Pho London Bridge — Restaurant in London

As I stepped through the unassuming glass door of Phở, a wave of warmth enveloped me, not just from the steamy air wafting from the kitchen but from the sheer soul of the place. The aroma hit first—a heady symphony of star anise, mingling with the sweet, earthy undertones of slow-simmered beef broth that seemed to whisper promises of revelation. The interior was a cozy tapestry of wooden tables, with jars of chilli oil and fish sauce that gleamed like liquid jewels under the soft glow of paper lanterns. A gentle hum of chatter, clinking spoons, and the occasional laughter from a table of regulars created a soundscape that wrapped around me like a warm blanket. I was greeted by a server whose smile radiated the kind of genuine kindness that makes you believe in humanity again. The menu was a treasure map, but I knew instantly what I craved: their signature phở bò, a beef noodle soup that locals had raved about as “life-changing.” When the bowl arrived, it was a masterpiece—a steaming lake of amber broth, so clear I could see the delicate rice noodles nestled beneath, yet so fragrant it carried the weight of hours, maybe days, of devotion. Thin slices of ruby-red raw beef floated atop, gently cooking in the broth’s embrace, alongside sprigs of Thai basil, bright cilantro, and bean sprouts that crunched with the promise of freshness. A wedge of lime, a scatter of sliced green onions, and a fiery red chili gleamed like garnishes from an artist’s palette.

Oh, that first sip—it was as if the universe paused to let me savor it. The broth was a revelation, a velvet elixir that danced between savory depth and subtle sweetness, with notes of charred onion and clove weaving through like a melody you never want to end. Each spoonful was a journey, comforting yet thrilling, familiar yet exotic, like a hug from a loved one you haven’t seen in years. I couldn’t help but close my eyes, letting the warmth spread through me, my heart whispering, This is what love tastes like.

The experience wasn’t just the food, though it was the star. It was the way the elderly couple at the next table shared their bánh mì, laughing softly in Vietnamese; the way the chef peeked out from the kitchen, his apron dusted with flour, to check if we were happy; the way the playlist shifted from soft Vietnamese ballads to a cheeky bit of classic rock, making me grin mid-bite.

By the time I left, my belly full and my heart fuller, I was utterly, irrevocably in love. Phở Haven wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a sanctuary, a place where time slowed and every bite told a story of care, culture, and craft. I walked out into the chilly evening, the lingering warmth of the broth still radiating within me, and I knew I’d be back—tomorrow, next week, forever. Every spare penny in my pocket, every spare moment in my day, now has a purpose: to return to this haven of flavors, to lose myself in another bowl of phở, another spring roll, another moment of pure, unadulterated bliss. I’m not just a customer; I’m a devotee, and Phở Haven is my temple. I’ll be counting down the hours until I can worship again. This placed made me believe in love again, after I left I called my estranged son and we have reconnected for the first time in 12 years, that’s not just...

I recently visited this restaurant and was extremely disappointed with the service. As a regular customer at Pho Canary Wharf, I decided to try this location, expecting a similar level of service and quality, but unfortunately, the experience was far below my expectations.

From the moment we entered, it was clear that customer care was lacking. When we arrived, more than half the tables were empty, yet one Asian waiter with long hair made us stand by the entrance for two minutes without offering any explanation. After he walked away, instead of checking for available tables, he started talking to a colleague and cleaning cutlery. We waited several minutes before having to flag him down again. He returned and, despite us mentioning that we had already waited, he told us to wait another two minutes. When we expressed frustration, his attitude was dismissive, and he told us to wait an additional five minutes. Only after we pressed him further did he mention that all the tables were reserved.

As someone who works in the service industry, I completely understand how busy a restaurant can get. However, there was no excuse for not explaining the situation upfront and only revealing that all tables were reserved after we had to ask several times.

The poor service continued when it was time to pay. My friend and I wanted to split the bill. After I paid my portion, the waiter simply left the POS machine on the table and walked away without saying a word. My friend had to figure out how to complete the transaction on her own. I also requested a receipt, and while he said he would get it, he never returned. We waited for a long time until another waitress noticed that something was wrong – we were sitting there with a POS machine but no server in sight. She spoke quietly to who seemed to be the manager, who then came over to ask what had happened.

To top it off, the restaurant was never even close to being full during our entire visit. We dined for at least 40 minutes, and the same tables that were empty when we arrived remained empty when we left.

The lack of communication, dismissive attitude, and overall poor service from our waiter was incredibly frustrating. This experience left a very bad impression, and I am very dissatisfied with the way we were treated. This happened on...

As an international visitor, I decided to venture out to this place based on the positive rating. Bit of a wait outside the door was met with an odd interaction with another customer who was quite persistent with wanting the door to be closed due to the cold. As mentioned, I was happy to close the door should the group move forward to allow more space for other customers waiting outside. Unfortunately this was met with resistance with indication that the waiter did not allow customers to move forward beyond a certain point which I found a bit strange. Eitherway if the service was faster to seat customers, this negative experience wouldn’t have happened.

Food wise, the rice noodles you can tell are the dehydrated version. Possibly fresh rice noodles are not available in England. Bean sprout portion was very minimal and did not look entirely fresh. It is evident that the cuisine has been adapted to fit Western standards.

Overall my rating is based from a point of view as an international customer. I do reside in another Western country where the quality is much superior. Locals may have a different palette here.

Food aside, I do think the service needs to be improved. Ensure you seat your customers asap rather than just leaving them hanging. Staff need to more attentive rather than having the chill vibe but maybe that is the...