What is the best Pho restaurant in Lower East Side?

Mắm is our top pick for Pho restaurants in Lower East Side, scoring 8.4/10. A hyper-focused Central Vietnamese menu with dishes rarely seen elsewhere in NYC.

Any insider tips for Mắm?

Come with three or four people and share widely—the menu is small but changes often.

What should I order at Mắm?

Bún đậu mắm tôm, stuffed snails, crispy tofu with fermented shrimp paste

When should I visit Mắm?

Book evenings when the full street-food menu is running

Who should go to Mắm?

Adventurous eaters chasing bold, funky Vietnamese flavors

Any insider tips for Pho Grand?

If you’re with a group, mix one or two non-pho dishes into the order—the kitchen handles volume well.

What should I order at Pho Grand?

House pho, summer rolls, curry chicken over rice

When should I visit Pho Grand?

Weeknights or off-peak lunch to skip the longest waits

Who should go to Pho Grand?

Pho fans wanting lots of variation and steady execution

Any insider tips for Saigon Social?

Book ahead for peak nights and add one or two specials—the best dishes often rotate.

What should I order at Saigon Social?

Garlic noodles, oxtail fried rice, bun cha–style pork

When should I visit Saigon Social?

Prime weekend nights if you want the full buzz and scene

Who should go to Saigon Social?

Groups and dates wanting modern Vietnamese with energy and drinks

Any insider tips for Pho Ga Vang?

If you enjoy richer flavors, opt for the offal version and add their house chili for extra depth.

What should I order at Pho Ga Vang?

Traditional chicken pho, offal chicken pho, lemongrass grilled chicken plate.

When should I visit Pho Ga Vang?

Cool evenings or rainy days when you want serious comfort.

Who should go to Pho Ga Vang?

Pho ga obsessives who care most about broth depth.

Best Pho Restaurants in Lower East Side (10002)

4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

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Our Top Pick

Mắm

A hyper-focused Central Vietnamese menu with dishes rarely seen elsewhere in NYC.

Notable Picks

#1 Mắm

8.4

$$$$ Lower East Side

Vibes: Trendy Table Hotspots Hidden Gems Heaven Group Dining Gatherings Instagram Worthy Wonders

Mắm is a street-stall-style Vietnamese restaurant specializing in Central Vietnamese flavors, known for its rotating menu, low stools, and intensely flavored shareable plates. While its signature bún đậu mắm tôm platter leads, the kitchen occasionally runs a rich beef pho alongside noodle soups and snacks that have earned it citywide acclaim.

Must-Try Dishes: Bún đậu mắm tôm platter with housemade tofu and pork belly, Stuffed snails with pork and aromatics, Crispy tofu and fermented shrimp paste bites

What makes it special: A hyper-focused Central Vietnamese menu with dishes rarely seen elsewhere in NYC.

View Full Review →

#2 Pho Grand

8.3

$ Chinatown

Vibes: Comfort Food Classics Group Dining Gatherings Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance

Pho Grand is a longtime Chinatown standby where big, beefy bowls of pho anchor a huge Vietnamese menu. Since the early 2000s, locals have used it as a reliable spot for no-frills service, generous portions, and consistently satisfying broth-centric meals.

Must-Try Dishes: House pho with mixed beef cuts, Summer rolls with shrimp and herbs, Curry chicken over rice

What makes it special: A high-traffic pho specialist with a big menu and fast kitchen.

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#3 Saigon Social

8.3

$$$ Lower East Side

Vibes: Trendy Table Hotspots Girls Night Out Approved Group Dining Gatherings Date Night Magic

Saigon Social is a modern Vietnamese dining room where chef-driven comfort food meets a focused list of noodle soups, including a deeply layered beef pho. The room skews lively and social, making it a go-to when you want pho alongside small plates, cocktails, and a night out on the Lower East Side.

Must-Try Dishes: Garlic noodles with seared protein, Oxtail fried rice, Bun Cha Ha Noi with grilled pork and herbs

What makes it special: Chef-driven Vietnamese comfort food with strong cocktails and a lively downtown room.

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Worthy Picks

#4 Pho Ga Vang

7.9

$$ Two Bridges

Vibes: Comfort Food Classics Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Group Dining Gatherings Hidden Gems Heaven

Pho Ga Vang is a focused chicken-pho specialist in the Two Bridges section of Chinatown, serving steaming bowls built on clear, deeply seasoned poultry broth. The space is compact and casual, but the attention to texture and offal options makes it a destination for serious pho ga devotees.

Must-Try Dishes: Traditional Chicken Pho (Pho Ga), Offal Chicken Pho with Gizzards and Young Eggs, Lemongrass Grilled Chicken over Rice

What makes it special: A dedicated chicken-pho house with options ranging from classic cuts to offal-heavy bowls.

View Full Review →