Ottawa Chinatown Restaurant — Vietnam Palace Since 1989
819 Somerset St W · In the Heart of Chinatown · 35+ Years
A Chinatown Institution for Over 35 Years
Ottawa’s Chinatown is one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods — a stretch of Somerset Street West packed with culture, history, and incredible food. And at the center of it all sits Vietnam Palace Restaurant, a family-run Vietnamese restaurant that’s been part of the Chinatown community since 1989.
When you walk through our doors at 819 Somerset St W, you’re not just entering a restaurant — you’re stepping into a piece of Ottawa’s culinary history. We’ve watched Chinatown grow and evolve over three decades, and we’ve been proudly serving the neighborhood through it all.
Why Vietnam Palace is Chinatown’s Best-Kept Secret
While Ottawa’s Chinatown has dozens of restaurants, Vietnam Palace stands apart for several reasons:
- Longevity: 35+ years in the same location. We’re not going anywhere.
- Menu depth: Over 100 dishes — from pho and bun to exotic specialties like frog legs and quail
- Authenticity: Our recipes come from Vietnam, not from a corporate playbook
- Family spirit: We treat every guest like family. Many of our customers have been coming for decades
- Value: Generous portions at prices that won’t empty your wallet
Exploring Ottawa’s Chinatown
Chinatown on Somerset Street is a cultural landmark. Here’s what makes the neighborhood special:
The Chinatown Gate
The iconic red and gold gate at Somerset and Booth marks the entrance to one of Ottawa’s most diverse food corridors. Vietnam Palace is just a short walk from the gate — making us one of the first restaurants you’ll encounter on your Chinatown food adventure.
Somerset Street Food Scene
Somerset Street West between Booth and Preston is home to Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, and other Asian cuisines. But for authentic Vietnamese food, Vietnam Palace has been the neighborhood’s top choice since before many of the newer spots even existed.
What to Eat at Vietnam Palace
First time? Here are our most popular dishes:
- Phở Đặc Biệt — Our signature special combo pho with rare beef, brisket, flank, tendon, and tripe
- Chả Giò — Crispy Vietnamese spring rolls (the best on Somerset Street)
- Gỏi Cuốn — Fresh salad rolls with shrimp, pork, herbs, and peanut sauce
- Cơm Sườn Nướng — Grilled pork chop over rice with pickled vegetables
- Bún Bò Huế — Spicy Hue-style beef vermicelli with lemongrass
- Cà Ri Gà — Vietnamese chicken curry with French bread
See our complete menu for all 100+ dishes.
Perfect for Every Occasion
Our spacious dining room accommodates everything from a quick solo lunch to large family celebrations. We regularly host:
- Family dinners and birthday celebrations
- Group outings and office lunches
- Date nights
- Tourist visits exploring Chinatown
- Late-night dining (open until 10PM most days)
Visit Us in Chinatown
- Address: 819 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R3
- Phone: (613) 238-6758
- Hours: Mon, Wed–Fri 11AM–10PM · Sat 10AM–10PM · Sun 11AM–10PM · Tue Closed