International Eats

The best Vietnamese restaurants in Austin, from banh mi to pho

From fresh banh mi sandwiches to pho, Vietnamese food satisfies with a variety of options. For fresh, fragrant, and flavorful fare, we turn to these top Vietnamese restaurants across Austin.

Bun Belly
The top reason to visit this relatively new addition to Airport Boulevard is the banh bao, steam bun sliders filled with pork belly, brisket, shrimp, eggplant, or even ice cream. Another standout is the Vietnamese crepe, a traditional rice batter pastry served with fish sauce.

Elizabeth Street Cafe
A South First Street staple, Elizabeth Street Cafe is one of the only places in town where you can get banh cuon and a fresh macaron. The menu ranges from traditional Vietnamese offerings to French fare; banh mi, bun, and pho all make appearances. If you're short on time, call ahead and place a to-go order.

Me Con Bistro
This one's for you, South Austin. Start with the tom yum-flavored chicken wings as an appetizer, and then go for the pho with "the works" (flank steak, meatballs, and brisket) for your main course. If you can't make it down to William Cannon Drive, order online and enjoy quick delivery.

Pho Please
Pho is the name of the game at this new outpost on Riverside Drive. While the traditional noodle soup usually showcases chicken and beef, Pho Please also offers brisket and shrimp as toppings. You can also pick a protein and add it to rice, vermicelli, or a salad. Vegans will delight in the veggie-friendly dishes.

PhoNatic
PhoNatic is a small but successful Austin chain specializing in (what else?) pho. Here you will find meat and veggie broths with plenty of tasty add-ons, as well as a diverse selection of other Vietnamese dishes. Locations include Mueller, Anderson Lane, Southpark Meadows, Cedar Park, and Round Rock.

Saigon le Vandeur
This cute food truck in East Austin serves up banh mi and vermicelli, but don't mistake the menu's simplicity for a lack of flavor complexity. These two items come with your choice of protein, including spicy chicken, grilled pork, and tofu. Look for curry and ramen on special, especially during colder weather.

Tam Deli & Cafe
This Research Boulevard gem has a 17-year legacy. The options here seem limitless — spring rolls, vermicelli bowls, and banh mi are among favorites. The Vietnamese coffee (thick drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk) is worth a taste too.

Banh mi from Elizabeth Street Cafe.

Elizabeth Street Cafe restaurant Austin bahn mi sandwich

Elizabeth Street Cafe/Instagram

Banh mi from Elizabeth Street Cafe.

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Near and Deer

Vespaio-trained chef serves venison from trailer at Austin's Sign Bar

Photo courtesy of Sign Bar.

Born and Braised, specializing in native ingredients and braised meats, is now open at Sign Bar.

Born and Braised, a food trailer specializing in native ingredients and braised meats, has just opened for business at Sign Bar. Chef and owner William Woodland, a.k.a. Woody, says so far things are going great.

"They're doing a great job promoting us at Sign Bar. I feel really special," says Woodland.

This is a big change from several years ago when sign bar first opened and Woodland says he "pestered" the folks behind the cool new space.

"I think at that time they wanted to see a couple of years of good experience," says Woodland. "And now my reviews are insanely good — so I think that helped!"

Born and Braised started out at Lustre Pearl back in 2022, and then quickly moved over to Sage Brush where it stayed for more than a year. More recently, Woodland has been operating out of Bastrop and is happy to be closer to town again at Sign Bar, which is located in East Austin. It's still a bit of a drive for many, but not as far south.

Some of the menu items include birria tacos, homemade birria ramen, and multiple venison-based dishes: chili, a smash burger, and bratwurst. There's also grilled cheese, street corn, and other sides.

"I think it's one of only a couple of places in town where you can get venison any time," says Woodland. He adds that the main focus of any foods he prepares is minimal waste and using good, quality, native ingredients. "I'm kind of an ingredient hippie," he laughs.

These cooking roots can be traced back to Woodland's days at his grandparents' out in the country, where his uncles butchering deer in the garage was the norm, and venison was always on the table. As an adult, Woodland got his "formal" education in the kitchen at Vespaio under the tutelage of Ryan Samson.

"He gave me his culinary book from when he went to school and quizzed me everyday; basically took me to culinary school through that job," says Woodland. "I cry thinking about him all the time. Great guy; a really good mentor."

Born and Braised is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 pm to 2 am, and Saturdays from 11 am to 2 am, at Sign Bar Austin (9909 FM 969, Bldg. 3). The bar, decorated with more than 75 retired signs from legendary local businesses, offers a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails.

Sign Bar Holiday Tree This miniature Zilker Tree is the newest permanent installation at Sign Bar. Photo courtesy of Sign Bar

As of early December, guests can enjoy all Sign Bar has to offer next to the Sign Bar Holiday Tree. This 64-foot tall tree is an homage to the Zilker Tree, and unlike most holiday displays, this tree will be up year-round. Guests can even spin under this mini-Zilker Tree — but may want to give it a minute after a bowl of venison chili.

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