As San Mateo’s dining scene evolves, Vietnamese cuisine is getting a fresh wave of attention. This year’s standout spots blend tradition with innovation—from a pho shop introducing build-your-own bowls to a banh mi counter with artisanal pâtés. For those craving authenticity, family-run gems still simmer broths overnight. Here are the 12 best Vietnamese restaurants defining San Mateo’s palate in 2026.
M sandwiches Cafe San Mateo
$ | (650) 931-4181 | WEBSITE
Finally, our own M Sandwiches Cafe. The San Mateo spot, which has a simple takeaway setup with just a two-seater table outside, offers its flavorful sandwiches in packaging the owners carefully prepare. You’ll be able to eat the classic OG, popular banh mi, and, of course, excellent varieties like the special, original, and lemongrass beef with fresh bread and delightful tastes and textures.
Pho Element
$ | (650) 212-1166 | WEBSITE
First, there was Pho Element, a Northern Vietnamese spot serving pho exclusively made in the traditional style that we dubbed one of the 12 Best Vietnamese Restaurants in San Mateo. Then, the same place offered the short rib vermicelli noodle bowl, another standout dish featuring high-quality beef. Now, the restaurant is impressing with a kid-friendly atmosphere that serves hot tea right after seating instead of just water.
The San Mateo location will have large pho bowls, as well as takeout vermicelli noodle bowls, imperial rolls, and appetizers like Butter Tofu and Pork Spring Roll.
Ben Tre Restaurant
$ | (650) 952-2243 | WEBSITE
Not long ago, there was a meme of Adam Driver saying “good soup” ping-ponging around the internet. It was from the show Girls, and the words were spoken at Kellogg’s Diner. Open since 2020, the San Mateo establishment has been serving South Vietnamese cuisine, and it sounds like the food is consistently impressive every time around. A kitchen that focuses on authentic flavors will be doing garlic noodles, lemongrass tofu, and 5-Spice Chicken with Green Papaya Salad during regular hours.
The portions are huge, making it perfect for sharing with big groups in the lively, open space with both indoor and outdoor seating. Customers have praised the food as AMAZING, highlighting the delicious pho, particularly #18, which has a flavorful broth that is not too salty. The service is friendly and welcoming, with orders prepared quickly in the clean environment.
Popular items include fresh and crunchy Imperial egg rolls, satisfying crispy shrimp with sweet chili sauce, and classic rice plates with imperial rolls. With fair prices around $15-25 per entrée considering the quality and portion sizes, Ben Tre is highly recommended for those craving sugarcane juice, coffee, and authentic South Vietnamese cuisine.
Hometown Noodle Restaurant
$ | (650) 367-0567 | WEBSITE
At the minimalist Hometown Noodle Restaurant in San Mateo, the family-owned eatery serves a $15 pho with a decent broth and good noodles, alongside traditional Vietnamese coffee and a variety of spring rolls. The Vietnamese menu will cycle through various dishes—shrimp spring rolls, grilled pork ball spring rolls, fried rice—and end with a hot imperial roll. Just a few feet away from the clean interior, you’ll find loud politics on tv, another feature from the same small staff.
Bun Mee
$ | (650) 821-8307 | WEBSITE
The Bun Mee team is keeping busy. Their restaurant offers a variety of modern and fresh options at the airport, including vegetable-based bowls with protein choices and Vietnamese appetizers. It’s inspired by Vietnamese street food but with a quick-service spin. That means limited pho selection, popular garlic black pepper fries, and a menu that, given the restaurant’s track record, will probably satisfy a craving for a solid and relatively healthy bite.
Pho Cafe
$ | (415) 859-7829 | WEBSITE
A standout among San Mateo’s Vietnamese dining scene, Pho Cafe delivers a welcoming atmosphere and friendly service that makes you feel right at home. The menu showcases a variety of Vietnamese classics, from delicate spring imperial rolls wrapped in rice paper to crispy cha goi fried egg rolls. While the pho remains a solid choice, some dishes like the garlic noodles can arrive overcooked, and the chicken occasionally lacks depth of flavor.
Yet the restaurant maintains a clean, spacious environment with plenty of tables, including cozy niches for more private dining. Service is prompt and efficient, with meals averaging around $20 per person for three dishes—a decent value. The laksa is surprisingly good for a Vietnamese spot, and thoughtful touches like an outside sink for handwashing add convenience.
Parking can be challenging on busy days, but overall, Pho Cafe is a reliable choice for flavorful Vietnamese food in a casual setting, perfect for those seeking authentic tastes outside of San Jose.
Saigon City Restaurant
$ | (650) 340-8878 | WEBSITE
Saigon City Restaurant was supposed to expand last year. Seeing as how it didn’t, we still can’t tell you what the new space looks like. But it sounds promising. The San Mateo spot will be serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a dining area that consists of generous portions, each with its own fresh veggies. Pop in for some X-Large Pho Xe Lua, and request some grilled beef with vermicelli.
Viet Time
$ | (650) 636-4488 | WEBSITE
Viet Time is a certified hit several times over. Now, this busy and clean restaurant sits on a conveniently accessible stretch of San Mateo, making it a welcoming spot for diners. They’re brewing Vietnamese coffee traditionally with a pour-over method, and serving dishes like crispy fried egg rolls, tender grilled beef over rice with egg roll, and above-average Pho Combo #1. The banh mi sandwiches come on big, fluffy rolls with vegetarian options like fried eggs, fried tofu, or just vegetables.
We’re already a little stressed thinking about choosing just one dish from their wide variety of options.
Lotus Restaurant
$ | (650) 561-4296 | WEBSITE
Former San Mateo chef Phil has been serving phenomenal Chinese-Vietnamese fusion at Lotus Restaurant since it opened. Now, this pandemic-era favorite has become a must-visit destination for incredible food in Menlo Park. You’ll no longer have to search through endless options to find your Generals Chicken, short rib banh mi, and Beijing crispy beef. The atmosphere remains warm and welcoming, with Phil’s exceptional service and energy making each visit feel personal and inviting.
The comfortable dining area—both inside and outside—features clean tables and attentive service that matches the quality of the tender, perfectly cooked ingredients. With dishes like the fantastic pork egg rolls, duck soup special, and flavorful house fried rice, Lotus has secured its place among the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area.
PPQ Dungeness Island – Millbrae
$$$ | (650) 686-6126 | WEBSITE
Long before every strip mall in the Bay Area boasted a Vietnamese spot with crab on the menu, this cuisine was more of a family affair, cooked in home kitchens. PPQ Dungeness Island, with its roots in the classic San Francisco style, wants to honor that. In a way. The restaurant is tucked into a Millbrae storefront, and it offers a nice patio area for outdoor dining.
(Parking can be a challenge on weekdays.) Expect garlic noodles, Dungeness crab, imperial rolls, and salt yolk shrimp, with dishes that range from $20-$40.
GAO VIET KITCHEN
$$ | (650) 477-2524 | WEBSITE
Finding it tough to score a seat at your usual pho joint? You might have better luck at Gao Viet Kitchen, a popular northern-style Vietnamese spot with locations in SF and San Mateo. The cozy yet lively restaurant serves hearty dishes like beef rib soup and perfectly cooked pho, with generous portions on items like the Wrap N Roll and Phozilla.
While some dishes could use a bit more flavor and prices run a little high—expect to pay around $16-20 for most mains—the efficient service and friendly staff make it worthwhile. It’ll probably be just as busy as other top spots in the area, but, crucially, parking is available nearby, making it a convenient go-to for flavorful Vietnamese cuisine.
Bayhill Vietnamese Bistro
$ | (650) 588-9662 | WEBSITE
Bayhill Vietnamese Bistro, the family-owned spot from the local team that’s been serving since the 1990s, is holding down its strip-mall location near YouTube. The menu stays true to its nostalgic roots, with Southern Vietnamese-style dishes like chicken pho and pork banh mi intended to satisfy families who appreciate good food. With its quiet, pleasant interior and attentive staff providing quick service, the reboot feels like it might be a little comfier than your average pho joint.
Customers do note the prices can run a bit high—especially for items like the spring rolls—but many find the quality makes it worthwhile. The spacious restaurant, closed on Sundays which some find unusual, has become a go-to for local Vietnamese cuisine, delivering that nostalgic flavor without heavy MSG, where you pay at the counter after your meal.
