MintLeaf

Pretty and airy space! Solid food and service. Went on a Sunday afternoon so hardly anyone else was there. Liked that! Beautiful spot to sip ginger lemonade and chill. Wonder what it's like in winter!

Hella good food! The Pho is amazing and huge. Everything else on the menu is also fantastic, my family goes here regularly. Super friendly staff, and nice atmosphere. 10/10 would recommend

This branch of the original Alameda restaurant has been open a couple years, but my wife and I discovered it only recently. It is in a Berkeley flatland location (adjacent to both Berkeley Bowl and the former location of Scharffen Berger) that is gradually becoming an arts and crafts nexus. The restaurant is modern, very clean, and spacious with high ceilings and lots of North-facing windows. The staff are efficient and pleasant. The food is prepared with obvious care and attention, and portions are adequate. What more could one ask for from a moderately-priced restaurant? Even parking is easy there, unlike in Gourmet Ghetto. We didn't happen to try any pho on our first visit, but we can recommend the salt and pepper squid appetizer. The batter was admirably light. Despite the pleasant surroundings, they seem to do about as much take out as sit-down in the evenings. I'm told they can be very busy lunchtime from all the local businesses. (Also the IPA Indica beer from Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe was another find. While this beer comes from Eurika CA and is therefore not strictly Vietnamese, it's smooth dry stuff!) Try this place. You'll like it.

Best kept secret. Haven't tried anything I didn't like. Great juice bar in the day time. Fast friendly service, rarely busy, good portions and reasonable prices.

Really nice comfort food. Pho Ga always hits the spot. Broth is flavorful and delicious. Like going back once a week or so.

Really, really good food. Service is A+.

I go there very often and they have the best Lemongrass Tofu I ever had. A lot of vegetarian and vegan options. The people who work there are the sweetest people. Do try their ginger lemonade and Vietnamese drip coffee. Very spacious place in a good location and have patio seating too.

This place is absolutely phenomenal! I got the chicken pho, which had a marinated chicken option. Soup broth was very tasty. My husband got the banh mi combo, which comes with a broth soup and an imperial roll. They also have a nice juicer and makes refreshing fruit/veggie juices to round the meal out. I got the Refresher juice which has cucumber, Apple, mint. Service was great too! A lot of natural light in the restaurant. Good vibes.

Excellent pho. Amazing sweet potato chicken curry. Although…if I’m honest, the chicken was actually my least favorite part. I wonder if they could make that with just vegetables? The curry is phenomenal tho. Must try at least once. We’ll be back.

Absolutely amazing! You can enjoy their food inside or outside in their spacious patio. A lot of Vietnamese salad selections and their sweet potato chicken curry was amazing! Can’t wait to come back

Nice spot for yummy Vietnamese food! Also has smoothies. Nice friendly staff. Has outdoor seating if you request it ❤️

Mint Leaf is a staple in the area. For Vietnamese cuisine, it is a tad bit expensive but compared to the area, it's one of the more value restaurants. Their service is so quick even around the lunch rush time. I've gotten the Saigon Rice Plate with Grilled Pork every time I've went. I've been wanting to try other things on the menu but I can't stop craving the rice plate. But that just means I need to go here more times. I'm so glad this place is around.

Grace Hina Lee

This place is absolutely phenomenal! I got the chicken pho, which had a marinated chicken option. Soup broth was very tasty. My husband got the banh mi combo, which comes with a broth soup and an imperial roll. They also have a nice juicer and makes refreshing fruit/veggie juices to round the meal out. I got the Refresher juice which has cucumber, Apple, mint. Service was great too! A lot of natural light in the restaurant. Good vibes.

Roy Gbiv

Excellent pho. Amazing sweet potato chicken curry. Although…if I’m honest, the chicken was actually my least favorite part. I wonder if they could make that with just vegetables? The curry is phenomenal tho. Must try at least once. We’ll be back.

Hass Noeb

Absolutely amazing! You can enjoy their food inside or outside in their spacious patio. A lot of Vietnamese salad selections and their sweet potato chicken curry was amazing! Can’t wait to come back

Dan Pham

Nice spot for yummy Vietnamese food! Also has smoothies. Nice friendly staff. Has outdoor seating if you request it ❤️

drawonnoodles

Mint Leaf is a staple in the area. For Vietnamese cuisine, it is a tad bit expensive but compared to the area, it's one of the more value restaurants. Their service is so quick even around the lunch rush time. I've gotten the Saigon Rice Plate with Grilled Pork every time I've went. I've been wanting to try other things on the menu but I can't stop craving the rice plate. But that just means I need to go here more times. I'm so glad this place is around.

Five members of my family went there late on a Monday night. The staff was very welcoming despite us showing up just an hour before closing time and the room was wonderfully quite. I had been to Chez Panisse Cafe 5 days before, and I preferred the dishes at Mint Leaf, although that's an apples and oranges comparison. My/our favorites at Mint Leaf were eggplant&tofu clay pot, green papaya salad with prawns, and if you eat mammal, sizzling shaking beef. I thought their beef combo phô, was good but not as exceptional as the previous dishes. They were very attentive & accommodating to the gluten intolerant member of our party

All the dishes are so full of flavor and every ingredient is intentional! I ordered a pot of delicious tea, a bowl of veggie broth and the tofu salad. They have a nice spot for the dining area

Love the rolls, many options to pick from which is always great. My two recommendations would be the fried avocado (the avocado is fried then wrapped in the roll) and the tofu one. You can ask for more sauce, if you’re going to spilt it I definitely recommend getting another sauce. Always quiet when I come in, the seating is spread out and the ceiling is high. The windows are big and let in a lot of light. For saving them for the next day, place the rolls in a container that is sealed tightly so the moisture from the rice paper doesn’t dry out. Eat the day after since they can dry out fast. If they do end up drying out then I have one tip, damp paper towel over it and microwave for 30 seconds (depends on microwave strength). Not what I’d prefer to do but it usually makes the wrapper softer (does shrink it a tiny bit).

My girls and I had lunch and everything was good. I searched Google for the closest restaurant near the Berkeley Marina and took a chance at stopping in for the first time. Service was great, food was prepared and served quickly. My daughters know how I feel about a dirty bathroom when eating out. When I say the restroom was clean and smelled fresh. I knew I would enjoy the food. We will be back again

I've gone back to Mint Leaf multiple times and it never ceases to impress. The food is delicious and fairly priced, the service is fast and the atmosphere is very calm and pleasant. Highly recommend.

Food and service are impeccable as is the food. Had shrimp and scallops over garlic noodles. Barely could finish my plate. The best!!

Ed Park

Food and service are impeccable as is the food. Had shrimp and scallops over garlic noodles. Barely could finish my plate. The best!!

Darwin A.

Five members of my family went there late on a Monday night. The staff was very welcoming despite us showing up just an hour before closing time and the room was wonderfully quite. I had been to Chez Panisse Cafe 5 days before, and I preferred the dishes at Mint Leaf, although that's an apples and oranges comparison. My/our favorites at Mint Leaf were eggplant&tofu clay pot, green papaya salad with prawns, and if you eat mammal, sizzling shaking beef. I thought their beef combo phô, was good but not as exceptional as the previous dishes. They were very attentive & accommodating to the gluten intolerant member of our party

TreatHaver

Love the rolls, many options to pick from which is always great. My two recommendations would be the fried avocado (the avocado is fried then wrapped in the roll) and the tofu one. You can ask for more sauce, if you’re going to spilt it I definitely recommend getting another sauce. Always quiet when I come in, the seating is spread out and the ceiling is high. The windows are big and let in a lot of light. For saving them for the next day, place the rolls in a container that is sealed tightly so the moisture from the rice paper doesn’t dry out. Eat the day after since they can dry out fast. If they do end up drying out then I have one tip, damp paper towel over it and microwave for 30 seconds (depends on microwave strength). Not what I’d prefer to do but it usually makes the wrapper softer (does shrink it a tiny bit).

Isabel Carlin

All the dishes are so full of flavor and every ingredient is intentional! I ordered a pot of delicious tea, a bowl of veggie broth and the tofu salad. They have a nice spot for the dining area

Liam Roche

I've gone back to Mint Leaf multiple times and it never ceases to impress. The food is delicious and fairly priced, the service is fast and the atmosphere is very calm and pleasant. Highly recommend.

My Anderson Angels Jalynn & Laila

My girls and I had lunch and everything was good. I searched Google for the closest restaurant near the Berkeley Marina and took a chance at stopping in for the first time. Service was great, food was prepared and served quickly. My daughters know how I feel about a dirty bathroom when eating out. When I say the restroom was clean and smelled fresh. I knew I would enjoy the food. We will be back again

A good selection of quick, tasty, healthy lunch specials for about $12. I like the vegetable pho and the vermicelli bowl; have tried some other dishes that are also good. Opens at about 11:30 and gets pretty full by 12:30... But usually quiet by 2.

Food was tasty and generous portions for the size. Good service. Located in the old schaffenberger chocolate factory building, giving it a nice industrial wood and brick decor.

Really great combo with salad, king roll and Banh Mi. Lived up the hype and good deal to have salad and king roll included. Good bread texture on the banh mi and well sauced filling, salad had a tasty dressing and king roll was basic but not bad

Small place but cozy. Service was good and they took care of my gluten allergy. Lemonade are great and food is tasty. We came on a Sunday and the place was not crowded.

The atmosphere and service of this place is great. Its right next to Berkeley bowl and is beautifully modeled on the inside. The food is ok. Nothing spectacular but it feeds my itch for vietnamese food. The Cha Gio is my favorite and I feel like there's is pretty good. In a pinch, I would recommend this place for a nearby bite.

Ginger lemonade excellent Vermicelli Salad standard, not as excellent

Geez this place makes great rolls and vermicelli noodle salads. You can literally order a few rolls and call it a day. The combinations of coconut shrimps, avocado, lemongrass in rolls is very satisfying- leaves you wanting more.

Good Vietnamese dish!

Eggplant tofu is pretty good here, nice and caramelized in that clay pot. The cheesecake stuffed dessert roll thing was so nice too. If I were to go here again it would be for that!

Decent Vietnamese food. Service is good. They have a patio so you can bring your doggo. Fresh juice available too!

I think the bahn mi may be over priced at 10 dollars. But the pho I had for the same was really amazing. Usually veggies pho is broccoli, letteuce, carrots and mung bean sprouts. There pho not only had a very light tasty broth that I didn't need to doctor up with condiments. But broccoli, lettuce, carrots, baby corn, green bean, friend onions and usual basil and bean sprouts. However they true stand out for me where these amazing chewy somewhat smoky mushrooms. That together with fried tofu and I was one happy camper. The decore is super clean and modern, with really nice bathrooms, and semi open kitchen.

This is one of my favorite local pho places but they offer a lot more in the menu. Spacious space in west Berkeley, good food, clean, quick and friendly service, never crowded. I like the chicken pho with grilled chicken that comes on the side. You can also add veggies for a bit extra. Not a traditional pho but it is yummy. They also have a juice bar.

Fresh dishes there's a guy who works in the evening who is so welcoming you feel at home

Vish

Eggplant tofu is pretty good here, nice and caramelized in that clay pot. The cheesecake stuffed dessert roll thing was so nice too. If I were to go here again it would be for that!

Christy

Decent Vietnamese food. Service is good. They have a patio so you can bring your doggo. Fresh juice available too!

Topher Judd

I think the bahn mi may be over priced at 10 dollars. But the pho I had for the same was really amazing. Usually veggies pho is broccoli, letteuce, carrots and mung bean sprouts. There pho not only had a very light tasty broth that I didn't need to doctor up with condiments. But broccoli, lettuce, carrots, baby corn, green bean, friend onions and usual basil and bean sprouts. However they true stand out for me where these amazing chewy somewhat smoky mushrooms. That together with fried tofu and I was one happy camper. The decore is super clean and modern, with really nice bathrooms, and semi open kitchen.

Farshid Ketabchi

This is one of my favorite local pho places but they offer a lot more in the menu. Spacious space in west Berkeley, good food, clean, quick and friendly service, never crowded. I like the chicken pho with grilled chicken that comes on the side. You can also add veggies for a bit extra. Not a traditional pho but it is yummy. They also have a juice bar.

Ann Boyd

Fresh dishes there's a guy who works in the evening who is so welcoming you feel at home

I came here on a cold day (actually which day isn't cold in Emervyille during winter...). I ordered the chicken pho while my friend ordered the bun bo hue. Needless to say, noodle soups are perfect for when the weather is cold and dreary. The place was practically empty but that didn't stop the service from being lackluster. Our water cups were filled nearly other minute and the food came out steaming hot. The place is not super authentic but it did the trick. I especially like how cheap it was :) Definitely coming back if I'm in the area.

I usually come here for lunch, and it's usually pretty busy. There isn't anything particularly remarkable about it, except the convenient location on foot. (There's no parking for the restaurant) Some of their dishes are pretty good, while some are average at best, but it's all decent enough.

First time here, I had the No. 46 "Sizzling Shaking Beef" and Coconut rice, the Banh Mi Combo after we had No. 2 Crispy Vegetarian Rolls. The food was served quickly and the Beef still "Sizzling" on the Fajita Skillet! All delicious!

Erik H

First time here, I had the No. 46 "Sizzling Shaking Beef" and Coconut rice, the Banh Mi Combo after we had No. 2 Crispy Vegetarian Rolls. The food was served quickly and the Beef still "Sizzling" on the Fajita Skillet! All delicious!

this restaurant sent me an order 85% rice vermicelli noodles, a hand-full of undressed salad with the cheapest beef imaginable-very sweet simple marinade and one small roll. I ate the roll and salad and gave the beef to my dogs and threw away the vermicelli. If this is the best the Bay Area can do and take out this is got awful

I always want this place to be better, because I live nearby, but it's always just OK. They have a well stocked juice bar, and the juices are pretty good, though $10, so I haven't gotten one in a while. I come back once or twice a year because it's in the neighborhood, and it stays okay. But slightly more expensive now.

Constance Finley

this restaurant sent me an order 85% rice vermicelli noodles, a hand-full of undressed salad with the cheapest beef imaginable-very sweet simple marinade and one small roll. I ate the roll and salad and gave the beef to my dogs and threw away the vermicelli. If this is the best the Bay Area can do and take out this is got awful

Colin Stuart

I always want this place to be better, because I live nearby, but it's always just OK. They have a well stocked juice bar, and the juices are pretty good, though $10, so I haven't gotten one in a while. I come back once or twice a year because it's in the neighborhood, and it stays okay. But slightly more expensive now.

The bahn mi sandwich combo had mayonnaise, a greasy imperial roll and a bland salad. They put jalapeños in one of our sandwiches when we specifically asked them not to put them! Even the servers were not very friendly. We definitely won’t go back!

Terrible service. Can't tell you how the food was because I never got it. Walked in when there was no one else, though one family arrived after I did. Let the woman taking my order know I was in a rush and was told my food would be done in 10 minutes. 15 minutes later asked them about it. They looked confused, told me it would be 10 more minutes. From the way they acted, I think they forgot about my order because they were making food for the family who came in after me (they all got their food, I didn't). Giving them 2 stars because the people who arrived after me seemed to like their food, but I am not likely to return.

Shaking cube beef steak. Some meat was rubbery and a little bit of spoiled taste. Totally unacceptable to serve. I can’t even eat the rest. Wasted my money.

Cleo H

Shaking cube beef steak. Some meat was rubbery and a little bit of spoiled taste. Totally unacceptable to serve. I can’t even eat the rest. Wasted my money.

We have come here maybe once or twice a month for years, including one very rainy January where we ordered takeout several times a week. My husband loved their pho ga. Our experience today was not to par and we will not return. We had eaten, our order was wrong but no big deal. They’d just forgotten the appetizer but at least it wasn’t on our bill. We were chatting after eating and the woman who had delivered our bill came to our table and announced they’d been closed for 15 minutes and could we please pay. It was bizarre as there were people there still eating and tables with dirty plates still on them, so it’s not like she’s done for the day. Anyway, we went and paid despite posted hours being open until 8 PM (it was 3:15 PM). I mean, whatever, I guess. Then she decides to make it better (??) by telling us as we are checking out that she’d like to eat her lunch too. She wasn’t even our waitress but you do you, I guess, rude lady. God knows what she did to clear the other diners out; pulled the fire alarm I guess. I worked in restaurants for years and this was like a “bad manners restaurant worker” orientation video. 0/5 do not recommend. There are so many great restaurants in the Bay why bother?