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 as a long standing Montreal favorite, with many describing its broth as incredibly flavorful and its pho among the best they have had, a comforting go to on cold days with generous toppings and fast service. The dining room vibe receives mixed notes, ranging from a lively authentic atmosphere and friendly staff to a colder, louder space with slower, disorganized service and sometimes a sterile feel. Cash only is a frequent gripe, though some reviewers mention an ATM on site or nearby, while others say the policy dampens the experience compared to places that take cards. Portions and value are often praised, fresh herbs and chilies are highlighted, and the idea of a reliable, nostalgic staple persists, though a few reviews describe issues like thin noodles, small meat portions, or broth that can taste flat or MSG heavy. Overall the reviews converge on a beloved institution that inspires strong loyalty and memories, with a hope that consistency and reopening stays true to its character.
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
Le Pho est pas mal plus cher que les autres places de 4$ à 6$. Le boeuf grillé est aussi mince que le boeuf saignant du Pho avec une arrière goût désagréable. Je ne comprends pas que les gens donnent les bonnes notes
So far it has been the best Phô i have found.
Reasonably priced with reasonable portions.
It's nice that you can sit down & just eat Phô & get out.
My biggest drawback is the''cash only'' rule.
Honestly, if i have to choose between paying 5$ 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.
May 6, 2025
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I had the beef pho, i dont like bloody so i get mine cooked real well!! The imperial rolls were not my fave but the Pho TOP QUALITY! So damn good! I crave it so much 😩!! So so so good! The service is so fast & thorough, the broth is the BEST in Montreal. Keep in mind it's cash only! They have an atm in the restaurant tho!
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.
