We all have that friend who texts, ‘I’m craving pho but the place I know is closed,’ or, ‘Is it okay if we bring the kids? They only eat spring rolls.’ Then there’s the classic, ‘Wait, Terrebonne has Vietnamese food?’ Let’s settle this once and for all.
Banh Xeo Minh
$ | (514) 272-4636 | WEBSITE
If you want to feel like a Terrebonne local who knows Vietnamese cuisine like the lyrics to “Believe” by Cher, gather some family or friends to Banh Xeo Minh for your next group meal. The space is nothing too flashy, but it’s warm and clean, and feels more spacious than most of the other casual spots in the area. Both the pho soup and the rice pancake (banh xeo) are some of the best you’ll find in Terrebonne.
You should try to sit at one of the larger tables that accommodate groups well, but if they’re occupied there are quieter spots where you can comfortably fit quite a few people.
Phở Nam Quan
$ | (514) 722-1888 | WEBSITE
Phở Nam Quan is the restaurant that inspired this guide. We once showed up unannounced to this Terrebonne Vietnamese spot with six people (and two more on their way), and lo and behold, Phở Nam Quan made it work. It’s usually somewhat busy but no matter how many friends you have coming late, the appreciated staff will somehow find space for your party. It might be at a slightly worn wooden table near the kitchen window.
It might be at a larger booth in the back by the containers of hoisin and chili sauce. But it’ll happen, and you’ll get to eat generous and satisfying pho and bun bo hue along with $5 pots of tea with all of your delightfully content friends.
Chez Pham
$$ | (450) 681-5557 | WEBSITE
Chez Pham recommends ordering a couple of rice dishes to share among the table. But in reality, these generous family-style plates of Vietnamese specialties could easily satisfy three or four people. If you want to play it safe, get a few different rice dishes and then just relax while friends come and go to grab a quick bite or meet up before other plans or whatever else might be keeping them from lingering too long.
The place is rarely crowded, and there are plenty of quiet corners where you can settle in for a leisurely meal (along with reasonable prices to make the whole experience feel even more welcoming).
Restaurant Empire D’Angkor
$$ | (450) 471-8885 | WEBSITE
Restaurant Empire D’Angkor in Terrebonne is similar to the best spots in Montreal – it’s a modest storefront up front, with a dining room that serves some of the area’s best Vietnamese food in the back. Grab a table and some background music while you wait for someone who’s heading over after work. When they arrive, share a couple of dishes, like pho and spring rolls. If you’re in a hurry, you can always get your food to-go and enjoy it at home.
Station Pho
$ | (450) 901-0399 | WEBSITE
Station Pho is like no other restaurant in the area. It’s half Vietnamese noodle shop, half Asian culinary destination. The front has a counter with efficient service and helpful recommendations and the back has tables where people eat things like flavorful pho broth and fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce. There are virtually no rules for how to enjoy here.
Bring as many people as you want, order the Pad Thai, and make sure to say hi to the owner on your way out (he usually gives genuine smiles to everyone who visits).
Soleil Inc
$ | (450) 981-0823 | WEBSITE
Some people think of Soleil Inc as the ultimate Vietnamese neighborhood spot. And, yes, it’s pretty great. But if you have a feeling that your group is going to want a fancy wine list or white-tablecloth service, Soleil Inc will be a disappointing choice. Go to Soleil Inc with your casual crew for a fun Vietnamese dinner instead.
The peanut chicken, soups, and grills at this Laval spot are all excellent for sharing, and the pleasant BYOB atmosphere makes it feel like you’re getting a quality experience without the high prices or stuffy vibe.
Chez Kim
$$ | (450) 625-2658 | WEBSITE
Chez Kim is consistently busy with families or friends enjoying a nice evening out. There are a bunch of small tables that can squeeze up to four people in. But, if those are full, you can also wait and chat around the entrance. The hot meals and kids menu here are both pretty good, so order a few things to share and do your best to avoid the noisy ventilation system.
Phở Long Phụng
$ | (514) 259-9111 | WEBSITE
Phở Long Phụng isn’t massive, but it’s incredibly cozy and their pad Thai is one of the absolute best in the city. Since it’s a casual eatery with friendly, attentive service, you won’t need to kill 20 minutes waiting around until your friends all show up. Instead, just order a bunch of excellent Vietnamese food at the counter and claim a table with your pre-bought ice coffee. A fair amount of people who come into this Terrebonne spot take their food to-go, so there are always a few open spots.
Viet Gril Express
$ | (514) 351-4916 | WEBSITE
Viet Gril Express isn’t technically a sit-down restaurant, but it’s so charming and discreet with its clean, welcoming atmosphere that it feels like one. We’ve brought groups of six to this Terrebonne spot, and then had two more show up unexpectedly, and proceeded to order enough Vietnamese dishes for ten people.
The key is to bring your own wine so that the friendly staff doesn’t mind the chaos (you’re supporting local business, after all) and to ensure all of your friends have the illusion that the generous portions are perfectly manageable.
Chez Lan
$$ | (450) 492-1416 | WEBSITE
When you’re in Terrebonne and want to gather with family for a weekend celebration, bring everyone to Chez Lan. This is a Vietnamese restaurant that occupies a welcoming space with a family-friendly ambiance. Even if the kids get restless and your cousin arrives late because “they couldn’t find parking,” the staff here will make it work and continue to encourage you to enjoy lots of fresh and generous portions (just go with it).
We especially like the curry sauce, dumplings, and the kid-friendly menu – which comes with a BYOW policy that makes it an easy choice.
Hương Xưa Restaurant
$$ | (438) 380-8808 | WEBSITE
This Vietnamese spot in Terrebonne is where families gather on Sunday afternoons and pretend they’re not already planning their next visit. If you’re looking to have a quiet, intimate dinner with hushed conversations, this is not the place for you. It’s too warm and bustling with activity. But if you want to enjoy crunchy vegetables and delicious broths while sharing imperial rolls that everyone insists are a must-try, this is where you should be.
La Perle Vietnamienne
$$ | (450) 668-9700 | WEBSITE
If you’ve ever driven through Terrebonne looking for authentic Vietnamese food, you’ve probably heard about La Perle Vietnamienne. During the busy lunch hours, this charming spot has tables filled with people sharing generous plates of grilled chicken sautéed with vegetables while trying to decide between imperial rolls and crispy birds nest noodles.
We’re not sure what it is about the experience of eating Combo C with grilled beef and chicken alongside a Monday deal special that’s next to a family enjoying fried pineapple with donuts in syrup that makes sense, but we’re not complaining. The Tonkinese soup also works especially well for a spontaneous craving of rich, flavorful broth. So bring some cash, and order a few imperial rolls and as many bowls of that excellent soup as you have hungry friends.
Épicerie Banh Mi Linh
$ | (514) 388-8325 | WEBSITE
It’s likely that only one person will arrive at this spot on schedule (you). That person will then be responsible for securing a spot, assuring the staff that others are en route, and perhaps even ordering for everyone who insists they’re “just around the corner.” At Épicerie Banh Mi Linh in Ahuntsic, this won’t feel too daunting to manage.
There are plenty of casual seating options and excellent shareable Vietnamese delights, like comforting Tonkinese beef soup and traditional banh mi sandwiches. That first person (once more, you) absolutely has the right to enjoy the lion’s share of the freshly made banh mi – they’ve earned it.
Chez Papa D’asie
$$ | (450) 471-6900 | WEBSITE
Chez Papa D’asie is a destination-worthy Vietnamese spot in Terrebonne from the team behind some of the area’s most reliable kitchens, which explains why it feels like the kind of place a discerning food lover would go if they were trying to impress a date who appreciates quiet sophistication.
While they do have a variety of seafood and peanuts on the menu, this is essentially a table d’hôte restaurant, and the table d’hôte is arguably the best kind of meal to enjoy when you want a complete, curated experience. There are about 15 parking spots out front (all of which you’ll probably have to arrive early to secure on a busy night), but the dining room inside has plenty of tables and a calm atmosphere perfect for lingering over a love nest starter, a bowl of soup, or the full prix fixe.
BÁNH MÌ FUSION
The Vietnamese sandwiches at Bánh Mì Fusion are perfect for a group of friends who want to grab something quick and enjoy fresh, flavorful food together. There’s something extremely casual and welcoming about this spot – so whether you’re meeting up with a few buddies or hoping your friend brings along some extra hungry companions, just order a variety of banh mi and don’t overthink it.
This Terrebonne restaurant is known for their beef with Thai chili (we like the spicy sauce version the best) so get a couple of those as well as the Classique Fusion and some pandan iced coffee to wash it down. And since you order everything at the counter with the friendly staff, it’s easy for people to arrive at different times without any hassle.
