Waterfront 54 Noodles Bar @4th street

This restaurant runs on a fast-casual model: you order and pay at the counter, take a number, and seat yourself. There’s no table service, and water is self-serve. The space itself is clean and fairly large, with plenty of tables and seating available. Food is wheeled out to you on a cart. Not exactly a warm touch. I had the Pad Thai with tofu, ordered spicy. The portion was large. The sauce was bland and watery, and the dish had a bit of heat, though not overpowering. It was missing a good amount of flavor and crunch. There weren’t enough peanuts for my taste. Overall, the dish was okay and nothing memorable. What stood out more than the food was the lack of dining experience. No one checked in on how things were after the food came out, and if I’d wanted anything else, I would’ve had to go back to the counter and pay again. The whole setup felt a bit like eating in a cafeteria—functional, but impersonal. For the price, comparable to full-service restaurants, it felt very underwhelming. This place might be okay if you’re grabbing takeout/delivery or need something quick and don’t care about the atmosphere. But if you're hoping to sit down, enjoy a meal, and be looked after even a little, this place doesn’t really deliver.

Pho was good and portions were big. The broth was flavorful and the price was reasonable. The crispy spring rolls were crispy but were lacking in flavorful and overpriced. Thai tea was good. The restaurant was empty when we went, maybe not that popular with the locals.

We enjoyed this place and it even surpassed our expectations. We have staid in Thailand for some months & the Asian cuisine here in the US could be hit and miss at times. This spot has the perfect balance for being authentic to its roots & also be palatable for a novice to the tastes.

The food is good here but not so much the service. It's a strictly take out format even if your eating there. You now have to pay and tip before you eat. They no longer have servers so no one will check on you while your eating.

Solid Vietnamese joint not far from the Wharf. I got the Lemongrass Beef Bahn Mi and my wife got the Pork Bun. Solid 7.5/10. They’ve got a lunch meal deal where the sando came with a canned soda for $11, and the bun for $15.

8.5/10. Can’t complain with immensely quick service, just don’t mind the old man looking at you while you pay - tipping should still be for good service!! Food was yummy for a decent price, and at lightning speed. Nice sit down place for a hearty bowl of pho, and the meat actually outweighs the noodle..!! For once! I’m very pleasantly shocked.

I visited this cozy gem today and had an unforgettable experience. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The soft lighting and comfortable seating created the perfect ambiance for a relaxed meal. It felt like a place you could spend hours, whether catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet dinner. The service was exceptional (Lada was my server) friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. She made excellent recommendations and ensured i was well taken care of throughout the meal, without ever feeling rushed. The manager Robert even came to make sure my experience was amazing. As for the food, the highlight for me were the chicken dumplings. They were absolutely divine! Perfectly fried, with a delicate, tender filling that was packed with flavor. The dipping sauce complemented them beautifully, adding just the right amount of tang. Every bite was a little taste of heaven. I also got the beef Pho that was pretty good. Overall, this place has a winning combination of great food, excellent service, and a charming atmosphere. Highly recommend it, especially for those who love good dumplings!

Loved this place! A calming but lively atmosphere, a friendly server and manager, nice decor. Found good vegan options, including Summer Rolls with Tofu and peanut dipping sauce, Singapore Noodles with fried Tofu, and a Vermicelli bowl with fried Tofu. All really good! Thai teas were pretty good too.

Pleasantly surprised with our experience for dinner here. This place is conveniently located near the metro stop. The restaurant had a pretty big footprint and a good number of tables. The inside looked pretty new and fresh. Service was good. We got seated immediately, there was only two other parties/tables at the time, and did not have to wait long to order and wasn't too long for food. We ordered crispy tofu, combo vermicelli and combo bahn mi. The combos came with chicken, grilled beef, and pork. I think I preferred the beef for its texture and grilled flavor. The lemongrass was not as strong. The bahn mi was good, the bread used was nice. The vermicelli dish was also good and a good portion with the noodles, bean sprouts and the pickled veggies. The crispy tofu was good but a little basic. Battered, then fried and served with a sweet chili sauce. Overall pretty good and the prices were comparable to restaurants in the dmv.

We came here for dinner before attending a performance at Arena Stage. This place was OK. My wife enjoyed her banh mi sandwich, and the stir fry crispy noodles, which came inside a "bird's nest" sort of arrangement, was both tasty and enough for two meals. The lack of a liquor license was disappointing BUT -- the following day, after finishing the leftovers, I had a bad case of the runs, which was gone the following day. So I cannot help worrying that it was something I ate here.

They had no pad see ew here its not a Thai place they said, but there Thai ice tea was good and creamy They forgot our vermicelli so we had to call back and drive back to get it We had take out so didn't know the vibes inside

Pho is phenomenal. Banh mi is stuffed plus the have a great lunch special. Plenty of seatt and friendly but not fast service

Place is cute very chill place to go. Service great, servers are attentive to cleaning up taking orders, just overall great service. Food the Singapore noodles 10/10 got it twice on separate occasions and loved it each time. Mango slushy 10/10 don't taste artificial tastes very real. The chicken spring roll was good taste better with the sauce.

Pho was decent. Best part of the meal. It was a 7/10 pho. Chicken a little rubbery, broth not super flavorful. I asked for an Arnold Palmer because y'all don't have sweet tea out this way. Not sure how, but bitter. Couldn't drink it. The summer rolls with shrimp were so rubbery I couldn't eat them and the peanut sauce was the thickest I've ever seen, could have held it upside down like a blizzard. It just didn't taste good. Overall, wouldn't go back.

Great restaurant with a casual atmosphere. I spend a week in DC for business and I frequented the place a couple of times. The Pho is authentic and the Spring Rolls are also great. The place has ample seating and not too crowded when I was there. The other 'must try' item on their menu is the Thai Iced Tea, really good.

I typically order the Banh mi for a pick up order and it has been top-notch every time. The chicken, pork, and beef versions were all great for the value. Authentic food, quick service, and easy ordering.

This place just opened up and they're super friendly and the portion size were amazing! I highly recommend this Vietnamese restaurant and will definitely be back in the future. They have a lot of plans for entertainment, such as karaoke and more!

I totally get it we were a party of 7 (three kids), but we waited over 20 min to put on our order. About an hour and a half later we were still waiting. This was after asking at least twice for the smoothies we ordered for the kids. Other tables of 2 and even another table or two of 6 got orders so we asked again Finally, we just left after almost 2 hours because they weren't even preparing or order, yet. So dissapointed.

Decent pho in the area. Not as good as Pho 75 in Rosslyn, but nice to have a solid pho option in this neighborhood. I had pho tai gau (slice of round-of-eye steak and fatty brisket). It was pretty good, but I did have to add some spicy chili sauce to add some flavor to the broth (which I never have to do at Pho 75). Rocket shrimp rolls were also pretty good, with a very crispy exterior. Service was very cordial (and ASL-friendly!), and the ambiance was nice and spacious.

I recommend 54 Noodles Bar. I've had a great meal every time I've gone. Their pho broth is flavorful - you don't even need to add anything to it if you don't want to. Service is excellent and the food comes very quickly.

Shoutout to our local community heroes! This venue is a perfect addition to this community! The staff is very welcoming, professional, and attentive. Our 54 Noodles Bar ambassador tonight was Jayla. She was so pleasant, cheerful, and kind to interact with and really made us feel well taken care of. The atmosphere is comfy, clean, and calming. The menu has a lot to offer. Vietnamese classics which extend past the amazing pho to include bahn mi sandwiches, rice dishes, salads, wings, seafood, tofu, smoothies, and so much more deliciousness. We had several staff members come by and introduced themselves and asked if we needed anything. We enjoyed the overhead music. It was a mix of classic pop, ballads, and timeless hits it made me want to sing along. We didn't even know that it was karaoke Saturday until we heard some happy patrons singing. The staff even hopped in for a few songs! Talk about talent! I heard a lady say that she will definitely be coming back for karaoke! We had saved our appetite to dive into the salt and pepper tofu and salt and pepper shrimp ! These both were beautiful presented atop of crispy sautéed veggies and greens. The shrimp were plump and had a crunchy golden brown coating. The tofu triangles were lightly toasted outside and a soft warm pillowy inside. The smoky flavor on the veggies was a perfect complement to the delicate tofu. Hubby ordered a savory bahn mi sandwich with a generous amount of meat and veggies. The baguette was a delicious vessel to tuck in all these goodies. My pho was everything that I love about how this healing bone broth fills me up with comfort and happiness! It was so authentic tasting and balanced. Hot broth, soft rice noodles, and fresh veggies to add to make it more nutritious, satisfying texture, and a little color. A perfect meal for a cold winter day... and any day that you want a bowl of Love! Our daughter had a bowl of beef stew with a deep rich broth with generous amount of tender stew beef, stewed veggies, and noodles. It comes with a side of fresh veggies like the pho to add as like. We savored every bite and enjoyed the other patrons enjoying the fellowship of each other, the staff, and our fun loving karaoke singers. This venue is a blessing and we hope that many people will enjoy the treasures within this treasure chest!

Food and service was terrific! Had the shave beef and meatball pho and the chicken pad Thai. Both were delicious. Would highly recommend.

Phenomenal spot, everything was amazing. The chicken wings were unique and delicious and the bah-mi (sandwich) was traditional and fresh. Staff was friendly and the tables were clean. Would recommend this place again.

Did a reservation and was told that the previous manager that managed that system didn't work there anymore. There was no system to join a waitlist in person and everyone was just standing by the entrance hoping they would get in. Would not recommend based on this experience of not having a system to even waitlist to eat here.

This is the real Pho. The restaurant has a new look & everything looks great ...will come back again soon!

The Pho was actually very good but the service left little to be desired. Pho broth was tasty, meat was tender and nicely seasoned, fried chicken egg rolls were crispy and flavorful, but the service was below average. Fortunately, we entered the restaurant at a good time (7:30 ish on a Sunday evening) and were served immediately, but 20 mins later 20-25 people were waiting for tables and food. Sadly, people seated at tables and waiting for food walked out, the lobby was full of waiting diners (with baby strollers!), people waiting for pick up orders were pacing back and forth, people waiting at the bar hadn't been served. It was pretty chaotic. Hoping they hire servers soon.

The food was quick and delicious!! And the Host Jeremiah customer service was superb! He gave great recommendations and he didn't not miss! Great guy, very kind! It was empty when I went in first r the time of day but the ambiance was very peaceful and chill with nice music playing.

this restaurant has great food, they have the best thai tea and pho!! nice location and kind service.

Great food, terrific service and the Robert, the manager can keep you in stitches. The staff can serenade you and serve you the best Pho and dumplings this side of Saigon. Incredible experience at a more than reasable price. Thank for adding g some life to our neighborhood!!!

I've had the vermicelli noodles, chicken and rice and bahn mi. All were delicious and prepared quickly. Are food to go.

the food is not good and way too expensive. i give it 6 -9 months. bring back Jennys at the wharf please