Food disappointed. Although the service was great and the atmosphere just fine, the food was mediocre. The twice-cooked eggplant was watery and way too salty, even for someone who loves pickled foods. The cabbage salad was ok, but nothing special. And the garlic fried rice was bland and dry despite the fried garlic chips. In winter, bring something to sit on as the metal chairs are cold. At these prices, you can do better in Portland. I wouldn't eat here again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Jake P
I mean… incredible, just knocks your socks off. Menu highlights were the Pho, the Shaken Beef, and the eggplant. Such a great atmosphere, and such friendly staff. An authentic and unique take on Vietnamese food. Best pho in New England.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Luis Lui
Noodle smells burnt and tease burnt, way too salty on half of the food that I ordered. Pho soup was not hot enough at all. For that price I’d expect higher quality standard. Everything just trying too hard.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
cole siefer
Good dishes for sharing and nice staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hunter Nolan
some of the best food I’ve personally had in portland, best served on a cold night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cabbage Salad, Pho GA, Garlic Fried Rice, Bun Cha
Quinn McLean
We stumbled upon Cong Tu Bot expecting something totally different. We thought they had different types of pho but they didn't but we still decided to see what they had to offer since it looked like a cool spot. I got the pineapple fried rice. It was 28 dollars and honestly it was not worth 28 dollars. While they give u a decent portion the food lacked flavor. I had to add extra lime to my dish. A lot of the food prices were too high in my opinion. The vibe of the place was very average nothing really stood out to me. It was an open kitchen so you can see the chef cook.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Nick K
Truly spectacular cuisine, worth driving 2 hours from Boston for! We're planning another trip just to eat here again. Had good support for gluten-free options
Dietary restrictions: Had gluten free options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicolette Bernardi
It was good, the eggplant dish was really tasty
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Twice Cooked Eggplant
Bri Pippin
Chicken pho was the best I’ve ever had. They also served it with culantro, which I was thrilled to find! Along with the usual accompaniments of basil, cilantro, lime, bean sprouts, fish sauce and chilis. Service was top notch. Open kitchen and really lively atmosphere! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pho GA
Catherine Yang
The twice cooked eggplant was the best thing I’ve eaten in a long time. My partner loved the shrimp fried rice and my friend the garlic noodles. We also loved the colorful, well balanced cocktails. The space is warm, lively and colorful, perfect for a dreary fall day. My only wish would be for the eggplant portion size to be a little bigger!
We were a little unsure about this spot given some of the reviews, but we are glad we gave it a shot! (TLDR of said reviews - don't expect authenticity and don't get the pho)
Two of us shared 3 dishes (and 2 serves of rice)- the eggplant and the shaken beef were both absolutely incredible! So. Much. Flavor. We also had the curried beans ("the chef's special") which was a definite low point compared to the other two dishes.
I was too excited for the beef dish to take a photo, but it was also beautifully presented.
The portions were so that we didn't have any leftovers. We sat at the bar / chefs counter and enjoyed watching them as they worked/interacted.
Service was attentive and helpful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amaury S
I was skeptical about Cong Tu Bot at first. The reviews were pretty mixed — and I get why. It’s definitely not for everyone! The food is elevated, but I’m not sure it’s quite elevated enough to match the price point. It wasn’t a cheap meal. The ambiance is great, but don’t expect a fancy spot (which we actually appreciated; it fits the laid-back vibe of Washington Ave perfectly; you’ll be sitting on wooden tables and get paper menus). That said, we really enjoyed it and would come back.
The food was a highlight for us. The dishes were aromatic and packed with flavor — and some were seriously spicy, which was a nice surprise, and that’s coming from someone with a high spice tolerance. However, for the price, the portions could definitely be a bit more generous.
We also enjoyed the ambiance. We loved the mix of indoor and outdoor seating, and the outdoor space still felt like part of the main dining area. The open kitchen setup tied it all together. Overall, it’s a great pick for when you’re craving Asian food that’s somewhere between casual and upscale without feeling stuffy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
aishwarya kumar
Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Every dish is thoughtfully put together and the flavors are just incredible. The cabbage salad was delightful and so refreshing, the stir fried rice noodles was spicy and full of complex flavors, the twice-cooked eggplant was smoky and wonderful and finally the coconut milk curry with rice was a perfect final dish to finish off the meal. It felt like a hug in a bowl.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cabbage Salad
Zachary Adams
Wowowow so good. Our server was so nice and the food was amazing. Would 13/10 recommend the twice baked eggplant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Wendler
If you're craving something flavorful in a warm, friendly environment that feels like a local secret, this Vietnamese gem is a your spot. Bursting with freshness and flavor, every dish is a celebration of Vietnamese cuisine. It’s clear that this place isn’t just about serving meals, but about creating a welcoming space for people to relax and enjoy. You'll leave with a full belly and a happy heart.
Food disappointed. Although the service was great and the atmosphere just fine, the food was mediocre. The twice-cooked eggplant was watery and way too salty, even for someone who loves pickled foods. The cabbage salad was ok, but nothing special. And the garlic fried rice was bland and dry despite the fried garlic chips. In winter, bring something to sit on as the metal chairs are cold. At these prices, you can do better in Portland. I wouldn't eat here again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
I mean… incredible, just knocks your socks off. Menu highlights were the Pho, the Shaken Beef, and the eggplant. Such a great atmosphere, and such friendly staff. An authentic and unique take on Vietnamese food. Best pho in New England.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Noodle smells burnt and tease burnt, way too salty on half of the food that I ordered. Pho soup was not hot enough at all. For that price I’d expect higher quality standard.
Everything just trying too hard.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Good dishes for sharing and nice staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
some of the best food I’ve personally had in portland, best served on a cold night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cabbage Salad, Pho GA, Garlic Fried Rice, Bun Cha
We stumbled upon Cong Tu Bot expecting something totally different. We thought they had different types of pho but they didn't but we still decided to see what they had to offer since it looked like a cool spot. I got the pineapple fried rice. It was 28 dollars and honestly it was not worth 28 dollars. While they give u a decent portion the food lacked flavor. I had to add extra lime to my dish. A lot of the food prices were too high in my opinion. The vibe of the place was very average nothing really stood out to me. It was an open kitchen so you can see the chef cook.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Truly spectacular cuisine, worth driving 2 hours from Boston for! We're planning another trip just to eat here again. Had good support for gluten-free options
Dietary restrictions: Had gluten free options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was good, the eggplant dish was really tasty
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Twice Cooked Eggplant
Chicken pho was the best I’ve ever had. They also served it with culantro, which I was thrilled to find! Along with the usual accompaniments of basil, cilantro, lime, bean sprouts, fish sauce and chilis. Service was top notch. Open kitchen and really lively atmosphere! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pho GA
The twice cooked eggplant was the best thing I’ve eaten in a long time. My partner loved the shrimp fried rice and my friend the garlic noodles. We also loved the colorful, well balanced cocktails. The space is warm, lively and colorful, perfect for a dreary fall day. My only wish would be for the eggplant portion size to be a little bigger!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
We were a little unsure about this spot given some of the reviews, but we are glad we gave it a shot! (TLDR of said reviews - don't expect authenticity and don't get the pho)
Two of us shared 3 dishes (and 2 serves of rice)- the eggplant and the shaken beef were both absolutely incredible! So. Much. Flavor. We also had the curried beans ("the chef's special") which was a definite low point compared to the other two dishes.
I was too excited for the beef dish to take a photo, but it was also beautifully presented.
The portions were so that we didn't have any leftovers. We sat at the bar / chefs counter and enjoyed watching them as they worked/interacted.
Service was attentive and helpful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was skeptical about Cong Tu Bot at first. The reviews were pretty mixed — and I get why. It’s definitely not for everyone! The food is elevated, but I’m not sure it’s quite elevated enough to match the price point. It wasn’t a cheap meal. The ambiance is great, but don’t expect a fancy spot (which we actually appreciated; it fits the laid-back vibe of Washington Ave perfectly; you’ll be sitting on wooden tables and get paper menus). That said, we really enjoyed it and would come back.
The food was a highlight for us. The dishes were aromatic and packed with flavor — and some were seriously spicy, which was a nice surprise, and that’s coming from someone with a high spice tolerance. However, for the price, the portions could definitely be a bit more generous.
We also enjoyed the ambiance. We loved the mix of indoor and outdoor seating, and the outdoor space still felt like part of the main dining area. The open kitchen setup tied it all together. Overall, it’s a great pick for when you’re craving Asian food that’s somewhere between casual and upscale without feeling stuffy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Every dish is thoughtfully put together and the flavors are just incredible. The cabbage salad was delightful and so refreshing, the stir fried rice noodles was spicy and full of complex flavors, the twice-cooked eggplant was smoky and wonderful and finally the coconut milk curry with rice was a perfect final dish to finish off the meal. It felt like a hug in a bowl.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cabbage Salad
Wowowow so good. Our server was so nice and the food was amazing. Would 13/10 recommend the twice baked eggplant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you're craving something flavorful in a warm, friendly environment that feels like a local secret, this Vietnamese gem is a your spot. Bursting with freshness and flavor, every dish is a celebration of Vietnamese cuisine. It’s clear that this place isn’t just about serving meals, but about creating a welcoming space for people to relax and enjoy. You'll leave with a full belly and a happy heart.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Rice
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