This West Philly cornerstone’s sister restaurant won a James Beard Award in 2024, and if you ask locals, it was long overdue. Started by husband and wife Nhu Lai and Thuyen Luu, who fled Vietnam to Malaysia in 1978, the restaurant welcomes you with sunny yellow walls, colorful lanterns, and a friendly staff the moment you enter. It’s nearly always buzzing with diners, creating a noisy-in-a-homey-way atmosphere that reflects the tight-knit community feel West is known for.
In terms of food, there’s no shortage of deliciousness to indulge in. Crispy pork spring rolls with chili vinegar dipping sauce are a no-brainer, as are the herby, beef-stuffed grape leaves, and the refreshing shrimp green papaya salad. In the summer, you can’t go wrong with a vermicelli bowl, which can be topped with anything from beef to tofu to squid. In the winter, it’s all about soup. Options range from sweet and sour fish to chicken lemongrass.
The cocktails are also not to be missed, as the glassware is as fun as the drinks are delicious. Treat yourself to classics, like a zombie or mai tai, or brace your tolerance for the Bachelor’s Downfall, a mix of rum, bourbon, and fruit juice.
The vibe: A cozy, warmly lit dining room that’s always busy (but somehow, you can always score a table)
The food: Unpretentious-yet-stunning Vietnamese fare
The drink: Next-level Polynesian cocktails
Time Out tip: Go with a friend and share the Flaming Volcano cocktail, which the menu describes as “the fantastic drink for passion lovers.” It’s potent with rum, vodka, gin, brandy, grenadine, fruit juice, and a shot of Bacardi 151, which is set ablaze before it reaches the table.