Family Run Vietnamese Restaurants in Melbourne.
Vietnamese cuisine is far more than pho, banh mi or spring rolls. It is a story of heritage, told through the distinct flavours of Northern, Central and Southern Vietnam. For me, the truest way to understand Vietnamese culture and its people is through its authentic cuisine.
While modern fusion restaurants may creatively blend Vietnamese food with Western influences, they rarely capture the soul of truly authentic Vietnamese flavours. I only feel that sense of home when visiting small, family run Vietnamese restaurants in Melbourne , where recipes reflect the hometown the chefs come from, the atmosphere is casual and cozy, and the owner greets me in Vietnamese, as if we had known each other long before.
Where to Find Best Family-Run Vietnamese Restaurants in Melbourne
Whether you’re a local seeking the flavor of your hometown or an international friend trying to understand Vietnamese culture through the lens of its rich and unique cuisine, this guide is your invitation to explore Vietnamese cuisine with heart, heritage and hospitality.
Image Credit: Pho A Go Go
This little family-run gem in Southbank has built a cult following for its Northern-style pho, featuring silky thin rice noodles and a lighter, clearer, less fatty broth than its Southern counterpart, which bring instant comfort, especially on colder Melbourne days. Its popularity is reflected in its staggering number of online reviews, even surpassing Melbourne best restaurant Gimlet at Cavendish House, which holds 4.6 stars from 1,826 reviews.
Pho A Gogo is also known for their famously “straightforward” service style; some may find it unconventional, others feel it as “old school and like you’re in someone’s home”, which also portrays the honest and friendly personality traits of Vietnamese people.
Xuan Anh Banh Cuon in Footscray
Image Credit: Google Review
Located right by the bustling Footscray Market, this family-owned eatery has become a quiet star among the suburb’s impressive Vietnamese lineup. Their banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) is the perfect balance between soft and chewy texture, generously filled with pork, prawn or chicken and wood-ear mushrooms. Topped with a generous sprinkle of fried shallots, each serving is a textural delight.
On the side, you can have pork meatloaf, sweet potato and prawn hash brown, or crispy squid cake, adding the crispy feeling to that soft texture. Everything beautifully blended when dipped in their tangy fish sauce.
Don’t overlook their soups either. The banh da rieu cua cha muc, a Northern-style red rice noodle soup with crab and squid cake, boasts a deeply savoury broth and is especially satisfying when customised at your table with fresh herbs and chilli vinegar. This is a cozy place to find a piece of Hanoi at the corner of Melbourne.
Travelling Through the Central Region of Vietnam
Co Thu Quan in Richmond
Image Credit: Google review
Founded in 2010, this family run restaurant has been serving Richmond’s diverse crowd of authentic Central Vietnamese flavours, which is slightly spicier, tangier, and more complex. Their bánh tráng trộn, a beloved Vietnamese street snack combining rice paper, green mango, dried shrimp, herbs and quail eggs, is a cult favourite among young Vietnamese students.
They also offer heart-warming bowls of bun bo hue (spicy beef noodle soup) and banh canh cua (tapioca crab noodle soup). The interior is thoughtfully decorated with traditional Vietnamese touches, enhancing the sense of cultural immersion.
A must-try is their com am phu, a traditional Hue-style rice platter served with multiple side dishes, is truly a signature of Co Thu Quan that you cannot find elsewhere in Melbourne. The interior is unique with old fashioned decorations.
Banh Xeo Co Ba in Footscray
4/203 Ballarat Rd, Footscray VIC 30114/203 Ballarat Rd, Footscray VIC 3011
Image Credit: Banh Xeo Co Ba
Owned and run by a family from Da Nang, this cozy eatery brings the essence of Central Vietnam to Melbourne’s west. Their specialty, banh xeo (crispy savory pancake), comes in smaller, crispier versions with golden skin, stuffed with prawns, pork and bean sprouts, exactly as you would find in the central region.
Another highlight is banh trang cuon thit luoc (soft rice paper wraps filled with juicy boiled pork, fresh herbs and lettuce, dipped in either fish sauce or bold mắm nêm (spcicy fermented anchovy sauce). These two dishes are best to share with your friends and family in a cozy atmosphere.
Or if you’re craving something soupy, their mi quang (turmeric-tinted flat noodles served in a shallow but intensely flavourful broth) is a must that would give you a non-stop slurping moment, a unique noodle soup that you may find addicting besides pho or bun bo hue.
Image Credit: I Love Pho
Set along Richmond’s iconic Vietnamese dining strip, I Love Pho is a long-time local favourite for Southern-style sliced beef pho, aromatic broth, tender meat and satisfyingly silky, wider noodles. Their crispy prawn spring rolls are another crowd pleaser.
From the humble tableware to the cozy setup, everything about this place evokes the feeling of a true small eatery in Vietnam. Its reputation goes beyond locals too, having been featured in Broadsheet’s 2012 in a Moment‘, The Age’s Melbourne Magazine in June 2012 and Good Food Under $30 guide, Melbourne Magazine, and even Melbourne’s ‘Where?house‘ Music Festival.
Saigon Mamma in Carnegie
Image Credit: Saigon Mamma
True to its name, Saigon Mamma delivers comforting Southern Vietnamese flavours, which is slightly sweeter and deeply aromatic. Family-owned and operating for over five years, it’s a beloved local spot for beef pho, com tam (broken rice with grilled pork), hu tieu xao (stir-fried noodles) and spring rolls.
The modern, airy interior adds a fresh feel, making it ideal for casual family gatherings. It’s also a friendly spot for plant-based diners, with a well-rounded vegetarian and vegan menu led by their standout vegetable pho.
Pho Hung Vuong Saigon in Footscray
Image Credit: Google Review
Operating for over a decade, Pho Hung Vuong Saigon is considered an OG among those in the know, featured by Time Out. The atmosphere is lively and no-nonsense, with the focus firmly on the food.
Their pho is rich and bold, with a fatty broth subtly scented with star anise, from the aroma you can tell it is Southern style pho. Beyond pho, the menu also features signature Vietnamese classics such as com tam (broken rice), crispy grilled chicken, and refreshing vermicelli salads. It’s the kind of place where you come hungry and leave dreaming of what dish you would try next.
Understanding How The Three Regions of Vietnam Shape Its Cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine across its three regions tells the story of its people. The North speaks in quiet elegance, with flavours that are balanced and light. The Central region carries the strength of a harsher land, expressed through bold, spicy and deeply savoury dishes shaped by resilience and hard work. And the South embodies a warm, open spirit, with naturally sweeter, sun-kissed flavours drawn from its generous and abundant land. Isn’t it fascinating to discover the stories behind what makes Vietnamese food so rich, meaningful and diverse?
How to Spot an Authentic Family Run Vietnamese Restaurant in Melbourne
The menu is on the wall
Most authentic family run Vietnamese restaurants in Melbourne keep things traditional like back home. Instead of glossy menus, you’ll often see dishes listed on a handwritten board or printed sheet taped to the wall.
The kids are part of the space
You know it is a good family run spot if you notice a child doing homework at a back table or helping take order after school.
The owner greets you personally
A warm hello in Vietnamese or a familiar nod tells you the friendliness in the customer service style of Vietnamese owners.
Regulars know each other
When locals come in and the staff already know their order, you know you’ve found a community rooted authentic place.
Melbourne is home to some of the most authentic Vietnamese food outside Vietnam, found in its family run Vietnamese restaurants. These local gems preserve traditional flavours and regional identities, from the balanced cuisine of the North to the bold spice of the Central region and the sweeter Southern style. Whether you are searching for authentic Vietnamese food in Melbourne or planning your next dining experience, these family run Vietnamese restaurants offer more than just a meal. They deliver culture, atmosphere and connection. Support local family owned restaurants, explore your neighbourhood favourites, and experience traditional Vietnamese flavours across Melbourne.
