45 Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Oakland

“Breakfast sandwich, 3 shrimp spring rolls, avocado salad. Breakfast sandwich was my favorite, fluffy and thick egg inside with chives, crispy and buttery croissant and cheese was nice with it too. Avocado salad wasn't my favorite although it was still great, maybe i added too much dressing on the first go. Dressing was like a balsamic peanut. However it was a big and substantial salad. 3 spring rolls were awesome as well, very fresh and comes with Siracha and two peanut sauces.

Great value, bigger portions than I expected, definitely going to come back and try some of their other items like the smoothies. It's nice they're open early too.

Everything very fresh, it was excellent and great service too, very nice ladies behind the counter!“

“Ngon 😍cung đậm chất Việt Nam“

“We often bring out-of-towners here because it's hard to find Laotian food outside of the Bay and Vientian Cafe always delivers. The menu is super extensive and very reasonably priced, so you can try a bunch of new things each time. We always get the nam kao and the lao sausage (which you can also take home frozen). Angel wings are also super addictive.

Food also travels well if you're looking for takeout. One of our favorite spots in the east bay!“

“I have had their veggie (vegan) pho a couple of times now. It has a big portion of mixed veggies and fresh tofu, with yummy fried shallots sprinkled on top. The soup is warm and flavorful. I would love to try their other vegan options next!“

“Delicious * Fast * Great price * Courteous

The Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich was excellent! Wonderful flavor, amazing texture, just the right amount of sauce and spices. I called in my order, and it was ready when I arrived in 10 minutes. Their service over the phone and in-person was engaging and courteous. The price was extremely reasonable. I also love that they charge less if you pay in cash – a great way to wean all of us off the credit card system.“

“Vegan Donut Gelato is PHENOMENAL! My wife and I loved our brief stop this week. The donuts are massive and well worth the price. Friendly service and the woman who served us was great. Highly recommended!“

“WHEN: Thur @11:30am

I’m glad my friend suggested here because I tend to only go to the same spot for Vietnamese food (pho). She was craving “Dry Pho” and I was happy to check out another mom ‘n pops spot!

PARKING: The area feels and looks sketchy so watch out where you step! We did find parking around the block, and since it’s around residential area, parking is free.

The staff is super kind, polite and friendly, and helped with ordering. Here’s what ordered:

#13 - BUN THIT NUONG CHA GIO - $17.50
Marinated grilled pork, egg roll w/Vermicelli.
This also comes with usual works, which is green onions, chopped peanuts, pickled carrots and daikon,shredded lettuce, cilantro, and a side of sweet fish sauce. The egg roll is cut into 4, to make it easier to eat and it was crispy and yummy! Everything about this bowl was just so refreshing and yummy! I think I made a good choice today!

Really happy to have tried out a new spot and it looks like you can’t go wrong with what you order here! Price is reasonable too for what you get with this kind of quality in food and service! Thank you Lemon Pepper!“

“Fresh, delicious and great folks“

“My favorite local banh mi spot. These guys make about as authentic a banh mi as you can find anywhere. Everything exactly as it needs to be, and nothing that it doesn't. It's worth mentioning that all the other food I've tried there is great too. In fact I always buy more than I need so I can save it for later.“

“I tried pho places in Oakland and San Leandro... Pho King Original has very savory broth, not salty, not greasy. The fresh spring rolls with shredded pork are huge and clean along with tasty fish sauce.

The owner is very friendly and plays cool oldies music in different languages. The place is well lighted and clean. Price is great for the portion of food.

Pho King Original has become my regular pho restaurant and will try the rest of the menu soon.“

“Ok how have I lived a 5 min walk from this spot for the past 3 months and not gone sooner!!! I love pho and Monster Pho is some of the best I’ve ever had. My partner got the chicken rice plate and thoroughly enjoyed it — chicken was flavorful and perfectly cooked. Not only was the food great, but we also really appreciated connecting with Tee. I highly recommend eating here.“

“I had a bowl of dry noodle the other day here, and I thought it wasn't very good.They used both the yellow egg noodle and the rice noodle, I am okay with the rice noodle, but the egg noodle gave a sweet taste that I do not care for.For the protein part they have 2 shrimp, 2 quail egg, some ground pork that I never EVER care for, some liver that was quite dry and tough, they also have what I thought was pig feet meat, and it was like the only thing that I seem to enjoy here, it got a good amount of of pig skin, some fat, and the meat was tender and sweet.There were also some bean sprouts, chives, green onion, cilantro, and fried shallot.My meal also came with a side of soup, which I thought was not bad, it seem to have a strong porky flavor.I also had their coconut jello for desert, it was not bad, but it didn't have any coconut meat piece in it. I like my friend's coconut jello much better.Overall it was an okay meal, there was a lot of food for the the price, the quality and taste was not the best for their dry noodle, but I had their bun rieu before and it was really good, so skip the dry noodle and try that one. FYI, their bun rieu have crab paste in there or something with crab protein, because as soon as I finished their bowl of bun rieu and left the restaurant that day, my whole body was itching like crazy plus other allergy symptoms for the rest of that day even after I took some allergy med later. It was MY FAULT for not thinking that some people do use crab paste in their bun rieu broth, well it okay, because it was a pretty good bun rieu.“

“Love the bun bo hue from here. This place made me fall in love with the dish to be h. Not to glaze or anything but even their water is so good like it's very refreshing. I really like the pho dac biet there as well. Love pho king, heh not trynna make a sussy joke or nun.“

“3 Bottled Fish keeps me coming back for more ! Friendly service, wonderful charming atmosphere and most of all - DELICIOUS food & coffee! Locally sourced food & creative menu offerings are what I look for when dining out & 3 Bottled Fish offers that & more. Can't say enough about how wonderful this lunchtime dining experience is, highly recommend.“

“It’s a cute shop with pre made and made to order food/drinks. I only got a Vietnamese coffee, and it was one of the pre-made things on the shelf without ice— that’s added in afterwards. That being said, seeing how much coffee you actually got and the amount of ice they put is upsetting for a $6 coffee. Actual taste of coffee was alright. Workers are nice.“

“The word for this place is CLUTCH

It's affordable, reliable, no nonsense, and there's always good lighting and air with the fans. The food is solid and tastes clean. I really rely on this place for a simple nourishing meal after a stressful day.“

“I only gave this place 5 stars because Google won't allow me to give them 💯! This is one of the best restaurants in the bay area! If you love spicy soup I highly recommend the numbing spicy chicken soup. My girlfriend and I are regulars, and our favorite dishes are the chicken pho, the numbing spicy soup, and the honey chili chicken wings! 🤤“

“Spectacular food and lovely service. I judge Vietnamese restaurants by their Pho and this is one of the three best I've ever had in America and Europe. Marvelous broth, full of depth and nuanced flavor. Don't love the meatballs, even though they are traditional, but also had great thin cut beef. Would suggest having options to have the meatballs or not, or add tendon. Then had mini pancakes with shrimp, Banh Khot, which I had been looking for for years. These were much better than the ones I originally fell for decades ago in San Mateo, with crisper texture, but most importantly better herb selection (shiso and mint), the addition of turmeric, and a great sauce which enhanced the flavor interplay to truly divine levels. Highly recommend an outing to try these! One caveat, the dining room is nice but not deluxe, with paper napkins and tables that are too high for the chairs. Outside seating option in a wooden framed area next to the onsite parking lot (which makes coming here very convenient).“

“Cam Anh is such a sweet person (she gave us freebie desserts and chatted while the place wasn’t busy) and I basically grew up on this restaurant’s food! Definitely recommend supporting this local business, so invaluable to the community.“

“I have been craving some authentic pho and this place hit the spot. They even have fresh noodle.
The service is awesome, the server guy was really attentive to us. The portion is big , even the beef is so tender. Their Goi Ngo Sen Tom Thit tastes amazing, I always order this whenever I go here.“

“Yummy Vietnamese eats in a casual environment- great for takeout! We had the fried rice and beef short rib, which were great. A lot of places make their fried rice too bland, but this was just right - with seared onion and chicken, little bits of egg, and green onion. Hit the spot!“

“There is a reason they sell out early everyday! Really delicious grilled pork, chicken or combo bahn mi. The fresh baguette is my favorite part. There is something about it that makes the sandwich taste even better than other places.

Great value. $6 per bahn mi. If you buy 4 sandwiches, you get a $2 discount. My favorite bahn mis!“

“My wife and I work in Oakland on Saturdays. We always look for a restaurant to try. Oh my Da Nang Quan. We sat and I let the ambient soaked into me. 4 ladies in the corner table chatting it up in Vietnamese. A couple next to us shared what they had ordered. 4 men was at a table speaking Cantonese and Vietnamese. It felt so nice hearing everyone talking about their lives. We will be back anytime we are in Oakland. A little gem.“

“This spot serves excellent, authentic Vietnamese food that hits the mark if you are looking for genuine flavors.

The clay pot catfish is a standout, perfectly balancing sweet and savory notes. For something comforting, the hot and sour catfish soup is warm, deeply soothing, and packed with bold flavor. The shrimp and cabbage salad offers a sharp, refreshing contrast to the richer dishes.

Service is welcoming and attentive. Parking is limited to the street, but the quality of the food makes it entirely worth the search. It is a fantastic, reliable staple for an authentic taste of Vietnam.“

“Lovely, inviting place with very reasonable prices. I ordered the grilled chicken “banh mi” sandwich and avocado smoothie (requested less sweet). Both were among the best I’ve had. This place seems family owned and they’re all very warm and friendly - especially the handsome young man at the register.“

“At this location, the fried garlic is served separately—a detail I truly appreciate. I also really enjoy their thin egg noodles, which strike a perfect balance between chewy and tender without becoming overly soft. However, the dish tends to be quite oily, so if you prefer lighter meals, this might not be ideal for you.

My usual order is the Number 1 without kidney, with the soup served on the side. I also always add fish cake as an appetizer. The total cost for two regular dishes plus one appetizer comes to $53.75.

What I love about this restaurant is how it evokes the authentic flavors of Thailand’s street food, especially the dry yellow egg noodles. While it doesn’t include traditional Thai-style char siu or wontons, the taste remains quite close to home.

This well-established Chinese restaurant impresses me with its surprisingly clean restrooms, likely due to my morning visits. Parking can be difficult, as only metered street parking is available. The branch tends to be busy, so clear communication with staff is important. Although there may be a short wait, the service is attentive and friendly.“

“Best Banh mi ever, bread is so good and tasty, no.2 is always the house special item, I tried no.11 this time and was very impressed. If you are not eating immediately ask them to separate the vegetables and meat, so it won't get soaked and not as good.“

“Absolutely fantastic experience at Golden Lotus! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the moment we arrived, the service was warm and welcoming. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented, with every dish prepared to perfection. The atmosphere was clean, comfortable, and inviting, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. Highly recommend Golden Lotus to anyone looking for delicious food and outstanding service. Can't wait to come back!“

“This place is phenomenal, not only is the coffee exceptional, the staff is so warm and inviting. Visiting from out of state, I’m sad that I’m leaving because the two interactions that I had made me really want to become a regular here. I’ll be back house of phin!!! I’ll wear your merch with pride :) and if you want to expand to the east, I’ll be your guy LOL“

“THE BEST PHO AND SERVICE HANDS DOWN! Born and raised out here, been to all the pho spots and we have a-lot of good ones but this one is my favorite. Once a week two #19s is what gets me through the week haha. Great portion and high quality meat always. Thank you Pho Mekong!!“

“Good food and great environment, a little far from home to go very often.“

“The ultimate comfort meal on Grand Ave!
If you are looking for a spectacular vegetarian noodle soup in Oakland, the Tofu Pho is an absolute must-try. The broth is incredibly flavorful, rich, and deeply aromatic. It comes loaded with an incredibly generous portion of perfectly prepared, tender tofu that absorbs all of those amazing traditional spices beautifully.
Pro-Tip: Make sure to order a pot of their house tea! It is exceptionally smooth, perfectly brewed, and makes the absolute best pairing with the pho or any of their other dinners.
Between the giant, comforting bowls and the friendly, prompt service, this low-key neighborhood gem remains one of my favorite stops on Grand.“

“Came here for Valentine’s Day expecting to indulge and try out the Chef Bar or Chef Table experience but those were not available at the time. We were informed there may be a Pri-fixe menu beforehand but that was not available that day either. We had no issues with that, but it would be preferable if they made sure they are able to offer the experiences that are available on the website. We ordered the wicked buns, Saigon give you wings, garlic noodle and the bo luc lac. The food was out very quickly.

🥙 Wicked Buns: The wicked buns were quite good. Truly cannot go wrong with some fried bao buns!

🍗 Chicken Wings: We really enjoyed the chicken wings as well. The fish sauce gives the wings a nice sweetness and makes them quite addicting.

🍝 Garlic Noodles: The garlic noodles had a nice char flavor to it. We could see them set it on fire from the bar, although we felt that the garlic noodles could have had a bit more salt and garlic in them. The shrimp also tasted frozen but they were still good.

🥩 Bo Luc Lac: We enjoyed the bo luc lac as well, it was cooked well and quite tender. It was very flavorful to the point it made us wish we had ordered the dirty rice with it.

🍹Cocktails: For drinks I asked the bartender what he recommended and offered to make me something. It wasn’t off-menu, but he made the Pillow Talks which had gin, calamansi and egg white in it. It had a nice flavor profile and balance and creaminess to the drink. I also ordered the Pandanmonium which is a pandan old fashioned which I really enjoyed. The drinks were quite fairly priced as well which I really appreciated.

Overall, I think the portion sizes can be a little small for the price, but the food is delicious and great. The drinks are also great and I would definitely come back for them!“

“Love 💕 the food here always yummy and tasty , great customer service, all the staff here nice and friendly, the great place think of when I hang out with my friends…..delicious boba drinks 🍹“

“Delicious pho ga. Soup is on point. Full of flavor.“

“Absolutely love the chicken pho here! Despite the plethora of pho places in this area, I always find myself coming back here to get my pho fix. The broth is intoxicating with a very generous portion of noodles (the Xtra large is massive!). What also stands out is the service. They’re always very welcoming, fast to take orders and bring the food out with a smile on their face. In fact, they remember my order most of the time and ask to confirm before they get it going (love). They’re also open a little later than most of the pho places which is a plus with my work schedule, just make sure to arrive at least 45 min before closing if you plan to eat in (they usually make you do take out if you get there less than 30 before closing which I think is fair). Highly recommend!“

“We were seated right away and received our food very quickly. We had different soups and they were very tasty, large portions and had lots of noodles. I enjoyed the extras and the spicy sauces too.
Staff was attentive and respectful.“

“Love it here! This place feels exactly like Vietnam. All the uncles hanging outside drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes while the women are inside working hard! ?
Coffee is strong and delicious and the banh mi is excellent with fresh bread. Super affordable. CASH ONLY“

“I went to their Grand Opening + 1 Day. Was biking along and thought I might drop in. I was pleasantly surprised. It was also previously a Pho restaurant under a different owner, and I have been there before. The previous establishment didn't accept cards (cash only) which was a major drawback for me. They also improved the decor and the staff seem appears much more friendly. I tried a rice plate and will go back for actual pho next time.“

“Had a great bowl of pho to start the day the other day. The pho broth has a nice complex flavor- I could taste a good amount of star anise in the bowl and I was a fan of the wonderful plate of garnishes. The thai basil in particular was so happy and fresh, whoever they get it from take a lot of care of these plants! The serving size was excellent I felt happily full and enjoyed this bowl quite a bit.“

“This resturant is part of my childhood and coming back, I've definitely noticed improvements. If you've been to chinese resturants you know how the service can be, but the food is delicious! Today, I can finally say service was better than expected, they finally accept credit cards with a 3.5% fee, and they have an updated menu! Food quality and taste is the same as it was when I was a kid.

My go to is the duck leg noodle, I personally think this is the best in the bay. Simple noodles and a meaty duck leg.

If you're in the area, give this place a try!“

“I had the best grilled pork banh mi of my life (#7). They bake AND smoke the meat which results in a distinct, signature flavor. They also get their bread custom made.

As for the donut: Nothing inside, but nutty and slightly sweet. Sesame seeds make a difference!

I can’t wait to come back to try the lemongrass tofu banh mi as I’ve heard that the owner is vegetarian and this is her special order. The chicken noodle soup is also supposed to be amazing.

Lastly, I want to support this business because the owner has a kind heart. She has a contract with the state of California to supply the prisons with her food. The prisoners apparently (and as one would guess) get pretty blah food.“

“The baguettes cannot be overhyped. There is a big light up sign in the window they turn on when the bread comes out of the oven. When it's on, stop, you won't be sorry. The sandwiches are on the same bread. The baguettes are one good thing that came from French colonialism.“

“Every time I come to town I stop for dinner. The paella is amazing. I also have an Anchor Steam every time I visit. I knew this time would be different with them (temporarily, hopefully) out of business. I so love this place.“