ParLê by Viet Fresh

We’ve come here a few times now and it has become our go-to for halal vietnamese food. Came here on a quiet Tuesday evening recently since we were craving some grilled beef vermicelli and the food was delicious and promptly served as usual. The staff were attentive and overall it was a great dining experience

Went here as a party of 8 on New Year’s Day and while they couldn’t accommodate us all at one table, the hostess booked us at two tables. The staff is incredibly hard working and take their job seriously. They focus on customer care and the management is involved in ensuring food quality is performing well.

We had a wrong order delivered to our table and while we accepted the order since good food is good food, the hostess surprised us by comping that meal and apologizing for the mixup. That is exemplary service and in this age of mediocrity, very much a good sign of a successful restaurant.

The staff there, including the hostess (girl with glasses), took on multiple roles and ensured guests were being seated, food was being delivered, bills were being handled, tables were being cleaned and Uber orders were being handles simultaneously. A big kudos to the hard-working staff and to the management of this establishment for taking the efforts to train and cultivate such strong customer service. Very impressive guys!

This place is on my top 5 and I’m definitely returning with more folk.

Also, P.S. they have a completely halal menu too for those who want or need it.

Yesterday, my husband and I found a Halal Vietnamese restaurant in Downtown Ottawa – Parlé by Viet Fresh!

To be honest, downtown locations usually deter us. Traffic and limited parking have always made dining there less appealing. But with the holiday season and many people out of town, we figured this might be the rare window when downtown wouldn’t feel too hectic.

So we took a chance. Traffic had its moments, but nothing unbearable. And, to our surprise, we even found parking right in front of the restaurant. Given how cold Ottawa’s winter has been lately, we were especially excited to warm up with a bowl of pho, and halal pho at that, which is still pretty rare around here. 🍜

From the moment we stepped inside, the space felt cozy and welcoming, just right for a cold winter evening. We started with the Crispy Shrimp Wonton, which was excellent. It was perfectly crisp, generously filled, and simply satisfying. 😋

For mains, I ordered the Halal Viet Fresh Special Pho with beef broth, rice noodles, rare beef (with options for medium or well-done), chicken, tripe, and beef brisket. 🍜 my husband went for the Banh Mi Bo Kho — a rich, flavourful beef stew with potatoes, carrots, cilantro, and green onions, served with a warm baguette. 🥖 🍲

The food truly didn’t disappoint. My pho was comforting and well-balanced, with a rich broth and fresh toppings that hit the spot. My husband enjoyed his stew so much that he ordered an extra baguette just to soak up every last bit. It was exactly the kind of hearty, soul-warming meal you want on a winter day in Ottawa. 😋👍🏻❤️

What really stood out though beyond the food was learning about the owner’s thoughtfulness. Mr. Binh, the owner, shared that he plans to build a prayer room inside the restaurant because he felt uncomfortable knowing Muslim customers had to pray in the basement. What makes this especially meaningful is that he isn’t Muslim himself. That level of care and respect for the community left a genuine impression on us. 👍🏻❤️

All in all, between the food, the atmosphere, and the community-minded spirit behind the place, this visit was a memorable one. We’ll definitely be back! Ottawa just gained a new favourite pho spot for us. 👍🏻

We recently tried Parle by Viet Fresh and had a mix of enjoyable dishes and a few letdowns. We ordered the General Tao’s Chicken, Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings, Tom Yum Noodle Soup with Sliced Beef, and Pho in Chicken Broth with Sliced Chicken Breast.

The highlights of our meal were definitely the soups. The Tom Yum Noodle Soup was flavourful, aromatic, and had just the right level of spice, while the Chicken Pho was comforting, clean, and well-prepared. Both bowls were generous and satisfying—exactly what we hoped for.

The Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings had great flavour and a perfectly crispy texture, but the portion size was surprisingly small for the price, which left us wanting more. The General Tao’s Chicken also came in a smaller portion than expected, and the sauce leaned much too sweet for our taste, overshadowing the rest of the dish.

Overall, Parle has some delicious hits—especially their soup offerings—but the portion sizes and balance of flavours on some items could be improved. We enjoyed parts of our meal but would be selective about what we order next time.

We had the opportunity to meet one of the owners, Mr. Binh, who was incredibly kind and welcoming!

We tried the Bánh Mì Bò Kho, Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings, and Beef Rib Phở – everything was halal, which was awesome. They even asked us which menu we wanted since they offer both a regular and halal menu — a great touch.

The food was really solid all around – flavourful, fresh, and clearly made with care. The Bò Kho had a nice balance, the chicken wings had just the right kick, and the pho broth was rich and comforting. But what really stood out was the vibe
– the aesthetic and atmosphere are absolutely fire. Definitely the kind of spot that feels perfect for a date night or chill evening out.

I also loved the lychee juice — super refreshing and surprisingly memorable. Parking can be a bit tricky in the area, but honestly, it’s worth the visit.