extremely bitter. The atmosphere feels sterile, like sitting in a suburban boomer kitchen, & they don't accept cards.
If you're nearby, just go to Nguyen Phi down the street instead. The staff there are warm & funny, the service is genuinely welcoming, & the pho is excellent, deep, clear, aromatic broth with generous, well prepared toppings. The vibe is great, the decor is awesome, & the music is weird & cool, it actually feels like a place with personality.
Cash only! They are sooo busy with full tables & non-stop take out orders for a reason. I got fatty broth pho dac biet with a side of tiny fiery green hot chili's & chili oil... heaven 😋
The noodles have a good bite to them & they have an excellent mouth feel when combined with all the things. I barely needed to dip my meats in hoisin sriracha mix, the broth is that flavourful!
If this isn't the best pho in Montreal somebody please let me know
I have been going here for over a decade & yet nothing has changed like most places around; for that I am forever grateful to be reminded of cuisine that is made to continue as generations pass. Favourite Vietnamese place in all of Montreal!
Le Pho est pas mal plus cher que les autres places de 4$ à 6$. Le boeuf grillé est aussi mince que le boeuf saignant du Pho avec une arrière goût désagréable. Je ne comprends pas que les gens donnent les bonnes notes
Jan 20, 2026
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Incroyable experience, autan au niveau culinaire que du service. Il y a de ces endroits où dans la simplicité, on y trouve la qualité. Savoureux, typiquement vietnamien avec de superbe portions. Essayez la sauge piquante… elle réveille!!
Although they are super popular, & have been for the longest time, the food is only okay. I hope once they reopen, the break would have given them a much needed rest, & this would reflect in the food.
Sep 5, 2025
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28 août 2025: toujours fermé, si vous vous posez la question.
C'est très bon & pas trop cher.
Prenez un trois couleur, la meilleure boisson-dessert au monde!
So far it has been the best Phô i have found.
Reasonably priced with reasonable portions.
It's nice that you can sit down & just eat Phô & get out.
My biggest drawback is the''cash only'' rule.
Honestly, if i have to choose between paying 5$ of fees for withdrawing cash in their machine or paying 5% (50¢ per 10$) of my transaction to credit card companies, i know it is much cheaper for me to use my credit card...
I imagine there is a reason why they don't have credit cards but i would give 5 stars if they can manage to enter the 21st century & modernize their payment options. Because honestly, when i'm in the area i always think twice before going because i never have cash on me (as many younger generations do). Do that & i'll change my review for sure !
Best pho I've had anywhere in the world (including Vietnam). Definitely a place to go for any meal on a cold day, but great during the summer as well. All the soups are similar, just with different toppings. They also serve dishes as well if that's what you're looking for.
The staff are very friendly & serve food quickly & efficiently. The soup sizes are great, & very cheap for a meal in Montreal. They also can give extra bowls as well as fresh chillies if requested. One thing to remember is that it is CASH ONLY (they do have an ATM).
The reason only con for atmosphere is depending on where you are seated, sometimes cold air rushes in when people enter/exit in the winter (which is pretty often), but the smell as you walk in makes you instantly crave pho.
