Budapest’s best Vietnamese restaurants

What is it? A family-run, authentic Vietnamese restaurant in District XI in urban Buda, with another outlet at Time Out Market Budapest.

Why we love it Hai Nam’s story began in District VIII in the early 2000s, and then the siblings Vo Son Nam and Hai created one of Budapest’s most authentic Vietnamese bistros in District XI. The Buda spot carries on the clean yet distinctive flavours of northern Vietnamese cuisine: handmade rice noodles, broths cooked for hours, fresh herbs and a nostalgic atmosphere. Hai Nam is not just a restaurant, but a family story that talks of home, identity and passion through the Vietnamese kitchen.

Time Out tip: Try the classic beef pho or the fresh spring rolls – both are made according to the family’s decades-old recipe.

Address: Október 23a utca 27, 1117 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 10am-3pm

Expect to pay: Soups & mains: Ft 2,190-4,090 (€5.70-10.70), desserts Ft 1,190 (€3.10)

What is it? An authentic Vietnamese restaurant near Nagyvárad tér in south Pest, where an authentic atmosphere, traditional recipes and family hospitality combine.

Why we love it Hanoi Xua is not a modern fusion place, but a slice of real Vietnam in Budapest. The restaurant’s owners have been working for years to present the original flavours of northern Vietnamese cuisine as authentically as possible – whether it’s a hot pho bo broth, fresh banh noodles or a fragrant beef braised in soy sauce. Stocks are simmered for hours, fresh herbs, lime and chili are always on the table, and the atmosphere is both nostalgic and homely. This is the restaurant where members of the Vietnamese community return.

Time Out tip: Start with a fresh spring roll, then try the house speciality, the classic large portion of pho – hot, fragrant and deeply umami.

Address: Ernő utca 30-34, 1096 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat: 11am-9.30pm, Sun 11am-9pm

Expect to pay: Soups Ft 2,990-3,590 (€7.80-9.40), mains Ft 3,390-4,290 (€8.90-11.20), desserts Ft 990-1,590 (€2.60-4.20)

What is it? A modern Vietnamese restaurant by Corvin sétány on the Nagykörüt in Pest, where authentic South-East Asian flavours are evoked.

Why we love it Madame Pho is a family business, founded on the recipes of their Vietnamese grandmother. The restaurant was born from the idea of owner, Hoang Nam Trung, and the interior of the restaurant was inspired by the French colonial style of Vietnam in the 1950s. In tandem with the decor, the menu is also well thought-out: beef pho, spicy banh soup Hué style and wok dishes are all among the hits listed here. Authenticity, friendly service and attention to every detail make this place special.

Time Out tip: Order a spicy banh soup Hué style, followed by a coconut-milk tapioca pudding for dessert.

Address: Corvin sétány 5, 1082 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm

Expect to pay: Soups & mains Ft 4,190-4,890 (€11-12.80), desserts Ft 1,190 (€3.10)

What is it? A modern Vietnamese soup house in downtown Budapest, often abbreviated as OSHO. The restaurant has two locations, this one on two levels in Szervita tér, both offering authentic South-East Asian flavours.

Why do we love it OSHO was founded by two French-Vietnamese siblings to introduce the essence of Vietnamese cuisine to Budapest – the first outlet opened in Újlipótváros, followed by this one slap in the city centre. The menu focuses on hot pho soup: regulars claim that this version is closest to the original Vietnamese broth. The combination of broths cooked for hours, fresh spices, steaming bowls and friendly, fast service, is perfect for a quick city lunch or a dinner with friends.

Time Out tip: Start with a classic pho bo and don’t miss the black rice dessert. If you’re looking for a vegetarian dish, Nem Saigon is also a perfect choice.

Addresses: Szervita tér 2, 1052 Budapest; Balzac utca 35, 1136 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-10pm

Expect to pay: Soups & mains Ft 1,790-3,790 (€4.70-9.90), desserts Ft 1,650 (€4.30)

What is it? A true Vietnamese-Chinese fusion restaurant in Újlipótváros, offering fresh Asian dishes, a stylish interior and a menu based on family recipes.

Why we love it Khan was opened by the same team that also runs Sáo, Opium and Qui elsewhere, so this restaurant represents a high standard of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines. The menu includes authentic Vietnamese dishes such as pho soups and bun cha, but you can also find Chinese- and Mongolian-inspired dishes. The interior is neat, with warm wood and glass surfaces, and stylish details that give it a homely feel. The menu is varied: there are also vegetarian and vegan options, and the drink selection is also noteworthy, with special cocktails and Vietnamese coffee. Khan is therefore not just a dining destination, but more of a meeting point where you can enjoy spending time with friends, family or business partners -–on the terrace in good weather.

Time Out tip: Besides pho soups, one of our favourites is the dan dan sauce noodles – a perfect blend of pho noodles, minced pork, pak choi, bean sprouts, peanut sauce and peanuts.

Address: Ipoly utca 3, 1133 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-11pm

Expect to pay: Appetisers & small dishes Ft 3,200-4,300 (€8.40-11.20), soups & mains Ft 4,750-5,950 (€12.40-15.50), desserts Ft 2,500-3,600 (€6.50-9.40)

What is it? A unique Vietnamese-Hungarian fusion restaurant on Frankel Leó út near Margaret Bridge, where pho and goulash literally meet in one bowl.

Why we love it Vietnamese Goulash is not a traditional Asian bistro, but a sophisticated gastronomic experiment where Eastern cuisines and Hungarian flavours work together in perfect balance. Behind the restaurant is award-winning chef Krisztián Huszár, who explores the common intersections of these two kitchens. The result is impressive: Vietnamese goulash cooked in pho broth with udon noodles, fresh coriander and lime, but the menu also includes light Asian pasta, fish dishes and creative appetisers.

Time Out tip: The eponymous Vietnamese goulash should not be missed –150 litres of it are served at any one meal time, thanks to three-and-a-half years’ worth of base stock. Our favourite dessert is poppy-seed and sesame noodles with condensed milk, perfect as a finale.

Address: Frankel Leó út 10, 1027 Budapest

Opening hours: Tue-Fri noon-3pm, 6pm-10pm; Sat 9am-3pm, 6pm-10pm; Sun noon-4pm. Closed Mon

Expect to pay: Soups & mains Ft 3,600-9,600 (€9.40-25), desserts Ft 1,700-4,500 (€4.50-11.75)

What is it? An authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the city centre near Parliament, where in addition to the namesake pho, the menu also features several traditional and modern Asian dishes.

Why we love it Hanoi Pho opened in 2013, aiming to introduce the exciting world of northern Vietnamese cuisine to the Hungarian capital. The name of the place also refers to the atmosphere of Hanoi’s old town, where a craft once flourished on every street. And the restaurant tells a story in the same way: through handmade rice noodles, soups cooked for long hours, bun nem, bun cha and other authentic dishes. The space is homely yet urban, the menu is detailed and particularly strong in terms of price-value ratio.

Time Out tip: Order a pho with beef, duck or chicken, or possibly the vegetarian version, and don’t miss the mochi ice cream at the end.

Address: Akadémia utca 11, 1054 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm

Expect to pay: Pho soups Ft 2,390-3,590 (€6.25-9.40), mains Ft 3,000-4,000 (€7.80-10.40), desserts Ft 1,490-2,490 (€3.90-6.50)

What is it? A family-run Vietnamese restaurant on Akácfa utca in the nightlife hub of District VII, where the flavours of central Vietnam are presented in a fresh, modern way.

Why we love it Hu Lu Lu was founded by a Vietnamese family, for whom eating together and family unity are more important than anything else. The origin of the name also tells the story: the owners’ little son, Beu, often repeated the words ‘hu lu luuu’ while he was playing, making his parents laugh – that’s how this joyful family game became the name of the restaurant. The atmosphere of the place reflects exactly this homeliness, immediacy and warmth. The menu features the most popular dishes of Vietnamese cuisine: pho soup, crispy duck, green curry and wok-fried noodles – all made from fresh ingredients and traditional seasonings. This place is not just a restaurant, but a cosy meeting point close to the city centre.

Time Out tip: Choose the spicy roast duck pho or the mango vegetable curry – both are considered a real rarity in Hungary.

Address: Akácfa utca 16, 1072 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-10.30pm

Expect to pay: Soups Ft 3,490-3,790 (€9.10-9.90), mains Ft 3,590-5,290 (€9.40-13.80), desserts Ft 1,390-2,290 (€3.60-6)

What is it? An authentic Vietnamese street-food restaurant in central Budapest, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and traditional recipes. The atmosphere is like stepping into a street-food stall in Hanoi – except you’re near St Stephen’s Basilica on Nagysándor József utca.

Why we love it The pho soups are made from a silky deep, long-cooked stock, and the grilled meat and rice bowls are always generous and flavoursome. There’s no overthinking, no fuss: clean, characterful flavours and fast, friendly service. It’s also a perfect choice for a lunch break or evening dining. The atmosphere is informal, direct and always a little lively.

Time Out tip: Order the classic beef pho, then finish off your dinner with a freshly baked, crispy spring roll – a real comfort combo.

Address: Nagysándor József utca 1, 1054 Budapest

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9.30pm, Sun 11am-9pm

Expect to pay: Pho soups Ft 2,500-3,500 HUF (€6.50-9.20), mains Ft 3,000-4,000 (€7.80-10.40), desserts Ft 1,500-2,000 (€3.90-5.20)

What is it? An authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the green part of Kőbánya in south Pest – a suburban district that is worth leaving the city centre for.

Why we love it Vietnamese Special Hot Kitchen is a place where you can find even rarely seen dishes: fresh spring rolls, pho soups, fragrant curries and rice dishes from the diverse world of Vietnamese gastronomy. The simple, neat interior and the family-friendly service give the feeling as if you are not sitting in a restaurant, but in a Vietnamese home. Every dish is freshly prepared, the ingredients are precisely selected, and this is also perceptible in the flavours.

Time Out tip: Try the pho with beef or tofu – a real comfort dish and not to be missed.

Address: Kőbányai Előd utca 1, 1105 Budapest

Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm

Expect to pay: Soups & mains Ft 1,800-3,800 (€4.70-10), desserts Ft 1,200-1,600 (€3.15-4.20)