Luc Lac is a vibrant downtown spot where bustling energy meets stylish decor, dishing out hearty Vietnamese classics like pho and banh mi that keep folks coming back for more.
"A former hotspot for the late-night set, Luc Lac has scaled back to closing at 11 p.m. since the pandemic, but the food and drinks are as good as ever. Among enormous bowls of pho and crisp, herby salad rolls are housemade nonalcoholic beverages like the durian horchata with honeydew, pandan, and jasmine rice milk; the Thai tea creamosa with lime leaf syrup and whipped salty coconut cream; and ginger ale with roasted coconut water and a selection of juices, including passionfruit or guava and grapefruit. You’ll also find plenty of standards, like Vietnamese iced coffee and lychee juice." - Emily Venezky, Janelle Lassalle, Thom Hilton
"Diners can twirl vermicelli as late as 11 p.m. at this pink parasol-studded, café-meets-trendy-bar in downtown Portland. The menu is extensive, offering sugar cane shrimp and rice plates with creative cocktails as an added bonus. Even with the addition of a covered outdoor seating area, wait times can still be treacherous; those unwilling to wait can opt for takeout or delivery." - Nick Woo, Krista Garcia, Janey Wong
"Back in the day, this trendy Vietnamese restaurant would be thumping music until 4 a.m., churning out bowls of late-night pho and banh mi to bar-crawlers on Saturday nights. These days, it’s a far less rowdy operation, with the restaurant’s dining room and patio shutting down before midnight. Still, the lines curling around the corner don’t lie: Luc Lac is as good as ever, from the vermicelli tossed with grilled pork and herbs to the bobbing meatballs in a steamy bowl of pho. The restaurant’s namesake dish, hunks of beef tenderloin tossed in a buttery Hennessy sauce, remains a favorite." - Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff
"Luc Lac is known as a hip and energetic late-night staple for steaming bowls of pho and colorful bun. The five-spice-fragrant pho broth is the recipe of co-owner Alan Ho’s grandmother, with meatballs, brisket, and round steak available; some don’t know that all the usual favorites — tripe, tendon, etc. — are available as well, for those who ask. Luc Lac now closes at 11 p.m." - Janey Wong, Krista Garcia
"Popular for Vietnamese soups and sandwiches. Offers fast takeout options like banh mi and vermicelli bowls." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
