50 Best Vietnamese Restaurants near El Cerrito

“With prices going up, this is still a local staple at 6 something a sandwich. He packs my Bacon Bahn Mi with a good amount of meat! No cutting corners here :)

When I used to work in the area, I'd get their lunch plates they have wrapped up in the open fridge. Viet BBQ Chicken, Fried Egg Roll, and rice noodles are my go-to.

They also serve noodle soup, which a friend of mine way back said tasted like her mom's, very good; Chicken Pho.

Parking: If lot is filled there's always plenty of street parking“

“Tigon is excellent, above par, a hidden gem on San Pablo. I've probably been here 5-6 times now with my fiance. She gets the same thing every time: Catfish Sweet and Sour Soup and she swears it gets better every single time. On the other hand, I try something new every time because each dish I've had has been better than the last. Catfish Claypot, Pho, and Papaya Salad are all big hitters.“

“Very authentic and reasonably priced. Tasty too!“

“This is a gem of a place. A small diner, but they know their food. Authentic and inexpensive. Go check them out.“

“Top food, top service, simple atmosphere. Definitely a pleasant surprise for me. The food is worth the money. Ask about the portions, before you order. Two dishes could be enough for four people. Very recommendable.

Vegetarian options: Big portions

Kid-friendliness: Child friendly

Wheelchair accessibility: Possible“

“Excellent, fast service. Delicious, filling (vegan!) Veggie noodle soup with Tofu and house made spicy sauce. More vegan options available that I will definitely come back for including Banh Mi and Vermicelli 😋

Vegetarian options: They offer Vegan Spring Rolls, Vegan Veggie Noodle Soup, Vegan Tofu Vermicelli, and Vegan Banh Mi options. The house made sauces are vegan too!“

“So good 👍🏾 so fresh easy to order !“

“The best Vietnamese food in the Bay Area! Prices are excellent. Get the Number 5 to sample everything. I would come here at least one a week if I lived nearby! Order to go if you don’t want to sit in the tiny 10-person space. The food is worth it!“

“Food very tasty n freshly made quick service friendly staff“

“This is most definitely one of the better Vietnamese restaurants I’ve been to lately in the East Bay. Not only is the food well prepared and delicious, the prices are very reasonable. The beef pho noodle soup stock was flavorful, and the grilled pork bahn mi sandwich’s were great! If there was a weakness, the Vietnamese iced coffee was good but could be better. Our overall impression was we would most certainly come back.“

“It's located in a slightly dangerous place, but it's not dangerous if you go straight into the store! The menu is diverse and the rice noodles are delicious~~~!

The portions were plentiful and the pho itself was delicious, so I went twice during my stay in San Fran! The second time, I ate the spring roll, and I was very satisfied because the filling was good and the sauce was delicious!!!!

Be sure to stop by when you want to eat rice noodles.“

“Decided to try Tin on a whim and was not displeased. One of the best Banh-mi in town with very generous portions of meat. Grilled Pork did the trick, charred, flavorful, I definitely recommend.

It’s pricey ~$15 for a Banh-mi but totally worth it. Expect to wait ~5-8 minutes if you come during lunch time!“

“I have been coming to this restaurant for 25 years…how many restaurants can you say that about?? Food is delicious!!“

“Delicious and fresh. Excellent vegetarian food. Great takeout service and online ordering.“

“Can’t decide between egg rolls or spring rolls? Enter the Cha Gio Cuon…egg roll in spring roll. GENIUS! My companions had the chicken soup and fish banh mi, both also excellent. Their broth is super flavorful and the price is right. Owner and crew are very attentive.
The restaurant is beautiful with modern murals of Bay Area life, but eating near sundown was quite unpleasant in almost all tables due to west facing sun. Simple drapes/blinds would help.“

“On a really cold day in SF, this was absolutely what I needed to have in my stomach. I was so hungry and did not really want to walk too far or Uber anywhere so I was lucky enough to stumble upon this place. Even though it’s a bit cramped and looks a little run down, it was very cozy to sit in and get away from the cold.

I ordered my soup and it was ready in less than ten minutes. I ordered a small and let me just say it looked more like a large. I can’t even imagine what the large looks like. My soup was incredibly filling and left me feeling more than satisfied. It had the perfect amount of noodles and meat. I enjoyed every spoonful of it!“

“I went here after work! I was famished! I was so happy w how cute their decorations are! The music was lovely! Sauces chili oil so good! And i cant believe they have Banh Khot! As its a bit labor intensive. Ive only had it at Tayho. Well this is their mamas recipe! Its a crispy coconut crepe w shrimp. They gave me fancy butter lettuce shiso and mint wraps for each one! I feel so pampered! Its now my favorite order! Noodle soup too is perfect for winter rainy days. Parking is a lot and super convenient location! Thx so much for feeding this famished lady. ?

Kid-friendliness: Yes christmas decorations and festive music . Kids menu too!

Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp no incline really“

“Super friendly staff and generous portions! I got the spring rolls with tofu and avocado added and my parter got the tofu and mushroom banh mi (with avocado instead of mayo, since we're both vegan.) Both very delicious. Also wanted to try the spicy seitan sandwich but didn't see it as an option until later – next time!

Dietary restrictions: For vegan options they have tofu offerings, and can sub in avocado instead of mayo. Also a spicy seitan sandwich but not sure if that's going to be a permanent menu item.“

“First time here based on recommendation from a friend.

Hu Tieu Kho was delicious! Reminds me of the savory dry wonton noodles except that there’s no wonton but there are quail eggs, fried pork skin, slices of pork, shrimp and pork giblets. Together with the beef soup, it hit the spot on a cold day.

Cha Gio was crispy, and the filling was tasty. Some places have fried spring rolls that are on the mushy end and that tends to be very oily. But not here.

Com Tam (broken rice) plate was yummy. The pork chop was tender and flavorful. The steam pork egg was excellent - many places serve this too but they tend to be dry. But it was juicy, tender and full of flavor here.

Only thing that we didn’t like here was their slice steak pho. It may be personal preference as the soup had a strong taste of a spice or herb that we are not used to and so it threw us off from the usual pho.

Will be back for more Hu Tieu Kho, Cha Gio and Com Tam.

Parking is tight and it’s the party Oakland where you have to be careful.“

“Pho was great! Order was ready quickly compared to another spot I had tried to order from. I love having the option to select beef broth with my veggie pho! The soft fried tofu in the veggie pho was so good!! The grilled shrimp and pork spring rolls were delish too! Will definitely be back - nice to have so close to my home!“

“The best pork bun in the Bay Area, no joke, great value!“

“Best huge and fresh banh mi on the West side of the lake! They take card and offer healthy juices, smoothies, and amazing breakfast wraps or Vietnamese banh mi. Stopped by for some late lunch and was so glad I got the grilled chicken banh mi. So flavorful! Their smoothies are all amazing blends, good consistency. Small size is 16oz and it's perfect for one. High quality and healthy, plus affordable! Fresh and Best is def on my go-to list“

“Very quick and delicious! Got a teriyaki tofu bowl which was YUM. If you are vegetarian make sure to ask for soy sauce as a replacement instead of fish sauce. Highly recommend! Note: has peanuts in it in case anyone is allergic. But looked like it was just a topping so could ask for it without“

“Colder rainy weather has activated my soup craving. I recently stumbled upon this Vietnamese restaurant, and it’s going to be my new ‘go to’ for pho. Pretty sure this was the best pho I’ve ever had. The broth is deep and flavorful and they don’t skimp on the meat portions

The real surprise was their magical made in-house chili oil. The service was friendly and quick, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Nice low key setting when you’re looking to avoid crowds or ‘it’ places. If you’re a pho enthusiast (or just looking for a great meal), you have to check this place out.“

“To start, this is only a takeout place. No sitting area here, although I saw chairs hanging upside down. Went on a weekday around 1 and there were 5 people before me waiting for their orders. The service was very fast. The menu is small with one veggie/vegan option and 5-6 meat options. Similar options available for sandwiches, salads and bowls.
I ordered Teriyaki Tofu Vegan Banh Mi. This was the only option in any variety. Sandwich was good. Tofu was juicy but with hints of oilyness. Had mixed feelings while eating it. Veggies were cruncy inside but was missing some kind of sauce in it. Overall, a good sandwich and can be tried once.“

“Holy Basil is one of our absolute favorite places to get delivery from in the Bay Area. Our kids are addicted to the bao buns and garlic noodles. I'm obsessed with the tofu vermicelli. Nothing is cozier on a cold day than their Chili Lemongrass soup. Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than their fresh rolls and ginger lemonade. We love Holy Basil food!“

“Fresh, delicious and great folks“

“Super cute spot with great service and great food! The waiters were attentive and made sure we had everything we needed multiple times. The restaurant stays on-theme throughout the establishment which is always fun! I even saw them give the family next to us some monster balloons for the kids. Pho broth was sweet and noodles were delicious. I would definitely come back :)“

“Five stars across the board - if you don't know about Kim's now you know. Food is always SO FRESH like the veggies all look like they were picked that morning. Very tasty, most people probably go for the banh mi's but don't sleep on the salads esp. pork which are VERY well portioned all around and a lot of protein. My personal favorite though is the combo noodle soup which is like a more delicately flavored and smaller portioned pho. It's like pho that you can eat in a reasonable time and you're not like dripping in head sweat at the end. I frequently seem to want Kim's on Monday, when they are closed, which is my only complaint. Friendly quick service and good value as well.“

“Staying at the Claremont this week, found this little hidden gem and it is amazing. I call it hidden because even though I could see it on the map I'm bad at navigation and had a hard time finding it.

I only got the original sandwich as I have never had one before. It was absolutely amazing and I hope to stop by again before leaving. Their menu prices seem unheard of in this area and they were slammed busy when I went for lunch. They did move fast though.“

“Extremely surprised by amazing service. The food came out quickly. Vermicelli without broth was amazing. The spring rolls were a piece of art and tasted fresh, the peanut sauce was great, the manager suggested adding some spicy sauce which was great. The Pho version (or vermicelli with broth) they make was ok. We are used to more traditional versions but probably we should have picked the raw meat one to truly compare. The atmosphere was ok. Frequent visits from the delivery drivers are distracting, keeps the door constantly open and kills the vibe - a little rearrangement can solve it“

“Mr. Ho a absolutely nice guy ho in Chinese is good we at a Vietnamese place. Our favorite place PhoKing food good and service recommended.

Parking: Convience for shopping area

Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly and dog friendly outside seating

Wheelchair accessibility: The front has a little ramp to make it easy for those needing it“

“The Vietnamese spring rolls with shrimp are the best I’ve ever had! The shrimp taste incredibly fresh, and the vermicelli noodles perfectly complement the other flavors without overwhelming them. The peanut sauce has an ideal consistency that makes dipping effortless and delicious.

I also LOVE the shrimp salad!!!“

“This place is so good, I’ve had the beef pho twice and it’s hits every time. Truly so good. The gentleman at the front welcomes everyone and is very nice. Extremely fast service. You should take your friends and coworkers here for lunch :-)“

“we are from San Diego and found this place on yelp. The name itself peaked my interest. must say, sandwiches, spring rolls, Thai tea and Vietnamese coffee were to die for. will come back soon.“

“I always get the chicken sandwich. It's the best one. Sometimes I'll order just the chicken for dinner, about $3.50 each, if I don't feel like cooking a main protein dish at home. Bring cash or there's a extra fee for using card.“

“One of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants! Great food, great service. Totally clean and good place to eat, not really a place for "atmosphere" but you wouldn't expect it to be. Get the combo rice plate with the pork hop and shrimp cake!“

“Pho Huong Que serves up a comforting, well-balanced bowl of pho with rich broth, tender meat, and fresh herbs—everything you’d want from a no-frills Vietnamese spot. The flavors are clean and satisfying, and the portions are generous without being overwhelming.

What makes this place stand out even more is the convenience of on-site parking—a huge plus in a neighborhood that can feel a bit rough around the edges. Despite the surrounding area, the restaurant itself feels safe, clean, and welcoming inside.

Service is quick and efficient, and prices are fair for the quality. It’s not a fancy spot, but it doesn’t need to be. When you’re craving a warm, honest bowl of pho, this place hits the spot.“

“Step right up, order and pay first, menu on the wall - fast service, delicious, fresh ingredients, Spring rolls and egg rolls done just right - the meat is marinated and sweetened and perfectly grilled, the pickled carrots, green onion, daikon are all still fresh and nicely rice vinegared. Great lunch place, we'll be back to try the Banh Mi next!“

“great sandwich. the best in the city“

“Tin is an economical Vietnamese lunch place catering to the local corporate crowd with delicious food available as rice, soup pho, and other entrees with fast service and reasonable prices.

Went in for lunch as I was in the area. Order BBQ pork with rice, and a bit of spicy chili on the side. The pork is sliced very thin, and nicely grilled. When dipped in the supplied sauce with a bit of tang, plus some of the picked veggies, it's a good combination of tastes.

The place is semi-self-serve. You order the combo you want, sit down, and when it's ready they'll bring it to your table.

Ordered BBQ pork over rice, plus a diet coke (can) plus tax and tip (18%) came out to be about $24, which is pretty reasonable for lunch.

They can also provide bahn mi (sandwich) and pho (noodle soup) if you prefer your food in those forms.“

“This was my first visit, and since it was a rainy day, I decided to try their pho. There’s something comforting about a warm bowl of soup on a cold, wet day. The soup had a rich, deep flavor that was enjoyable, but not remarkable. For comparison, my favorite pho spot is still Pho Vi Hoa in Palo Alto, which I feel has more balanced and complex flavors.

Ordering here was straightforward. You place your order at the counter, and the staff delivers your food to the table. The service was efficient and friendly, which added to the overall experience.

For starters, I ordered A2: Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls. They were fresh, light, and paired well with the accompanying peanut dipping sauce. As for the main dish, I went with the Rare Steak Pho, adding extra noodles for $2. While the broth and rare steak were satisfying, I realized the portion of noodles was already quite generous without the extra. If you’re someone with a hearty appetite, you’ll likely find the regular portion sufficient.

Next time, I’ll skip the extra noodles and focus on the base dish. It’s a solid spot for a comforting bowl of pho, but I’d still rank it below my go-to pho spot in Palo Alto.“

“#3 - Banh Cuon Thit Nuong (warm rice rolls with grilled lemongrass pork and mint), a true crowd pleaser; fried shallots topping an added savory plus.

#29 - Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), built off a solid pho broth, but could have benefitted from more lemongrass, citrus, sweet.

On a recent morning visit, #21 - Pho Dac Biet (standard combination beef pho) unfortunately came lukewarm with over-cooked noodles.

Overall, solid Vietnamese in the TL worth a visit; I’m hoping the disappointing experience with morning pho was only a fluke and not the standard.“

“Amazing food with outstanding service!!“

“My parents go regularly to this restaurant for breakfast, and every time I’ve been available I also go with them. Their pho broth is delicious without anything added, and they give you a healthy side of greens to make the dish even better. My dad religiously gets the bun bo hue and nothing else. The staff are very nice and service quick. Highly recommend!“

“Five members of my family went there late on a Monday night. The staff was very welcoming despite us showing up just an hour before closing time and the room was wonderfully quite. I had been to Chez Panisse Cafe 5 days before, and I preferred the dishes at Mint Leaf, although that's an apples and oranges comparison. My/our favorites at Mint Leaf were eggplant&tofu clay pot, green papaya salad with prawns, and if you eat mammal, sizzling shaking beef. I thought their beef combo phô, was good but not as exceptional as the previous dishes. They were very attentive & accommodating to the gluten intolerant member of our party“

“This is the best PHO on the Island. It really hits the spot on a cold day. The servers were friendly and accommodating even though we arrived close to closing time. Checked back with us to make sure all was well and really made it a very pleasant eating experience.“

“Okay rarely write reviews and here I am to support a small biz

I was hungover and looking for some food, saw this place online and tbh no idea what I got myself into and knowing the neighborhood is. you know .

Beef Stew Noodle Soup: $16
it hits it slaps, just so good 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨
I also asked for extra broth coz I love a good soup, the lady didn’t even ask me for $.
The soup was amazing and hits the spot !
Lots of beef and tendon given, very tender.

The lady (owner?) and her son served me, both are so nice, not good English, very kind ppl. It’s the kind of Asian food place you know the food will HIT
(Fits the description of Ali Wong’s show, iykyk
Hole in the wall, giant numbers on the name, mahjong table in the corner, etc)

The neighborhood isn’t the best to walk around, day time is fine, but relatively fine. Uber in and out if you need.“

“They have great asian food, I’m chinese-american and find it very comforting. I got the mapo tofu this time but I also like their eggplant tofu. The service is great, they are super friendly and even gave me a free tea egg today. You can join their wechat group chat to receive updates on daily specials, etc.“