Pho Pasteur

There are a few pho places on this busy strip of George Street, just down from Central Station, but this is the one we like best. Sitting here in the window seat watching the crowds rush by, while slurping a piping hot bowl of pho feels very Sydney, no matter where you're from. The pho here bangs with deep, savoury, bone-rich flavour; there's heaps of fresh flat noodles; and the traditional plate of bean sprouts, lemon and big ol'stalks of Thai basil served on the side is piled high and ready to be picked and plonked on top.

Not to be confused with the Haymarket establishment that’s a little more hit-and-miss in our books, Pho Pasteur Parramatta is owned by husband and wife team, Mr & Mrs Pham, who came to Parramatta as refugees in the early ’90s. It may come as no surprise then that the Pho is as authentic as it gets. From humble beginnings, Pho Pasteur is now the go-to spot for Paramtta locals to get their fix, with a huge range of traditional Southern Vietnamese dishes up for grabs, in addition to countless Pho varieties.

This Vietnamese institution has served what can only be thousands of bowls of pho to hungry Parramattans since it opened in 1992. Pasteur is a family-run restaurant, a beacon of culinary light that sits near the towering Westfield Shopping Centre. Not only does it offer the best bowl of pho in the area, but the massive menu also includes excellent vermicelli noodle salads, roll-your-own rice-paper rolls (the sugar cane prawns are a standout), and a surprisingly large amount of good vegetarian options.

Located in Sydney's Chinatown, this frantic dining hall serves up next-level pho. Sure, it might not be ideal for a romantic date night, but if you're looking for a lunchtime feed or quick bite before catching a movie, this spot is great for a cheap and cheerful meal. Pho is the house specialty and comes in either beef or chicken varieties, with almost ten variations to pick from—all loaded with silky noodles and a side of bean sprouts, fresh lemon and basil.

Parramatta’s Asian contingent includes LILYMU, Pho Pasteur, Temasek, The Zungle Korean Marinade BBQ, Holy Basil and Oribu. Pan-Asian diner LILYMU, in Parramatta Square, generated rave reviews when it opened in 2020 and has since gathered a loyal local following. “It’s a very polished offering that knits good hospitality with outrageously good cooking to create a destination diner for a brand-new destination,” says The Sydney Morning Herald’s Terry Durack.

A true pho is unfakeable and, short of travelling to Vietnam, Pho Pasteur is the best authentic Pho you can find in Sydney. Mr and Mrs Pham arrived in Parramatta as refugees in the early 90s and are responsible for serving up the phenomenal pho at this well-loved Western Sydney restaurant. An ode to their Southern Vietnamese heritage, this iconic dish is loaded with herbs, spices, and tender beef but can be made vegan with a few simple substitutions.

Now for a trip out to the Sydney Western Suburb of Parramatta for our choice of the number 3 best Laksa in Sydney. Pho Pasteur Vietnamese Restaurant had a restaurant across from Parramatta Train Station though that closed down in February 2014. They do have another restuarant located at Pho Pasteur 137 Church Street Parramatta, they also have a located at Pho Pasteur 709 George Street Haymarket Sydney close to Central Train Station.

Pho Pasteur - Right in the sleaziest part of Chinatown (they have a sister restaurant in Bankstown), Pho Pasteur is one of the City's greatest treasures. It's never going to win any awards for service, but the pho here is among the best in Sydney, and the other fast and simple one-bowl dishes are all outstanding. It is incredibly crowded at lunch, but there is a quick turnaround of tables, so you won't have to wait for long.

Nestled very near the train station in Parramatta, Sydney making Pho Pasteur a crowded location. The standout dish is the Bun bo Hue, a spicy twist on the classic Pho, with a bold red broth that’s been simmering for hours, infused with lemongrass for a distinctive citrusy kick, perfect for a cold day. This classic Vietnamese soup is garnished with a variety of toppings, each adding a unique flavor and texture to the dish.

A true pho is about balance – not too sweet, not overly spiced, the right tangle of slurpable noodles and fresh herbs, sticks of bean sprouts, an assortment of bouncy or tender protein. Short of travelling to Vietnam, Pho Pasteur is one of the most authentic pho in Sydney. Owned by the Pham family, who arrived in Parramatta as refugees in the early 1990s, Pho Pasteur is an ode to their Southern Vietnamese heritage.

Known for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, Pho Pasteur serves delicious and traditional dishes that showcase classic flavours of the region. Stepping in, you’ll find a relaxed and no frills space with traditional Vietnamese touches, such as bamboo accents and Vietnamese artwork. The star of the menu at Pho Pasteur is, of course, their pho, made from scratch by simmering aromatic broth for hours on end.

Serving the best Vietnamese food in Parramatta is the famous Pho Pasteur Vietnamese Restaurant and the most popular dish on their menu is their traditional Vietnamese Pho noodle soups. They have a selection of Pho, with either chicken, seafood or my favourite, the raw beef Pho. The thin slices of raw beef is placed in the hot soup which cooks the meat ever so slightly to give it a very tender feel.

While Tamasek has been waving the flag high for Southeast Asia since 1992, Parramatta’s other legendary stalwart takes locals straight to the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Pho Pasteur is, obviously, all about rich, light and house-made pho. This spot opened in the same year as Tamasek, so both have stood their ground despite the many changes that have hit Parramatta across the past few decades.

For over 30 years, Pho Pasteur has been a stalwart of the Parramatta dining scene. Operating out of a vivid, buzzy space with mirrored columns and retro photos adorning the wall, this fabulous venue serves up authentic Vietnamese dishes, including superb sugar cane prawn vermicelli noodles which will soar your taste buds to new, heightened levels. 137 Church St Parramatta 2150

Since opening in 1992, Pho Pasteur’s name has been consistently thrown in the ring for the title of Sydney’s best pho. Founded by the Pham family, who arrived as refugees over three decades ago, the menu pays homage to their Southern Vietnamese heritage. Go for the Pho Bò Ko (a lemongrass-spiked beef stew) and Banh Xèo (an impossibly lacey turmeric pancake stuffed with mince).

The name of this family-owned restaurant nods to the house specialty: pho, that deliciously heart-warming Vietnamese soup that can cure whatever ails you. And at Pho Pasteur, you can get it all manner of ways, alongside other flavourful dishes from Southern Vietnam. Think herb-laden salads, fresh rice paper rolls and skewers of meat cooked over charcoal.

Pho Pasteur is a vegan-friendly Vietnamese restaurant right in the heart of Parramatta. Their menu offers authentic Vietnamese noodles and fine cuisine. Vegan options include plant-based chicken with lemongrass, eggplant and hot tofu pot, stir-fried plant-based duck and more.

Pho Pasteur – this is our go-to dinner stop when we find ourselves here. The master stock for the pho is outstanding. One of the reasons our list of recommendations is short is that we always head back here!

Pho Pasteur has been around for the past 30 years, so fans of this Vietnamese diner have grown up with it and still keep come back, especially for the pho which is consistently excellent.