Calgary's best pho bowls: six standout spots worth the detour

As Calgary's weather turns colder, pho season kicks into high gear—and the city has no shortage of excellent spots to satisfy the craving. Steaming bowls loaded with silky noodles, fresh meats, vegetables and flavourful broths are exactly what the season calls for.

Mot To on Centre Street NW comes from the team behind Pho Dau Bo and was named one of Air Canada's Best New Restaurants. The contemporary Vietnamese restaurant serves traditional dishes with modern twists, and the pho here ranks among the city's best.

Pure Street Food at First Street Market keeps its menu intentionally concise, allowing each dish to receive meticulous attention. Both beef and chicken pho are on offer at this downtown spot specializing in Vietnamese street-food favourites.

Hà Tiên on 30th Street SW is an unassuming neighbourhood staple known for truly incredible Vietnamese fare. Using fresh ingredients throughout, the restaurant offers pho with brisket, tripe, and seafood in addition to the standard chicken and beef options.

Lai Rai on 10th Avenue SE combines small plates, noodles, handhelds and shareable dishes alongside plenty of pho. The signature Sate Pho features a spicy peanut broth simmered for 16 hours, served with silky noodles, your choice of beef, chicken or tofu, bean sprouts, basil and lime.

Bow River Restaurant on Elbow Drive serves huge, steaming portions of pho and other creations in its modern dining room, with pick-up and delivery also available. Pho Dau Bo on 17th Avenue SE is famous for its Pho Sate Ga Hoac Bo Hoac Do Bien—a 16-hour broth available with chicken, beef or seafood, paired with either regular beef broth or spicy sate broth.