Banana Blossom Bistro

I came with my partner for lunch around 11:30am. The place was empty and there was only one person working, but we had a good experience. The jazz music gave the place a casual cafe vibe. We ordered the vegetarian pho and the meatball pho. The food came out fairly quickly and came with the usual sides of bean sprouts, chilis, basil, and lime. The sides were not super large portions, but the pho itself was. I enjoyed the vegetarian pho; the broth was packed with umami and there were plenty of hearty mushrooms, veggies, and tofu. My partner enjoyed his meatball pho as well. The prices were above what I’ve seen at other typical Vietnamese places, but for a local restaurant, I’d come back just for the convenience.

We got some delicious banh mi from here! I got the vegetarian tofu and shiitake which was soft and flavorful. We also got the braised pork banh mi, which was soft, flavors were nice but wished there was a bit more sweetness to it. Just craving that salty sweet combo! The bread was also a highlight, it tastes super fresh. Overall they were playing great music, the staff did their thing, and our meal was tasty. The employee recommended the shrimp banh mi, which we will try another time!

Went to pick up for lunch tasted good. Interesting flavors, my girlfriend got the veggie sandwich which was amazing. I got the braised pork sandwhich which tasted good, but I do want to try the lemongrass- shrimp sandwich next time.

I did not have a good experience here. While the atmosphere is nice (clean and welcoming), the customer service was unfriendly and the pho broth tastes nothing like a traditional broth. Additionally, they do not offer steak (tai) or brisket (nam) with the pho, only meatballs. I have never been to a pho restaurant that didn't at least offer pho tai - maybe that's on me for not checking the menu close enough before visiting. Their meatballs were tasty but unfortunately I could not enjoy the dish because the broth was so far from traditional flavors.

The bahn mi were delicious! Both the caramelized pork and the lemongrass shrimp were great. The rolls were good, with plenty of veggies on the sandwich the the shrimp were perfectly tender.

We came here while on vacation and the Pho was amazing. Quick service and nice staff. We also got shrimp spring rolls and they were so yummy! The peanut sauce was smooth and rich. Food was overall very fresh and perfectly balanced. Highly recommend for authentic Vietnamese food that hits the spot.

I’m Vietnamese and eat pho all my life…so my comment might be a bit harsh… I was so excited to try this place since there isn’t too many pho options in this neighborhood. Unfortunately the meat ball pho was meh. I don’t understand why they used a veggie broth for a meat noodle soup. Seems like they are trying to please more people with veggie options, but they are definitely not making an authentic tasting pho. Pros: very nice staff and the restaurant looked very clean.

I actually used Banana Blossom Bistro for catering a lunch event for about 40 people, and it was stellar. The service, the food, the presentation. Everyone at my event was talking about the food for hours afterwards. We got an assortment of banh mi and the cabbage salad. The pork banh mi was INCREDIBLE. Annie was kind and communicative throughout the whole process. I can't recommend them enough!

So good. Big generous servings of everything. The garden spring rolls are so fresh and delicious. The tofu vermicelli bowl was also fresh, fun to eat, and such a mix of flavors. So great. It is a small place, but fine to eat in, and scrupulously clean. Convenient parking too.

We visited Banana Blossom for the first time tonight, due to a suggestion of a long time Riverdale Park resident who was so excited they moved back here! We'll start with the good. The Pork Banh Mi was absolutely amazing, and I would order it again. There was a healthy portion of pork, with some carrots, onions, cucumbers and a sauce. We appreciated the crunch! And the sauce was refreshing. Onto the disappointment- the pho bo vien meatball pho was not good. The broth was drinkable but bland, but the meatballs inedible. They had the consistency of rubber or even canned meat, and they tasted like the meat was starting to spoil. They also had a weird gaminess to it that I've never experienced with beef. I'd return for the pork banh mi to go.

3.5 This place moved, but it's still in the same building. Now in a smaller space. I ordered the shrimp fresh rolls, excellent big size and super fresh. I also got the chicken pho, which is a skip with off broth taste The prices were the same as delivery so next time I would deliver because the seating is uncomfortable & mostly wobbly.

A staple in Riverdale Park, Banana Blossom Bistro's menu highlights Vietnamese food like pho, banh mi, and noodle bowls. Service is kind and efficient. The space is no-frills, but the food flavorful. My family of three loved their pork banh mi sandwich and tofu pho. They also make a delicious fizzy limeade worth ordering.

If I could eat here every day, I would. I love the vermicelli pork bowls. The mint. The crunchy veg. The soft noodles. The tender and flavorful pork. Yum. My husband got the bahn mi and found it a great portion. I wish they let you pick the peanut sauce or the one that comes with the vermecilli bowl-which isn't as flavorful. While you can get the peanut sauce, it's a $2 up charge. Food is prepared pretty quickly, so it's super fresh if you eat it right away. Our order was ready on time and while you can eat here, we took our meals to TCM for a beer. While there's no parking out front, there is some next to the tracks.

I'm so glad Banana Blossom has made its way back to Riverdale Park. What's what's even better that they took over the old Gangsta Vegan location on the same block. I've tried most things on the menu and have loved them all. My newest favorite are the side of sautéed wild mushrooms and the Pork Thit Kho Banh Mi. I don't think I've ever had braised pork sandwich like that before and it was unexpectedly delicious. The portion of the pork was also pretty generous. Ordering online and pick up were both seamless. There's a multiple free parking options within a block and my order was ready within 15 mins.

This in union market. We went around dinner time. There was no line when we ordered but it took a little long to get our food. Ordered a a grilled pork bahn mi. The sandwich was good. It had the fresh cilantro and pickled veggies. The pork was also tasty. It was a decent sized sandwich but was a little pricey for a bahn mi.

@bananablossombistro at @unionmarketdc plain pho - Fresh rice noodles in beef broth packed with umami and pho aromatics. Garnished with fresh cilantro, scallions & white onions. Wished they had a tofu option and portion sizes were larger - but overall a classic comfort pho!

I thought the shrimp pho was good, and the veggie broth was tasty. I also thought it was also weird to see the bean sprouts handed over in a plastic bag. With no guaranteed seating, it can be hard to figure out how to eat the takeout meal as everything is served as such. Also had a lime soda "soda chanh" which was okay - tart and sweet - maybe a bit too syrupy as you'd expect a soda to be. It would be nice to see this place have more offerings on the menu, as well as guaranteed seating.

This was a little hard to find as it did not have a big sign out front. It's a quaint little spot. The staff is very friendly. The food was pretty good, bahn mi and my husband got the pho. Limited menu but not a bad experience.

Unfortunately, my visit to Banana Blossom, which I was really looking forward to, was a fairly big disappointment. I arrived around 6:30pm on a Tuesday, excited to try one of the bun vermicelli bowls that had been recommended to me. There was no line, so I naturally assumed I would have my food in no time. After ordering and getting a 10-15 minute estimated wait time, I proceeded to watch the two kitchen staff prepare orders in a way that did not seem to be systematic or efficient in any way. They each seemed to be working on several orders at once, with no discernible priority given to in-person versus delivery orders. There were only a few tickets on the board to begin with and very few people ordered at the counter after me, so I can only assume that the new tickets coming in were delivery orders. These orders seemed to be the only ones receiving attention for the majority of the time I was standing there. Noticing me getting a little restless, one of the workers told me multiple times, "Yours will be right out." He would then proceed to turn around and work on orders that clearly weren't mine. I finally got my food after a little more than 20 minutes. Restaurants get busy, I get it. However, a 20+ minute wait at a time that wasn't especially busy is not ideal. Nor is giving higher priority to delivery orders when people with in-person orders are standing at the counter waiting for their food. All that aside, my shrimp vermicelli bowl was quite good. The shrimp were seasoned nicely and the pickled veggies tasted fresh. I might try it again if I'm in the area.

The Garden Roll was fresh and fun to try, but packed with lots of vermicelli noodles. I wish there was more tofu and veggies in the roll and the mushroom didn't blend well with the rolls. The peanut sauce had a mild spicy kick. I would skip the rolls and get the Bowl or Banh Mi.

LET ME TELL YOU! the grilled pork banh mi changed my life. it was incredible. i wish there was a little more pork, but i'm not even complaining- i'm just being greedy. it was so good! and the beef pho was great too. great food, big portions, average prices. can't wait to come back!

We had a Bahn mi, the pork was very tender and flavorful! Was pretty messy. Had pickled carrots and some type of root veggie and cucumbers I think. Was good. Bread was more sandwich soft like a hoagie than a French type.

Banana Blossom is a gem! All the dishes I have tried have been delicious. Reliable, tasty, easy ordering and pick-up. The ingredients are incredibly fresh and dishes thoughtfully prepared - I think that's why the food is not only tasty but feels really nourishing. I don't know anywhere else you can find salad with such a satisfying abundance of *really* fresh veggies and herbs (never yet had a wilted piece of lettuce, even!). On hot days I crave their vermicelli bowls, also fresh and filling. They have tasty meat and vegetarian options - love the sautéed mushrooms and the tofu. Recommend!!

Loved this place so much. The ambience and decor is so pretty and rustic modern. The menu is also amazing. We had to order in the front of the store with no contact pay (make orders on a tablet). Orders are only take out right now. We are on the benches outside the store. Wish indoor seating was opened, would've loved it so much more!! Also a bit pricey but it's understandable (i'm just a broke college student:( ) Mama Anh's Pho was so good! Big warm bowl of pho with such a rich flavorful broth. Great array of meat cuts as well. Very large serving which I was super happy about! Also had my first banh mi. Gosh. That was AMAZING. I didn't really expect much but I was blown away. Every bite had the perfect texture, crunch from the sweet pickled veggies, munch of the toasted baguette, and soft grilled pork. Wow. My eyes actually like rolled when eating this lol.

Very tasty and fresh. They're a little hard to find, located in the farthest rear corner from the main entrance.

Service was nice. Quality of food was just ok, cannot expect anything great from a small pop up type of a restaurant. Fairly expensive for the amount of food, but if you need a quick craving fix for pho this will do.

I AM IMPRESSED. I ordered beef pho, and it was so so great! the broth was flavorful. There are lack of beef in the pho and small bowl which disappointed me for $17. But it was worth it ! GO ON TRY their beef pho! Yummy!

Best Pho and Banh mi in DC. It was incredible, and everyone who works there was nice. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants great Vietnamese food!

Yes, I've only tried the veggies spring rolls, BUT I've visited three times specifically FOR the veggie spring rolls!!! Excellent snack to share or light meal. I'll be back again when my travels bring me to DC!

[Coronavirus review] They offer online ordering, and apparently everyone in the surrounding community already knows this, because this place was flush with takeout business and at least a half-dozen people came and left with food before I got mine after a wait time that the app said would be half an hour but ended up at almost a full hour. I guess it's a good sign for their business; it's hard to be judgmental about things in this day and age. The menu offers a nice array clearly labeled vegan tofu and mushroom options. I got a rice bowl and a couple of appetizers (skipping an intriguing smoothie selection). The tofu bites were drowning some lemongrass-flavored breading with jalapenos; but even though I ate them quickly weren't fresh and hot. The rolls had a bit of taro root for body; the sauce with them I suspect was meant to replicate fish sauce as it was a tad sour for my liking. A rice bowl had a few pieces of tofu, a sweet savory sauce, and the best part was the marinated mushrooms. I liked it all but found it a bit pricey for what I got; my guess is with the right order a dine-in experience would be worth it. I can only hope that future is coming soon. For now, one can sit at benches next to the neighboring MARC train (a train went by while I was there, and I didn't see a single person on it, unsurprisingly). It's a strange world, but I wish this restaurant the best.

Meal Quality: They offer a most excellent Vietnamese pork sandwich and a Beef Pho dish! Everything is made fresh and with fine care. Aesthestic Appeal & Atmosphere: Its located in the up & coming Riverdale area surrounded by old Victorian style home with wrap around porches. The interior of the restaurant is chic and has a fresh vibe. Service:  Its a casual restaurant and you'll be served with a friendly smile Meal Quality: 5 Aesthetic Appeal & Atmosphere: 5 Service: 5

Loved the bahn mi sandwich at the location in Riverdale. They've now relocated to Union Market but I'm sure they still have great food!

Popped over to this family-owned Vietnamese bistro to grab lunch and wow! This spot is relatively new and has outdoor seating so a great place to take advantage of the warmer weather. Outdoor ordering at least now during COVID is via the QR codes on the table. As for the food, it was well packaged for takeout and DELICIOUS. We had a hard time deciding what to get but it all was so good we really just need to go back and try more dishes. Also, love the atmosphere, it's in a cute old home, the staff was very friendly, and they have some really cute merch available.

I've been searching for the perfect banh mi in the DMV. @bananablossombistro is my number one go to spot right now! I've been at there doorstep since they opened and a couple years later I'm so glad they are pushing through this pandemic. They offer take out, order online and outdoor seating and parking available! What I got: *Grilled Pork Banh Mi- grilled marinated pork, pickled, cilantro *Grilled Pork Rice Bowl- housemate vinaigrette salad, crispy shallots, rice The pork is always marinated and grilled to perfection. The banh mi has freshly made pickles and the cilantro and jalepeno give it a wonderful touch. The bread roll is always soft and crunchy on the outside. The pho is always so flavorful also! Everything here is delish so come check it out!

I really liked their banh mi OGD cold cut which came with alot of meat and toppings. The lemongrass vermicelli was a letdown though so I wouldn't order that again. It came with a few pieces of shrimp and didn't taste the lemongrass on it and the bowl was mostly vermicelli noodles.

Food - 4 Stars Price & Service - 3 Stars 3.5 Stars (But Yelp doesn't have that option) I had been wanting to try Banana Blossom Bistro for some time. i decided to come in recently because I was in the area, and a couple friends had recommended Banana Blossom. They have a pretty good menu selection - pho, bahn mi, bun bowls and tacos! I ordered the shrimp vermicelli bowl, but asked for extra lettuce instead of noodles which was $17. I also added a side portion of cabbage salad for an additional $3 (which I never got.) The grilled shrimp was good. But I didn't get extra lettuce, I just got no noodles. So the portion was TINY and in a very small to-go box. I also had a tofu summer roll - very good. But in the end my total was over $30 for a tiny side salad portion of food, no cabbage salad and my summer rolls. It was overpriced. The ingredients were fresh and food was good. But just not sure the bun bowl is worth it. My friend had the Pho which looked reasonable in size, but again overpriced. The service was good. But the staff weren't really that friendly to us.

At Union Market and craving your authentic Vietnamese food fix? This spot won't disappoint...at least not for me. The OG banh-mi was exactly what I was expecting from an original style banh-mi. The ingredients tasted fresh and were balanced. The sandwich was also a standard banh-mi size with perfect crispiness.

I've been to a lot of Vietnamese places and this is one you can pass. They specialize in the garlic Vietnamese noodles. I paid $5 extra to get the shrimp. I got five shrimp. And they weren't large but medium. That shrimp must have been $30 per pound. Felt ripped off. I would have paid $2 extra. But not five. My friend got the Pho. And it was bad. Lemon flavored water. That's what it tasted like.

The pho here is amazing. You can tell the brisket is fresh and so clean clean. We also got the vegan banh mi which was banging. The sauce and the tofu mushrooms all came together. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is bc we also got the lemongrass steak rice dish and the steak was overcooked and chewy. We also got delicious spring rolls. They didn't have water in their filter and I was thirsty

This was by far the best banh mi sandwich I've ever had! All ingredients fresh, pickled veggies were abundant, bread was toasty on the outside and meats were yummy. Just had lunch there and may go back later tonight for dinner!

Service/Cleanliness: It has a very cool atmosphere, and very well decorated. Big windows meaning lots of natural light! There was a table that needed to be bussed when I walked in, but not that serious. I took my time looking at the menu when I came in. I then was greeted by a staff member, who had a great personality and helped me choose when I couldn't decide! We decided on the pork noodle bowl, because pork is my favorite food group. Yes food group haha Food: My bowl was amazing! The pork was so tender, and grilled so it had great flavor. The toppings were very fresh, and it was served with a house-made fish sauce (nuoc cham). The menu options are - -banh mi (French styles baguettes) Served with mayo, Maggi, white onion, jalapeño, cilantro, house pickles daikon, carrots - vermicelli Bowl (noodle bowl dry) - rice bowl Both served with lettuce, tomatoes, bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro, mint, peanuts, scallions. Then pick your protein: pork, lemongrass beef, chicken, shrimp, tofo+wild mushroom Pro tip: Vietnamese iced coffee. Which is brewed to order BTW!

The best part of pho is the aromatic and flavorful broth. The beef pho had neither. The broth was oily and flavorless. For the price, I would expect more. I will stick with the mom and pop restaurants.

Got the Grilled Pork Banh Mi and Vietnamese Drip Coffee w/ Condensed Milk. According to my friend's Vietnamese daughter-in-law, the banh mi served here are "too American," because: the bread is more crusty than flakey, insufficient cucumber, and the lack of paté. That said, I thought it was delicious: the blackened grilled pork and pickled daikon/carrots were a great combo, and I prefer crusty baguettes over too-light/flakey Asian-style baguettes. A touch too much mayo. I did not realize how sweet condensed milk would be and I'll get regular next time. Sandwich is slightly overpriced at $11, though still worth it. Service was good, and the energetic AC on a hot day in such a relaxed setting made it very comfortable.

Fanciest looking vietnamese restaurant ive seen! You walk in and it feels like you went into a homey cafe shop! Walk to the front to put in your order then find a seat! Theres plenty of parking in this little shopping center so thats nice! I came with a group of my friends and we all wanted the same thing. their pho with all the meats, Mama Ahn's pho. It all came out fairly quickly and they were very nice about giving us an extra plate of bean sprouts and basil. Dont forget to grab you utensils by the ordering line. I wish we ordered different things so we could try a variety but we all were in a soupy mood! It was a tasty soup, a little salty to me but the others thought it was fine. I dont live super close to here, but where I live, there are other pho shops I'd rather go to because i feel like the pho where I live, the soups is more flavorful. But it is okay here! They give plenty of meat, soup, and noodles in the bowl! Service was great for a place where they dont take the order at the seat. They actually came out to our table to ask if everything was okay and if we needed anything, which we appreciated! I had gone up to the counter to ask for something, and they told me theyd bring it to the table so i didnt have to wait. super nice! If i am every in the area and in search for pho, i would come here again! or maybe try their other dishes. they also serve bubble tea and smoothies that look delicious!

The food is top notch. It's kid friendly. It's food allergy friendly. We look forward to becoming regulars! Welcome to the neighborhood Banana Blossom Bistro!!

Our first time at Banana Blossum and it was delicious. It was also very welcoming. We walked in and were not sure how ordering/seating worked. A staff member saw us near the door looking confused and quickly guided us to the counter to the menu and placing our order. We got the Lemongrass Beef over Jasmine Rice and the Grilled Pork over Vermicelli Noodles. Plenty of fresh vegetables put along with it all. Added an order of fresh spring rolls, filled with veggies/noodles/pork/shrimp, absolutly the way to start. When you walk in the sign that welcomes you along with specials sets the pace for such a warm place with excellent staff. I'm betting every day is great and we will be back for a weekend brunch but check it on a Thursday night and then enjoy the Riverdale Farmers Market just outside their doors for all sorts of goodies and fresh fruit/vegetables to take home. First visit set a pretty good picture of one of our new favorite places in the neighborhood.

I was skeptical about good Vietnamese food in an area that was kinda lacking in yellow but Banana Blossom was legit enough for me! I ordered the Family Combo meal which came with spring rolls, two orders of pho, and grilled pork & rice, and I think some salad. My family of two adults and a toddler had happy, full bellies for 2 nights+. Everything was deliciously seasoned and the veggies were bright and crisp. Sometimes when you eat restaurant soups, you have that bloated feeling the next day from too much salt, and I did not get that with their food. I like that their menu has all of the "classics" plus occasionally some twists, like pho brisket tacos, or traditional foods that you don't usually see on menus (like meatball lettuce wraps).

We picked up some pork vermicelli bowls from here. The staff was very nice and the food was incredibly fresh. The pork itself was very tasty and well-seasoned. My only critique is that I wish the noodles had more flavor, they were missing spices, salt, maybe fish sauce too. I also wish we had gotten more meat for the price. Other than that we will definitely come back and try again Also, I really can't recommend their egg rolls enough. Very tasty!!

We were really excited to try this place but after standing in line for a while we noticed that EVERY employee other than the one making the food was wearing gloves. After watching this person touch all kinds of stuff and then continue making all the food with no gloves ended up walking across the street to tapas. I do look forward to trying it at some point but that was such a turn off.

Food was delicious as always but I have feedback specifically about the Thai iced tea. It was incredibly thin and weak. Another review referred to it as "orange water" and that is unfortunately accurate. The cashier asked what kind of milk we'd like in it, which was a bad sign in the first place. The authentic Thai teas use evaporated and condensed milks, and lots of sugar. That's what makes it delicious. I understand accommodating dairy restrictions and attempting to be on the healthier side but the original recipe should be modified to taste closer to a real Thai tea. Otherwise, maybe you can change the name to something else like "Mama Anh's Thai-ish Tea"

This restaurant is a good addition to the Hyattsville area. If you're in the mood for decent Vietnamese food this is probably your best bet. Also a very aesthetic restaurant for a hangout or date. You start off by going up to the counter to order and then they give you a number and bring it to you. I ordered the vermicelli noodles bowl with pork and it was pretty good. Take it from a Vietnamese person who grew up eating this. It could benefit from additional herbs and cutting the cucumbers into strips if I were being picky but, overall a good meal to satisfy the craving.

First time coming here since moving from Orange County, California and all I have to say is WOW. Coming from somewhere that has one of the highest Vietnamese populations in the country outside of Vietnam, I can tell you I've had great pho. Banana Blossom Bistro is definitely on the top of my list. The broth is light but super flavorful, the noodles provide the right amount of starch. But the star was the served rare strips of steak that cook in the soup. Extremely tender, not the slightest bit of dryness detected. Andy the owner was so nice to us giving his recommendations and it didn't disappoint! The portions are huge and it was perfect on the rainy day we went in. I highly recommend this place, my new home away from home for Vietnamese food!!

Does not have pho anymore. Sad. What's left seems fine, but not appealing in comparison. Please bring back the pho!

I LOVE this place! I never would have thought this quaint hidden cafe would become a new favorite of mine. Visited this restaurant on a cold Sunday searching for warmth and comfort. My boyfriend and I split a lemongrass beef bahn mi and the beef pho. The bahn mi was so incredibly flavorful with a nice crunchy bread, fresh pickled vegetables and perfectly cooked quality steak, I would order this every time! The pho broth is cooked for 12 hours and has such a delicious, unique taste, you can really tell it's carefully made in house. The beef quality was good, the noodles tender, and it came with all the necessary garnishes. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves vietnamese food and especially people wanting to try vietnamese food for the first time!

I was in the area and saw this place with food reviews. I got the grilled pork bahn mi because the cold cut pork was sold out, a mango & pineapple smoothies and the mama Annie's combo pho. Everything was amazing and I was too hungry to get my sandwich and smoothie but this was the first time I have eating a whole sandwich in one sitting. The bread was warm and crispy but still soft and they did not skimp on the fillings. The pho was amazing as well but I was super impressed with how they packaged it and added a little note with directions for preheating! I have been plenty of place pho places and this is one of the best I've been to. The staff was incredibly nice and professional. Everything was clean and they had a good set up to avoid covid risks. I can't wait until the virus subsides so I dine in!

Only giving it a 2 because the food looks good but unfortunately they don't have a system set up for me to have food delivered and I pay cash. Sometimes people don't want to use their card and for inexpensive food what's the point when I have cash? I don't care for DoorDash or Ubereats because let's be real they are ripping people off with the fees instead of paying their drivers directly. Maybe I'll find time to actually come to the restaurant. The first person I spoke with wasn't comprehending that I asked for delivery 3 times and tried to give him the address I was at.

The pho's flavor was deep and rich. The Mama Anh's pho was very well proportioned with pieces of round eye, tripe, and tendon. This place is such a good addition to the area and is some of the best pho I've had.