Best Pho in Portland, Maine
1
Banh Appetit
Restaurant Address: 171 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Banh Appetit in Portland, Maine serves up some of the most acclaimed Vietnamese sandwiches in the region, with their banh mi consistently praised for its perfect combination of crispy-yet-soft bread and flavorful fillings. The family-run establishment operates as a cozy takeout spot, offering not just sandwiches but also pho when in season, fresh spring rolls, and various Vietnamese beverages including Thai tea and boba drinks. Their authentic approach to Vietnamese cuisine and consistently fresh ingredients have made them a standout choice for both locals and visitors seeking quality Asian fare in Portland's food scene.
Price Range: $
Several reviews praise the pho's broth as light, aromatic, warm, and hearty. The reviews suggest it is a high-quality broth.
Multiple reviews describe the restaurant's prices as reasonable, generous, or a steal of a deal.
The reviews do not provide information about the availability of parking at the restaurant.
One review mentions the option to make the bahn mi spicier, and another suggests asking for Asian spicy. However, there's no mention of this across all items.
Reviews describe the banh mi portions as generous or large, but there is no direct mention of pho portion sizes.
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2
Sun Vietnamese Restaurant
Restaurant Address: 699 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Sun Vietnamese Restaurant in Portland, Maine, has earned a reputation for serving some of the most flavorful and authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the area, particularly known for their rich, aromatic pho broth that keeps locals coming back. The family-run establishment offers generous portions at budget-friendly prices, with standout dishes including their banh mi sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, and various pho options served with fresh herbs and bean sprouts. While the exterior may appear modest, the warm service from the owners and consistently well-prepared dishes have made this restaurant a beloved fixture in Portland's dining scene.
Price Range: $
Reviewers frequently praise the pho broth's flavor and richness, describing it as "delicious," "flavorful," and "rich."
Many reviewers praise the restaurant's budget-friendly prices, describing it as "cheap eats," "affordable," and "great prices."
The reviews do not provide information about parking availability at the restaurant.
Although some reviewers mention the spice level of their dishes, the reviews do not explicitly state if dishes can be customized for spiciness or other levels. One review mentions jalapeños in a banh mi.
Several reviews describe the pho portions as "large," "generous," or enough for two meals, suggesting generous portions.
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3
Saigon Restaurant
Restaurant Address: 795 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Saigon Restaurant in Portland, Maine, offers a cozy dining experience with a diverse menu of authentic Vietnamese dishes, particularly known for their signature pho. The intimate space features friendly service and consistently fresh ingredients, with portion sizes that provide excellent value for the price point. While opinions on the broth vary among customers, this family-owned establishment has maintained a loyal following for its traditional Vietnamese comfort food and complimentary tofu soup.
Price Range: $
The reviews frequently cite the delicious and flavorful pho broth, with some describing it as 'perfection'. However, there are also mentions of broth being overly salty or sugary, indicating inconsistency.
Many reviews suggest the restaurant is budget-friendly, with positive comments on the value for the price of the food.
The reviews do not provide information about parking availability at the restaurant.
Some reviews highlight the availability of spicy dishes, while others indicate that the food can be 'slightly on the sweeter side'. The reviews do not definitively confirm that all dishes can be customized to add spice.
Several reviews describe the portion sizes as 'well above average', 'really nice portion', and 'generous'. However, some negative reviews mention small portions of meat in their pho.
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4
Veranda Noodle Bar
Restaurant Address: 14 Veranda St, Portland, ME 04103
Veranda Noodle Bar in Portland, Maine, serves up generous portions of authentic Vietnamese cuisine with their pho and vermicelli dishes being standout favorites. The casual eatery offers a diverse menu featuring everything from spring rolls to fried rice, all served in a clean, comfortable setting with window views of the street. Their reasonable prices and sizeable portions make this spot a popular choice for locals seeking flavorful Asian fare, though parking can be limited to street spots.
Price Range: $$
Several reviews praise the pho broth's quality, describing it as "bomb diggity," "delicious," and "above average."
Many reviews refer to the restaurant's reasonable prices, indicating it is budget-friendly.
Reviews mention limited parking but also street parking availability.
One review describes a dish as being too spicy despite ordering a moderate spice level, and other reviews mention spicy lemongrass shrimp. This suggests that dishes can be made spicy, or at least that spicy options exist.
Many reviews emphasize the generous portions served, particularly regarding the size of the noodle bowls and pho.
Known For
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5
Veranda Thai Cuisine
Restaurant Address: 9 Veranda St, Portland, ME 04103
Veranda Thai Cuisine in Portland, Maine, is a casual hole-in-the-wall establishment that consistently serves up generous portions of authentic Thai dishes at reasonable prices. The restaurant specializes in crowd favorites like drunken noodles, pad thai, and various curry dishes, all prepared with fresh ingredients and customizable spice levels. While primarily operating as a takeout spot with limited dine-in seating, this unassuming eatery has become a local favorite for its consistently delicious food and friendly service.
Price Range: $$
Reviews do not explicitly discuss the quality of the pho broth.
Reviews describe the restaurant as having reasonable prices and being budget-friendly, while one review considered it expensive.
One review mentions limited parking, plus on-street parking, indicating that parking is available but may be limited.
Several reviews discuss the spiciness of dishes, and at least one mentions ordering a dish with a specific spice level. One review even notes the hot sauce being mixed into the dish despite instructions to the contrary.
Many reviews comment on the large or generous portions served at this restaurant.