Cafe East Pho, Holborn: Comforting Vietnamese Stop Near the British Museum

After a long afternoon meeting in London where lunch was completely skipped, and while my other half was happily exploring the Sir John Soane’s Museum, we decided to meet for an early dinner before heading home. At around 3.40pm, firmly between lunch and dinner service, we found ourselves outside Cafe East Pho on Bloomsbury Way in Holborn.

Cafe East has been around since 1997, or at least the Cafe East group has, and it shows in the confidence of what they offer. This particular Holborn branch sits just a three-minute walk from the British Museum, making it an ideal refuelling stop after a cultural wander.

First impressions

When we arrived, there were only a couple of other diners, who soon left, leaving the restaurant almost entirely to us. This gave us time to really take in the interior, which is far more decorative than you might expect from a casual pho restaurant.

The space is clean, calm, and thoughtfully styled. Fancy tables, patterned floor tiles, wall-to-ceiling décor, flower arrangements, orchids, framed artwork, and even a large ceiling painting all work together to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It feels like a restaurant that has made a genuine effort to stand out visually without becoming overbearing.

The Menu: Vietnamese at heart, with Chinese influences

While Cafe East Pho is firmly rooted in Vietnamese street and home cooking, there’s a noticeable Chinese influence running through parts of the menu. Alongside classic pho, vermicelli bowls, and rice dishes, you’ll also find items such as:

Roast Duck Rice
Imperial Crispy Aromatic Duck with pancakes
Sweet and sour spare ribs
Mala-influenced chilli flavours in some starters

There were also a couple of Chinese noodle dishes listed but crossed off, including Chongqing Spicy Rice Noodles in Broth and Chengdu Hot & Sour Glass Noodles, suggesting a menu that has evolved over time.

The menu is broadly divided into:

Starters
Dry Vermicelli Mains
Soup-based Mains
A small Pho Kho (dry pho) section
Rice dishes

Everything looked tempting, but given how hungry we were, we headed straight for the mains.

What we ordered

Pho Dac Biet

A generous, all-in bowl featuring marbled beef, free-range chicken, king prawns, and flat rice noodles in either chicken or beef broth. We chose the beef broth and opted for flat noodles rather than round.

The pho arrived with a classic fresh garnish platter:
bean sprouts, fresh coriander, lemon wedge (instead of lime), chopped bird’s-eye chillies, sawtooth herb, and Thai basil.

The broth itself was light, clear, and well-flavoured, and portion sizes were undeniably generous. There was plenty of protein in the bowl, with chicken, beef, and prawns all making a strong showing. However, one small drawback on our visit was that the soup was slightly lukewarm rather than piping hot. In January, on a wet and cold London day, boiling-hot pho would have elevated the experience further, especially once the fresh garnishes were added.

When we mentioned this to the staff, the feedback was accepted graciously and professionally, with reassurance that it would be passed on to the kitchen.

It’s worth noting that many other diners specifically praise Cafe East Pho for how warming and comforting their pho is, with several reviews describing it as “exactly what I needed to warm up” and “some of the best pho I’ve ever had”. Our experience felt slightly at odds with those comments, suggesting some inconsistency rather than a fundamental issue.

Bún Chả Nem Thịt Nướng

Featured on the board outside, this is a dry vermicelli dish topped with lemongrass-grilled pork, pork spring rolls, cucumber, herbs, pickled carrots and mooli, finished with crushed roasted peanuts. A sweet-and-spicy fish sauce is served on the side and poured over before mixing.

This dish is designed to be refreshing rather than hot, and it delivered exactly that. The balance of textures and flavours worked beautifully: savoury pork, crisp vegetables, tangy sauce, and aromatic herbs. It’s no surprise that this dish receives consistent praise in reviews for being refreshing, tangy, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy.

Many diners even recommend enjoying the spring rolls separately first, dipped into the sauce, before mixing everything together.

Drinks & dessert: Chè Ba Màu

For something different, we ordered Chè Ba Màu, the Vietnamese three-colour pudding. Traditionally, this dessert consists of red beans, mung beans, green pandan jelly, and coconut sauce layered distinctly.

What we received was a slightly different interpretation: a generous layer of red bean paste topped with coconut cream and some green jelly. While not visually layered in the classic way, it was deeply satisfying, particularly if you enjoy red bean desserts. The coconut cream, which looked very close to straight coconut milk, balanced the sweetness well once mixed through.

Service, cleanliness, and atmosphere

Service throughout our visit was friendly, attentive, and unhurried. Staff were happy to explain dishes, offer guidance on how to eat them, and accommodate questions. This warmth is echoed repeatedly in customer feedback, with many reviews praising specific staff members and describing the team as accommodating, patient, and genuinely welcoming.

The restaurant was spotlessly clean, something frequently highlighted in reviews, and the relaxed pacing made it easy to enjoy the meal without feeling rushed.

What other diners say

Feedback for Cafe East Pho is largely positive, particularly around:

Authentic-tasting pho and vermicelli dishes
Generous portions
Reasonable prices for central London
Fast, friendly service
Strong vegetarian and vegan options, including vegan pho, vermicelli, and bánh cuốn

Several diners describe it as the best pho they’ve had, praising the depth of flavour, comforting broth, and quality of sides. Vegan diners also report being well catered for, even during Veganuary. Others mention occasional issues with heating or temperature inside the restaurant, particularly during colder weather.

Final thoughts

Cafe East Pho in Holborn is a solid, comforting Vietnamese restaurant in an excellent central location. It combines classic pho and vermicelli dishes with subtle Chinese influences, served in a space that feels far more considered than your average casual noodle shop.

While our pho could have been hotter, the flavours, portions, and overall experience were strong, and the staff handled feedback with professionalism and care. With its proximity to the British Museum, friendly service, and wide menu that caters well to meat-eaters and vegans alike, it’s easy to see why so many people return.

Best for: Pho, vermicelli bowls, comforting food after museum visits
Good to know: Generous portions, relaxed atmosphere, multiple London branches
Would we return? Yes—particularly to explore more starters and revisit the pho on a colder day.