Pho Lien

R

5.0

The best pho in mtl. Even though I'm mostly vegan, I often make the exception at this restaurant & get the rare beef & extra veggies when just veggies won't cut it on those days. These are the rare times (pun unintended) i eat red meat. Just don't try to show up on a tuesday because they're closed
2026: I had the weekend special soup that has a spicy broth, beef & pork & round slurpy noodles & I really enjoyed it. The place has been renovated to look more modern & the service is really human, polite & chill
I got the large veggie pho but I think it's enough to get the S/M because they give a lot of broth if you get the large but not more of the other stuff. Good soup :)
I came back & got the L chicken pho & it tasted great but I found it has so many noodles & not much chicken or broth.. I don't think more broth than the small, just more noodles. If you're hoping to get more broth instead of noodles, it's best to ask for it when placing your order. It's kind of annoying that they struggle to get the ratio right or stay consistent so you know what to expect lol. This day I wanted broth so I got large because the last time they gave a lot of broth for large.. I don't know why they changed, haha

Martine

5.0

Great papaya salad & ginger chicken, casual setting but great food

Melissa

5.0

The legacy continues!

My daughter wanted to warm up on a cold February day & try Pho Lien, a restaurant I loved during my medical residency (it's right across from the Jewish Hospital & around St. Mary's).

I'm ecstatic to report that the deliciousness lives on. She nearly finished her large chicken pho & I dug right into my XL well done beef (my infectious disease & medical microbiology colleagues recommend well done). Add a shot of hot sauce & hoisin, & I could eat that broth all day. My husband would've picked the spicy pho, available only on weekends. My father was the only person I ever met who could finish the extra large size without blinking.

The bean sprouts, herbs, & lime slices were extra fresh. It was served so fast that Anastasia was eating before I got back from the bathroom.

Small notes: I had recommended the beef or chicken combo also, & we ordered the beef rice combo on the side to taste & bring home. The waiter pointed out that we already had soup & suggested we trade the included soup for a second roll, which I happily accepted. Anastasia said it was cold, but I'm not sure how promptly she sampled it. It was cold by the time I tried it ten minutes later, since I'd prioritized eating my pho, which is at peak perfection while hot. The combo was still delicious cold. Environmental note: we bring our own containers to reduce waste.

I tried the hot coffee with condensed milk because it was freezing outside, but it turns out I prefer the iced coffee. I used to drink the iced coffee while pregnant with my kids, & this is a happy memory. I added a few ice cubes from my drink. All good.

The bathrooms are not fancy, which doesn't bother me. I will always pick a mom & pop joint with excellent food over a place where looks are more important than taste.

Pho is about $20, tax already included. Cash only. Closed Tuesdays. I hope to bring my kids sometime in the summer to try the patio, which was wonderful.

Long live Pho Lien!

A

5.0

Ordered stir fried beef & grilled chicken vermicelli bowls to enjoy. Service was friendly, quick, & enjoyed our meal on patio. Each bowl currently priced at $18 CDN when we dined there in September 2024. I would recommend this place to family & friends. Cash payment taken, no cards unless it's debit.

Oliver

3.0

Been dining to this restaurant from time to time for many years when I have a craving for Vietnamese chicken soup or grilled beef lime with side dish of imperial rolls. Small restaurant with Jo reservation so you might have some lineups depending on time & day. Note that cash only is accepted but a ATM machine is inside for cash.

Christian

5.0

Love this place! My girlfriend has been going to this place for almost 20+ years. & for the past 7 years or so, it is one of our most common restaurant destination. Food is great, tasty & fresh. I recommend the "Soup Tonki" (chicken or beef "well cooked"). Their spring rolls & imperial rolls are also delicious. Love ending super with their traditional cold coffee (strong coffee, slowly dripped into condensed milk). What a great finish to an amazing meal. Whole family loves this place. Service is nice. Only (small) complaint about this place is that parking is sometimes difficult to find, & depending on time, paid for. As for the place, it is absolutely tiny. & usually quite busy. So you are sometimes "crammed" (if you will). When we see that it is too packed & we have the whole family, we just decide to take it out instead. Prices are very decent & affordable. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone!

Marissa

2.0

Very disappointed. I've been coming to Pho Lien for years & tonight's meal is by far the worst I've had. There are better Pho restaurants out there than Pho Lien. The chicken Pho soup is boiled sliced chicken, not even grilled chicken. Not worth the price at all & I will not be coming back at all. Nobody from my table enjoyed their meal. We should have gone elsewhere tonight instead of going there!!