Every time I'm in Miami, I have to make a stop at Green Papaya. I used to live in the area, and I used to go here with my family all the time! The spot is family owned and run by a husband and wife, and the husband cooks all the food! You can truly feel the love and intentional they pour into this place. It is so rare to find authentic Vietnamese food in the Miami area! The Pho: This is the gold standard. The broth is incredibly clear and aromatic. The toppings and herbs are always fresh! Green Papaya Special Fried Rice: This is not your average side-dish fried rice; it's a standalone star. It's packed with a generous mix of shrimp, chicken, and ham! Which gives it a perfect balance of savory and sweet. They are famous for this, and I get it every time. The Summer Rolls: These are the ultimate palate cleanser. The rice paper is thin and fresh, and the peanut sauce on the side is rich, smoky, and honestly addictive. Green Papaya Salad: I mean it's their name too! This is a refreshing salad that is balanced with savory shrimp and pork with the tartness of the dressing. Other dishes that I have tried that are also good if you want to explore more of Vietnamese cuisine is the Thang Long Fish, Nam Vang Special, and the Saigon Special. The wife is so sweet and she runs front of house! Locals love this spot, and I can see it every time I see the owners interact with their patrons. read more

I had visited this place over 20 years ago? I can't remember. So, I decided to visit again. It's rather small and a couple runs this place. I guess the wife takes orders and the husband cooks food. The food was not bad and it was huge portions. The reason I duck the star is that the food was not wow. read more

Green Papaya - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

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So delicious, the pho was extremely flavorful. I highly recommend visiting this spot, you will not be disappointed! read more

Green Papaya - Beef Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

Amazing food, great service, nice and quiet vibe, feels like y oh r eating at your grandparents home. read more

Green Papaya - Duck soup - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

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The food is good. I like that there are vegan and vegetarian options. I've had vegan pho and the tofu vegetable stir fry. The restaurant is family owned and the servers are very nice older ladies. The only thing I'd say beware of pricing. If you go with more than two people, it can get really expensive because they hand write receipts and sometimes add on their own tips and other fees and do not match their menu prices. This is one of the main reasons I stopped going there. read more

Green Papaya - Heaven and Earth - vegetarian/ vegan pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

Fresh ingredients. Delicious food. Been coming here for years never disappoints. Family owned restaurant. And the service is unmatched! read more

Lovely place food is fresh and delicious. The ambience is cute. The service is great. Been going there for a few years now really enjoy myself. Definitely a hidden gem. read more

I liked the fact that there isn't fish sauce in the vegetarian items. I found the pricing fair and the portions just the right size. You can take it mild or you can add the spicy chili sauce to turn up the volume. Plenty of parking because it's a small strip mall. I had the tofu and vegetables on rice. Haven't had the pho yet but I'm sure it's good. My boss had the special fried rice and it was a hit. It comes with a small soup and vegetables, probably other entrees as well. Have been meaning to try this place out for months and finally happy that I did...and I hope you come out equally happy. read more

I used to love coming to this place. It was literally my favorite pho. Today I was craving and I went in, but I really only wanted the soup so I asked for a cup of water. The lady comes back and brings me a bottle of water and I kindly tell her that I only want a cup of water. She refused to bring me a cup and told me that she could only give me a bottle of water and says that my other option would be a Coke. I hate when people try to sell you something just to make more money. I literally stood up and I left. She could've possibly made $50 on me but for a bottle of water not only did I walk out but I will never come back to this place again. I hate when people are hungry for money and they forget that Customer Service should be their top priority in order to keep their clients. It's not about the bottle of water. I could clearly afford it, it's about them being cheap. Thanks, but no thanks read more

What a cute little place with a kind staff! I was craving some pho and Green Papaya did not disappoint! Thank you for a great experience. Will be coming back. read more

Green Papaya - Summer rolls with shrimp! So good - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

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Their food was delicious high quality ingredients I would give five stars, but the portion size is very small compared to how much you spend for the food. They had great presentation highly recommend will order again in the future. read more

Green Papaya - Spring Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

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I love this place. I love the coffee the pho the summer roll is a must every time. I got the dry noodles this time with the chicken. Lite and crispy read more

Very cute and cozy restaurant. The food is delicious and the most authentic you'll find in miami. The owners were the sweetest couple so welcoming. Their pho is amazing as well as everything else. Also not packed at all if you like a calmer restaurant experience. read more

I remember the first time I came here with my parents, I was about 14-15 years old and it was my first time trying something outside of the traditional Chinese food in the area. The owner or manager herself came out and sat down with us while helping me decide what to get. The experience was super sweet and I remember loving their Green Papaya Fried rice, this became my go to for years (I graduated in 05 so yeah .. years)! Recently I've ventured out and have tried their Saigon Noodle Special with pork and shrimp it was so flavorful and will more than likely order next time. I actually ordered as take out and while waiting I realized the Restaurant has remained the same and it has great and calming energy. The table I sat down with my parents still remains and the ladies behind the counter continue to provide great customer service. read more

Green Papaya is the closest Vietnamese restaurant to me. So I come here when I don't really feel like driving. It's in a strip mall and from the outside you can't tell if anyone is inside or if it's even open. However once inside it's a quaint, nice restaurant with good service. I've ordered the duck pho and the beef pho. I'm not particularly impressed with their pho broth. It doesn't have much flavor. I was also surprised they don't serve soy sauce with their condiments. They sell boba tea here but it only seems to be in smoothie form instead of simply iced. Overall the food is good but there are definitely much better Vietnamese restaurants in South Florida. read more

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this is my 505th review of a restaurant on yelp...this is my first time i have encountered a fraudulent act. service was horrible. i did not leave a tip. the lady/owners placed a tip of 10.00 on my card. i am going to contact the restaurant...stay tuned for the outcome. lunch date..disappointing...wanted a great experience...i miss pho from the dmv area..broth had no depth of flavor..i will not return. the lady didn't seem to want us there anyway. she will not miss us and we certainly will not miss the bland noodles and broth. this is my 505th review of a restaurant on yelp...this is my first time i have encountered a fraudulent act. service was horrible. i did not leave a tip. the lady/owners placed a tip of 10.00 on my card. i am going to contact the restaurant...stay tuned for the outcome. read more

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I discovered the green papaya when I had a date night. The staff was so sweet and kind. I had never tried Vietnamese food before so I asked her what did she recommend? She said the pho. I never had it before so I decided to try it along with a papaya salad and a tea. The pho was so delicious. It was a collaboration of different flavors that was like a symphony in my mouth. It's a great restaurant. I think you should try everything on the menu. It's definitely a hidden gem on Miami Lakes and more people should try it. read more

Ordered takeout of pho soup for my first time. They took all steps necessary to ensure that I had everything I needed to assemble my soup at home. Everything was packed separately, keeping noodles and vegetables from being soggy. The chicken pho soup was a delightful experience. The broth was rich and flavorful, with a delicate balance of savory and aromatic spices that made it incredibly comforting. The chicken was tender and well-cooked, adding a nice texture to each spoonful. The fresh herbs--cilantro, basil, and a hint of lime--brought a refreshing brightness to the dish, cutting through the richness of the broth. The noodles were perfectly cooked, maintaining their bite without becoming too soft. I appreciated the inclusion of bean sprouts and thinly sliced onions, which added a nice crunch. Overall, it was a well-executed dish that offered a wonderful blend of warmth and freshness, making it an ideal choice for a cozy meal. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for a hearty, soothing bowl of pho! read more

Amazing service, delicious pho!! So so so cute inside, loved the owner so much she was a perfect angel!!! read more

Green Papaya - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

Small little place and family owned, but the food is always on point. The duck soup is my favorite.

Hands down BEST spring rolls and fried rice ! Food was super fresh ! You can tell everything was made on the spot and was not frozen prior. Our waitress was so sweet! really cute low key place to go to if your looking for a fresh and delicious meal. For being located in Miami Lakes, prices were decent as well , which we appreciated . read more

Customer service was really nice from the lady. She would often check on us to ask and comment about us. I asked for regular tap water but she only offered bottle water, which they charged for, and said they didnt have any regular water... so I refused since I had a water bottle. But then 10 min later, she came out with regular tap water. Was very confused. I got the the Saigon Special Vermicelli which was $13.95. The seasoning on the 1 shrimp and grilled pork was good. The pork was a ground pork patty and not fresh grilled pork which I'd prefer. The oddest thing from this was that I was charged $16.64 for the Vermicelli. We asked if she added tip in and she denied it. Sales tax is 7% so that should only add up to $14.93. So I got charged $1.71 extra. I ate with friends, and they too were charged about $2 extra. Not to be stingy, but she lied to us about the tip. I understand that they might be struggling but I don't support "stealing" money. Taken the account of the extra money, I tipped 18-19%. Honestly would've tipped higher cause she was nice but that's a red flag for me. Key points: - They lie about having water and tell customers to buy bottled water. - Well seasoned pork but it's ground pork but they do have good spring rolls. - They charge extra. Some say if they pay in cash it's different but the charge was already on the paper before we took out our form of payment. **Check your bill!!** - They only have a men's bathroom. - Small and cramped. read more

Green Papaya - Saigon Special - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

A local gem that's been around for a long time. This is my go to place for comfort food. I love the Heaven and Earth soup, specially when I'm sick. It has lots of veggies, noodles, mint, some spices and a flavorful broth. Their papaya salad is deli too! I usually do take out but they have a comfy dining room as well. read more

Their food, especially their pho is amazing! The portions were perfect and have a selection of bobas to choose from. They have rice dishes as well. read more

Their food and service was Outstanding, first time didn't disappoint Their green papaya salad a must try read more

First time we ordered from here. Called to place an order for pickup. And was told it'll be a 45 minute wait. This was on a Saturday night placing a small order of a miso soup and 2 appetizers... Just keep that in mind. They seemed understaffed- probably due to the pandemic ... not sure Food was really good. Hot and tasty spring rolls were nice and crunchy and liked the little salad that came with with - vinegary;) read more

Just try opening on time arrived 12:30 with doors locked tight???????????????????????

I have been coming here for the past 4 years about once a month and never get tired. The athomsphere does not count since I come here for lunch and it is a small space. It is located on a shopping Plaza so there is plenty of parking. The food is REALLY GOOD, I ordered the fried rice, Saigon special or the pho. I tried the lemon grass but it is too lemony for my taste (still tasty). Never have been disappointed with the food or service. The waitress is this sweet lady and is always smiling back at you. If you want some good Vietnamese food please try this place. I only give 4 stars because it does not have any atmosphere for a date or to socialize with friends. read more

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Have I ever steered you wrong? Hadn't had Vietnamese Cuisine in a while, this place rocks your tastebuds, the favor is definitely something you don't get in your commercialized Restaurant that claim authenticity, here it screams authentic with delicious flavors dancing in your mouth. I had the Buddha delight and I savored every bite, the sauce was tasty yet not hot, so many different aromas, sweet and sour, robust and savory, fresh and crisp. I think it's quite clear, I loved it and will be back to sample other dishes, fresh, good service, mom and pop, need I say more? Lol can't go wrong here if you feeling for Asian.. UPDATE: lemon grass chicken with noodles-I liked it more than first dish which I didn't think possible.. yeap amazing, still tasty, fresh and crisp, still my favorite Asian Cuisine, still Mom, pop and grandma I think lol, lovely people. read more

Green Papaya - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

"I can't put my finger on it, but something's missing. The pho I ordered is freshly made, piping hot, and full of ingredients, but it tastes unlike anything I have had before. Not bad but not good. Flavorless, bland, and making ordering the large a poor decision." Those were my thoughts last night as I delved into dinner. Not much has changed since then. I really hate to do this, but I have to grant Green Papaya a one-star review. The experience my boyfriend and I had there is unacceptable. From the food to the service, it was one of those tales that you wouldn't believe unless it happened to you. It all started when we arrived to the restaurant. We were surprised at the size of the restaurant - very small - but that isn't to fault the place over. The fact is we sat at the first available table we saw and it was by the door. The table had four chairs, and although, it was only my boyfriend and I making up this party, we had little to no room. We kept bumping our legs under the table. It made it uncomfortable to sit, and later, to eat. When we ordered, we both chose to eat pho. I had a chicken one, while my boyfriend ordered a spicy one with chicken and pork (or at least that's what I believe the meats to be). Had it not been that I have had pho before, I might even say my pho was good, but I have had it before, and my pho was beyond lacking seasoning. I put as much cilantro and sauce as I could, and eh, I wish I could say there was an improvement, but there was none. My only relief in terms of my pho was that it was under spiced, so at least if I accepted it as the blah dish that it was, it could be eaten. It is much worse when a dish is overzealous and tries to incorporate many flavors at once, after all. I think that is perhaps what my boyfriend's pho did. The only issue is that while he ate it, and well, while I sampled it, it didn't taste like much. Little did we know that my boyfriend later would have digestion issues for the rest of the night. To make matters worse, the restaurant is severely understaffed. There were more than five tables with two to four people each and only one waitress. And an elderly one at that! I felt so bad, I didn't want to drink my water too quickly to even request a refill. The owner, or who appeared to be the owner, would occasionally help, but between her and the waitress, it was a question of finding Houdini. Let me clarify that last statement. Both the owner and the waitress would occasionally disappear. They would go off with people they know, regulars I imagine, and leave the rest of the clientele alone. I wouldn't have an issue with this, as everyone has a personal life and this is a family-owned business, but the amount of rudeness I experienced because of this left me speechless. When we were ready to pay and leave, the owner came to my table, asked me if I wanted to take my leftovers, and before I could even reply, ordered the elderly waitress to take care of it and she just walked out as if nothing to attend another guest. The waitress was busy, the owner returned after socializing, and she didn't even apologize for not even letting me reply. At this point, I just wanted my boyfriend to pay and get us out of here as soon as humanely possible. The check came, and while it was on its way, they began to clear the table. Here's the insult to this injury though. At this point, this restaurant was a clear two-star one for me, but when I saw that they had given me a plate with a corner that was broken off, I just had it. What if I had placed my finger there and cut myself? I know people are lazy or sometimes aren't aware, and perhaps I should have said something, but I was livid at this point. Even at home when people are lazy, they purchase paper plates. This is clearly a safety hazard - a partially broken plate! Ugh, I do not know if this is ignorance, laziness, or the worst of them all, a conscious decision to save money. At any rate, we will not be returning. Oh, and I nearly forgot this, but I needed to go to the bathroom. Let's just say given the plate I was afraid to use the bathroom. Perhaps it was clean, perhaps I'm exaggerating, but one thing's certain: I am so grateful we sat at the table closest to the exit. read more

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Awesome service and the food always makes me feel healthy. The hostess is like a grandma that I never had always very caring! The pho is to die for and the spring rolls are the best. read more

FRESHTACULAR! We loved our meal here! Green Papaya is located in an area where I don't normally go, but we needed to pick something up at the Lowe's around the corner and couldn't resist a light and refreshing meal here beforehand. It's in a strip mall, but the inside is lovely and quirky! They have a small but varied menu, including many "soup as a meal" options. We went with the fish (I think it was "east-west fish") and a seafood soup. Both were excellent, with light, fresh flavors and plenty of lime and cilantro. It was the perfect amount of food and we were energized for the Lowe's task ahead of us. The pricing was reasonable as well. The service was pleasant enough and the proprietor had on the sound system an interesting mix of country-western music sung in an Asian language! If you're in the area or live locally, Green Papaya is definitely worth a visit! read more

Green Papaya - Fish - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

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To me the soup is five stars first and foremost really love it. The reason i am leaving 2 stars is because they are very shady with the pricing which is honestly a shame. When you look at the menu the soup is about 13 dollars but when you're ready to pay somehow it comes out to 25 dollars read more

Come to this place often.. it is small, nothing fancy but good... come here to have a quick good bite for lunch and I am never disappointed... Very good soup period! These two ladies serve very well... Will continue to come here... Enjoy read more

Green Papaya - My Soup!!! - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

I'm updating my review and as much as I hate to do this, I have to. This place used to be my absolute favorite, I'm not sure if it's from the pandemic or them being shut down for so long due to renovations but it's just not the same. The prices clearly went up (which I get in these hard times) but the quality lessened. Who pays $9 for TWO egg rolls? My last few to go orders of pho barely had any meat but also they don't even fill the broth container to a decent amount anymore. The quality and location used to be my favorite things about this place but sadly I'll have to keep taking my business to Pho 78 only. read more

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a small quiet restaurant usually when I come here for lunch. The owners are sweet and greet me every time I visit! I get the beef pho and it fills me up to perfection. Lately I've been actually using their sauces and toppings more into the pho; gives more flavor and variety of texture which normally isn't a thing for me. Their boba teas and smoothies are also tasty and refreshing for the hot days coming. read more

Green Papaya - Close up! - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

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Simple, no frills vietnamese place; I ordered the bun -rice noodles with chicken, and traded the shrimp spring rolls for vegetable rolls. If you are looking for atmosphere, than you should know; vietnamese places are all about the food first. And that's exactly what i got here. The bun was simply fantastic; chicken was well spiced (somewhat curry flavored), sauce on the side was perfectly simple, and went well with the chicken, noodles, veggies, amd spring roll. Normally I can't even finish half a bowl of this dish, but i demolished the entire portion and was glad i did. The service was fine, all the ladies that work there were pretty nice & on point about anything you might need. I was fairly pleased, amd will say I will be back. read more

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Pho is still amazing! =) The spring and summer rolls are good as well.

My absolute favorite beef PHO is here. I'll be honest though, i have only tried PHO in one other place. I also love their shrimp summer roll and boba shakes!! I highly recommend this place. read more

Green Papaya - Beef Pho (large) - Vietnamese Near Me - Miami Lakes, Florida

BESTTTTT PHO!! Hands down a must. A hidden gem, my go too place. Prices are a little high but I think it's worth it