Pho Ngoc Yen 3 Toronto — Restaurant in Toronto

It’s rare that I ever write restaurant reviews, but this experience was so exceptional that it truly deserves recognition.

I ordered the vermicelli bowl for $22 and it was outstanding. The portion was generous, beautifully balanced, and both refined and deeply satisfying. They don’t cut corners here; every element tasted fresh and intentional. My partner’s pho was equally impressive, deeply aromatic and full of rich flavor, served in a large bowl that could easily rival the best in the city.

Still torn between the two dishes, I was thrilled to discover that you can order a small pho soup, either chicken or beef, for just $3. It was an unexpected highlight, delicate and flavorful, clearly made with the same attention as the main menu.

What truly elevates this restaurant is the service and atmosphere. From the moment we walked in, every staff member from the host to our servers carried themselves with genuine warmth and professionalism. The little details set them apart: the attentiveness, the grace in service, and the thoughtful touches that you simply don’t find in most casual Vietnamese spots.

At one point our server noticed our bags on the floor and, without hesitation, combined two tables so we’d have more space. It was such a simple gesture but spoke volumes about the care and attention to guests. When it came time for the cheque, he mentioned a 10 percent discount for cash payment, and when we were tipping, he kindly insisted that what we gave was already more than enough. He smiled and said, “As long as you come back,” and we absolutely will.

I often feel out of place in upscale restaurants, but here I felt completely at home, cared for, seen, and sincerely welcomed. It was elegant yet comforting in every way. When we left, I turned to my partner and said, “I felt like a celebrity.” He, who is usually the harshest critic, completely agreed.

This restaurant isn’t just serving food. It is offering an experience that redefines what genuine...

We were stunned at the beautiful interior of this restaurant. Upon walking in, it felt extremely grand and inviting, almost like a musem.

We ordered a few noodle dishes, some appetizers, and a rice plate. The pho was nothing short of exceptional; the rare beef was extremely tender and the soup was one of the best we've ever had in the city. Overall, the quality and taste of the food here is amazing and authentic.

What's more, the service was arguably even better than the taste of the food. First, upon noticing that one of our tables was the slightest bit wobbly, they brought in a couple of servers to replace the table. Then, at the end of our meal, they surprised us with a fruit dessert as it was my dad's birthday. What was extremely touching was that what seemed to be the owner, grabbed the attention of all the nearby tables and announced to everyone that it was my dad's birthday. Then, he encouraged everyone to sing the Happy Birthday Song, which was one of the nicest things that any restaurant could have done to celebrate someone's special day. Just because of the service we received this day, I can not appreciate this restaurant enough.

I visited this restaurant a second time with a friend, and I have a few new thoughts to add to my review. We came without reservations on a Friday evening, and we did not have to wait as they found us a table promptly. The pho was amazing as usual; extremely large portion sizes, fragrant soup, and tender meat. I was a bit shocked at the price of the drinks however, as many of them were $12, which we felt was unreasonable. Consequently, I decided to refrain from purchasing any drinks since I could get an equally tasty one anywhere outside. Lastly, we appreciated the 10% cash discount! I would definitely...

I visited Pho Ngoc Yen 3 in downtown Toronto (the new location) for a dinner for two, and overall it was a delightful experience.

The space strikes a rare balance between modern elegance and traditional Vietnamese character. The servers wearing traditional áo dài added an authentic touch that elevated the ambiance. We went on a Friday night, and by about 7 pm the restaurant was buzzing, clearly a popular spot, so reservations or arriving early are smart moves.

As for the food:

I ordered the Bún with grilled chicken (a classic I always judge Vietnamese places by), and it was nicely executed: fresh herbs, good texture in the noodles, and a well-balanced sauce.

My friend tried C10 (House Special Fried Rice: pork, chicken, and seafood), which was flavorful, generous, and had good wok-heat. However, we didn’t expect it to be fried rice, thinking it was meat with a side of rice. It was our mistake, but it might be a nice value-added service if servers could double-check orders like many restaurants do. The server was very hospitable, though, and offered to give us the item we wanted.

They serve complimentary tea, which is always a nice touch to start the meal.

Service overall was decent and friendly. One small note: you pay at the front rather than getting the bill at your table. Nothing wrong with that, but worth knowing if you’re expecting a more typical fine dining setup.

Overall, the food was just as good as at Anh Vu, and for me, Vietnamese food usually falls into two categories, good or mid. This was definitely good....