My wife and I had lunch here today and we both really enjoyed our meals. I had the Phoenix - Gà, and she had the steak phở, both were excellent. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and the broth in the phở was especially flavorful.
We sat outside, and the vibes were great. I also appreciated that the street this restaurant is on is quieter and less busy than others in the area, which made the experience even better. Lastly, the service was very attentive and fast too.
Samara Stephen-Dowd
everything is good here! I had the catfish banhmi it was bomb!!
Lauren Gomez
pictured: vegetarian pho and chicken vermicelli :)
so yummy!! my pho had great flavor
Josh Thayer
Great place for a nice lunch.
Jeffrey Stoltzfus
Nice outdoor seating in a quieter part of Old Town Alexandria but still not far from King Street.
Michael de P.
This was spot on delicious. I have been to Vietnam about 8 times for holiday and visiting friends and business and this place was great and much better than places I can find in Europe. American Vietnamese restaurants can be great. I think all of the former communist Vietnamese imported labor to East Germany or Chinese from Wenzhou are making the Vietnamese in a lot of Europe and maybe South Vietnamese the left during the Vietnam war are making the food in the USA? The bun cha could have a better marinade and char from a grill and it is wasnt as good as Vietnam but still satisfied me. The Pho did not have any or much of those Chinese spices which I do not prefer as it overpowers and this one had a lot of beef flavor.
Marcos Lomeli
Delicious authentic Vietnamese food, no frills, simple menu, solid service, reasonable price. Can't ask for much more. The House Pho or The Works are options that you can't go wrong with. I'd eat here every day if I could.
Joanna Popoff
This place is extremely delicious we only got the lemongrass chicken but it was so yummy !!! We are definitely coming back
bennywynn
Vietnamese food is at its best when humble and simple. For the most part, Caphe Banh Mi delivers on this. I ordered the pho dac biet (or "The Works") and a cha gio (egg roll), and I was pleased with the taste and quality. Admittedly, I was a bit concerned about eating at a DC area Vietnamese restaurant that wasn't in Falls Church (the east coast mecca of Viet food), but I'm happy to report that Vietnamese food's influence has spread beyond FC.
Two issues: 1) catering to the American audience, and 2) too expensive.
On the first point, these are little details, but egg rolls traditionally come with a big plate of lettuce and fresh herbs to enjoy in a wrap form. I can only assume that the American clientele doesn't eat any of said greenery, so the management stopped serving it rather than waste. Maybe make it optional and ask if the customer wants it.
On the second point, I had a bowl of pho, two egg rolls, and a beer; after tax and tip, my bill was $48. That's way too much for one person for vietnamese food. Maybe it's the area. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's price-gouging. I grew up in Southern California (the actual mecca of Vietnamese food in America), where that exact meal would be closer to $16-$20.
Service was good. The entire staff (at least the front facing) was Vietnamese, so that's encouraging. There was even a yelling Vietnamese auntie in the kitchen to add to the authentic experience.
All in all, a good meal. I'd visit once in a while, but because of cost, it won't be a weekly dining option.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Works
Jordan Reed
Here's what to do: book a month long trip to Alexandria and eat at Caphe Banh Mi for every meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Deeeeeeeelicious ?
My wife and I had lunch here today and we both really enjoyed our meals. I had the Phoenix - Gà, and she had the steak phở, both were excellent. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and the broth in the phở was especially flavorful.
We sat outside, and the vibes were great. I also appreciated that the street this restaurant is on is quieter and less busy than others in the area, which made the experience even better. Lastly, the service was very attentive and fast too.
everything is good here! I had the catfish banhmi it was bomb!!
pictured: vegetarian pho and chicken vermicelli :)
so yummy!! my pho had great flavor
Great place for a nice lunch.
Nice outdoor seating in a quieter part of Old Town Alexandria but still not far from King Street.
This was spot on delicious. I have been to Vietnam about 8 times for holiday and visiting friends and business and this place was great and much better than places I can find in Europe. American Vietnamese restaurants can be great. I think all of the former communist Vietnamese imported labor to East Germany or Chinese from Wenzhou are making the Vietnamese in a lot of Europe and maybe South Vietnamese the left during the Vietnam war are making the food in the USA? The bun cha could have a better marinade and char from a grill and it is wasnt as good as Vietnam but still satisfied me. The Pho did not have any or much of those Chinese spices which I do not prefer as it overpowers and this one had a lot of beef flavor.
Delicious authentic Vietnamese food, no frills, simple menu, solid service, reasonable price. Can't ask for much more. The House Pho or The Works are options that you can't go wrong with. I'd eat here every day if I could.
This place is extremely delicious we only got the lemongrass chicken but it was so yummy !!! We are definitely coming back
Vietnamese food is at its best when humble and simple. For the most part, Caphe Banh Mi delivers on this. I ordered the pho dac biet (or "The Works") and a cha gio (egg roll), and I was pleased with the taste and quality. Admittedly, I was a bit concerned about eating at a DC area Vietnamese restaurant that wasn't in Falls Church (the east coast mecca of Viet food), but I'm happy to report that Vietnamese food's influence has spread beyond FC.
Two issues: 1) catering to the American audience, and 2) too expensive.
On the first point, these are little details, but egg rolls traditionally come with a big plate of lettuce and fresh herbs to enjoy in a wrap form. I can only assume that the American clientele doesn't eat any of said greenery, so the management stopped serving it rather than waste. Maybe make it optional and ask if the customer wants it.
On the second point, I had a bowl of pho, two egg rolls, and a beer; after tax and tip, my bill was $48. That's way too much for one person for vietnamese food. Maybe it's the area. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's price-gouging. I grew up in Southern California (the actual mecca of Vietnamese food in America), where that exact meal would be closer to $16-$20.
Service was good. The entire staff (at least the front facing) was Vietnamese, so that's encouraging. There was even a yelling Vietnamese auntie in the kitchen to add to the authentic experience.
All in all, a good meal. I'd visit once in a while, but because of cost, it won't be a weekly dining option.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Works
Here's what to do: book a month long trip to Alexandria and eat at Caphe Banh Mi for every meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Deeeeeeeelicious ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food, fast friendly service, inexpensive, you can sit outside very nicely.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely small casual spot with great food. Have been a few times and the chicken Bahn mi is my fave!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lemongrass Chicken Banh MI
Best Vietnamese food in Old Town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Classic Vietnamese, very well prepared.
Food: 5
Outdoor seating in the fall is awesome. Vegan options are fantastic. Very relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices.
Vegetarian options: Vegan banh mi, vegan Pho, appetizers
Parking: Can be a little tricky on the weekends
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Pho Phở Chay
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