Lunch in Ottawa’s Chinatown — Quick Vietnamese Meals

When your lunch hour is short and your hunger is real, you need a restaurant that delivers great food fast — without sacrificing quality or flavour. Vietnam Palace Restaurant in Ottawa’s Chinatown has been the go-to lunch destination for downtown workers, city hall staff, and Centretown residents for over 35 years.

Open from 11 AM Monday and Wednesday through Friday, Vietnam Palace is ideally positioned for the midday rush. Our kitchen is built for efficiency, and our classic Vietnamese dishes are designed for satisfying, speedy service.

Why Vietnam Palace is Ottawa’s Best Lunch Option in Chinatown

Fast Kitchen, No Compromise on Quality

Vietnamese cuisine is naturally suited to the lunch hour. Pho broth simmers overnight, so your bowl is ready the moment you order. Rice plates and noodle dishes come together quickly in our experienced kitchen. You’re in and out in under an hour — full, satisfied, and ready for the afternoon.

Affordable Midday Meals

Lunch at Vietnam Palace won’t break your midday budget. A generous bowl of pho, a filling broken rice plate, or a Vietnamese noodle salad (bún) costs a fraction of what you’d spend at trendy downtown lunch spots. Bring your whole team without wincing at the bill.

Ottawa’s Best Lunch Crowd

Vietnam Palace at lunch draws a mix of Chinatown regulars, government workers walking from downtown, students from nearby schools, and food-savvy Ottawa residents who’ve been loyal to this restaurant for decades. There’s a reason the dining room fills up between noon and 1 PM — word gets around when a kitchen is this good.

Best Lunch Dishes at Vietnam Palace

Pho — The Quintessential Quick Lunch

A bowl of pho is one of the most complete and efficient lunches you can have. Rich in protein, warming, deeply flavourful, and done in under 15 minutes. Choose from:

• Pho Tai — Rare beef, simple and clean
• Pho Bo Vien — Beef meatballs, great for first-timers
• Pho Dac Biet — House special with multiple beef cuts
• Pho Ga — Chicken pho, lighter and perfect for a midday meal

Broken Rice Plates (Cơm Tấm)

A Vietnamese lunch staple: seasoned broken rice served with your choice of grilled pork, chicken, or beef, plus a fried egg and pickled vegetables. Fast, filling, and packed with flavour — a perfect weekday lunch option.

Bún (Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowls)

Cold vermicelli rice noodles topped with grilled meat, fresh herbs, pickled carrots, crushed peanuts, and a tangy fish sauce dressing. Light enough to not leave you sluggish in the afternoon, flavourful enough to make you look forward to it all morning.

Spring Rolls — A Quick Add-On

Add an order of crispy fried spring rolls to any lunch. They arrive fast, they’re delicious, and they make any meal feel more complete.

Lunch Hours & Planning Your Visit

Vietnam Palace is open for lunch:

• Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Wednesday–Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Busiest lunch window: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM on weekdays. Arrive at 11:30 AM or after 1:15 PM for faster seating.

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Getting to Vietnam Palace for Lunch

From Ottawa’s downtown core, Vietnam Palace is a 10–15 minute walk or a quick bus ride on OC Transpo routes that serve Somerset St W. Paid street parking is available on Somerset and surrounding streets. Many regulars walk, bus, or bike — Chinatown is right on the edge of downtown and highly accessible.

Vietnam Palace Restaurant
819 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R4 (Chinatown)
📞 (613) 238-6758

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