Vietnamese Food Near Rideau Canal Ottawa — Vietnam Palace Restaurant

The Rideau Canal is one of Ottawa’s most beloved landmarks — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transforms into the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink every winter and a stunning recreational waterway every summer. After a skate on the Skateway, a stroll along Dows Lake, or an afternoon at Confederation Park, there’s nothing better than warming up with a bowl of authentic Vietnamese pho at Vietnam Palace Restaurant.

From the Canal to Chinatown: A Perfect Ottawa Day

Vietnam Palace Restaurant is located at 819 Somerset St W in Ottawa’s historic Chinatown neighbourhood — just a short drive or transit ride from the Rideau Canal Skateway entrance points and the Dows Lake Pavilion. Whether you’re visiting during the world-famous Winterlude festival, paddle boating through the summer locks, or just taking in the fall colours along the canal path, our restaurant is the ideal stop before or after your adventure.

The canal corridor draws millions of visitors every year, and we’ve been feeding Ottawa’s outdoor enthusiasts and canal-goers since 1989. With over 100 menu items and a dining room that fits the whole family, Vietnam Palace is your go-to Vietnamese restaurant near the Rideau Canal.

Warm Up with Pho After the Skateway

There’s a reason Ottawans who brave the Skateway crave hot soup afterward — nothing beats the chill of a February morning on the ice quite like a bowl of our slow-simmered pho. Our broth is prepared fresh daily, layered with star anise, cinnamon, charred ginger, and beef bones that have been coaxed for hours into something extraordinary.

After visiting Dows Lake or Confederation Park, consider these favourites:

• Pho Dac Biet (House Special Pho) — Everything in one bowl: rare beef, brisket, tendon, tripe, and meatballs
• Chả Giò (Crispy Spring Rolls) — Golden, crunchy, served with fresh herbs and dipping sauce
• Phở Gà (Chicken Pho) — A lighter, cleaner broth with tender poached chicken
• Sinh Tố (Vietnamese Smoothies) — Avocado, mango, or soursop — tropical and delicious

Summer by the Canal, Dinner in Chinatown

Summer brings kayakers, cyclists, and festival-goers to the Rideau Canal waterway. After exploring the locks at Hartwell’s or strolling along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway, our Somerset Street restaurant is a natural next stop. We’re open six days a week — closed Tuesdays — with kitchen hours that accommodate both early lunch crowds and lingering evening diners.

Confederation Park events, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, and other canal-adjacent happenings bring thousands of visitors to the area every year. Vietnam Palace has been part of this community fabric for decades, and we’re proud to serve visitors and locals alike with the same quality and warmth we’ve maintained since our founding.

Family-Run, Community-Rooted

We’re not a chain. We’re a family restaurant that has been rooted in Ottawa’s Chinatown neighbourhood since 1989. Our 671 Google reviews (4.3 stars) reflect real experiences from real Ottawa diners — canal-side adventurers, downtown workers, families celebrating milestones, and everyone in between. When you choose Vietnam Palace, you’re supporting a piece of Ottawa’s culinary heritage.

Hours & Location

• 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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