The 9 Best Pho Restaurants in Calgary That Provide Locals with Their Favorite Comfort Food
Every local has their own way of dealing with Calgary’s colder months. Some invest in good heaters and others buy expensive jackets. Meanwhile, I go to my favorite pho restaurants.
If you ask me, sipping pho broth is undoubtedly the best way to keep warm in this city.
So if you ever find yourself looking for pho, I’ve got you covered. I’ve listed down all the best pho restaurants in Calgary below.
1. Pho City
– Media credit: yeg.baking
Address: 207 1st SE Unit 2
Contact details: +1 587 391 7188
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Must-order: Satay Beef Pho
Despite how successful Pho City has become, it still feels like a family-run restaurant. Each dish they serve has clearly been made with love and care.
Their menu is full of unique and eye-catching fusion food that you won’t find anywhere else. However, I think the traditional Vietnamese dishes are where they shine the most.
The Satay Beef Pho, in particular, is excellent. It comes loaded with noodles, beef, and other toppings, but the broth (made with coconut milk and peanuts) manages to steal the show with its creaminess.
The restaurant is open until midnight. This has made them my go-to for late-night pho cravings.
| Pro tip: You can reserve spaces inside Pho City for private celebrations such as birthday parties, baby showers, functions, or any other event. The staff will do their best to accommodate any requests that will make your day feel extra special. |
2. Pho Hoan Pasteur
– Media credit: phohoanpasteur
Address: 8650 112 Ave NW #8108
Contact details: +1 587 353 2188
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Must-order: Steak Pho
Pho Hoan Pasteur’s witty tagline is ‘unphogettable’ and I can’t help but agree.
For the past 20 years, they’ve been serving some of the highest-quality Vietnamese dishes in the city. Their pho is especially impressive, given how large the portions are despite being reasonably priced.
Their bestseller is the Steak Pho, which comes with plenty of meat pieces that are all very tender and soft. Meanwhile, the broth it’s in is light and soothing yet very flavorful.
The best way to enjoy it is to put a little bit of their famous house-made chili oil. Just remember to be very careful with it, though. Put too much and it’ll feel like you’re swallowing fire.
| Pro tip: Those who feel like getting a drink with their Pho Hoan Pasteur order should try one of their bubble teas. The Taro Bubble Tea pairs surprisingly well with their pho. |
3. Pho Dau Bo Restaurant
– Media credit: rachelhaneats
Address: 4909 17 Ave SE #110
Contact details: +1 403 272 5160
Operating Hours:
- Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday- 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
Must-order: Pho Oxtails
Pho Dau Bo is a family-run restaurant that’s been around since 2008. They started the place to share their love for Vietnamese traditions and cuisine.
Since then, they’ve consistently been awarded by multiple publications as one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Calgary. Just one taste of their pho and you’ll understand why.
In case you’re unsure what to get, the Pho Oxtails is what regulars order the most. The meat gives the broth a deep beefy flavor that makes it taste very rich. It also comes with a separate sweet and spicy dip for your toppings.
I ordered this dish with extra bone marrow once, and I never looked back. This adds richness to the soup that just brings it to the next level.
| Pro tip: If bone marrow isn’t your thing, you can also order doughnut sticks with your pho. Unlike regular doughnuts, which are sweet, these doughnut sticks are salty and crispy. They taste great when dipped in pho broth. |
4. Bolsa Restaurant
– Media credit: alicesfoodieland
Address: 180 94 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403 255 3777
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Must-order: Medium-Rare Beef Pho
Bolsa is what many people consider a ‘hidden gem’. The restaurant looks very plain and unassuming from the outside.
But the moment you step in, you’ll feel the signature hospitality that they’re known for. Their servers will welcome you warmly, and during your stay, they’ll make sure your cup is never empty.
‘Mama’ is also one of the reasons why regulars love this place. She’s in charge of preparing the meals, and from time to time, she comes out to chat with the diners. She has this way of making everyone feel like they’re part of the family.
If you ask her, she’ll probably recommend that you get the Medium-Rare Beef Pho. The broth has this strong blend of spices, and the meat is so tender that it melts in your mouth.
| Pro tip: Bolsa restaurant is a great restaurant for those who want to introduce their kids to Vietnamese cuisine. Apart from the authentic flavors, they have huge tanks full of colorful fish that children are always entertained by. |
5. Van Son Vietnamese Cuisine
– Media credit: vanson16th
Address: 308 16 Ave NW
Contact details: +1 403 276 9990
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Satay Peanut Beef Pho
Van Son is the kind of diner you bring your family to after a long day. Whether you guys just watched a game or went to the zoo, this is the type of restaurant where you can recharge.
The atmosphere is very laidback, but the service is surprisingly fast. Seriously, blink and your food is suddenly at the table.
All of their dishes are worth ordering, but ask any of the regulars and they’ll tell you that 31B is the best on the menu. This is what most people end up memorizing because it’s the code for the Satay Peanut Beef Pho.
This dish has everything you would ever need from a balanced meal. It has a flavorful soup full of peanut chunks, loads of beef and vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles.
It’s so delicious that if I had to eat one meal for the rest of my life, I would definitely go with this.
| Pro tip: Anyone can be a Van Son VIP for free. Just use your email address to sign up on their official website, and they’ll send you exclusive updates, secret menu items, discounts, and more. |
6. Tamarind Vietnamese Grill & Noodle House
– Media credit: cheaplazyvegan
Address: 908 12 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 262 6644
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday – 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Must-order: Pho Dac Biet – Tamarind House Special Pho
Tamarind Vietnamese Grill & Noodle House is a vegan’s paradise. But really, the food here is so superb it could satisfy even the most avid meat lover.
One thing you might notice, though, is that the service tends to be on the slower side. As someone who’s eaten here a lot, believe me when I say that the wait is worth it.
Everything they serve has been cooked to perfection. Even the noodles have a unique texture since they’re made in-house.
And for a place that doesn’t use meat at all, it’s phenomenal that their broth is so flavorful. Take their Pho Dac Biet, for example. It has a rich blend of spices and fresh-tasting vegetables that give the soup an earthy taste.
| Pro tip: Crepe might be the last thing you associate with a pho restaurant, but it’s a must-order at Tamarind Vietnamese Grill & Noodle House. They have these savory sizzling crepes that are crispy and go well with the pho. |
7. Nho Saigon
– Media credit: scrumptiouslyfitfood
Address: 1411 17 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 246 1388
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Beef Sate Pho
Nho Saigon is essentially peanut central. If someone were allergic, they’d probably have a reaction with just one foot in the door.
But for me, I can’t get enough. I even order the Beef Sate Pho all the time, which has lots of peanut bits in the broth. They add a nice crunch, in contrast with the softness of the meat.
They also have other types of pho for those who don’t like beef that much. What’s nice is that they’ve adjusted their spice levels for Calgarians so all their dishes have just the right amount of kick.
| Pro tip: You don’t have to leave the house to enjoy Nho Saigon’s best dishes. You can have your order delivered, and it’ll arrive at your house still hot. |
8. Rau Bistro: Vietnamese Street Food
– Media credit: raubistroyyc
Address: 806 Centre St N
Contact details: +1 587 352 2506
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Must-order: Beef Pho (Pho Bo Dac Biet)
It’s a must to have your phone out to take photos at Rau Bistro. They really take advantage of the vibrancy of Vietnamese food to create dishes worthy of being displayed in the Louvre.
This isn’t the only thing that makes them stand out, though. They also have specialty dishes that are rare to find in Calgary, such as their Muc Nang Chien Gion (Salt & Pepper Cuttlefish) and their Bo Nuong La Lot (Grilled Beef wrapped in Lolot Leaves).
Despite this, their classic Vietnamese dishes are still the best on the menu, especially the pho.
Their Pho Bo Dac Biet comes with the juiciest and most tender slices of meat that you don’t even need to chew. You can also pay extra to add some spicy peanut satay sauce to make your pho even more exciting.
| Pro tip: Meat lovers are definitely going to enjoy Rau Bistro’s Bo 7 Mon, which is essentially seven courses of beef. Just be sure to bring a friend because the set is meant to be enjoyed by two people. |
9. Mot To Vietnamese Restaurant
– Media credit: mottoyyc
Address: 1609 Centre St NW #101
Contact details: +1 825 910 8488
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
Must-order: Pho Grilled Cheese
There’s a huge chance that you may have already heard of Mot To. When they opened, EnRoute Magazine immediately recognized them as one of Calgary’s top 10 newest restaurants.
That was only a few years ago, but they’ve already managed to steal so many pho lovers’ hearts. This is all thanks to their modern take on Vietnamese dishes.
My go-to order is a great example of this. I’ve never heard of Pho Grilled Cheese before this restaurant, but it honestly changed my life.
It doesn’t come with noodles at all. Instead, it’s just grilled cheese with lots of caramelized onions, basil, and a shot of pho broth. You’re meant to dip the sandwich in the broth before eating.
Doing this simple thing completely transforms the taste. The creamy sandwich is perfectly complemented by the savory broth. It’s such a unique flavor that I can’t really get anywhere else.
| Pro tip: You can reserve Mot To for events of any size. Plenty of people rent out this modern Vietnamese restaurant for birthdays, functions, and more. |