Best Pho Near Carleton University Ottawa — Vietnam Palace Restaurant

Whether you’re a Carleton Ravens student cramming between classes, a professor grabbing a quick lunch on Bronson Ave, or a family visiting campus along Colonel By Drive, Vietnam Palace Restaurant is the closest authentic Vietnamese pho destination in Ottawa. Located at 819 Somerset St W in Chinatown — just minutes north of Carleton’s main campus — we’ve been the go-to spot for students and faculty since 1989.

Carleton University Students Love Vietnam Palace

Carleton University’s main campus sits just south of the Glebe on Colonel By Drive, with Bronson Avenue running along its western edge connecting directly to the Somerset Street corridor. That makes Vietnam Palace Restaurant one of the easiest off-campus dining options for the entire Carleton community.

We know student life: tight budgets, long study sessions, and the need for real fuel. Our pho is filling, affordable, and made from scratch every single day. A large bowl of Pho Tai will keep you going through your next study block — no overpriced delivery fees, no reheated food. Just honest Vietnamese cooking served hot.

Budget-Friendly Vietnamese Food for the Carleton Community

Students from the Engineering Building, the River Building, and the Social Sciences Research Building regularly make the short trip up Bronson Ave for a proper meal. Here’s what the Carleton crowd tends to order:

• Pho Tai (Rare Beef Pho) — The classic, the reliable, the one you come back for every week
• Vermicelli Bowls (Bún) — Grilled pork or lemongrass chicken over rice vermicelli with fresh herbs
• Bò Bía (Mini Spring Rolls) — Light snack-sized rolls, great for lunch between lectures
• Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) — Strong, sweet, the perfect afternoon caffeine hit

With over 100 menu items, there’s always something new to try. And because we’re family-run and have been at this for 35+ years, our prices reflect a commitment to making quality Vietnamese food accessible — not just profitable.

Easy Access from the Carleton Campus

From Carleton’s main entrance on Bronson Avenue, head north toward downtown Ottawa. Turn left (west) on Somerset Street and we’re at number 819, right in the heart of Chinatown. The drive takes about 8–10 minutes. OC Transpo Route 111 connects Carleton to the Bank/Somerset area, and cycling along the Colonel By Drive pathway connects to the Glebe and Somerset Street quickly.

If you’re coming from the Architecture and Engineering buildings near the Rideau River, cutting through the campus and up Bronson is the fastest route. We recommend arriving before 12:30PM on weekdays to beat the lunch rush — or call ahead at (613) 238-6758 to reserve your table.

A Carleton Tradition Since 1989

Vietnam Palace has been serving Ottawa since 1989 — predating many of Carleton’s current buildings. Generations of students have passed through our doors, and many of our regulars today are people who first found us during their undergraduate years. With 671 Google reviews and a 4.3-star average, we’re proud to be a trusted institution in the Ottawa dining scene.

Whether you’re eating solo with a textbook or gathering your study group for a group dinner, our warm dining room and extensive menu make every visit worthwhile.

Visit Us

• Address: 819 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R4
• Phone: (613) 238-6758
• Hours: Mon 11AM–10PM | Tue CLOSED | Wed–Fri 11AM–10PM | Sat 10AM–10PM | Sun 11AM–10PM
• Email: info@vietnampalacerestaurant.ca

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