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.
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.
The best, most authentic pho outside of Vietnam! this is really an institution. the service is speedy, friendly & warm & the food is so so excellent. The broth is rich, deep & perfectly seasoned & full of flavour. The noodles are fresh & bouncy & the beef is excellent quality. Hands down the best pho I've had! Service Dine in Meal type Dinner Price per person $10-20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes Pho Soup Raw Beef Pho
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.
Sep 20, 2024
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Had a chance to try their number 1 pho dac biet special & shrimp fresh rolls. Although the items had good flavour, I would say it's good in general & a decent spot for a pho craving. Outside of that, would recommend only if your around the area. Service is awesome!
I've had Pho in many countries but no where can beat Pho Lien. The best Pho ever! The soup gives you perfect combination of gentle saltiness, sweetness from onion & bone marrow & herbal scents of spices. Highly recommend you to try, & this place only serves impressive & flavorful foods!
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!
J'ai toujours bien aimé ce restaurant. La soupe à toujours été très bonne tout comme les grillades. Mais voila que ma femme & moi avons commandé pour emporter hier & à notre grande surprise, c'était meilleur que d'habitude ! Avez-vous changé de recette ou de chef ? Bref, je vous recommande de commander ;)
Mar 19, 2024
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Service was very quick & the food arrived fairly quickly. The place itself is quite cramped when the restaurant is full. The food was very good & filling. Although the prices have gone up. Overall would recommend!
Delicious. Line out the door so you know the food had to be delicious. Was not disappointed after I had the first bite. The broth was flavorful & the noodles were perfectly cooked. Highly recommend!
Voilà ça c'est un restaurant à la hauteur des attentes des clients, la soupe phô est succulent & savoureux à l'excellence, bien garni & d'une qualité quasi parfaite. Malgré des prix excessifs, Bravo mes compliments, félicitations, c'est un plaisir de venir déjeuner chez Pho Lien, je vous le recommande, ce restaurant connaît le sens accueil, sourire, bienveillance & le plus important, l'écoute du client, c'est primordial. Certains concurrents devraient prendre exemple sur Pho Len...
