These Pho Spots in Dubai Are Nothing Short of Pho-ntastic!
Let’s face it: Dubai’s heat doesn’t exactly make you crave for a bowl of hot soup – unless it’s a very good bowl of pho. Then it makes eating hot even on a hot day worth the sweat!
I love pho and I can tell you a hundred reasons why I do. In fact, a lot of my weekends are spent going around the city on the hunt for the best pho.
So I can say that I’m a pho expert of some sort and of course, I’m sharing with you five of my favourite pho spots in Dubai to get your tummy – and heart – full.
Saigon Station
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Website: https://www.saigonstations.com/
Address: Silicon Gates 1 – Dubai Silicon Oasis
Contact details: +971 58 567 8678
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily
Price: $$
Saigon Station tops my list of the best pho in Dubai because it’s the most authentic representation of Vietnam’s national food. In fact, it’s so good that I don’t mind taking the trip to Dubai Silicon Oasis just for a hearty bowl – and then some.
If you’ve tried pho in Vietnam, you’ll know that this is as classic as it can get. Saigon Station’s broth is really the star of the show here, a classic bone broth simmered for over 8 hours for maximum flavour.
They also use authentic flat rice noodles and you have the choice between beef, chicken or vegan options. The pho is topped with coriander and spring onions and served to you piping hot.
But you wouldn’t mind sweating because this bowl of pho is hearty and comforting in every way possible. I even call it a big hug from home, which is why it’s my ultimate comfort food.
Pro tip:
While the pho is the best item on the menu, you should also try Saigon Station’s other offerings including their summer rolls, papaya salad and stir-fried egg noodles.
Vietnamese Foodies
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Website: https://vietnamesefoodies.com/
Address: Burj Vista Tower 1 – Downtown Dubai
Contact details: +971 4 554 2090
Operating hours:
- 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM daily
Price: $$
Authentic, healthy and affordable – these are just three of the reasons Vietnamese Foodies is a favourite pho destination in Dubai for both locals and tourists.
It all started in 2018 when Executive Chef Lily Hoa Nguyen opened the restaurant’s first location in JLT, and it quickly became viral because of its pho, goi coun and banh mi.
Of course, I had to try it and I understood why it was such a hype. The restaurant uses only the freshest ingredients and prepares each dish using traditional cooking techniques.
Their pho broth alone is simmered for 14 hours, which is why it’s so flavourful and aromatic. Most of their dishes are also gluten-free and dairy-free, and they use water or broth instead of oil when cooking.
The food here is absolutely reminiscent of those food stalls in Vietnam. So, I wasn’t really surprised that within just a few years, Vietnamese Foodies has grown to four branches around Dubai.
Pro tip:
If you want to enjoy your bowl of pho with a view of the Burj Khalifa, visit Vietnamese Foodies’ restaurant at the Ground Floor of Burj Vista Residence in Downtown Duba.
Wox
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Website: https://www.hyattrestaurants.com/en/dubai/restaurant/wox
Address: Grand Hyatt Dubai Convention Center – Sheikh Rashid Road – Umm Hurair 2
Contact details: +971 4 317 2221
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM daily
Price: $$
Wox is my go-to spot for satisfying my cravings for Asian food. Aside from having one of the best phos in Dubai, the restaurant also offers dishes from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand.
So yes, if you’re on an Asian kick, you’ll have everything you want in this pan-Asian restaurant.
Located at the Grand Hyatt, Wox is a smart casual type of restaurant where you get seated in their beautiful dining area and offered a menu filled with all your Asian favourites.
And don’t get me started on that menu because I still get overwhelmed with all the choices.
But if I have to pick favourites, I’d go for their pho, of course. I also live their wok fried flat rice noodles, salt and pepper stir fried squid, pad Thai with shrimp and crispy seafood spring rolls.
Pro tip:
What’s a great Asian meal without some cocktails? Wox’s rosemary gin fizz, bullfrog and blueberry mojito are definitely high on my list.
Hoi An Restaurant
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Website: https://www.shangri-la.com/dubai/shangrila/dining/restaurants/hoi-an/
Address: Level 1 – Shangri-la Hotel Dubai – Sheikh Zayed Road
Contact details: +971 4 405 2712
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM from Monday to Friday
- 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM from Saturday to Sunday
Price: $$$
Good pho in Dubai at Shangri-la? Count me in! Hoi An is my choice for those dinners where I want to enjoy classic comfort food with a fancy twist.
What makes Hoi An different is how it combines classic century old Vietnamese dishes with French techniques.
The restaurant screams Vietnam with its vibrant colours and stunning tapestry. The menu is familiar yet unique, so prepare to immerse yourself in a Vietnamese culinary adventure like no other.
Aside from their pho, I also love spring rolls, tamarind black cod, lotus-baked seabass and braised beef ribs. Oh, and don’t forget to make room for their lemongrass creme brulee to cap off an amazing meal!
Pro tip:
Hoi An is packed even during the weekdays. So make sure that you book a table weeks before your visit since you don’t want to miss this experience.
Pho City
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Address: Level S3 – Food Pavilion – Burjuman Mall – Khalid bin Al Waleed Road – Al Mankhool
Contact details: +971 4 234 5077
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $$
I don’t usually like to drive outside the city centre because of the traffic. But I don’t mind being stuck in traffic if it means going to Pho City in Al Mankhool, home of one of my favourite phos in Dubai.
Pho City is classic Vietnamese food at its best. No fancy ingredients or luxurious settings – just good, old authentic dishes that fill your tummy and warm your heart.
No wonder the restaurant’s classic pho has been recognised by both Lonely Planet and CNN as one of the best in the city. It’s simple, straightforward and very delicious that I’m actually getting quite hungry right now.
But Pho City isn’t just about the pho. It also has some of the best fresh spring rolls, salads and fried rice that you can find, all at very budget-friendly prices.
Pro tip:
Are you vegetarian? Try the restaurant’s tom yum soup, vegetarian pho, vegetarian crispy spring roll and vegetarian fried rice that will surely taste as good as their classic counterparts.