Where to find the best Pho in Sydney
Pho lovers, have I got a treat for you! If there’s any dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, it’s pho. Pho is quintessential Vietnamese noodle soup packed with fragrant broth, slippery rice noodles, and fresh herbs. Thankfully for us Australians, Sydney is a jackpot for this Southeast Asian gem. Whether you’re a pho devotee or trying it for the first time, this guide to the best pho in Sydney will lead you straight to the top spots.
What makes a bowl of pho truly unforgettable?
What sets a bowl of pho apart is its deeply aromatic and flavourful broth, which is simmered for hours, often using beef bones, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and charred onion and ginger. This careful layering of spices gives pho its signature warmth and depth. The broth is poured over flat rice noodles and tender slices of beef or chicken, then topped with fresh herbs like Thai basil, coriander, and bean sprouts.
A squeeze of lime and a dash of chilli or hoisin sauce adds a personal touch, allowing each bowl to be customised to taste. It’s this harmony of slow-cooked complexity and fresh, vibrant toppings that makes pho truly special.
Where to slurp the best bowls of pho in Sydney
1. Pho Pasteur, Haymarket (CBD)
As a Chinatown restaurant, Pho Pasteur is conveniently located right off the city centre and offers a deeply savoury and well-balanced broth with a menu of 10+ different pho dishes. This is considered to be one of the top bowls near the CBD.
2. Hello Auntie, Marrickville + Darling Square
A modern take on a traditional venue. Offers ‘pho dac biet’ which is a hearty, elevated pho platter complete with wagyu meatballs, brisket, short rib and fragrant broth. Highly recommended for visitors craving a deliciously hearty bowl of pho.
3. Eat Fuh, Marrickville
A family-run franchise that spreads across Sydney. Known for their 8-hour broth, roasted and blended with oven-roasted spices—a very reliable and delicious place for great pho. They deliver authentic pho and vegetarian food.
4. The Great Aunty Three, Enmore
This award-winning restaurant offers a family recipe for aromatic and fragrant pho with either traditional beef or vegan versions, topped with either soy chicken or tofu
5. Golden Lotus Vegan, Newtown
A family-run restaurant and one of the best vegan pho places in the city, the menu caters to both the plant-based and pho-loving communities!
6. AN Restaurant, Bankstown
AN Restaurant presents Northern-style noodle soups, with their rich and fragrant broth that has been simmered for 10 hours before serving. Inexperienced with a broth this nutty, you will be satisfied with your fill of pho!
7. Pho Gia Hoi & Pho Hanoi Pho
Two of the highly regarded, range pho choices that TripAdvisor highly rates for their authentic taste and a line-up of local patrons.
What do Sydneysiders think about pho?
Pho has become a much-loved comfort food among Sydney locals, especially on cooler days or after a big night out. Many Sydneysiders appreciate the rich, aromatic broth and fresh herbs that make each bowl so satisfying. It’s seen not just as a meal, but as an experience—best shared with mates in bustling Vietnamese eateries. With so many authentic spots around Cabramatta, Marrickville, and Bankstown, it’s no wonder pho has cemented itself as a local favourite.
How to enjoy pho like a local?
To enjoy pho like a local, start by choosing a bustling Vietnamese eatery—some of the best bowls are found at no-frills spots packed with regulars. When your steaming bowl arrives, take a moment to savour the aroma before diving in.
Locals usually taste the broth first before adding condiments. Then, customise it to your liking with a squeeze of lime, fresh herbs like Thai basil and coriander, and perhaps some bean sprouts or sliced chilli for heat. Don’t drown it in sauce—a cheeky splash of hoisin or sriracha will do the trick if you reckon it needs it.
Use chopsticks for the noodles and a spoon for the broth; slurping is acceptable and even encouraged. And make sure you sip up every last drop of the broth—it’s the heart and soul of the whole feed.
Where to find pho near you in Sydney
No matter in the Inner West, the western suburbs, or close to the City Centre, you’re never too far from a bubbling bowl of pho. Popular areas to search for pho:
- Cabramatta – NSW’s Vietnamese food capital.
- Bankstown – Known for its long-standing pho institutions.
- Marrickville – A mix of classic and modern Vietnamese vibes.
- Parramatta – Great pho options within a growing food scene.
Final thoughts
When it comes to slurping up a soul-warming bowl, the best pho in Sydney delivers rich broth, fresh herbs, and authentic Vietnamese flavour. Whether you’re wandering through Cabramatta or tucked away in a Surry Hills laneway, there’s no shortage of spots that serve pho just right. From old-school family kitchens to modern fusion eateries, Sydney’s pho scene keeps locals coming back for more. So next time you’re craving comfort in a bowl, you’ll know exactly where to go.