Vietnamese Restaurants in Ithaca

“My boyfriend and I went here together for the very first time and had an amazing experience. The food was fresh, the service was quick and our waitress was very kind. The only drawback to our experience was the manchild in the restaurant when we arrived. He was sitting at a table with 2 others dining in as we were, and decided that screaming at the waitress, the chef, and 2 other employees was an appropriate course of action after there was a misunderstanding when he and my boyfriend ordered something similar and the manchild was accidentally brought the wrong dish. With an air of not so subtle racism, he accused them of doing it on purpose, and demanded all of their meals (his as well as his other two very unfortunate dining companions) be completely comped, to which the other unfortunate people dining with the manchild, all completely horrified of his behavior, paid their tab and wanted to leave quickly. The employees at the establishment handled the situation SO professionally and immediately did everything to remedy the situation, which made our experience there even better. We ordered food to go, and will definitely be recommending this location to others and returning here our next time in Ithaca. Hopefully manchild will stay at home and cook his own food next time- and again- kudos to the lovely staff at Saigon!“

“Tucked just off the Commons, Pho Time brings a reliable, no-fuss spot for Vietnamese comfort food right to the heart of Ithaca. The menu is compact but hits all the classics: rich, aromatic pho, fresh spring rolls, and satisfying vermicelli bowls (lemongrass grilled pork is my fav).

The broth is the star here—deeply savory with just the right balance of spice and sweetness. Whether you go for the traditional beef or opt for chicken or vegetarian, each bowl comes generously portioned with plenty of fresh cilantro and basil, lime, and crunchy bean sprouts on the side.

For us, Pho Time has become a weekly ritual. It’s the kind of place you can count on for a comforting, delicious meal that always hits the spot—whether we’re grabbing a quick pick-up order or sitting down for a casual dinner.

The space itself is small and unfussy, perfect for a simple lunch or dinner when you’re craving something warm and soothing. Service is friendly and quick, even during peak times, and the prices are reasonable for the portion sizes.

In a town with growing options for global cuisine, Pho Time holds its own as a solid, go-to spot when you want something simple, filling, and reliably good.“