Alo 5 — Restaurant in Austin

When we first stepped into Alo 5 in Austin, we were immediately impressed by how clean, stylish, and welcoming the space felt. The elegant décor gives off an upscale vibe without losing its warmth, and even before the dinner rush began, we could tell this was a restaurant that takes pride in every detail. We were greeted with smiles, and one of the owners personally took time to sit down and explain the concept behind the restaurant — a blend of modern Vietnamese flavor and high-end presentation. Right away, we knew we were in for something special.

The star of the evening was the Hot Stone Phở — a sizzling, steaming bowl that arrives at the table still bubbling. It’s as much an experience as it is a meal. After talking with the owners, I had the privilege of going back into the kitchen to watch the process firsthand. Seeing the care and precision that goes into this dish gave me a whole new appreciation for it. When that scalding hot bowl hit the table, the aroma alone stopped me in my tracks — and the flavor delivered exactly what it promised.

We also tried the Seafood Crispy Egg Noodles and Shaking Beef, both phenomenal in their own right. The noodles were crisp on the outside, soft underneath, and perfectly coated in a sweet, salty, umami-rich sauce. The shrimp was fresh, and the textures made every bite exciting. The shaking beef — tender cubes of high-quality steak — might just be my go-to dish here. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, with that balance of savory and tangy that keeps you wanting more.

What really set this experience apart, though, was the hospitality. I was able to sit with the owners and even the chef, who shared his background and passion for what they’re creating here. The entire team is family-oriented and deeply committed to their craft. You can feel that passion in the atmosphere — and you can absolutely taste it in the food.

If you love authentic Vietnamese cuisine or simply want to try something new, Alo 5 is a must. The sizzling hot stone phở is unforgettable — a dish that’s as visual as it is delicious. Go once, and you’ll go back again. I’ll put...

Alo 5 is the closest bowl of pho to where I live - even closer than pho hub and it seemed like it would be good for a quick fix. When it opened, I thought it was OK. Not great, not terrible. Just OK. I was more surprised by the price point of a bowl of pho - about $20. Usual price around Austin is $10-$15 and there are some VERY good bowls of pho out there. I didn’t come back for several months and decided to give this place another try. To my surprise, they lowered the price, to maybe $16. Still high but good enough to not feel bad for getting a bowl of pho. I came back several times trying many different things - all OK. Not great, not terrible. I recently came back and noticed they renovated the place and unfortunately, a bowl of pho was more than $20! The pho was OK, noodles were too soft and broth was nothing to write home about. The meatballs were great though.

In the end, I don’t think I will be coming back here again. I’d honestly rather take the extra time to drive to Pho Phong Luu or Saigon 512 to get some really great pho than keep coming back here for...

The venue is lovely with some hand painted art on the walls. I thought the bar area was interesting- maybe it’s the dedicated boba bar when it’s busier?

I ordered the pho dac biet and the avocado smoothie. Genuinely the best avocado smoothie I’ve had in years- it wasn’t too sweet and there were 0 chunks of ice. It was so creamy and is the avocado smoothie all other avocado smoothies should aspire to be. The pho broth was nice and beefy and I feel like the protein to noodle ratio fit well. I do wish that tripe was an option, but maybe tripe isn’t super popular considering the area the restaurant is located in. It was the perfect portion for a very hangry person.

The bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. The soap dispensers are a little annoying since I feel like I got more soap on the side of my bottle than on my hands.

Over all— very happy with my experience here. I will be coming back to try the banh xeo and to drown myself in the...