Lela's Bistro

I rarely feel inclined to leave reviews for restaurants that are underwhelming, especially when it’s a local one. However, after giving this restaurant 2 tries, it’s impossible for me to share the positive feedback others have left. Paid $17 for a pork belly rice bowl. The photo advertised showed pretty succulent, generous pieces of pork belly. We received a sad bowl featuring the most dry, burnt ends left of pork. If I was to weigh out the pork belly, I’d be surprised if there was even 0.5 oz of it in the bowl. It was like eating little niblets of jerky on white rice with some leaves and carrots. Not a single mouthful was juicy or flavorful. The vegetables weren’t pickled enough, they had no taste. Super bland. The price is completely unwarranted and unjustifiable.

Came in very hungry and cold- this did suffice. service was quick, okay, and relatively attentive. Atmosphere was subpar, a bit cold,empty, lackluster, and dead feeling- more like an empty cafeteria vibe but in a house setting- still a bit dull. The warmth and spirit of the staff was not existent enough to trump the bland setting. Nice space and concept and could be greatly improved with a more intentional cozier atmospheric feel, like plants, framed photos, nicer tables etc. The pho was decent but not too special. Prices are okay, Nice outdoor patio with lights. This is not my top option for pho in Portland, as a VN American I’ve tasted more aromatic authentic flavors before- this overall was generic

My husband and I came by for dinner. We ordered a noodle bowl with lemongrass chicken, the bulgogi banh mi, egg rolls, and Thai ice coffee. Everything was absolutely delicious! The food was filling while still being lite. The egg rolls were hot and fresh. The bread used for the banh mi was fluffy with a crispy crust. Overall, it was a delicious dinner.

This place is now affectionately called "Grandma's Place" and it was AMAZING!! I had the Pho soup and Sandwich combo! The tea was also delicious. The front porch and whole house is just so charming and warm. Very casual... Super nice people working the place. I would go back again.

Visited here with my daughter since she said their food is really good. The food tasted good, not great. The quantity of the food they serve compared to the price is not worth the money. Small bowl of noodles with some lettuce, bean sprouts with slivers of carrots topped with few pieces of chicken isn't worth $16. May be I would pay $10 for this.

This is a cute house that has been turned into a restaurant! I ordered the lemongrass Bahn mi with a small side of brisket pho. The total was $16 for the combo which I think is such a good deal! The food was very yummy and the overall vibe inside was very peaceful and chill. I will definitely be back soon and recommend this place!

My family went here to celebrate my Mom's bday recently. The place is very popular and they generally don't do reservations but they made an exception for us. I really appreciate that as my folks are getting older and it is harder for them to wait inline in order to get a seat. The restaurant is in a converted house with a very noticeable red door. When we sat down at our table my dad made the comment that this would only be authentic Vietnamese if the grandma was working the kitchen... well come to find out the business was sold but the grandma still comes in to work! She was there that evening helping make most of the food. Speaking of food, the food here is excellent. Portion sizes are decent and filling, and prices are in line for the area. The flavors are wonderful and the menu variety caters to all sorts of diets. In my family we have a variety of diet preferences from a vegetarian, to one who only eats meats, to healthy balanced and one who who can't eat pretty much anything due to a gut issue. In every case they were able to accommodate us. Overall Lela's delivered a fantastic meal for my mother's bday. You don't have to have a special occasion to come here but just a want for some good Vietnamese cooking.

Kelby welcomed us with his warm and friendly smile and set the tone for what was to come! I ordered the vegetarian pho and appreciated the flavorful broth and fresh, crisp veggies. The Singha was the perfect compliment to the savory noodle soup. This is a clean and simple restaurant that filled our tummies with delicious and healthy food! Come here out of the Portland rain to enjoy a warm and tasty meal!

I was a little reluctant to try this place after reading the reviews but I had already mentioned it to my coworker who really had to try it. I was dragging my feet on the way here but I ended up having a really great experience. I ordered the beef pho and I now understand what people mean when they say it's not your typical run-of-the-mill pho broth. The pho broth is light and refreshing, it doesn't give you that bloated sodium overload feeling. It actually reminds me of the pho I had in the central region of Vietnam. The restaurant itself is situated in a historic house which is super cool. I didn't want to leave after my meal. The servers were friendly and professional. I highly recommend this place.

Hands down one of the best spots in town for vermicelli noodle bowls. The lemongrass chicken is full of flavor, and thin crispy eggrolls are addictive! Lela's positions their menu as scratch made Vietnamese comfort food, and they definitely deliver. I love the setup of the restaurant. Positioned in a traditional old Portland craftsman, it's just super cozy. I've taken advantage of the rocking chairs setup on the front porch after a satisfying meal. Lots of fun people watching on NW 23rd!

Cute little Vietnamese spot that makes you feel so cozy on a busy street! Great service despite it being a place where you order & pay ahead of being seated. The servers were attentive and kind. The food was great. I got the crispy pork belly noodles, and the pork belly was perfection. It paired well with the noodles and fresh veggies along with their fish sauce dressing.

Was craving some pho and this did not disappoint! Got the beef pho and the broth was super flavorful! I really was surprised at how flavorful it was! Also got the pork and shrimp salad rolls which were ok. You order at the counter and they bring the food out. Love the front porch and seating both inside and outside.

Located alongside 23rd is a very hole in the wall Vietnamese spot. The service was fast and the people working there are very friendly and attentive. We were a big group so we had to shift tables around which is all good and they even helped us along the way. I got the banh mi and pho broth and it was good! The banh mi you can tell is freshly made and the pho broth was rather sweet for my taste. All in all, it's good food, but a little overpriced for what it is.

The fam and I were in PDX for the afternoon & decided to stop by Lela's Bistro after reading their yelp reviews. We ordered lemongrass chicken Banh mi combos, which comes with a cup of their pho broth or salad. I opted for the salad; their dressing was tasty and refreshing. My husband ordered the cup of pho broth, it was delicious and definitely made me want to try their pho for my next visit. The Banh mi was bursting with savory flavor and loaded with fresh cilantro, pickled daikon & carrots, jalapeños, green onion, and house aioli. The staff were friendly, and the restaurant is located inside a sweet house with cool decor. I wish I lived closer, but I will definitely be back.

We love dog friendly patios! The egg rolls and salad rolls were really good! I always find getting 3 rolls is awkward when it's just two, though. I also wasn't a huge fan of their nước mắm. The subs were delicious! I liked the amount of veggies, I wish it had been stuffed with more protein, though. I got the vegan pho option and liked it more than the regular that my partner had, especially when dipping the bánh mì. The regular one was a bit sweet.

Such a great place for a snack or a meal! My sis picked up a Vietnamese iced coffee for that afternoon sweet tooth kick and I had to get in on that action. I ended up with some summer rolls too which were a nice big size. Their Bahn mi prices looked great and love the side of pho broth it comes with it. Next time I'm hungry I'm coming here first for Vietnamese cravings

I went today as it was listed as a great spot for Pho on the Portland guides and I was a little bummed out. The broth was basic and anything but special. I've had better Pho at chain places. Definitely wish I would have gone somewhere else.

I was a bit hesitant to try this spot out because as a Vietnamese person, I have pretty high standards for pho. Located on 23rd, there's a lot to do before and after you grab a bite here, and just like so many other shops, it's really cute inside. With plenty of spacing, the restaurant feels more like a home turned restaurant and I love it. I got their banh mi and broth, but my friend got their pho. First, their banh mi was pretty standard. It wasn't anything out of this world but I would definitely get it again! Their pho on the other hand was pretty unique. It's not anything like I've had in the past (what I consider really authentic, Southern Vietnamese pho), but I still really liked it. It was a sweeter, lighter broth than what you would expect--not so strong on the five spice or richness that you would typically get form beef stock. However, the portion was perfect and it left me wanting more. Overall, as the pho is so different to what I've had, I wouldn't come here for pho if I were craving it, but I would definitely come back for *their* pho (if that makes sense).

Lela's is a gem! We ordered and got a nice table. Inside is clean and inviting. The food was out quick. We had the bahn-mi bulgogi combo. The flavors popped! It was so good! The beef was cooked well, the peppers were crisp and fresh. I am saving this location for future meals! Great food, great service!

SOOOO delicious! Unforgettable clean simple delicious food. Standard yummy drink options. Good service, very quick. Homey interior.

I'd say this place is good for a couple things: the pho and bahn mi, its drinks, and it's pretty cute and cozy atmosphere. That's about it though. I've been here a couple times and last time I was in I wanted to try the "Noodle Bowl" as this dish is one that I often love to order at Vietnamese places. I don't know how to say this nicely: it was pretty freaking bad. The menu states that the dish has pickled carrots and daikon. There was no daikon and the veggies did not taste pickled in the slightest. The house made fish sauce was in a tiny little container and had no flavor. The whole dish basically had no flavor. The veggies were thick cut and there was like 2 leaves of mint on the bowl. Sad to say it was not good :( I've had the egg rolls here before they are tiny and overpriced. I usually don't write bad reviews but I felt this had to be shared. I do enjoy the pho tho as it is tasty! I wish they would put more effort into their other menu items!

Best bahn mi sandwich in town. I wish it were QUIETER inside, but hardwood floor and metal chairs make it really loud if there are ANY conversations going on (which is the ONLY reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars). There is outside seating and take-out so don't let me discourage you from getting the food! The side salad is fresh and well-portioned. Service is always competent and welcoming. The water is self-serve, and delightfully flavored with fresh cucumbers. I should really try other menu items (noodles, pho) but we can't resist the bahn mi. This is one of our go-to places in

What better way to finish our culinary adventure then to refuel with a bowl of steaming hot Pho! Lela's was located off 23rd and it felt like we were stepping into someone's home converted into an eatery. Although there was a line of people squeezing in the door, everyone had a table to eat at and service was great. Warm, fresh, savory and delicious. We absolutely loved it! Can't you just smell the broth?!

Really disappointed. Don't understand the hype. It's in a cute little old house, but the food took way too long and was severely lacking in flavor and portion size. It's overpriced for what you get, both quality and quantity, and there's virtually no service- it's just self serve and you sit and wait and hope for your food.

My new favorite Vietnamese place in Portland. We got the pork belly noodle bowl and beef banh mi with pho broth on the side. Everything tasted so fresh and was perfectly put together. Good balance of ingredients and amazing flavor. We also received the best customer service I've personally had in years. Thank you Quinn for the recommendations and tea refills! Atmosphere was great as well. We sat at a table out front, got sun on the skin while eating delicious food and people watching. I will definitely be back.

Ordered takeout, didn't realize that the vegetables and chicken would be in the broth mixture while picking up. Because of this when I went to eat the pho, the broth tasted too much like broccoli. Even more upsetting the chicken was completely overcooked and chewy. The Bahn Mi was very nice traditional style with the pork sliced meat and pate. I would come back again for the bahn mi. Next time I won't order to go

Nice restaurant on 23rd St. The Banh Mi combo comes with a bowl of pho (choice of broth as well), which is quite unique! It really brings a nice warm presence through the banh mi experience. I dont know why this isnt a more common thing. The Traditional comes with cold cuts and pate which is my standard. Good pickled veggies. There is a sweet glaze they put on that isnt quite traditional but is ok. Beef pho is solid. Great outdoor porch seating with some rocking chairs on one side.

Lela's is the only pho spot in this neighborhood, so when the pho craving hits it's slim pickings. Pho's make or break ingredient is the broth, and sadly I've found the broth to be underwhelming here. On separate occasions I've tried the beef and chicken pho; last time I came in, around 1pm on a Saturday, they had run out of beef pho. What kind of pho restaurant runs out of its cornerstone dish at lunchtime?! I got the chicken pho instead, and it was just as bland as the beef pho had been on an earlier visit. The soup is just noodles and shredded chicken, accompanied by a plastic baggie (sustainability yikes) of the usual accoutrements. There's no chili oil or sesame oil available, just sriracha and hoisin sauce. I had to douse my soup in sriracha to taste anything. The broth is missing the aromatics that make pho so delectable. The portions are decently sized, but overpriced at $16 per bowl. Food takes a while to come out, even when it's not particularly crowded. The space has a lot of potential to be cute and homey, but the metal chairs and white-on-white walls and tables feel cold and spare. Some color and decor would do wonders for the old house vibes. Lela's has potential, but needs rejuvenation, both in its physical space and in the flavors of its pho.

I got the beef pho. Soup was amazing on a cold day. It had a very nice pepper flavor. The restaurant is a very cozy warm house that does quick service style where you order and seat yourself. I would say this is a great place to grab a casual lunch or take out.

Pho is such a comforting meal and so is banh mi. I gave this review a 4 stars since I've only been here a few times and would like to try more items on their menu to make it a 5 star review. This cute little eatery is the great social spot to meet and dine with your loved one. Street parking may be tough, but the walk around this neighborhood is worth it. Plus, more hang out time. The pho broth is just soooooo yummy. I feel like pho- depending where you go can go 2 ways. One- very bland and needs hoisin to boost it up. Or Two- it's been made with the right amount of aromatics and flavors. I'm not a chef or a food critic. But I've grown up with friends whose families cooked their pho broth for 24 hours. And this place meets my standards. I could literally drink their broth and use little to no hoisin sauce to boost the flavor. My husband is the only judge for the banh mi since he loves those. But in his plain words "it's good" haha. I would try a piece but by the time I would like a bite, it's gone.

Super cute lil boutique vintage house in the center of the downtown area in Portland, vegan sandwiches while sitting on the porch people watching was so cute !

I stopped in today for lunch (I had tried for the second time to eat Zula-they are Wed-Saturday). The sign outside advertising the Bahn mi pulled me in. I got the bahn mi with the lemon grass chicken and the salad with the beef bulgolgi. The salad was really fabulous, fresh greens, carrots, kimchi, the bulgolgi was steaming hot, bean sprouts, tomato's and a flavorful light vinegrette that made the salad. The bahn mi was a bit dry and flavorless after the salad, although the bread was light, crusty perfection. I would come again and ask for the vinegrette or the peanut sauce with the bahn mi. It was almost like the veggies weren't pickeled. Overall it just needed a bit more flavor to be a bahn mi sando. The mint limeade was spot on however!

Super over priced and terrible quality food. Portions are small and everything looks bland. Service is terrible, disorganized and most are rude. Place is dirty, there are pots on the ground, meat is sitting outside in the open. Many times the veg is rotten. Meat usually seems off. So many other better spots nearby or around Portland. There is, however, a decent bar downstairs called "Grandma's Secret" that is more inspired than upstairs. Good for quick drinks over a Vietnamese inspired cocktail and small plate menu.

this was the only pho place i was able to completely finish the food. i liked the lighter broth flavor and didn't feel like the broth was too oily or filling. i never am able to completely finish the entire bowl since i'm small but lelas did me right haha. the ambiance is very cute and quiet, people are enjoying their noodles without making much noise. service is fast as well, overall a great place for a nice warm bowl of delicious pho.

I went here many moons ago and it was so yummy! I did take out and man alive it was horrible! The amount of money you are paying for what you get is insane. Fair enough. No biggie. Now on to the food. The broth is so bland it tasted like they put a chicken broth cube into a bowl of hot water! The garnish they provide was nothing. Only two jalapeños! I also ordered spring rolls and ick! Lumpy lumps. The peanuts sauce didn't even taste right. Save your money and hit Mekka. That is officially the best pho in the city. Oh also they don't separate the protein out so the chicken was chewy. Ick!

We've tried lots and lots of pho spots and this one has the best vegan pho. They are also VERY friendly and nice people. Even when you want to pick up and decide to sit outside they'd bring food to you even though they didn't have to. The only reason why 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the use of msg (I checked with them on the phone and they said they were using it unfortunately). Other than that I'd recommend it, especially the tofu - I don't know how they marinate it but it's delicious. Every time I'm sick this is the soup that I believe can heal me :)

As a viet person I'm very hesitant in eating at a viet restaurant due to 1) pricing and 2) taste and I can gladly say even though it was a little pricey the food was . My kids annihilated the springrolls and Vermecilli and the banh mi tofu was scrumptious! Regardless I can say this is a legit viet restaurant to eat at

Usually I like Lela's but I recently ordered from them and was super disappointed. This cost almost $20 and was half full with about 4-5 pieces of chicken. This chicken curry was mainly broth and wasn't a lot of food at all. I was super disappointed with this email. This was not worth the price at all. Lela's, please do better.

The food is so good! Staff is friendly as well. I love coming here!! It's cozy inside :)

Not a bad Vietnamese spot. Food was freshly made. Banh min was tasty and full of juicy flavorful chicken. My only gripe was that the food was slower than it should be and the chicken pho lacked a lot of chicken...It's decent but nothing to write home about.

Amazing pho and vermicelli dishes. I've had the beef and chicken pho along with the lemongrass chicken with cold noodles. All were excellent and would order again. Food comes quickly and is always on point. It's a must visit when out walking on 23rd

To start out, I honestly didn't think I would like it as much as I do. The banh mi is the only thing I have gotten and only because it turned out so good, I am afraid if I order something else I might get disappointed (don't think so but I don't want to risk it) The banh mi is actually really good. Stuck to the roots of the "banh mi" I went went the meatball and the chicken soup. Their chicken soup is very well made. Super flavorful. Packs a punch for sure. In my opinion the Thai ice tea is a little too sweet, but if you ask for extra ice, it should balance out. A little on the higher end for a banh mi and tea, but for the location, it's a given.

One of the best Banh Mis in town and the side of Pho always hits the spot. Love this place!

A nice lunch is to be found here! The bread in my Bahn Mi was crispy and warm and the condiments inside were freshest and the pork was tender. I choose the vegetarian soup that that was a nice compliment to the sandwich.

This vegan pho is my favorite. I can't believe I haven't posted review because we've been coming here for years. I don't know how they marinate tofu but it's the best tofu you'll ever try. There's plenty of veggies and noodles as well. They are also very friendly :) Highly recommend!

We ordered a catered lunch for 45 people. The owner was very easy to work with and responsive to all of our questions. Our order arrived right on time and everything was perfect. The food is delicious! I work nearby but I live almost 20 miles away and have been known to drive all the way here on my day off for Pho and the MOST delicious banh mi. We have never had anything from Lela's that we didn't like. I can't recommend them enough for both regular meals or for catered events. Thanks Lela's!

gorgeous, stunning, amazing, exactly what you want for a quick, (somewhat) affordable, and delicious lunch spot (vegan friendly). i love the walk up counter for quick ordering, and the location is just such a cozy little house. the pho-banh mi combo can't be beat, and it's a great spot for getting some work done. my go to!!

Lela's bistro is some of the best Vietnamese in Portland, especially on the west side of the river. I loooove their banh mi sandwich combo more than anything. It comes with a side of their beef broth (which I use to dip) and it's just truly one of the best banh mi sandwiches in Portland. I got their pho most recently and their broth is perfect & the meat is high quality. Sadly if you want to dine in they are still serving everything in to-go boxes and containers, which is unfortunate as I was looking forward to dining in and having more of experience. Either way, Lela's is a neighborhood favorite and it's a true gem I'll miss when I move out of this neighborhood.

One word...FRESH! We ordered a bunch of things on the menu. I ordered pho as well as summer rolls. The summer rolls were huge and delicious as it should be. The pho was so darn tasty thoooo. My friend had the curry which she really enjoyed. I opted out of the Thai ice tea which I sincerely regretted later when I got home. It gets a bit busy but I moved the fact that they brought us some water while we waited for our orders. I can wait to eat here again when I come back to visit.

Lela's Bistro is a super cute spot on NW 23rd! My mom and I split the vegetarian pho and the fried tofu salad rolls and it was the perfect amount of food. The pho was great and the rolls were absolutely delicious with the peanut sauce. It's a super casual spot. You order your food at the counter then sit down. Service was quick and friendly. Highly recommend!

The pork Belly Banh Mi is delicious! The staff is always friendly! And the restaurant is in a cute house which gives it a homey vibe!

Best Vietnamese in town Pho Real!! It doesn't get better than the broth! The pho is top notch. The bhan mi sandwich was fresh as can be the chicken was so amazing I loved the seasoning. Fresh veggies. Carrots and cucumber. Fresh bread. Very cute venue in a small old house. Amazing service. You have to go here! I can't wait to get back here soon!

Lela's is a good option for Vietnamese cuisine in the NW area. I like that their ingredients taste fresh and you never have to wait long for your food. Their proteins are flavored well - I've tried their lemon grass chicken vermicelli bowl and Bulgogi banh mi and enjoyed both. If you're dining in, you order and pay for your food beforehand and they'll bring your food out to you once it's ready. They have lots of indoor and outdoor seating options and their staff is very friendly as well.

I can't write enough amazing things about this place. I've been here a few times over the last year and the food and the service have been consistent and amazing every time! I usually get the lemongrass chicken (melts in your mouth with flavor) with either noodles or rice. I've had their salad wraps before as well, and every time - fresh, delicious, and friendly service. They're located in the heart of NW just be mindful in rush hour parking could be tricky. But worth it!

Walking down 23rd around lunch time and decided to get some vietnameese at Lela's. What a great decision that was! Ordered the banh mi combo (beef bulgogi and pho) and the beef pho. I opted out of the jalapeños for the banh mi as I am not one to enjoy spicy food, nor cilantro for that matter. I loved the pho, the broth was very flavorful, and the sando was the MVP!

One of my favorite places in the Portland area. Their banh mi sandwich in particular is delicious. Very friendly and professional customer service. The business resides in a very nice, classic old house on NW 23rd Ave. Highly recommended.

Tried the pork belly bahn mi and the lemongrass chicken noodle (vermicelli) bowl today for lunch. Pork Belly Bahn Mi - liked the flavor of the pork but there was a pretty small single piece of pork belly on the whole sandwich. It was mostly bread, and there weren't enough pickled carrots and definitely not enough sauce so it was dry. Wish it came with more sauce cause the sauce had a nice flavor. It came with a nice pho broth but was way overpriced at $12! Probably would pay $7 for this. The lemongrass chicken noodle bowl was pretty good and fresh, and the quantity of protein was much more reasonable. That was $12.50 which was fair. Would come back for noodle bowls only.