Noodles, sprouts, basil, beef. A squirt of lime and a dash of Sriracha. They’re all key parts of pho, the Vietnamese staple soup, but it’s the broth that fosters the greatest loyalty. Here, Montreal’s finest bowls of pho.
Pho Lien
This Côte-des-Neiges destination has earned serious praise for its chicken beef phos (rare strips, brisket, tendons and tripe), and its weekend spicy soup. The no-frills interior is packed at peak hours, but it’s worth the wait. $7. 5703-B Côte-des-Neiges Rd., 514-735-6949.
Tay Do
A solarium, plants and minimalist Oriental motifs offer a winning ambience at this BYOB plateau resto. Named after the owner’s southern Vietnamese hometown, Tay Do serves up soup with beef cooked to each customer’s liking. $7.95. 300 Duluth St. E., 514-281-6788.
My Canh
Chinatown’s northernmost Vietnamese resto is plain but pretty, serving up consistently delicious beef, chicken and vegetable phos, or banh mi sandwiches if, for some strange reason, you’re not in the mood for pho. $6.50 – $8. 1086 St. Laurent Blvd., 514-398-9407.
Lyla
Spacious and tastefully decorated, this BYOB Park Ex restaurant boasts 12 varieties of beef soups, plus chicken, seafood, spicy or veggie. The soups are also offered in miniature sizes, alongside lunch and dinner combos. $5.75 – $7.75. 431 Jean-Talon St. W., 514-272-8332.
Pho Bac No 1
Short on charm but high on scrumptious eats, Verdun’s premiere Vietnamese resto offers beef, chicken, mixed seafood, shrimp and vegetable phos. Crispy noodle combos are excellent alternate options. $5.50 – $7. 4707 Wellington St., 514-362-1022.
Image courtesy janneM.
From one soup lover to another, i really appreciate the time you have taken to write these reviews, i have just lost my favorite soup joint called pho nam quan on jarry and st michel due to I DON’T KNOW !!!!!!!!!!!!! but i’m really missing my soup lol.Will try these places out hopping that one would become my new found love.