
Even in a city as food-crazy as Sydney, Vietnamese cuisine has firmly entrenched itself as a favourite of Sydneysiders. With an ever-growing number of eateries blending traditional and contemporary flavours, the city is a melting pot of new and old traditions of Vietnamese cooking, but the very best spots offer something to tempt you back time and time again. Still, if you’re struggling to know where to start, fret not, because that’s where Secret Sydney comes in.
Whether you’re banh mi aficionado or a curious foodie eager to start exploring the world of Vietnamese gastronomy, we’re here to help. So, we’ve picked out a handful of our favourite Vietnamese restaurants in Sydney, from humble storefronts serving up steaming bowls of fragrant pho to modern establishments creating contemporary masterpieces. Let’s go!
1. Hello Auntie
Let’s fact it, you’re never going to lack for great Vietnamese restaurants in Marrickville. But still, even amongst an array of brilliant places – not even mentioning the unquestioned greatness of a Marrickville Pork Roll on the go – Hello Auntie stands out as a true gem. We’re big fans of the ever-fragrant Pho, brimming with aromatic herbs and simmered to perfection, whilst the Banh Xeo crepes piled with pork and prawn are a must-try. Their Darling Square restaurant is one of the best places to grab Vietnamese food in the Sydney CBD, and if you’re stopping by Hello Auntie on a Saturday, $80 will get you a bottomless brunch option with an array of limitless spritzes. Don’t mind if we do!
📍278 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204, Australia & Darling Square, Shop 2/16 Nicolle Walk, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
2. Cash Only Diner
Don’t be fooled in the same way I was on my visit here: Cash Only Diner does, in fact, also accept most major credit and debit cards. Phew! Pho and banh mi won’t be on the menu here, as the restaurant focuses on the regional cuisine of Hue, which was once upon a time the capital of Vietnam. Instead, expect to find the likes of clay pot fish, Gà chiên giòn (crispy chicken), and betel leaf-wrapped beef that’s spiced and seared to perfection. Oh, and some top-notch cocktails. It is, to summarise in one word, bangin’.
📍 1 Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
3. Bay Hong Food + Wine
A big hit with Sydney vegans for their extensive plant-based options, Bay Hong Food + Wine invites you in with a colourfully-lit décor and genuine hospitality. Straying a little from the traditional Vietnamese cooking style has served them well, as the likes of Mekong Chilli Prawns run riot across your palate, and the Vietnamese Pandan Flan leaves a trail of sweet satisfaction in its wake. Don’t miss the wine selection either; Bay Hong boasts an in-house sommelier who can help you pair your dishes with Aussie and international wines, for a perfectly-balanced dinner.
📍227 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
4. Red Lantern
Two decades in the hospitality industry has seen the Red Lantern team rise to the top of their game. Their tasting menus blend modern Vietnamese dishes with subtle influences from around south-east Asia, resulting in succulent, flavourful dishes. From the renowned chili squid to the slow roasted pork belly, there are few ways to go wrong here. As one of Sydney’s Vietnamese restaurants with a higher price point (an entree, main, and drink will run you about $100 a head), it’s perhaps best-suited for special occasions, but nevertheless, a visit here ensures a truly memorable dining experience.
📍60 Riley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
5. Great Aunty Three
Why have one Great Aunty when you can have three? Great Aunty Three shines brightly amidst the Inner West’s vibrant Vietnamese restaurants, and its many fans will argue that they’ve got the best banh mi in the city. Innovative twists and extraordinary flavours, take the traditional dish to such great heights – even meat-eaters should check out their vegan version, filled with creamy avocado, crisp green apple, and crispy tofu.
📍115 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042, Australia
6. Pho Phd
We’ve got two final spots to talk about, and it’s no surprise that we’re back in Marrickville for them. First up, Pho Phd, where the portions are big and the pho is simmered to tasty perfection. Meanwhile, their stir-fries and pork chop combo plates are a stronger contender if you’re not in the mood for pho (it happens!), and the salt and pepper tofu scores well amongst punters. Expect it to be a busy spot, but you won’t be regretting a short wait once you’ve got a cold beer and an array of Vietnamese cuisine within reach.
📍260 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204, Australia
7. Bay Tinh Vietnamese Restaurant
Competitive as Sydney’s Vietnamese dining scene is, sometimes you’ve got to defer to the veterans. Having served up Vietnamese food in Marrickville since 1986, Bay Tinh has had years to refine its craft, and unsurprisingly remains a firm favourite among diners. I’m personally eyeing up the ‘Bonfire’ range of meat dishes cooked at the table, but there’s plenty to catch your fancy, from the caramelised fish to the the punchy papaya salad. It’s one of those places where you’re going to be spoiled rotten by choice, if we’re being honest.
📍318 Victoria Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204, Australia