Cà Phê Rang — Restaurant in Toronto

went here in july 2022. got the brisket and rare beef pho ($20 - an abomination) but i think it must have been sitting around for a while before being served to us because the noodles were way too soft and overcooked, and what was supposed to be rare beef was fully cooked. the cuts of beef were good, in blocks and nice and fatty and juicy. but the broth was disappointing: bland and flavourless. i left most of the noodles and broth because it was so mushy, it was inedible. i read some other reviews that criticized the noodles for being too al dente (hard), so it seems like there's some quality control issues here if there's going to be such a discrepancy in the quality of the food being served.

also we waited close to 45 min-1 hr to get 2 bowls of pho and an iced vietnamese coffee from our very aloof waitress in an empty restaurant. the coffee came in a plastic cup and was PREMIXED! and extremely watery and tasteless. not like authentic viet places that will serve it with the little metal filter drip thing that slowly drips the rich, strong coffee into a glass with sweet and condensed milk and iced cubes in it.

this place is really not worth double or triple the price of a real bowl of pho at the unpretentious, family-run viet restaurants where a bowl of pho starts at $10.50 for a small or reg size, and the service is quick and the broth is perfect every time. i would recommend going up the street to bun saigon at sullivan and spadina if you want the authentic vietnamese food experience, or anh dao a little further up at cecil st.

the banh mis look good in the pictures and i didn't try them, so maybe they can be the redeeming factor of this place. but they're probably insanely expensive too ($15?).

for great banh mis, go to banh mi nguyen huong, the little takeout place up on spadina, west side, north of dundas, with the yellow sign. they've been there 30+ years and the bread is always soft and fresh and just the thought of the mix of pate and butter on their sandwiches makes my mouth water. those banh mis are i think $2.50 each (back in the 90s when my parents took me there, they were like $1.50 or maybe even $1!) they also have takeout wrapped trays of vermicelli noodles with viet bacon/sausage/fried spring roll, fresh shrimp rice paper rolls, fried egg noodles for $5 each. the ingredients are fresh, service is instant, as there's always a line of viet ladies behind the counter making sandwiches all day long.

honestly, i don't know anything about matty matheson, but maybe white people shouldn't get involved in serving asian food if this is going to be the result lol. maybe they had an off day, i have no idea, but there are other great options for vietnamese and pho up spadina for half or a third of the price and 10x the taste....

After a long time of pining over the food at Cà Phê Rang, my fiancé and I FINALLY got to try it a couple of weeks ago while visiting Toronto! We are HUGE fans of Chef Rang and our experience was 10000000/10- everything we could’ve asked for and more!

DRINKS: I had the iced Vietnamese coffee which was probably one of the best coffees I’ve ever had. It was strong yet sweet (but not overly sweet- just the right amount) and smooth. My fiancé had the “Rang’s Secret Cocktail” and my GOD was that good. I have no idea what was in it (tasted fruity/tropical, perhaps papaya or something along those lines) but it was also probably one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. I’m not a huge cocktail person and it was so refreshing and delicious.

FOOD: naturally, we had to try a little bit of everything. We got the fish sauce caramel wings (WOW. So crispy and flavorful. The dimension of flavor on the wings was incredible- sweet, tangy, and little spicy, sticky. Just everything you’d want in a wing), the brisket bánh mì (it was my first bánh mì ever and the meat was flavorful and tender, bread was soft but crispy on the outside), the beef + brisket pho (I overcame my dislike of cilantro for this soup- SO GOOD. The broth was light but so flavorful and hearty at the same time) and the fried crispy rolls. Everything was so fresh and amazing!!!

ATMOSPHERE: It is so cute and bright in there! our server was so sweet and made our experience 1000000/10. The entire staff was great. We went early in the day so there weren’t many people there, so the service was quick and our server was so friendly and attentive. They also have merch you can buy there. I left with a full belly and a cute shirt :-) if you are in Toronto and are looking for delicious Vietnamese food, look no further and make it a point to stop in! We can’t wait to...

A Culinary Gem in Downtown Toronto with Exceptional Service

From the moment we stepped into Cà Phê Rang, nestled at the vibrant corner of Richmond and Spadina, we knew we were in for a treat. This Vietnamese restaurant not only captivates with its authentic and delectable dishes but also with the warmth and excellence in service, especially from an extraordinary by the asian young lady who served us.

Her attentive, friendly, and efficient service truly set our dining experience apart. She had an exceptional knowledge of the menu, offering personalized recommendations that catered perfectly to our taste preferences and dietary restrictions. Her passion for the cuisine and eagerness to share it with guests shone through, making us feel welcomed and valued.

The dishes we tried were nothing short of spectacular, each a testament to the authentic Vietnamese flavors and culinary craftsmanship. However, it was the personal touch and genuine care from our server that elevated our meal into a memorable dining experience. Her attentiveness ensured that our glasses were never empty, our table was always neat, and our needs were promptly met with a smile.

Cà Phê Rang is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the rich flavors of Vietnam right in the heart of Toronto. It's not just the food but the extraordinary service that will have us coming back. A special shoutout to the amazing young lady who made our evening unforgettable. Her dedication and professionalism are what hospitality is all about.

Thank you, Cà Phê Rang, for a wonderful experience. We look forward to...