Best Pho in Cambridge, Massachusetts
1
Cicada
Restaurant Address: 106 Prospect St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Located in Cicada in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this stylish Vietnamese fusion café offers a blend of traditional and modern flavors in an inviting atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu features creative interpretations of Vietnamese classics, from their signature sea salt coffee drinks to contemporary takes on pho and banh mi dishes. While the space transitions seamlessly from a daytime café to an evening wine bar, guests can expect a casual self-service experience in an aesthetically pleasing setting that draws consistent crowds.
Price Range: $$
Reviews are mixed; some praise the pho broth's richness and flavor, while others find it too salty or lacking in complexity.
Many reviews mention the restaurant as being expensive or having high prices for the portion size, particularly for banh mi and rice bowls.
The reviews do not provide information about parking availability at the restaurant.
Many reviews mention spicy options or the ability to adjust spice levels in dishes, indicating that dishes can be made spicier or spicy options are available.
Reviews indicate that portions are often described as small or not generous, especially considering the prices.
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2
Le’s Vietnamese Restaurant
Restaurant Address: 35 Dunster St, 36 John F. Kennedy St or, Cambridge, MA 02138
Le's Vietnamese Restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts serves up generous portions of authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a casual dining setting, where their signature pho bowls come with flavorful broth and plenty of fresh ingredients. The family-owned establishment offers reasonable prices for their extensive menu that includes traditional dishes like spring rolls, vermicelli bowls, and Vietnamese coffee. Though located in a mall food court with basic ambiance, the restaurant maintains a loyal following for its consistently tasty food and quick service.
Price Range: $
Numerous reviews praise the pho broth, describing it as delicious, flavorful, and authentic.
Many reviews describe the restaurant as reasonably priced, budget-friendly, or offering good value.
The reviews do not provide information about parking availability at the restaurant.
Several reviews mention adding spice or the availability of spicier options, implying customization for spice level is possible.
Multiple reviews comment on the generous portion sizes of the pho, particularly the extra-large option.
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3
Saigon Babylon
Restaurant Address: 907 Main St Floor 5, Cambridge, MA 02139
Saigon Babylon in Cambridge, Massachusetts offers an elevated Vietnamese dining experience with a stunning rooftop setting that captures the essence of Hanoi's West Lake atmosphere. The restaurant features a thoughtfully curated menu that blends traditional Vietnamese flavors with contemporary interpretations, from their popular lemongrass beef carpaccio to creative cocktails infused with Southeast Asian ingredients. The intimate indoor space and seasonal rooftop terrace create an elegant ambiance, though some may find the portion sizes modest for the upscale pricing.
Reviews are mixed on the pho broth, with some praising the flavors and others expressing disappointment, indicating no consensus on a consistently great broth.
The reviews suggest that the restaurant is more expensive than some other options; customers often found themselves wanting more food for the price paid, indicating it isn't budget-friendly.
The reviews make no mention of parking availability at the restaurant.
Multiple reviews indicate that dishes can be made spicy or that spicy options are available, particularly in cocktails and some dishes.
Reviews are mixed; some mention small portions while others found the portions sufficient, indicating inconsistency in portion sizes.
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4
Bon Me - Fresh Pond / Alewife
Restaurant Address: 201 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138
Bon Me - Fresh Pond / Alewife in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers a fusion-style Vietnamese menu featuring customizable bowls, sandwiches, and pho with varying degrees of authenticity. The casual eatery provides generous portions and friendly service, though prices run a bit steep for everyday dining. While their bubble tea selection and creative Asian-inspired dishes attract regulars, vegetarian options are somewhat limited at this clean and modern quick-service spot.
Price Range: $
Reviews are mixed; some praise the pho, while others criticize its lack of authentic Vietnamese flavor and broth quality.
Customer opinions on pricing are divided; some find it expensive, while others consider it reasonable or good value for the quality and portions.
The reviews do not provide any information about parking availability at the restaurant.
Several reviews mention spiciness, with some dishes being described as not spicy enough, while others indicate the availability of spicy options or the ability to customize spiciness levels.
Reviews on portion sizes are mixed, with some describing portions as large or generous, while others mention smaller-than-expected sandwich fillings.
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5
Bon Me Test Kitchen - East Cambridge
Restaurant Address: 60 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Bon Me Test Kitchen in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers a diverse menu featuring Vietnamese-inspired dishes with some creative fusion twists. The casual eatery serves up everything from traditional pho and banh mi to bubble tea and specialty lemonades, though service times can vary during peak hours. While some diners note the prices run a bit high with add-ons, the generous portions and consistently tasty food keep locals coming back to this quick-service spot.
Price Range: $
Reviews are mixed; some praise the pho, while others find the broth lacking depth of flavor or too salty. Therefore, a definitive 'great' cannot be assigned.
Reviews suggest mixed opinions on pricing; some mention it being pricey with add-ons, while others consider it great value or budget-friendly for a quick lunch. Thus, no definitive conclusion can be reached.
The reviews do not contain information about parking availability at the restaurant.
Although not explicitly stated for all dishes, the mention of a spicy miso kimchi ramen broth and the customization options for wedding catering suggest spicy options are available.
One review mentions 'big portions,' while another states that the price increases with add-ons, leaving the portion size of pho ambiguous.
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6
Soup Shack Porter (Cambridge)
Restaurant Address: 9 White St, Cambridge, MA 02140
Soup Shack Porter in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a casual Asian fusion spot offering a diverse menu of Vietnamese pho, Japanese ramen, and Thai noodle soups in a fast-paced environment. The restaurant serves up generously portioned bowls with customizable spice levels, featuring everything from traditional pho to creative fusion dishes like spicy miso beef stew. While the dining atmosphere is minimal with counter-style seating, the quick service and reasonable prices make it a convenient stop for hungry locals seeking warm, comforting noodle soups.
Price Range: $$
Reviews are mixed; some praise the pho broth while others find it lacking in flavor or with off-putting aftertastes.
Multiple reviews indicate that the restaurant is budget-friendly, offering affordable prices and good value.
One review mentions ample parking is available.
Many reviews mention spicy dishes or the option to adjust spice levels, indicating that spicy options are available.
Some reviews describe the portion sizes as generous, while others mention small portions, indicating inconsistent portion control.
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7
An Nam at Harvard
Restaurant Address: 57 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138
An Nam at Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers a diverse selection of Vietnamese dishes ranging from traditional pho to vermicelli bowls and banh mi sandwiches. The restaurant's interior features charming hand-drawn charcoal artwork on the walls, creating an inviting atmosphere tucked away in Harvard Square's galleria. While opinions on the broth and portion sizes vary among diners, the establishment stands out for its specialty items like Vietnamese coffee, salted lime sodas, and grilled meat skewers that keep regulars coming back.
Price Range: $$
Reviews are mixed; some praise the pho broth's flavor, while others describe it as bland or watered down.
The reviews are mixed, with some suggesting the restaurant is reasonably priced, others mention high prices, especially for the pho.
One review mentions easy and cheap parking under a nearby hotel.
Reviews indicate that customers could order spicy dishes or that spicy options are available.
Reviews are mixed; some mention generous portions, while others note small portions for pho.
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8
Bon Me
Restaurant Address: 1350 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Bon Me in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers an Asian fusion experience with a mix of Vietnamese, Korean, and Singaporean influences. Their menu features diverse options including pho with well-seasoned broth, signature sandwiches filled with proteins like pulled pork or tofu, and japchae noodles garnished with fresh bamboo shoots. While the food portions come at moderate prices ranging from $11-15, the establishment primarily functions as a quick-service spot rather than a full-service restaurant.
Price Range: $
One review specifically praises the pho broth as "great", describing it as hot with good seasoning.
Reviews express conflicting opinions on pricing. Some describe it as expensive, while others find the prices reasonable for the portion size.
The reviews do not provide information about parking availability at the restaurant.
At least one review mentions adding kimchi and jalapenos, suggesting customization options are available. However, there is no mention of a general spicy option.
Reviews contain conflicting information on portion sizes. Some mention generous portions, while others complain about small portions.