Vietnamese Restaurants in Abu Dhabi: Your Go-To Guide

Abu Dhabi has a strong Vietnamese restaurant scene. It is not the largest, but what is here delivers on flavour: fresh herbs, slow-cooked broths, and dishes that feel light yet satisfying. Finding a good Vietnamese restaurant in Abu Dhabi is easy, with options spread across the city from Al Reem Island to Khalifa City and the waterfront at Al Bateen.

This guide covers the top places where residents can reliably find Vietnamese food in Abu Dhabi, from hotel restaurants to casual food court spots that serve authentic flavour.

• Why Vietnamese food works so well in Abu Dhabi
• Best Vietnamese restaurants in Abu Dhabi
• Vietnamese restaurant Abu Dhabi: Quick comparison
• Tips for ordering Vietnamese food for the first time
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Vietnamese food works so well in Abu Dhabi

Vietnamese cuisine sits well in Abu Dhabi for several reasons. The food is built on fresh ingredients, aromatic broths, and clean flavours. Popular dishes like phở (a slow-cooked noodle soup), gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls), bún (vermicelli), and bánh mì (a baguette with savoury fillings) are widely available and cater well to diverse dietary preferences.

Vietnamese food in Abu Dhabi also has broad appeal because many restaurants clearly mark vegan and gluten-free options, making the cuisine accessible to diners with specific requirements. Spice levels are generally moderate, and most kitchens are happy to adjust on request. For residents who want an alternative to heavier cuisines or are looking for something fresh mid-week, Vietnamese food fits naturally into the city’s dining rhythm.

Best Vietnamese restaurants in Abu Dhabi

1. Hoi An

Hoi An is the benchmark for Vietnamese fine dining in Abu Dhabi. Situated on the ground floor of the Shangri-La Hotel at Qaryat Al Beri. The menu brings together traditional Vietnamese recipes and contemporary presentations, with signature dishes including crispy crab-and-shrimp spring rolls, wok-seared beef, grilled lemongrass chicken, and steamed sea bass in banana leaf. The setting, on the edge of the Grand Canal, adds a calm elegance that makes it a natural choice for a special meal.

• Phone: +971 2 509 8555
• Location: Ground Floor, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Between the Bridges, Abu Dhabi

2. Pho 7 Vietnamese Restaurant

Pho 7 is a well-regarded Vietnamese restaurant serving an authentic and contemporary menu built around locally sourced ingredients. Its signature dish is the traditional beef phở, a rich noodle soup with slow-developed flavour that has earned it strong word-of-mouth among residents in the area. Beyond phở, the menu includes Vietnamese salads, spring rolls, and a solid range of daily favourites. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, suited to weekday lunches and relaxed family dinners alike.

• Phone: +971 2 878 1088
• Location: Al Raha Mainland / Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi

3. Vietnamese Pho

Vietnamese Pho opened in early 2022 on Al Reem Island and quickly gained a following for its warm atmosphere and faithful rendering of Vietnamese classics. The dining room is decorated with colourful Hoi An lanterns and Vietnamese murals, which gives it a distinct character among the restaurants on the island. The menu covers comforting bowls of phở alongside starters, salads, and a range of dietary options including vegan, keto, and gluten-free dishes, making it one of the more inclusive Vietnamese restaurants in the capital.

• Phone: +971502051646
• Location: Al Reem Bay Tower B, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

4. Pho Mo

Pho Mo takes Vietnamese cuisine and applies subtle French cuisine touches. Located on Level 3 of The Galleria Al Maryah Island, it offers a vibrant and accessible dining experience with fresh ingredients at its core. The menu is built around phở and other Vietnamese staples, each prepared with care and presented in a setting that works equally well for a quick lunch or a longer evening meal with family.

• Phone: +971 2 673 3630
• Location: Level 3, Section B, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

5. Pho Ha Noi

Pho Ha Noi is one of the most focused Vietnamese dining options in the city. Located in the Tourist Club Area (Al Danah), it concentrates entirely on Vietnamese cuisine without veering into fusion territory. The menu centres on phở bò (beef broth noodle soup), phở gà (chicken), gỏi cuốn (fresh rice paper rolls), and other traditional dishes, all served in generous portions. The decor reflects Vietnamese culture, and the staff bring attentive service to a casual setting that fills up quickly, particularly at lunchtime.

• Phone: +971 2 517 5185
• Location: 14 Al Khabyah Street, Al Danah, Abu Dhabi

6. Saigon House

Saigon House brings the flavours of Southern Vietnam to Forsan Central Mall in Khalifa City. The restaurant is known for balancing the five tastes central to Vietnamese cooking: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and spicy. Dishes such as Vietnamese beef noodles (phở bò), char-grilled cuttlefish, Vietnamese savoury pancakes, and tomato prawn soup give a clear sense of the kitchen’s range. Portion sizes are thoughtful rather than excessive, and the overall feel is calm and comfortable, making it a reliable option for residents in the Khalifa City corridor.

• Phone: +971 55 252 5390
• Location: 1st Floor, Forsan Central Mall, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi

7. Vietnamese Special Restaurant

Vietnamese Special Restaurant, located in the food court on the second floor of Madinat Zayed Mall in Al Danah, is one of the more accessible options in the city. Portions are generous, pricing is affordable, and the menu covers phở, gỏi cuốn, spring rolls, bánh mì, and lemongrass tofu with rice noodles. Rice and soup are refillable on some items. The food court setting keeps things lively and quick, making it practical for residents who want a reliable Vietnamese meal without a long commitment.

• Phone: +971 54 788 2599
• Location: 2nd Floor, Madinat Zayed Mall, Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street, Al Danah, Abu Dhabi

8. Cho Gao Marina Walk

Cho Gao Marina Walk at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi is a pan-Asian restaurant that includes Vietnamese dishes alongside Thai, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines. Fragrant Vietnamese salads are among the crowd favourites here, and the waterfront terrace at Al Bateen Marina gives the experience a distinct sense of place. The venue operates Thursday to Saturday evenings.

• Phone: +971 56 533 2273
• Location: InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen Marina Walk, Abu Dhabi

Vietnamese restaurant Abu Dhabi: Quick comparison

Note: Prices are approximate averages for two people and may vary. 

Tips for ordering Vietnamese food for the first time

If this is your first time exploring Vietnamese food in Abu Dhabi, a few pointers will help you get more out of the experience.

Start with phở. It is the defining dish of Vietnamese cuisine and the clearest indication of a kitchen’s quality. A well-made phở relies on a broth that has been simmered for hours, often overnight, with a balance of spices including star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. When you taste the broth before adding condiments, you should notice layers rather than a single flat flavour.

Know what to add at the table. Most Vietnamese restaurants serve phở with a side plate of fresh herbs (Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and chilli). Add these gradually to adjust the freshness and heat to your preference. Hoisin sauce and sriracha are usually available on request.

Try the fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn) as a starter. These are made with rice paper, herbs, vermicelli, and protein, and are served fresh rather than fried. They are lighter than Chinese-style spring rolls and give a good sense of how Vietnamese food uses fresh herbs and texture together.

Pay attention to portion sizes. Several of the restaurants on this list, particularly Pho Ha Noi and Vietnamese Special Restaurant, are known for generous servings. If you are ordering for two, it is worth asking about portion size before adding multiple mains.

Key takeaways

• Abu Dhabi has Vietnamese restaurants across the city, from hotel fine dining at Hoi An in Qaryat Al Beri to food court staples at Vietnamese Special Restaurant in Madinat Zayed Mall.
• Vietnamese food in Abu Dhabi caters well to varied dietary needs, with vegan, gluten-free, and keto options available at several restaurants including Vietnamese Pho and Vietnamese Special Restaurant.
• Location matters: residents in Khalifa City and Al Raha have convenient access to Pho 7 and Saigon House, while those on Al Maryah Island or Al Reem Island are well served by Pho Mo and Vietnamese Pho respectively.
• For a special occasion, Hoi An at Shangri-La is the standout choice in the capital; for a casual meal that still delivers on authenticity, Pho Ha Noi and Pho 7 are both consistently well regarded. Discover the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi for more cuisine options.

Frequently Asked Questions

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