Viet 80’s - A Cozy Journey to Vietnam’s Culinary Roots
Viet 80’s brings a nostalgic glimpse into Vietnam’s culture through its décor and authentic dishes. The restaurant’s vintage-inspired design, featuring patterned tiles, hanging lanterns, and rustic wooden furniture, instantly transports you to a traditional Vietnamese café. The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and perfect for a relaxed dining experience.
The Ambiance
The first thing that stands out is the thoughtfully designed interior. The colorful tiled counter, dim hanging lights, and subtle decorative elements create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. It feels like stepping into a vibrant street café in Hanoi, with just the right blend of traditional charm and modern comfort.
The layout is spacious, with enough room between tables to enjoy your meal in peace. The combination of green and orange tones gives the space a lively yet calming vibe. The attention to detail is evident—from the carefully chosen dishware to the wooden menu stand on each table.
The Menu
The menu is extensive, showcasing a variety of classic Vietnamese dishes. It’s well-organized, with clear descriptions and appealing images. Some standout sections include: • Starters: Fresh summer rolls, grilled prawns with lemongrass, and Vietnamese salads. • Main Courses: A variety of pho options, rice dishes, and grilled meats. • Drinks: The restaurant also offers a selection of Vietnamese beers, including Hanoi Beer, which pairs perfectly with the dishes.
The drinks menu highlights some unique Vietnamese beverages, from traditional coffee to house-made spirits.
The Food
I opted for the summer rolls as a starter, which were beautifully presented. The rolls were fresh, with a nice balance of textures from the crispy vegetables and tender prawns. The accompanying dipping sauce added a tangy kick that brought the dish to life.
For the main course, I went with pho, a signature Vietnamese dish. The broth was aromatic and flavorful, served with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and chili. The portion size was generous, and the flavors were authentic, reminiscent of traditional street food in Vietnam.
Pairing the meal with a chilled Hanoi Beer added an extra touch of authenticity. It’s a light and refreshing beer that complements the rich flavors of the pho.
The Service
The staff were friendly and attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. They were quick to serve, ensuring everything was to my satisfaction.
Final Thoughts
Viet 80’s offers a delightful escape to Vietnam’s culinary traditions. The combination of flavorful dishes, cozy ambiance, and attentive service makes it a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you’re familiar with Vietnamese food or exploring it for the first time, this restaurant is bound to leave a lasting impression.
Would I return? Absolutely! There’s still so much more on the menu that I’m eager to...
Read moreI kept walking past, thinking how interesting the decor was - the wooden cow and bicycle - and intending to go and eat. Tonight was my first trip. Entered and was greeted immediately and extremely politely and asked how many of us would be dining, several tables were suggested but we were given the final choice. We were also offered green tea by our waitress once we sat down and it was really good quality tea. Menu looks very authentic, half of the middle section is in Vietnamese, there is a dish with apple snails and another with frog, several pho options with a choice of different cuts of beef and the drinks menu has some really unusual options including fresh carrot juice and iced mango coffee (served with mango sorbet on top). I went for the house special fried rice with chilli and a hot salted dry apricot tea. My companion had a Vietnamese robusta coffee with condensed milk, served in a Phin-style Vietnamese coffee maker, a fresh orange juice and egg fried rice. The rice (pictured) was quick to arrive but not suspiciously so and smelled absolutely fantastic. The dish featured a fresh ribbon salad of carrot and I think possibly mooli/radish with separate slices of cucumber and the vegetables were really refreshing. It was a lovely mix of textures; the top featured a crispy crunchy layer, the rice was fragrant, the chopped chili added a lovely and much needed warmth to offset the chilly weather and the small sections of oyster mushrooms were juicy. Topped with generously sized prawns and interspersed with slices of good quality cooked beef and duck, I feel like the menu description may have somewhat undersold this dish and I would very much recommend it. The warm salted dry apricot tea was the perfect mix of sweet and sour and a really unique drink featuring pieces of ginger which I’ll probably spend the next six months trying unsuccessfully to recreate at home! It might not be the cheapest but considering we had a main each and three drinks, I don’t think the final bill was too bad. I was informed by my companion that the egg fried rice was nice and she very much enjoyed her first Vietnamese coffee. Service was very attentive, food was delicious and I’ll be back. Next time I plan to get the grilled side goat and fruit yogurt featuring avocado and strawberry, or perhaps the caramel flan. Both sounded and...
Read moreViet80s is an authentic Vietnamese restaurant and 100% my number one favourite restaurant in Nottingham. I have visited (and ordered from) this place more times than I can count and can say they consistently excel in every measurable way, every time. There are very few restaurants in the city that can come close in terms of taste, service, and price-point.
The food is simply amazing. Whilst everything I’ve sampled from the menu has been delicious, my favourite go-to is always their beef pho, especially the rare beef shin pho. Not only is their pho delicious, it leaves you feeling warm, satisfied, and comforted from within. From the first taste, you can tell it is made from fresh, good quality ingredients and served with perfectly seasoned, aromatic broth. It is served with beansprouts, herbs, chilli, and a wedge of lime to squeeze. But if you need an extra kick, you can also request extra seasoning or condiments. (Personally, I like to add a bit of extra chopped chilli.) I also recommend prawn summer rolls, which is my favourite starter.
Viet80s is also the perfect venue for a meal with a group of friends or family. I had my birthday meal here once with a group of friends with a wide range of dietary requirements- vegetarian, vegan, halal, lactose intolerance… There are plenty options on the menu that catered to everyone in my party and everyone enjoyed the food here.
Beyond the tasty food, the staff at Viet80s are lovely. They are always welcoming, friendly, and attentive every time I visit. They are always keen to make sure you are enjoying your meal and have everything you need.
I grew up in East Asia but the Vietnamese food here is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Forget the overpriced, westernised chains and come here instead, you won’t regret it!
To any staff or owner reading this, thank you for the work you do and for the delicious food!☺️ I look forward to coming back, as always.
As I’ve said before, “If Viet80s has a million fans, then I'm one of them. If Viet80s has one fan, that's me. If Viet80s has no fans, that means...
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