Best Pho in the US

Top-rated pho restaurants across the country, the best cities for pho, and how to tell a great bowl from an average one.

Highest-rated pho restaurants in our directory

Ranked by customer rating weighted by review count. Only restaurants with at least 100 reviews are included.

Best pho by city

Best Pho in Houston58Best Pho in San Jose37Best Pho in Seattle36Best Pho in Las Vegas31Best Pho in San Diego27Best Pho in Philadelphia26Best Pho in Denver23Best Pho in Honolulu22Best Pho in San Antonio21Best Pho in San Francisco20Best Pho in Westminster18Best Pho in Portland17Best Pho in Los Angeles16Best Pho in Garden Grove15Best Pho in Richmond15Best Pho in Sacramento14Best Pho in Lakewood13Best Pho in Tacoma13Best Pho in Vancouver13Best Pho in Brooklyn12Best Pho in Chicago12Best Pho in Orlando12Best Pho in Phoenix12Best Pho in Anchorage11Best Pho in Aurora11Best Pho in Dallas11Best Pho in El Paso11Best Pho in Glendale11Best Pho in Kent11Best Pho in Oakland11

How to find a great bowl of pho

  • Start with the broth. It should be clear and fragrant, with beef and gentle spice (star anise, cinnamon, charred ginger and onion), not greasy, cloudy or only salty.
  • Check the noodles and meat. Noodles should be soft but still springy. Thin raw steak (tai) should cook gently in the hot broth.
  • Look at the plate of extras. Fresh Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime and chili tell you the kitchen cares.
  • Read the reviews, not just the stars. Hundreds of reviews with a high average are a stronger signal than a perfect score from a handful.

New to pho? Read our pho guide, or find pho near you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best pho in the US?

There is no single official answer, because the best bowl depends on your taste. This page ranks pho restaurants in our directory by customer rating and number of reviews, and links to the best pho in each city we cover.

What makes good pho?

A good bowl has a clear, deeply flavored broth with a gentle spice aroma, noodles that are soft but still springy, thinly sliced meat, and fresh herbs, bean sprouts and lime on the side.

Which US cities have the most pho restaurants?

Areas with large Vietnamese-American communities, such as Southern California, Houston, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Seattle area, have many pho restaurants. The city list on this page shows the cities in our directory with the most listings.

How should I order pho for the first time?

Start with pho tai (rare steak) or a combination bowl in a regular size, taste the broth first, then add herbs, lime and sauces to your liking.