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Restaurant

Basil Leaf Pho

365 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia

Recommended by 20 people

Updated

Find Basil Leaf Pho

365 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9417 3311
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Basil Leaf Pho

Skip the cross-town trek to Richmond—Brunswick Street holds its own under a canopy of lanterns, where owner Annie greets the room without any rush to turn tables. The draw is the home-style phở Hà Nội, built on broth simmered fresh each morning. Tables fill up for shattering net spring rolls, a rich combination laksa, and a dedicated plant-based lineup that never treats vegans as an afterthought. Portions land big, paired neatly with an iced milk tea.

  • Daily-Simmered Broths & Hanoi Phở: Annie simmers the soup base fresh daily, turning out massive noodle bowls alongside a rare home-style Hanoi beef pho.
  • Dedicated Plant-Based Menu: Plant-based guests get an expansive dedicated menu featuring vegetable broths, mock proteins, and gluten-free adaptations.
  • Unhurried Owner Hospitality: Owner Annie sets a welcoming, relaxed pace under colorful hanging lanterns, giving diners space to linger without table pressure.
  • Crunchy Starters & Hearty Laksa: Tables consistently call out the clean crunch of the net spring rolls alongside hearty bowls of rich combination laksa.
RestaurantVietnameseRestaurantTakeaway

What's On at Basil Leaf Pho

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Basil Leaf Pho

From fresh daily regional broths and dedicated plant-based menus to unhurried, heartfelt hospitality—reserve your table on Brunswick Street for an authentic Vietnamese feast.

  • Slow-Simmered Fresh Daily Broths

    Each bowl of phở is anchored by rich, deeply aromatic broth prepared fresh every day, delivering authentic warmth without shortcut seasonings.

    you can taste the difference when the broth is made fresh daily.

    Ripeka Koperu

  • Rare Regional Hanoi-Style Phở

    Alongside classic southern preparations, the kitchen crafts traditional home-style phở Hà Nội, celebrating hard-to-find regional Northern Vietnamese flavors.

    don’t miss the Hanoi phở—a traditional home-style version that’s rarely found elsewhere.

    Hilton G

  • Effortless Group Dining for Mixed Diets

    Parties combining strict plant-based eaters and meat lovers dine comfortably together without anyone having to compromise on menu variety or satisfaction.

    My friends who eat meat love it just as much, so it’s always an easy place for everyone to enjoy.

    Maira Monroy

  • Dedicated Vegan and Vegetarian Menus

    Diners with plant-based lifestyles enjoy an expansive standalone menu featuring dedicated broths, mock proteins, and noodle mains rather than simple side substitutions.

    The staff are very attentive and flexible around dietary requirements, on top of having an entire vegan/vego menu.

    Martha Mildred-Short

  • Unhurried, Pressure-Free Dining

    Guests are encouraged to settle in and enjoy their meal at an unhurried pace, free from the table-turn pressure common to busy noodle houses.

    The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, without the pressure to rush your meal

    Hilton G

  • Homely, Owner-Led Hospitality

    Owner Annie and the team anchor the dining room with attentive, heartfelt hospitality that turns every meal into an intimate family welcome.

    it felt like being welcomed inside someone’s home.

    carlos maciel pizzorno bazzo

Customer-favorite dishes and broths celebrated for comforting flavors and crisp textures.

  • Beef Pho

    The large beef pho was just absolutely delicious!! My soul feels so comforted by the broth.. this pho was like a fat warm hug

    Hectic tim

  • Net Spring Rolls

    Also the net spring rolls are to die for. So crispy that people 10 meters away could here the crunch.

    Will Durston

  • Laksa

    The best home-made laksa in Melbourne. I have been going to Basil Leaf for over 5 years now, almost once a fortnight, and it never ceases to be nourishing and delicious.

    Conor Barton

  • Hanoi Phở

    If you’re looking for something a little different, don’t miss the Hanoi phở—a traditional home-style version that’s rarely found elsewhere.

    Hilton G

Other favorites

Desserts, salads, and house drinks to complement your meal

  • Banana Fritters with Ice Cream

    the banana fritters with ice cream are exceptional. Crisp, light batter, perfectly ripe bananas, and a clean fry make this a genuinely gourmet version of a classic favourite.

    Hilton G

  • Green Papaya Salad

    The green papaya salad, with its subtle addition of grated Granny Smith apple, is another standout, adding just the right amount of freshness without overwhelming the dish.

    Hilton G

  • Iced Milk Tea

    The iced milk tea came very quickly and was amazing aswell.

    ??

  • Lemon Iced Tea

    If you want a yummy fresh nonalcoholic beverage - the lemon iced tea is perfect!

    Carla Papanastasiou

Beyond the menu

From personalized table visits to meticulous dietary care, these thoughtful touches elevate a neighborhood noodle stop into genuine hospitality. Book your table to experience it firsthand.

  • Personal Owner Menu Guidance

    Owner Annie personally greets diners at their tables, walking through the food and drinks menu with genuine, unhurried attention.

  • Thoughtful Birthday Gestures

    Celebrations receive personal hospitality from the owner, who makes sure birthday guests have a thoughtful celebratory touch for the table.

  • Attentive Dietary Customization

    The kitchen and floor staff actively accommodate complex dietary needs, pairing dedicated vegan menus with flexible, made-to-order broth adjustments.

  • Proper Porcelain Presentation

    Steaming broths and noodle soups are served in traditional porcelain bowls rather than casual plastic or melamine ware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there vegetarian and vegan options available?

Yes. The restaurant offers a dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu alongside options like vegetable and tofu pho, mock protein, and gluten-free adaptations.

What are the standout dishes to try?

Reviewers frequently highlight the traditional Hanoi pho alongside the rich beef pho, laksa, crispy net spring rolls, and XO fried rice.

How generous are the portions?

Portions are consistently described as massive and very generous, with pho bowls offering plenty of meat, noodles, and rich daily broth.

Do you need to wait during busy periods?

During peak dining times the restaurant can get quite busy, though guests note the wait is well worth it and the atmosphere remains relaxed and unhurried.

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