The San Antonio River winds through downtown, flows past the Alamo, and stretches over 240 miles to the Gulf. That makes it the longest river entirely within Texas, and following its full course would take you days. Along the banks, you’ll find pho in a converted gas station, two standout bánh mì counters, crispy bánh xèo crepes, and a family-run spot serving some of the state’s best bún bò Huế just steps from the Mission Trail.
These are our favorite Vietnamese restaurants right along the San Antonio River.
Singapore II UTSA
$ | (210) 899-9181 | WEBSITE
This family-run spot near the UTSA campus serves up a mix of Asian comfort classics like Puerto Rican fried rice, cashew chicken, and pad thai. At other places, simplicity is key. Here, flavor-packed is the way to go. The menu offers plenty of options, so if you want the triple delight with all its savory goodness, go for it. Or, try the General’s chicken, coated in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce that’s downright addictive. So satisfying, and also very affordable.
Grab a seat—it’s small but perfect for a quiet meal, and the friendly owners make you feel right at home.
A Dong Vietnamese & Chinese Restaurant @DeZavala
$ | (210) 561-5576 | WEBSITE
A Dong looks a lot like a classic Vietnamese spot, if you swapped the usual pho bowls out for plates of crispy fish sauce chicken wings. The restaurant in DeZavala has a steady stream of people enjoying their meals with jasmine tea in the dining room, plus a constantly busy kitchen in back, where people order overflowing takeout containers of shaken beef and savory pork ribs.
During lunch, there’s a full menu, in case you want to pair your flawless canh chua, packed with tangy broth, with a refreshing lotus roots salad.
Pho Ha Long Restaurant
$ | (210) 354-7547 | WEBSITE
Pho Ha Long is a Vietnamese restaurant, but their claim to fame is their pho. The unassuming spot has been serving the exact same broth—bold and flavorful—for years. And for many of those years it’s been praised by the exact same customers, enjoying the exact same #1 Raw Steak Pho.
If you ask them what makes that pho the best, those regulars will tell you it’s because the staff makes it themselves—”fresh every day!” Pho Ha Long also serves shrimp pho, grilled shrimp fresh spring rolls, and vermicelli dishes, but if you’re going the pho route, get the combo—a large bowl with fatty brisket and a huge ice water for $14—with that chili oil, obviously, and maybe a quick takeout order from their drive-up window. It has the efficient service so you’ll come back for next time.
Van’s
$$ | (210) 828-8449 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a weathered building that’s been part of the neighborhood since the late 80s, you’ll find Van’s, a family-run Vietnamese spot where the hospitality shines brighter than any fancy décor. A generous dinner here costs less than a mediocre meal at trendier places. Begin with their pho, like the classic beef version with a broth so rich and aromatic it tastes like it’s been simmering for days, then move onto one of their clay pot dishes.
The sizzling pots arrive filled with caramelized meats, fluffy jasmine rice, and vegetables that taste garden-fresh, all served with the kind of warmth that makes you feel like family.
Pho House
$ | (210) 598-9983 | WEBSITE
Before you dismiss it as just another spot in a strip mall, we’ll admit: Pho House isn’t the most glamorous location—it’s tucked away in a quiet San Antonio plaza. It’s worth the trip (though if you’re craving something fancier, head downtown). This unassuming Vietnamese restaurant has been serving big, flavor-packed bowls for years.
Always order the rare steak pho, something fried like the Vietnamese fried roll, and a noodle dish like the Beef Lo Mein, plus bubble tea if you’re in the mood for something sweet. And make sure to look for Miss Lisa. We won’t spoil the surprise, but if you ask she’ll share both a warm smile, and the secret to their generous portions.
PHO 88
$ | (210) 253-9334 | WEBSITE
To find PHO 88, you’ll just have to follow the scent of simmering broth to a modest storefront where the windows fog up with steam. There, a family team serves up some impressive pho bowls: our favorite is the $14 Pho 88 Special, with tender slices of beef and brisket swimming in a flavorful but not overpowering broth. There are a few simple tables inside, but it’s brightly lit and always bustling, so consider grabbing your order to go.
This is the pho to bring home for dinner, enjoy at your kitchen table, or, dare we say it, have a quick slurp in the car before the noodles get too soft.
SP Café
$ | (210) 541-9689 | WEBSITE
The fact that some of San Antonio’s best Vietnamese food exists at a cozy café tucked away in a quiet neighborhood doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but hey, that’s Texas for you. SP Café, off one of the city’s main thoroughfares, makes a grilled pork banh mi that’s approximately the size of two sandwiches, loaded with tender pork, cucumber, pickled veggies, and a fresh, crispy roll.
Pair it with a peanut butter smoothie at one of their comfortable tables, and roast pork spring rolls finished with a fabulous peanut sauce. They’re only open during regular daytime hours, so if you need an alternative, go eat some pho at another spot, or pick up some bo hue from a different place.
Kim Tran Restaurant
$ | (210) 824-4660 | WEBSITE
This San Antonio Vietnamese spot serves up egg rolls that are neither overwhelmingly greasy nor dried into oblivion. They’re somewhere in the middle, like a few of the classics that came before them. Filled with pork and vegetables, they’re a very simple, yet highly satisfying specimen, and they’ll run you only around $6.50. Always add on a side of chicken fried rice—considered by some to be the best they’ve ever had—served in a generous portion.
The spicy hot beef and orange chicken have also received praise, while the kabobs cooked over an open flame offer a nice charcoal taste. Don’t skip the jasmine tea, highly recommended and served in a clean, attentive space where the staff knows when to step in and when to let you enjoy. The pho and scallops with shrimp and veggies round out a menu that delivers great taste and value, all in a spotless setting that shows the chef’s attention to detail.
Pho Tommy1
$ | (210) 538-8290 | WEBSITE
Pho Tommy, which feels like a peaceful retreat from whatever sort of day you’ve had, is a cozy Vietnamese spot where the atmosphere reads, ‘Welcome home.’ Inside, a few tables sit under soft lighting, and the owner, who does indeed seem super sweet, will ask if you want something comforting or adventurous (no wrong choice). Let her bring out a steaming bowl of spicy beef combo pho with tender slices of beef, fresh herbs, and rice noodles. Say yes to the shrimp spring rolls with peanut sauce.
The pepper steak sizzles with just the right heat, and the Pad Thai balances sweet, sour, and spice perfectly—some regulars swear it’s better than versions they’ve had in Thailand. For around $12 a dish, it’s an affordable treat that makes even a 40-minute drive feel worthwhile. The lemongrass chicken and curry shine too, and don’t skip the taro boba to wash it all down. It’s the kind of place where the attentive service and homey vibe keep you coming back, tray after delicious tray.
VIETNAMESE EXPRESS
$ | (210) 858-3135 | WEBSITE
Vietnamese Express is technically in San Antonio, but that’s sort of selling it short. It’s not actually in a fancy dining district, it’s in a strip mall storefront, which means that some foodies never even find it. Call it San Antonio’s best kept secret. The fast-service Vietnamese spot, with its new owners and possible name change, serves up a tight menu of fresh dishes, like grilled pork banh mi, shrimp fried rice, and sizzling steak with egg in a massive plate.
You could easily stop here for a quick banh mi or two, but it’s fun to snag a table, order a few amazing drinks, and then get enough Vietnamese food to fill the very spacious and cozy dining area that gives off loving family-owned restaurant vibes.
Pho Place
$ | (210) 580-1504 | WEBSITE
Just off a busy San Antonio street sits Pho Place, which looks like a fairly standard Vietnamese spot where you might grab a quick lunch or takeout dinner. But inside, they’re serving some of the best pho in the city. Order the classic beef pho, and then watch the friendly staff bring out a steaming bowl filled with rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, fresh herbs, and a rich, aromatic broth that’s been simmering for hours.
By the time you take your first sip, the noodles will have softened perfectly, and the broth’s deep flavor will have infused every bite. The BBQ pork banh mi is another standout—a crusty baguette stuffed with tender grilled pork, pickled vegetables, and fresh cilantro that makes for a satisfying meal any time of day. The grilled chicken vermicelli bowl arrives with perfectly charred meat over cool noodles and herbs, while the hot rock bowl soup sizzles impressively at your table.
Everything comes out hot and quickly, served by attentive staff who make you feel right at home in the clean, welcoming space. For authentic Vietnamese flavors done right, this place is a must-visit.
Pho Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant & Bakery LLC
$ | (210) 310-3004 | WEBSITE
Grab that twenty-dollar bill you’ve been saving for something special, head over to Pho Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant & Bakery, and prepare for a feast. This San Antonio gem serves up egg rolls and banh mi, but we come here most for the $14 brisket pho. The rich, flavorful broth is filled with generous cuts of tender meat and chewy noodles, with sides of fresh herbs and spicy sriracha. One bowl is a hearty meal, two are a celebration, and three a guaranteed great evening.
Phở Việt SA
$ | (210) 636-2668 | WEBSITE
When you walk into Phở Việt SA there’s a 90% chance you’ll be greeted with a warm smile, and if you’re a first-timer, there’s a 100% chance they’ll recommend the shrimp pho or Hu Tiếu. The San Antonio Vietnamese spot, tucked away in a clean, well-decorated space with a wheelchair-accessible ramp, is always humming with families sharing large bowls, friends lingering over fresh spring rolls, and servers who move fast and friendly even when it gets a bit slow.
Always start with the fried rice cake appetizer (Bot Chiên), then dive into a piping-hot pho with a rich, flavorful broth and generous portions, wash it down with a Vietnamese iced coffee, and feel free to settle in for a cozy, low-key meal that makes you want to bring everyone back.
Pho La
$ | (210) 590-1882 | WEBSITE
When you’re cruising through San Antonio’s Asian food scene, keep an eye out. You’re likely to spot someone carrying a Pho La takeout bag, a clear sign they’ve discovered that a quick detour to this spot is absolutely worth it. (Which probably takes less time than finding parking nearby.) Though efficient, they take care to customize each bowl of pho to your liking, simmering the broth just right and adding fresh herbs.
(Or you can settle in at one of their clean, simple tables.) The restaurant does the classics well, but our two favorite dishes are the crispy General Tso Sesame Chicken, with its wholesome crunch, and the Chicken Pho, with its rich, customizable broth that transports you straight to the streets of Vietnam.
Lien Hung Restaurant
$ | (210) 599-7075 | WEBSITE
Pho soup that cures all. It shouldn’t work, but it does, at a welcoming little restaurant in San Antonio that wraps the essence of Vietnamese comfort in a steaming bowl and gives family-owned spots a good name in the process. Lien Hung is cozy and vibrant and filled with regulars that let you know that yes, you should indeed try their signature combination beef pho. It’s a place that’ll remind you that even hidden gems have redeeming qualities.