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10 Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Washington, DC, the U.S. capital, is a compact city on the Potomac River, bordering the states of Maryland and Virginia. It’s defined by imposing neoclassical monuments and buildings – including the iconic ones that house the federal government’s 3 branches: the Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court. It’s also home to iconic museums and performing-arts venues such as the Kennedy Center.

The Washington D.C. area has a vibrant Vietnamese community that’s particularly concentrated in Falls Church, the Northern Virginia town that boasts its own Little Vietnam in the expansive Eden Center. But top-notch pho, banh mi, and vermicelli dishes are also available everywhere from Silver Spring to parts of D.C. proper. These are the 10 best Vietnamese restaurants to try out when in Washington D.C.

1. Thanh Son Tofu

is a counter-serve spot for fried tofu, rice dishes & other Vietnamese eats, plus bubble tea. Their address is Sidewalk Stores, 6793 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044, United States. They open daily from 10 am to 7:30 pm.

At this restaurant, you will find customers waiting in line for homemade tofu, including deep-fried versions in flavors such as lemongrass. Desserts, bubble tea, and even tofu pudding are all served carryout buffet-style.

2. Four Sisters Restaurant

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was an early pioneer in the city’s Vietnamese restaurant scene. They’re currently located inside Merrifield’s Mosaic District development. They open daily between 8 am to 4 pm. 

The crispy spring rolls are iconic. Rice and noodle dishes are plentiful, though the menu has been somewhat streamlined during the pandemic. Visit their website to view their full menu and order online. 

3. Hai Duong Restaurant Eden Center

is a family-friendly Eden Center standout. Pho & other traditional Vietnamese dishes are showcased at this easygoing eatery in the Eden Center.  Their address is 6795 Wilson Blvd #7, Falls Church, VA 22044, United States. They open daily from 9 am to 8 pm. 

Hai Duong excels at clay pot rice, shaking beef, and more. Don’t skip the ban xeo crepes with shrimp. Visit their website to view their full menu and order online. 

4. Huong Viet Restaurant

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Huong Viet Restaurant is a no-frills Vietnamese restaurant offering a wide-ranging menu of noodles & other staples. They’re located in Eden Centre at Sidewalk Stores, 6785 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044, United States. They open daily from 10 am to 9pm.

Huong Viet has been a standout restaurant in Falls Church’s Eden Center for decades. Here, dishes like crab fried rice, ban xeo (crepes) and grilled rice vermicelli are treated with care. The lemongrass pork chops are a highlight here. For something lighter, go with the sweet and sour pineapple and tamarind soup.

5. Rice Paper

was opened in 2012 and brings together fresh and unique flavors to Vietnamese cuisine. Their address is 6775 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044. They open daily from 10 am to 8 pm.

Their customer’s favorite is rice platter with grilled pork chop, tofu stuffed with shrimp paste, shrimp, fried egg, shredded pork, and shrimp rolls. Visit their website to see more of their customer favorites and order online. 

6. Nha Trang Restaurant

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is a well-known shopping-center fixture for Vietnamese specialties, especially spring rolls & hot pot. Their address is 6757 Wilson Blvd #7, Falls Church, VA 22044, United States. They open daily from 10 am to 8 pm.

This restaurant’s specialties range from nem nuong cuon ninh hoa (barbecue pork rolls) to mi quang, a turmeric-spiked soup with pork and shrimp. Dishes like bun, rice paper rolls stuffed with fried scallion sticks, and congee shine at this homey restaurant, too.

7.  Moon Rabbit DC

, named for the virtuous rabbit in the Buddhist Jataka tale, is a modern Vietnamese restaurant located in the heart of The Wharf in Washington D.C. An innovative approach to Vietnamese cuisine best describes acclaimed Chef Kevin Tien’s unique and complex menu, intended to be a love letter to his heritage as a first-generation Asian-American. It evokes memory, honors the history, references globally inspired techniques and spotlights reinterpreted takes on regional Vietnamese dishes.

The restaurant that only offers a dine-in option opens daily from 7 pm to 10 pm. Kevin Tien’s exciting restaurant in the Wharf gives a contemporary spin to Vietnamese dishes, with some Cajun dishes. Don’t miss the boudin egg rolls, cumin lamb tartare, or crawfish and noodles. The fluffy turmeric-accented bread is another highlight.

8. Simply Banh Mi 

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is a chill basement-level cafe serving Vietnamese sandwiches & soups, including halal & vegan options. Their address is 1624 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, United States. They open daily from 11 am to 8:45 pm.

This Georgetown shop takes a build-an-entree approach to sandwiches, rice bowls, noodle bowls, and salad bowls. It also serves pho. Visit their website to view their full menu and order online. 

9. Doi Moi 

is a hip, sleek kitchen furnishing house cocktails & Southeast Asian street fare, including a vegan menu. Their address is 1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States. They open daily from 11 am to 12 am.

This trendy 14th street fixture has gone through a few iterations, but current chef Wade Hoo Fatt is really leaning into Vietnamese fare. That adds up to a bunch of street food (beef jerky, five spice frites), a riff on shaky beef, banh mi, banh bo buns, and more. Brunch brings a few more innovations like a pandan honeycomb cake and coconut beignets. 

10.  Mi La Cay

Mi La Cay is a relaxed eatery serving traditional Vietnamese fare, including banh mi & noodle dishes. Their address is 2409 University Blvd W, Wheaton, MD 20902, United States. They open daily except Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm.

Maryland suburbanites visit this Vietnamese restaurant for marinated quail, bun bo hue (beef noodle soup,) and egg noodle dishes such as crispy Maryland chicken egg-noodle soup, which comes with a whole chicken on its own plate.