Any insider tips for OBAO - Midtown?

Ask for the back section if you want a slightly quieter room with more greenery and space for sharing plates.

When should I visit OBAO - Midtown?

Prime-time dinner Friday or Saturday; reserve for larger parties.

Who should go to OBAO - Midtown?

Groups and couples wanting lively Thai-Vietnamese with cocktails.

Any insider tips for Mama’s Cupboard?

Look for the downstairs entrance off 53rd—seating is limited, so ordering ahead for pickup can save you a wait at peak lunch.

What should I order at Mama’s Cupboard?

Classic banh-mi, vermicelli bowl with your protein choice, kimchi-loaded fries.

When should I visit Mama’s Cupboard?

Weekday lunch or early dinner before the speakeasy vibe.

Who should go to Mama’s Cupboard?

Midtown workers craving inventive banh mi and casual Thai-Viet.

Any insider tips for Dishes?

Hit the noodle bar right at opening for the freshest broth and shortest wait, and pair your pho with a small salad to balance a heavier lunch.

What should I order at Dishes?

Beef pho rice noodles, noodle-bar combo bowl, a salad from the build-your-own bar

When should I visit Dishes?

Before or after peak noon rush to avoid long lines

Who should go to Dishes?

Office workers needing fast pho and lunch variety near Park Avenue

Best Pho Restaurants in Midtown East (10022)

Q: What is the best Pho restaurant in Midtown East?

OBAO - Midtown is our top pick for Pho restaurants in Midtown East, scoring 8.4/10. A long-running, high-volume Thai-Vietnamese restaurant where pho, curries, and cocktails are executed with enough consistency to draw locals and visitors alike.

Q: What should I order at OBAO - Midtown?

Pho Bo Short Rib, masaman short rib curry, Pad Kee Mao.

3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: April 2026

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Our Top Pick

OBAO - Midtown

A long-running, high-volume Thai-Vietnamese restaurant where pho, curries, and cocktails are executed with enough consistency to draw locals and visitors alike.

Notable Picks

#1 OBAO - Midtown

8.4

$$ Turtle Bay

Vibes: Date Night Magic Group Dining Gatherings Business Lunch Power Players Trendy Table Hotspots

Thai–Vietnamese fusion spot in Midtown East known for a deeply flavored pho bò made with a long-simmered beef broth, plus a broad noodle and grill menu. Locals use it as a reliable weeknight and business-lunch option when they want comforting bowls with full-service and a bar.

Must-Try Dishes: Pho Bo Short Rib, Masaman Short Rib Curry, Pad Kee Mao

What Makes it Special: A long-running, high-volume Thai-Vietnamese restaurant where pho, curries, and cocktails are executed with enough consistency to draw locals and visitors alike.

View Full Review →

#2 Mama’s Cupboard

8.1

$$ Turtle Bay

Vibes: Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Quick Bites Champions Hidden Gems Heaven Solo Dining Sanctuaries

Basement-level Thai-Vietnamese kitchen in Midtown East focused on banh mi, vermicelli bowls, and snackable small plates. The menu skews fresh and bright, with Viet-style herbs layered over Thai-leaning salads and rice bowls, and a following from nearby office workers looking for something more interesting than standard fast casual.

Must-Try Dishes: Classic Banh-mi, Vermicelli Bowl, Kimchi-loaded Fries

What Makes it Special: A Vietnamese-led banh mi and bowl shop that turns into a late-night speakeasy-style jazz space after hours.

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Worthy Picks

#3 Dishes

7.7

$ East Midtown-Turtle Bay

Vibes: Quick Bites Champions Business Lunch Power Players Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance

High-volume corporate-district cafeteria with a noodle bar that includes a beef pho option alongside salads, sandwiches, and hot-bar plates. It’s more of a practical, quick-service pho fix than a destination Vietnamese restaurant.

Must-Try Dishes: Beef Pho Rice Noodles, Noodle Bar Daily Special Bowl, Build-Your-Own Salad Plate

What Makes it Special: A busy Midtown lunch hub where office workers can get a serviceable beef pho without leaving the Park Avenue corridor.

View Full Review →