We stopped here after a long run in Minneapolis and weren't disappointed! We had heard of it before, but never got around to making a trip in, now after having it we'll probably be adding them as a go-to. We ordered the Lotus Bahn Mi, the Beef Lo Mein, and the Eggrolls. The Lo Mein was delicious, the egg rolls were some of the best we've had in the Twin Cities, and the Bahn Me had such a refreshing taste paired with an amazing bread. I'd recommend all 3 dishes. The place is a little small, but very cute and cozy. Staff was extremely nice, and attentive. They were happy to talk about the options as well. We'll definitely be back, next time I'm going to try their Pho! read more

See all

He Said: I have been going to Lotus for so many years. A big credit to the family who runs Lotus, because the restaurant has been an institution for so many years. Service is friendly, the food is tasty, and the price is affordable. With all that said, the restaurant has some things that might turn off some people. Parking can be hard to find; there have been altercations in the area; also, the last time we went the restaurant it was not very clean. We will continue to visit the restaurant, but I want to make it known to others about all my experiences. Pros: - Several. We have always felt the hospitality is superb. Cons: - Mentioned in the above description. read more

See all

If you and a coworker are craving for some Vietnamese cuisine during a boring, slow work day, then look no further. The Lotus Restaurant captured our curiosity when they're ranked 1 via Yelp for Vietnamese food. So naturally, we decided to give it a try. And it was entirely worth it. The lotus wings were very delicious, with each crunchy bite bursting with flavor, both tangy and spicy. Make sure to get them for any wings lover out there. I then got high expectations for the main star, pho (beef). It did not disappoint. Most important factor I look for is the broth. In this case, the broth was clear, which is a good, yet imperative, sign. Noodles were good and al dente. The richness and heartiness of the pho were evident as to why this restaurant has garnered high praise. They don't skimp out either (pictured was Small). Catch me coming back here for more food; I need to try the rest. read more

Lotus Restaurant - Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

Had an incredible lunch here today. Service is amazing. Food unreal. Love coming here any time I am in town

A long standing icon of the Loring Park neighborhood, Lotus is a fantastic Pho spot service Vietnamese food in a homey, casual setting. You can either park in the limited parjing space or take one of the buses from downtown to get there. Currently there's a lot of road construction this summer so getting parking will be tricky. I personally just walked. The space is not big, catering about half of the orders to takeout and half towards dine-in, seating goes from 1-4 people. Plan accordingly as it got every table filled at 4pm, which must be for a reason (It's good). I ordered the Large Beef Stew Pho and tried the 3 appetizer combo for $25 total ($14 for the bowl and $11 for appetizer). 3 appetizers included 4 Chicken wings, 2 Veggie Spring Rolls, and 3 Cream cheese wontons. Beef Stew Pho: 9/10 Delicous soup, broth was rich and flavorful. Love the nice tinge of sweet in it, wasn't expecting this to be excellent for a casual spot. Excellent pho, I have to compare it with other Pho restaurants as this is a great baseline. Only wish the large had more vegetables surprisingly. Chicken Wings: 10/10 Surprisingly good as well. Extra crispy interior and perfectly cooked inside. Usually other restaurants skimp out on the quality of this or mess it up but I actually enjoyed it. Spring Rolls: 10/10 Another delicious addition. These are actually some of the best spring rolls I've had in the state. Well made and crispy, as well as pairing well with the sweet and tart sauce that comes with it. Cream Cheese Wontons: 8/10 Probably the weakest dish on the lineup that I've had here, but still pretty good. Pairs surprisingly well with the pho and stays crispy. Overall I would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for a relatively quick, casual Pho spot. read more

See all

Love this place !! I come here every year I am In town. Super delicious menu and friendly staff The food is so good. Once you try it you will be hooked. It is a family owned and run restaurant. Everyone on the staff is amazing And super customer satisfaction focused. The restaurant itself is kind of small so we usually eat once in the restaurant and twice we order to go. It gets crowded on weekend nights so plan accordingly! read more

See all

Food 4/5! Service 4/5 Ambiance 3/5 I tried their house pho large bowl $15 4/5 overall Broth 5/5! Is it msg? Or was it that good? It was good broth. Loved the green onions and cilantro Plus you get to add the basil and bean sprouts! Looks like they put a little bit of everything in. 2 shrimps, some beef slices that looked like brisket chicken and some meatballs chopped into slice, and imitation crab. I think the imitation crab doesn't need to be there but maybe little bit more protein. Just my thoughts. Noodles was good. Normal as expected. The oyster wings 4/5, were strong flavored sweet n salty, crispy if you eat it fast enough. It also has some onions and basil leaves in it. They didn't have Vietnamese coffee today. Bummer. Wanted some strong coffee. I would come back and try other items! Portion pretty decent! read more

See all

Did a pickup order for pad Thai. Had to wait at the restaurant for about 10-15 minutes after a 10 minute walk because they had to "find my order". I ordered through Grubhub and I don't think they had my order. I showed him the emailed receipt, with the order number. He did scroll down to see the itemized receipt which I believe is how he knew what I ordered. He told me after I waited that they did find my order, which I don't believe. I think they just fast-tracked my order. Do I have any proof? No, just assuming! The chicken pad Thai was not bad. I appreciated that they put the crushed peanuts on the side in a separate container. I used them, I just think it's thoughtful for those who may have peanut allergies to be aware of. I asked for medium spice and I believe it was at that level. I would go again. Ambiance is a cozy Thai restaurant. It's small and seating is very limited. They are popular and they are busy. Limited parking. No ranch dressing with this order so no rating. read more

Lotus Restaurant - Chicken Pad Thai - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Excellent service, delicious food, and a wonderful atmosphere. The dessert menu is to die for make sure to leave some room for it

I've been wanting to visit Minneapolis for a while now--one of the reasons is to try their Pho. Yeah, I know it might sound random, but Minneapolis is actually known for having some solid Vietnamese food. One of the spots that kept popping up during my search was Lotus, so of course, I bookmarked it right away. When I finally made it there, I could tell right away it was a local favorite. There were a bunch of people coming in and out, which is always a good sign. For food, I tried the lunch special which I chose the options such as the beef pho, a shrimp spring roll appetizer, and a side of steamed veggies. The portion was satisfying and everything was fresh--the beef pho had a nice, clean broth, and the shrimp spring roll was crisp and flavorful. The steamed veggies were a healthy touch that balanced the meal out. Overall, it was an enjoyable lunch. That said, it didn't quite hit the mark the as my favorite pho spot in Queens, NYC, but still a solid option if you're in the area. read more

See all

For the most part, the economical food they provide can feed a lot of people, and I was no exception, because my partner, our friend, and I were able to finish six dishes while not sending a lot. Overall the food was pretty tasty with not a lot of highlight moments but really not much to complain about, either. I ordered the bun bo hue and I thought it was very similar to what I have been served in restaurants in general, some meat in a spicy broth with noodles, and overall I had a pretty good experience eating it. The pad thai was sweeter than I had expected, even if the same dish in the United States in general suffer from chefs putting too much palm sugar and not even tamarind in it. It was still too sweet. The Com Ga dish had dry chicken which could only be solved with a sauce on the side. My partner who ordered the banh mi had positive feedback about the sandwich. Since this establishment is kind of like a staple for Southeast Asian food, I think it is worth coming back and just in general grabbing a quick bite of some comfort food. Its location is also convenient enough for those who live in downtown or the Loring Park area to just drop by and grab a quick bite. read more

See all

Love this place. Great lunch special! Yummy pho! The service was great and attentive. read more

See all

Was working at the convention center and a local took me here for lunch. Great spot on the corner of the strip mall with ample seating inside. Setver took us to our seat and we quickly ordered before the lunch rush came in. The beef lo mein lunch special was phenomenal. Great sweet and savory sauce. Pork spring roll was so fresh and that peanut dipping sauce was . So happy to try Lotus. read more

Lotus Restaurant - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

At a recent conference at the convention center, I was hoping to find a quick, local lunch with better options than just a sandwich. Lotus was just the place! Lotus is a 5min max walk from the convention center, and clearly a well-loved, busy, family restaurant. Almost all the tables were in business on a Tuesday lunch, but we were seated quickly. Both of us ordered the lunch special, which comes with choice of a spring or summer roll, an entree, and rice/fried rice/veg. I also ordered an iced jasmine tea. The food was great! Light but filling, and flavorful. My special included a shrimp summer roll, Singapore noodles, and steamed veggies. I loved the curry sauce on the noodles. Portions were just right. Great spot for an easy workweek lunch! read more

Lotus Restaurant - Two lunch specials - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

It's been a couple of decades since I've been here and I'm so glad I came back!! The food is good, the prices are reasonable and the flavor is amazing! They have a great selection of authentic tic Vietnamese like pho and bahn mi, but they also have other yummy foods! read more

See all

This place came highly recommended by the locals. Unfortunately their fryer was not working that day and so the menu options were limited. I tried the vegetarian Pho and it was good but can't say I was impressed. Parking is very limited in this tiny strip of shops. I'll try it again when all the menu options are available. read more

Don't overlook this hidden gem! Everything we ordered at lotus was absolutely incredible. Their cream cheese wontons are the best I've had in the twin cities - I cannot recommend enough! From their spring rolls, to their pho, to their Singapore noodles, everything was perfectly flavorful. Our waiter was also great at answering our questions and giving us menu recommendations. The portions were large and the food is really well priced for all that you get! The restaurant is very cozy and the parking lot right out front of the restaurant made the downtown driving & parking situation stress free. Absolutely worth checking out for some great Vietnamese food. read more

See all

Stopped in for lunch while staying at the Hyatt next door. It's in a sketchy strip mall next to a liquor store, but it was busy every time I passed by. The lunch special is ridiculous! A main, an appy and a side for, like 12 bucks. I got a small bowl of meatball pho (it was bigger than some places' big bowl), a giant shrimp spring roll and chicken fried rice. Service was good and flavors were great. Stopped by another evening for a bon mi and it was great as well. One of my best meals of the trip. read more

Lotus Restaurant - Spring roll and fried rice - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Excellent food, service is nice and friendly and it's a nice local place to eat for those visiting

Came here later in the evening. Egg rolls were cold but they popped them back in the fryer and then ultimately took them off the bill which was nice. Beef and potatoes was great as always. read more

Lotus Restaurant - Beef and potatoes with white rice - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

A long standing staple in a ever changing area, I was happy to see it was still open. The decor hasn't changed much from what I remember, but it works and still looks nice. It's a small casual restaurant. It has been many years since I'd been here. It was great to be back. The spring rolls were ok. The Com Tam is delicious. The serving size is rather small though. I'd recommend going here for a meal. read more

See all

*****3.5 stars***** Stopped by for lunch in between conference sessions. Not sure Lotus was ready for the lunch rush, but for the most part they handled the crowd well. It was hard to tell where to put your name in for a table, order to go, and pay for your meal (pay at the register) as the line essentially merged into eachother. Although it was mentioned it would take 20 minutes for our table, it actually took 5. Yay! Decided to take advantage of the daily special and got a bun bue hue and a pring roll with pork and shrimp I also got a Vietnamese iced coffee to drink. The spring roll was larger than I'm used to and was very tasty. The bun bue hue on the other hand I thought was just okay. It was more oily than spicy (actually barely had any kick to it) and the noodles were hard to grab whether you used a fork or chop stick. Luckily it had a decent amount to of beef and pork in it. hopefully you're not wearing light colored clothes as they'll likely get stained. I enjoyed my iced coffee, which provider the pick-me-up that I needed - not super strong or sweet. I also tried the lotus wings, which Ithought would be more flavorful. They did have a nice crunch to them, though. Service was okay. The waiter took our order and was basically non-existent after that. The only other interaction I had was when I asked two different servers where my food was - came out close to 15 minotes after my colleague got her order! Given the high rating on Yelp, I was expecting more from Lotus. read more

See all

Hands down one of the best spots for Pho in the city. We walked from downtown and got right in. Service was so friendly and fast! We absolutely will be going back next time we visit. read more

This is a small restaurant with limited seating with a brisket lunchtime business when I visited during a conference nearby at the convention center. I ordered the lunch special with the garlic sauce with chicken, fried rice and spring roll. It was fine, nothing special. I ordered the food to go and it took twenty minutes since they were busy with customers eating in, carrying out and ordering online. Good for them! read more

Stopped by here for a late dinner with the family. They put together a couple of tables for us and we were seated pretty shortly. We got out orders in and the brought out the appetizers with a little extra. The owner brought out some chicken wings for the kids. And this is really what I want to talk about. The service was exceptional. We were so taken care of. The kids were a little tired and he just was super patient and took care of us like we were his family. He even had my 6 year old "work" in helping him distribute cookies to the tables. He was fidgety and this totally calmed him down and he was so proud. What's more, he gave him is "pay" from his cash register. I can't even begin to put into words the gratitude and the respect I feel for this man for the way he treated my family and my kids. We ordered a whole bunch of stuff and all the food came out quick, was fresh and tasted good. The Pho and the Chow fun with shrimp and chicken were standouts. The wontons, the fired rice and everything else was good too. Great experince overall and amazing service. Really highly recommend supporting them. Ans as if all this wasn't enough, once we paid the bil, he brought out dessert for us saying we couldn't leave without dessert. There is a story with the dessert and it banana filled wontons were delicious. The kindness and the service won our hearts. Will be back soon. A completely different experience than the first time I stumbled upon this place. read more

See all

3 out of 5 items ordered were incorrect and side items we were charged extra for were not included. Contacted restaurant in an attempt to remedy, they assured us they packed the ordered correctly despite it arriving with incorrect entrée items and sauces, the correct number but incorrect items. They became rude and insisted they were a 3rd party and it was the fault of the Uber eats driver who was nothing but prompt and polite. The items that arrived correct are excellent. read more

I've been getting food from Lotus for many years and it's always amazing. Their famous egg rolls are especially to die for!

I had a spire of the moment dinner with a new friend and I must say it was a fabulous recommendation! Shout out to Kate for inviting to check out some Vietnamese food. After living in Minnesota for 3 years and coming from the Bay Area I haven't had such flavorful and fresh Vietnamese food in a long time. Seriously a 10/10 experience! The service was quick and very kind from beginning to end. I would definietly come back when in town. Fabulous work to the Lotus Restaurant team! read more

See all

If you are from out of town, or live under a rock, or simply forgot...the Lotus stands up continuously as the "#1 real-deal Vietnamese superstar neighborhood hole-in-the-wall joint." Must go casually. Love this authentic little neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant. Been around for a long long time. Adapted and persevered. I love all of the appetizers, but the Lotus chicken wings are pretty special. Pho is tasty especially on a cold fall or winter night. I dig the simplicity of the Broccoli entree. But beef and (crispy) potatoes takes me way back in time Veena in St. Paul - rock solid and very filling. Comfort 100% Parking is a little limited and neighborhood side street parking is minimal. Most people are literally walk-ins. Uber is a good option. read more

See all

The food was fresh and very delicious, especially the fresh rolls with shrimp and pork. Loved the mix of veggies, tofu and chicken in the Singapore noodles. Danny was an amazing server and she was nice to talk with about the west coast. She knows her food at the restaurant and was very happy to recommend. The restaurant has an open feel to it and not cramped and stuffy. A place I will go back to again. read more

Lotus Restaurant - Spring Roll with shrimp and pork. - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

Loved the pho which was not overly salty. The mock duck was eh and the seafood was minimal. Perhaps the beef would have been a better choice. We had pretty much finished the pho by the time our pad thai was brought out. I found that frustrating given the pad thai was for my kiddos and the girls made do on pho noodles alone. The pad thai was very sugary :( do not order. Every surface was sticky including the sauce bottles. Although I loved the pho, the service was awful and I had the icks from the stickiness. I will try the banh mi's sandwiches but to go, not sit down. read more

I was recommended this food because my wife is Vegan and I'm not so it's hard to sometimes find a great tasting dish for both at times to accommodate, but I can say Lotus was perfect. The meal was great, staff listened to my wife about her special dietary concerns and prepared a vegan meal to die for. Our date couldn't have gone any better and the ambience was perfect and cozy for just a moment to step out. Now she sends me there when I get off of work once or twice a week to bring her dinner home at times. Love the service, food and the owner Joey and his staff were amazing. read more

When I have more time during my lunch break when I work downtown and I'm feeling pho, I usually stop by lotus because their broth is pretty flavorful and their broken rice is good! There's a very small parking lot if you do plan to drive here and it's a small dine in space as well. read more

My pad thai did not remotely resemble the photo...takeout order. Horrible...shameful.

Very convenient location for conferencegoers, although it's a bit odd to be in a strip mall amidst high rises. Unfortunately, I found the food underwhelmingly average. Potstickers weren't really caramelized, noodles and grilled pork were both underseasoned. That said, the dressings/sauces to add were good, and the vegetables were nice and fresh. It's good to be able to eat lighter food nearby, but it's nothing special. read more

They have the most awesome lunch special. Bowl of potsticker side of rice everything I want in my life when I'm looking for a great lunch.

The food was amazing! I had hoped we could go and "figure out" how to have my husband recreate the recipes. That will not happen- we will be coming back! read more

Service? Amazing. My server smiled at me like they knew what was about to happen, like "Yeah... you're not ready, but go ahead." 10/10. Would happily burn my mouth again. read more

Wow! I came here on a random Wednesday for lunch and the staff were so friendly and kind. The next day, the rainy cold weather brought me right back. As I was having my order taken, the server let me know that my lunch would be on the house. Not only is the food delicious and comforting, but the staff is friendly and super nice. Definitely coming back here again! read more

Lotus Restaurant - Pho, Chicken Fried Rice, Spring Roll - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I have been here over 10 times in the past 10 years, and this is a legit place, with super nice people. The spring roles are a fresh delight and unique "Stew Pho" is my go-to. See below for two separate reviews. You're downtown Minneapolis, looking for a spot to eat: Hopefully you're enjoying your stay at the Hyatt or had a nice concert at Orchestra Hall! There are many options downtown (see Tips, below), and Lotus will certainly give you the most flavor for your dollar. Pho is a very classic, addictive traditional Vietnamese noodle soup. The Lotus is a great pho restaurant with traditional Vietnamese and American-Asian comfort foods. You will find high quality, fresh flavors. Checking out local pho scene: It's pretty big! And if you ask 20 MSP locals their favorite spot, you might get 15 different answers. I am very fond two spots in the Whittier Neighborhood - Pho 79 and Quang, and if you're visiting Minneapolis those are the spots I would take you. Lotus has been around a long time, and has its special merits; certainly a deep love in this reviewers heart. The standard pho is simply a nice bowl; broth with a pleasant, mild flavor. A few things stand out: the House Pho here has shrimp, beef, and chicken (unusual, nice). The Stew Pho is something quite interesting. Adding vegetables and a slight sweet flavor to traditional beef pho feels a natural evolution, and I just love it. Lastly, the have chili flakes, not every place does. Tips: - parking lot is small. I often go here when downtown cause it's it walking distance. But there is lots of paid street parking with a block. - "walk it off" Loring Park is right there. "Don't" feed the squirrels - other nice options in walking distance include fish n chips at Britt's, a drink at The Local, or Moroccan food at the more upscale Fhima's. Hells Kitchen is a crowd-pleasing themed American food experience. And sushi train is just as it sounds! read more

See all