Previously, Vietnamese food in New York was relatively understated compared to places like Orange County, California or Houston, Texas. But between 2015 and 2020, the Vietnamese population in New York grew nearly 9%, fueling a wave of new Vietnamese dining spots.

One standout is MẮM, opened in 2023 by the duo Jerald Head and Nhung Đào. Specializing in bún đậu mắm tôm, the restaurant recreates the authentic Vietnamese street food experience. In 2024, they expanded with Lai Rai, a Vietnamese-style bar, and are planning a café and bánh mì shop.

Ha’s Đặc Biệt has also made waves with dishes like tamarind stir-fried clams, green chili oysters, and “pa tê sô” pastries. So popular is the restaurant that reservations are almost impossible. Owners Anthony Ha and his wife plan to open Bistrot Ha soon.

Recently, Bánh Anh Em opened, offering specialties such as Nam Định beef pho, Hanoi-style steamed rice rolls, and Hai Phong baguettes, drawing long evening waits of up to two hours. Owner Nhu Ton emphasizes a mission to deliver the authentic flavors of Vietnam to the U.S.

Beyond brick-and-mortar establishments, pop-up concepts are trending, spreading Vietnamese cuisine quickly through social media. Popular names include Bé Bếp by Phoebe Tran, the Ăn Cỗ party series by Thư Phạm Buser, and Xin Mời by Trisha Đỗ. Observers note that this culinary boom reflects the creativity of young Vietnamese Americans, who, unlike previous generations burdened by survival, now have opportunities to innovate and build businesses, bringing Vietnamese cuisine to a new level in New York.

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Moreover, these restaurants have been bestowed with the title of “Bib Gourmands,” an accolade that Michelin describes as “not exactly a star, but certainly not a discouragement.” This designation is given to high-quality establishments that can provide diners with two courses and a glass of wine (or a dessert) for under $60.

The list of Bib Gourmand restaurants in Toronto includes BB’s, Sunny’s Chinese, Tiflisi, and White Lily Diner. These newly added establishments offer a diverse range of cuisines from the Philippines to China, as well as a classic breakfast spot serving their own smoked bacon.

This announcement comes a month after Michelin revealed that 12 new restaurants would be added to the guide for 2023, including the 4 Bib Gourmand restaurants announced on September 19th. Other restaurants on the list include Alder, FK, Kiin, and Vela.

Just last year, Michelin published its first guide for Toronto, making it the first Canadian city to be featured in the guide. Vancouver is the next Canadian city to receive a Michelin guide.

In the Michelin Guide for 2022, 74 restaurants in Toronto were honored, representing 27 different culinary styles. Only one restaurant received two Michelin stars – Sushi Masaki Saito on Avenue in Yorkville – and 17 restaurants were included in the Bib Gourmand list. The official, comprehensive Michelin Guide for Toronto in 2023 will be unveiled at an event on September 27th.

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According to Michelin’s International Director, this event “once again proves that Toronto is a world-class culinary destination.”

To compile the list, anonymous inspectors dined at various eateries across the city, evaluating restaurants through a secretive process. Subsequently, restaurants were awarded one, two, or three stars based on their exceptional culinary offerings.

Only two restaurants received one Michelin star this year:

• Kappo Sato at 575 Mt. Pleasant Rd., and
• Restaurant 20 Victoria at 20 Victoria St.

Less than 500 restaurants worldwide have been awarded two Michelin stars, and Sushi Maisaki Saito remains the only Toronto restaurant to achieve this distinction.

Earning the coveted three-star honor is even more prestigious, as only 140 restaurants globally have been awarded it.

Canada’s first “MICHELIN Green Star” award, recognizing restaurants engaged in sustainable practices, was presented to Frilu and White Lily Diner.

Michelin also acknowledged restaurants recommended for a return visit, continuing to impress their anonymous inspectors. The list includes Aloette, Canoe, George, and Pai, among others. The ceremony also recognized 12 new restaurants proposed for inclusion in this year’s Toronto guide, along with the Bib Gourmand restaurants, both of which were unveiled before the event. Bib Gourmands are appointed to high-quality establishments that can provide diners with two courses and a glass of wine (or dessert) for under $60.

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Here are the best budget restaurants in Toronto, according to top chefs and restaurant owners.

1. Que Ling Restaurant

Address: 248 Boulton Ave, Toronto

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Que Ling is an excellent place to enjoy delicious and affordable Vietnamese food. This Vietnamese restaurant has been a familiar address in Toronto’s East Chinatown for over 25 years. The recommended dish to try when visiting this restaurant is “bánh cuốn,” priced at around $9 per portion.

2. Tropical Joe’s

Address: Various locations

Cuisine: Caribbean

Tropical Joe’s is a Caribbean restaurant with multiple locations in Toronto. The ox tail at Tropical Joe’s is priced from $8.75 for a small portion.

3. Dine & Dim

Address: 633 Gerrard St E, Toronto

Cuisine: Chinese

Toronto has many dim sum restaurants, so getting recommendations from chefs is helpful when looking for the cheapest and tastiest options. Dine & Dim in Toronto is one of the top budget dining spots in the city. According to suggestions, you can order a few dishes and have a complete meal for under $20.

4. Table Fare + Social

Address: 81 Bay St., Toronto

Cuisine: International

One of the most budget-friendly dining options in the city is Toronto’s newest Table Fare + Social. In essence, this is a dining experience where people can take food from different restaurants and enjoy them in one space. Essentially, it’s an elevated food court or dining room.

The dining rooms here include Chaiyo from PAI, Misoya, Friday Burger Co, Aloette Go, and In Good Spirits, each offering different cuisines.

5. Gus Tacos

Address: Various locations

Cuisine: Mexican

Gus Tacos serves delicious dishes ranging from $5 to $12 each, from tacos to quesadillas and burritos.

6. Burger Drops

Address: 116 Atlantic Ave, Toronto

Cuisine: Burgers

Burgers start at $8.50, and french fries are priced at $6. This means that a burger with fries can set you back $14.50.

7. Fonda Lola

Address: 942 Queen St W, Toronto

Cuisine: Mexican

If you love tacos and Queen Street West, you may have visited this Mexican restaurant. The menu is full of affordable dishes and delicious drinks, with the Gà Poblano dish priced at $20. This dish includes Chipotle-marinated chicken, Morita pepper, and cilantro.

8. PAI

Address: Various locations

Cuisine: Thai

PAI is certainly a favorite among Toronto residents for its Northern Thai cuisine. Canadian actor Simu Liu often praises this spot, and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard has also visited when he was in the city for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023. The menu here starts at around $8 and goes up to $26.

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For those craving pho, Edmonton offers a variety of fantastic options. Let’s check out these media-recommended spots:

Banh Mi Day

This family restaurant specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine, featuring five delicious pho options, including spicy coconut seafood pho.

Address:
11765 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton

Co Do Hue

Famous for its rich soup menu, Co Do Hue offers dishes like brisket, beef balls, and beef sate.

Address:
12819 140th Avenue NW,
9524 163rd Street NW,
5233 167th Avenue NW,
6960 76th Avenue NW, Edmonton

Rice King Vietnamese Noodle House

Offering a wide selection, Rice King has everything from classic pho to bun, banh mi, and salads, providing a unique dining experience with each visit.

Address:
12966 82nd Street NW, Edmonton

Pho Hoan Pasteur

This local restaurant chain has four branches, all serving flavorful bowls of pho.

Address:
9621 167th Avenue NW,
11443 Kingsway NW,
16948 107th Avenue NW,
6566 28th Avenue NW, Edmonton

Thanh Thanh

Known for its variety of soups, Thanh Thanh offers an array of noodles, meats, and vegetables.

Address:
10718 101st Street NW, Edmonton

Pho King

A local favorite, Pho King serves a variety of Vietnamese soups, bun, and rice dishes, with different options at each location.

Address:
9103 118th Avenue NW,
4960 98th Avenue NW, Edmonton

Dang Good

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The awards, now in their 16th edition, celebrate the talent of bartenders and bar owners at the forefront of the international cocktail scene. Bar Pompette continues to impress with innovative drinks like the Saperlipopette, a fresh take on the classic Old Fashioned, featuring spruce tips harvested from Tamarack Farms.

Topping the 2024 list is Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, which has made history as the first Mexican bar to receive this prestigious honor. While Bar Pompette is the sole Canadian bar recognized globally, Toronto’s vibrant cocktail scene includes other notable mentions from the Canada’s 50 Best Bars list, such as Civil Liberties, which ranked second.

For those seeking a taste of Toronto’s best, Bar Pompette is located at 607 College St. in Little Italy, where patrons can also enjoy their newly reimagined restaurant, Vinoteca Pompette, and Bakery Pompette nearby.

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Named after Nguyễn Thị Thanh, a Vietnamese chef featured on celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain’s famous travel and food show No Reservations, The Lunch Lady honors not only her cooking skills but also her deep connection to the community.

The Toronto location is twice the size of the Vancouver branch, with a design that blends rustic and polished elements, vividly recreating the vibrant streets of Vietnam. The spacious venue includes a main dining room, bar, open kitchen, and outdoor patio.

The menu centers around traditional Vietnamese soups based on Thanh’s own handwritten recipes, including fragrant chicken pho, tamarind-fermented fish gumbo, and crab tapioca noodle soup. Dinner features contemporary Vietnamese dishes like lime-marinated beef carpaccio, tamarind-glazed eggplant, and crispy prawns, offering a rich and layered flavor experience.

In addition to food, the restaurant offers a variety of unique drinks, from iced egg coffee and pandan coffee to tropical cocktails crafted with exotic ingredients, completing the dining experience.

The Lunch Lady is more than just a place to eat—it’s a tribute to Nguyễn Thị Thanh’s spirit, talent, and vitality. Embodied in the motto “một nhà, một gia đình” (one house, one family), it creates a warm, lively, and welcoming space for guests.

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1/ Nước ép củ cải đường

Nếu bạn muốn một khởi đầu năng lượng vào buổi sáng, nước ép củ cải đường là lựa chọn tuyệt vời. Củ cải đường giàu nitrat, có thể cải thiện lưu lượng máu và khả năng vận chuyển oxy trong cơ thể, từ đó hỗ trợ sự bền bỉ và tỉnh táo tinh thần. Đây là lý do tại sao nước ép củ cải giúp bạn cảm thấy khỏe khoắn và sảng khoái hơn.

2/ Trà Matcha

Đối với những người không ngại caffeine, trà xanh matcha là một lựa chọn phổ biến. Matcha chứa một lượng caffeine cùng với L-theanine – một hợp chất giúp tăng sự tỉnh táo nhưng vẫn giữ được sự thư giãn và tập trung. Ngoài ra, matcha còn giàu chất chống oxy hóa giúp bảo vệ tế bào khỏi tổn thương.

3/ Trà Yerba Mate

Đây là loại trà làm từ lá cây bản địa Nam Mỹ, có chứa caffeine, theobromine và theophylline. Những hợp chất này được cho là giúp tăng sự tỉnh táo tinh thần và sức bền thể chất, làm cho yerba mate trở thành một thức uống có tác dụng tăng năng lượng nhẹ nhàng nhưng hiệu quả.

4/ Cà phê rau diếp xoăn (Chicory coffee)

Chicory coffee, thức uống kinh điển của New Orleans, không phải là cà phê thật mà được làm từ củ cải rang. Nó không chứa caffeine và có chứa chất xơ prebiotic giúp hỗ trợ sức khỏe đường ruột. Ngoài ra, cà phê chicory có tính chống viêm. Mặc dù bạn sẽ không cảm thấy “cồn cào” như khi uống cà phê, nhưng nhờ hỗ trợ hệ tiêu hóa, bạn vẫn có thể cảm thấy có năng lượng hơn. Lưu ý: nếu bạn dị ứng với phấn hoa cỏ khô (ragweed), nên tránh loại thức uống này vì có thể gây phản ứng dị ứng.

5/ Sữa nghệ vàng (Golden Milk)

Sữa nghệ vàng đã trở thành thức uống được yêu thích nhờ khả năng chống viêm và tăng cường hệ miễn dịch. Thành phần chính là nghệ kết hợp với tiêu đen giúp tăng khả năng hấp thụ curcumin – hoạt chất chống viêm mạnh mẽ. Thức uống này có thể giúp những người thường xuyên mệt mỏi cảm thấy tỉnh táo hơn theo thời gian nhờ giảm viêm và tăng cường sức khỏe tổng thể.

6/ Nước ép thơm – cần tây – chanh

Đây là sự kết hợp nước ép tươi ngon và bổ dưỡng. Thơm chứa enzyme bromelain giúp hỗ trợ tiêu hóa, cần tây và chanh bổ sung chất điện giải, giúp bạn vừa được cung cấp nước vừa làm mới cơ thể. Lựa chọn nước ép ép lạnh hoặc tự làm tại nhà sẽ giúp bạn tránh lượng đường dư thừa trong các loại nước ép đóng chai.

7. Cà phê nấm (Mushroom Coffee)

Cà phê nấm là thức uống mới nổi, pha trộn cà phê truyền thống với các chiết xuất nấm như lion’s mane, chaga, reishi và cordyceps. Những loại nấm này được cho là có lợi cho sức khỏe não bộ và mang lại năng lượng bền vững mà không gây cảm giác bồn chồn do caffeine. Tuy nhiên, cà phê nấm vẫn có thể chứa caffeine, nên bạn cần kiểm tra kỹ thành phần nếu muốn tránh caffeine hoàn toàn. Cũng lưu ý tránh các sản phẩm có nhiều đường hoặc thành phần phụ không tốt cho sức khỏe.

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The spot, called Cơm Nước, just opened in early July but has quickly gained attention thanks to its bold, street-style Vietnamese menu and wallet-friendly prices.

The owner is Thanh Thái, a Vietnamese-Canadian chef who has worked in Toronto’s food scene for over 20 years — starting as a helper in his family’s restaurant at the age of 12. The idea for the eatery was inspired by his regular trips to Vietnam with his fiancée.

Though he previously owned a pizza shop and a hot pot spot, and is currently a partner chef at a well-known ramen restaurant, this is the first time Thanh has launched a business focused entirely on Vietnamese cuisine. He originally planned to find a traditional storefront but fell in love with the idea of the container after seeing it listed in a Facebook group for food industry professionals.

The compact space fits just three people working at once, but it runs smoothly. The restaurant serves dine-in customers and also offers delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Ritual.

Highlights on the menu include grilled pork with rice, grilled pork with vermicelli, lemongrass tofu, grilled pork sausage (nem nướng), chicken salad, and fresh spring rolls with shrimp or vegetarian filling, all priced at $12 or less.

The name “Cơm Nước”, Thanh explains, simply means “eating rice” in Vietnamese — a reflection of the casual, no-fuss approach he wanted to convey:

“No frills, not expensive — just a place to have a really good meal.” What began as a risky decision to open a shop in an alley has turned into a choice Thanh says he’s now completely happy with.

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