Best Family Friendly Pho Restaurants in Chicago
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Joy Yee Noodle
Pan-Asian Chinatown institution where Thai noodles and an enormous drink menu anchor the experience.
Notable Picks
8.6
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Quick Bites Champions
Joy Yee Noodle’s Chinatown flagship is a high-volume pan-Asian stalwart where Thai noodle dishes share the stage with a sprawling menu and one of the city’s largest bubble tea lineups. Since the mid-1990s, it’s been a default stop for groups looking to combine Thai staples like pad thai and basil chow fun with smoothies and fruit freezes in the heart of Chinatown Square.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai Noodles, Thai Spicy Basil Chow Fun (Pad Kee Mao), Thai Milk Tea
What Makes it Special: Pan-Asian Chinatown institution where Thai noodles and an enormous drink menu anchor the experience.
8.4
A Vietnamese counter inside Market Mix Mall where the broth-forward noodle soups are the main draw and the portions lean generous for the price. It’s best treated like a focused pho run: pick one signature bowl, add a side for texture, and keep the order tight for the cleanest experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho dac biet, Banh mi, Com tam (broken rice plate)
What Makes it Special: Pho-first Vietnamese cooking that delivers strong broth and satisfying portions in a market setting.
#3
Pho Tam
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A pho-first Vietnamese kitchen where the move is to stay in the broth-and-noodle lane and let the soup do the talking. The bowls land with reliable depth and portioning that keeps regulars coming back, and the supporting menu (spring rolls, bánh mì) works best as one add-on, not a full spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef pho (brisket/rare beef), Shrimp spring rolls, Grilled pork bánh mì
What Makes it Special: Pho-forward menu with consistently satisfying broth-driven bowls.
#4
LD Phở
8.2
A Vietnamese-focused kitchen with a broader-than-usual menu where the spicy noodle soups and rice-plate lane are the safest bets. It’s best when you anchor with one signature soup (especially the Hue-style bowl) and add one crisp starter instead of stacking multiple mains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bun Bo Hue, Pho Tai, Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: A noodle-soup-first Vietnamese spot that shines most in the Bun Bo Hue lane.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
A counter-service Vietnamese cafe in University Village where pho and banh mi are the main draw, Lotus Cafe & Banh Mi serves fragrant broths and soft, overstuffed sandwiches at student-friendly prices. Locals lean on it for quick lunches and low-key dinners, especially when a straightforward bowl of pho is the priority over scene or design.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Pho Noodle Soup, Ginger Chicken Pho Noodle Soup, Pork Pho Noodle Soup
What Makes it Special: Quiet counter-service Vietnamese spot where pho and banh mi are reliably solid and affordable.
#6
iPhở
8
A bright, low-fuss Vietnamese spot on Touhy that focuses on comforting bowls of pho with a clean, balanced broth and a straightforward dine-in rhythm. Early feedback consistently calls out friendly service and satisfying portions, making it a reliable local option when the priority is a hot, classic noodle-soup meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef pho (phở bò), Chicken pho (phở gà), Shrimp & pork spring rolls with peanut sauce
What Makes it Special: Clean, comforting pho with a straightforward, friendly dine-in setup.
Worthy Picks
A casual, takeout-forward spot that’s built for banh mi and pho with a consistent neighborhood rhythm. The best order is one sandwich plus one soup, then add a single appetizer if you’re feeding a group.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho tai, Lemongrass pork banh mi, Fresh spring rolls (goi cuon)
What Makes it Special: Banh mi + pho combo shop that stays steady for repeat takeout.