Vietnam Garden — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

I have recently been semi disappointed with various Vietnamese restaurants I’ve eaten of late up in New York State, Maine, Boston, ABQ New Mexico and even San Francisco. So I was holding my breath when my aunt and uncle took me here.

They and their kids who are now all grown have been going here for years and I remember visiting once ages ago plus once at their original location.

Seriously loved the dish I ordered and what my uncle and aunt ordered looked really good as well. (My aunt likes to try something new each visit and my uncle usually orders one of the noodle soup pho dishes. This time he ordered the seafood pho).

I ordered the grilled pork dish that involves making your own rice paper rolls stuffed with protein, angel hair noodles, carrots, cilantro and cucumbers with the option to stuff with lettuce as well or wrap the lettuce around the rice roll which is how I do it. (Sorry to not know the name but their servers can easily help you figure it out).

For an appetizer the fried spring rolls were well sized, hot and nicely presented.

The fried banana ice cream sundae was extremely large / easily shared by three. Or that might have been a special bonus size since my aunt and uncle are such regulars

And I really liked how they gave the Vietnamese sesame brittle candy as a thank you treat with the check which I’ve not had any other VN restaurant do and I eat Vietnamese food a lot.

Last but not least. It’s clear by the decor that the owners care about making a nice but still low key dining experience that you can enjoy for a casual dinner or lunch or for a celebration.

And I like that it’s a small cozy size restaurant.

I can’t wait to come back and try other menu items. Vietnam Gardens has a very reasonably priced menu and a nice variety of good Vietnamese food...

I have been a loyal customer of this small family-run Vietnamese restaurant since I was just 11 years old, and now at 24, I can confidently say that their service is consistently impeccable and their food is always fresh and delicious.

No matter how many times I visit, the warm and friendly staff always make me feel right at home. From the moment I step through the door, I am greeted with genuine smiles and a genuine desire to ensure my dining experience is memorable. It's remarkable how they remember my favorite dishes and little preferences, even after all these years.

Now, let's talk about the food. Oh, the food! I have yet to find another place that can replicate the incredible flavors and authenticity that this restaurant serves. Their pho is a bowl of perfection, with a harmonious blend of aromatic broth, tender meat, and fresh herbs that transports me to culinary heaven. And their spring rolls... oh, those spring rolls! Crispy on the outside, bursting with vibrant vegetables and succulent shrimp on the inside. Each bite reminds me why I keep coming back.

Even when I moved away to join the Air Force, my taste buds never forgot the deliciousness that awaited me at this humble eatery. When I had the chance to visit home, it was always one of my top priorities to indulge in their culinary delights. It's a testament to their food that no matter how far I traveled or how much time had passed, the flavors remained etched in my memory.

This small family-run Vietnamese restaurant holds a special place in my heart, not just for their delectable dishes but also for the memories and connections it has fostered over the years. I am forever grateful for their unwavering commitment to excellence, and I look forward to being a customer for many more...

Based on our experience and quite a few others with low star reviews, this restaurant is NOT authentic vietnamese food.

Ambience - The interior is quite small. Tables are a little close to each other but manageable. Lights aren't bright but I guess you could say it's cozy. We were there a little after lunchtime so it wasn't busy. We were seated almost right away.

Food - Pho broth did not have the aromatics of pho - bland. Rice and pork portion was also laughable as there was SO much rice and little meat. There's supposed to be other small side dishes with this dish but it was only rice and pork. Seasoning was mid and these side salads are a joke. Viet food consists of herbs... not a side salad you can get at fast food restaurants.

Service - As our server was taking our order, I asked her if the stir-fried rice noodles were wide or thin. Her response - it's rice noodles and white. Yes, it's on the menu and I could see that myself but that didn't clarify. So I went with it willing to try their version.

She left to the kitchen and stayed there for awhile until we realized she worked both front and back. Possibly the owner? Everyone's food came out but I was the only one waiting for my dish. Everyone ate as we didn't want the food to get cold. As they were nearly done with their meal, the server says my food should be out. No acknowledgement until she noticed everyone was almost done with their meal. At this point, I got up and left so I didn't even try it until my family told her to pack it for togo. It was thin rice noodles btw. However, the flavor was extremely bland and oily even with the sauce on the side. The "veggies" (onion/carrots) were just filler veggies.

We did not enjoy our lunch food/experience and if y'all want real viet food,...