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After a concert when it's cold, this was one of the first places that had something warm....so I obviously wanted to stop! I originally wanted to order the Pho, but they only carry beef broth, which is a reason I took a star off. So I went with the vermicelli shrimp bowl and had them give me a side of peanut sauce to add some more taste to it. I also ordered the shrimp summer rolls and my friend and their kids ordered a steak pho, shrimp meal and a beef meal. They stated everything was great. The ordering process can be a bit confusing as you can order on a kiosk or there is someone at the register that you can also order from. Would be a dream for someone that doesn't prefer interaction. The bathrooms were REALLY nasty. Seemed as if they had not been cleaned in a while. There were also several tables that were empty but also dirty. I took the spray bottle since there wasn't an employee around to clean it myself. All in all the place is decent but they can do some tweaks to fix the location up.
I came with a friend for lunch on the weekend. The food was excellent but the restaurant was kind of chaotic. When we first got in it was a free for all. Every table was full but no staff was at the front of the restaurant. People were coming in and getting in line to order food without a place to sit. They would get to the front of the line and be told to go back and wait for a table. Other people would stake out tables and swoop in to grab them. There was a server talking to customers but she was running food, resulting in chaos. We found our own seats and ordered food. By the time we began eating, the server had restored order and organized a line outside for tables. Hopefully the chaos was just a one off! I could tell why the restaurant was so busy though! The food was truly incredible. I've had a lot of pho and this was top notch. The broth was delicious and complex, the noodles plentiful, and the beef was perfectly cooked. I highly recommend! But maybe consider take out.
I was really craving spicy broth, and decided for pho instead of ramen. I was in the area and looked up Vietnamese near me, and saw that 54 Restaurant was within 10 minute walking distance. When I arrived, the sign says find a seat and then place your order which seems counterintuitive. I found a seat, but then figured I could easily lose it if I went to place my order, and someone else came in, so I just went to the front to order. I ordered the chicken crispy spring rolls and beef brisket pho, then found my seat. The lady who took my order at the front desk wasn't the friendliest and didn't seem like she wanted to be there. She didn't let me know where to get water or even ask if I needed to order a drink. Once I sat down, my food came out quickly. The spring rolls were fresh, crispy and tasty, but the pho was delectable. There were generous portions of thinly sliced beef brisket, bean sprouts, and herbs. I really enjoyed the meal. I definitely will return soon.
54 is a decent spot for out of town tourists (me) to refuel in between museum hopping. It's a 10 minute walk from some of the more attractive Smithsonians (just enough to avoid the food truck superinflation zone) and checks the boxes for speed and convenience. Both the banh mi and pho are serviceable at least, and likely a step above for those hailing from a 'pho desert' without access to much Vietnamese food.
A vermicelli noodle bowl with grilled pork and spring roll is my typical order at Vietnamese places so it's what I ordered here as well. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either mostly because of the pork which was overcooked and not very flavorful. If I went again, I'd try it with the shrimp instead maybe.
One word...DELICIOUS! I've walked past this restaurant many times with the intention of going after work because I never thought I would be able to sit down and eat. With my office having its last day of funding during this awful government shutdown, I said let me just go in to see what they offer. When I walked in the restaurant was cozy and clean. I immediately saw take out orders and customers coming in to pick up orders and was intrigued. The customer service was impeccable and all my questions were answered. This restaurant only offers BEEF BROTH!!! Even if the veggie bowl. I love the fact that I could get pho to go! Everything was packaged separately. EVERYTHING was good! No misses! I will for sure be back.
Nice spot, very casual. You have to go up to the counter and order - like Panera - and the Pho was good, however I've had better broths. It lacked a little bit of more flavor and depth overall for my taste. The shrimp spring rolls didn't have anything other than noodle and shrimp. Usually it has some sort of carrots or pickled veggies in there, so that was a little underwhelming. The chicken fried spring rolls were yummy. Service was good.
We were starving after exploring DC so we decided to have dinner here before going back to our hotel. The restaurant was packed at 5:30pm. We had to hunt for table from other customers who finished their meal. We ordered at the cashier and were given numbers for our table. We managed to sit at the high table facing the window. - grilled pork bahn mi: bun was perfectly toasted (crunchy at the outside & soft). The grilled pork was delicious! The meat was tender and I could taste the smokiness from the grill. The pickled radish & carrot were crunchy and fresh. The portion was big (although I was starving, I couldn't finished it). - chicken pho: it was a good portion. The chicken meat was tender. The broth was savory and not too salty. The noodle was perfectly cooked and chewy. - spring roll: good and fresh. The peanut sauce was delicious.
54 restaurant is becoming one of my favorite work lunch spots. It opens at 11am, and gets really busy during the lunch rush so I recommend going right after they open or some minutes after if you want to beat the rush. However, their service is pretty fast so the wait may not be super long. They have a variety of pho options, Thai curry and noodles, and some really great milk tea boba options. The staff is always nice and welcoming. Looks if searing inside as well if you wanted to eat there, and can accommodate small and large (6+) parties. Definitely stop by!
An introverts dream, because this is TRUE casual dining. You go up to a counter and order and then take a seat, self serve water, no pleasantries need. Super fast service, a literal five minute wait. Great portion sizes, reasonable price, and great vegetable, meat, soup, and noodle ratio for the Pho Dax Biet. Will 100% come back. Loved it I am coming back tomorrow no joke.
I came here to grab a quick lunch in between conference meetings. It was very busy but the staff was very efficient in managing the crowd and I got my order in and out swiftly. It wasn't hard to find a vegan option on the menu and food was delicious. I would come back again with friends as the ambiance is definitely casual.
Flavor: 5/5 Price: 3.5/5 Environment: 3.5/5 This is a place where you order at the counter and they give you a number. They bring out the food to you along with the beansprouts, basil, and lime to mix into your soup. Definitely not cheap at about $16 a bowl of pho. But the broth tastes authentic and rich with a satisfying amount of meat.
Washington, DC (Penn Quarter) - "there's a line for everything," I heard a man quip while standing outside the single working bathroom as the men's room was out of order. It was busy on a Saturday at lunchtime and there was a wait for tables at this clearly popular spot. After staking the first free table you see (while impatiently hovering over diners getting ready to leave), you place your order at the counter, take a number, and your food will be brought to you when it's ready. The service is very fast, with many staff bustling about, but the atmosphere was rather chaotic. Unfortunately, the food didn't measure up to the anticipation. The pho was fine but nothing to write home about. The eye of round is tender and sliced admirably thin, but the broth is pretty meh and a bit sour. The banh mi bread was dry: crusty but in an over-toasted way not a crackling fresh way. The grilled pork rice plate with anemic strips of pork also underwhelmed. I suppose I had high expectations, having been spoiled by the excellent pho and banh mi I regularly eat in NY & NJ. It's serviceable Vietnamese if you're in the area, but not something I'd go out of the way for.
2 years ago
Came in for lunch on a Tuesday and it was packed! You order first then find a seat. The menu has a bit of everything you'd want in Vietnamese food. I ordered a Special Beef Combination and Crispy Chicken Spring Rolls. The food was all really good & prices were typical for downtown Washington. Overall, delicious place and I'd definitely come back! read more
This is a quick, casual place for satisfying your pho cravings. Upon entering, you can sit whenever you want and order and pay up front at the counter. We got the beef combination pho and the grilled pork vermicelli with spring rolls. The broth was absolutely delicious! The service was fairly average but expected for a casual place like this. read more
Fast service, good food. Here for work for a few weeks and missed my Vietnamese coffee. Found this place and decided to also try the food. Place is busy, but fast service and very clean. I ordered to go and the wait wasn't long. Vietnamese coffee could have been stronger, but I like to feel my heart racing out of my chest. But still good. Crispy tofu and chicken wings. Flavorful wings and my tofu was perfectly crispy. Can't wait to go back and try some Pho. Customer service was excellent too. Absolutely stop by and enjoy. read more
A few of us stopped by last Thursday evening for a quick dinner since we were already in DC. 54 Restaurant is pretty lowkey, in a quieter part of the city. A friend approved of the pho and banh mi here, so all five of us either got pho or banh mi here. PHO DAC BIET (SPECIAL BEEF COMBINATION) - 17 Has basically all the meats here, like brisket, eye round steak, beef balls, tendon, etc. The broth was flavorful and lots of beef flavor. There were lots of noodles, more than I can finish and it had a good texture. Meat was pretty good quality and there was lots of it in here. The pho here is good, and I'd recommend. The few friends who ordered banh mis here all enjoyed it. Overall 4.5/5, but will bump to a 5/5. read more
3 months ago
Quick service. You order at the counter and they bring to your table. Everything was hot and fresh, generous portion. For ~$31 plus tip I got lemongrass chicken, chicken spring rolls and two drinks- strawberry tea and a lychee milk tea with fruit jelly. I wanted tapioca but they were out. Otherwise quick service for a late meal and the staff were very friendly. Close proximity to JW Marriott, EPA, white house tours. read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
If you're looking for a place to eat after a long day in DC, this is it! Super quick and friendly service, big portions, good flavor. We really enjoyed the pho, banh mi (pork), and vermicelli bowl (tofu/vegetarian). The banh mi and vermicelli bowls were huge. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the pho - not the best, but really solid for this touristy part of town. Our 4 orders came out literally 2 minutes after ordering. The servers were friendly and helpful! Prices were obviously steep (10% food tax in DC) - pho came out to ~$20. Overall, would highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
54 is a great casual lunch place in a convenient location. When you come in, there's a counter to order food on your right and then they'll bring the food to you wherever you sit. I ordered a grilled pork banh mi ($11) and a Thai iced tea ($5) to go. It's a nice meal to eat in a nearby park or on the go if you're trying to see a lot of DC in a day. The banh mi has a lot of fillings and the bread is soft with a slightly crispy exterior. The pork is well-seasoned and works really well with the other fillings, I just wish there were more veggies (cucumbers and pickled carrots/daikon). The Thai iced tea is exactly what you expect, they give you a lot and it's not too sweet. Honestly, a banh mi and an iced drink is the perfect lunch! I highly recommend this place, my only problem is its price. I understand that it's DC, but if you live in NOVA and are used to them being $6-8, it might not be worth it. read more
Great little place for a fast meal. Order at the counter, lots of great choices. I'm told by an expert, one of the better places in DC for pho! I always love the vermicelli noodles with egg roll. Big space. No tableside service. Check them out! read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
I could eat pho every weekend. And I sometimes do. I had the best pho here than I've had in quite some time. I had the pho tai gan with beef eye round and tendon. Both were high quality and the tendon was super flavorful. The broth was clean and seemed properly made, the noodles had the perfect chew, and they had not just sriracha but also a great chili oil paste which I enjoyed. Order at the front and the food will probably come out by the time you get yourself a glass of water and sit down. That was my experience. I was shocked that the place was packed on a Friday afternoon at 2:30 pm, but am glad to see it and hope it's a sign this place stays around for some time. read more
Great service and food! You order at the counter and will be served at the table in no time. The broth is absolutely delicious and flavorsome. There's a lot of meat in there too too. The rice noodles were perfectly cooked. My friend had the veggie pho which was yummy as well. There's plenty of casual seating and the whole atmosphere was chill and relaxed. read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
The Pho was very good. I have never been here but went there for a date. It's casual dining. You go in and they assign you a table. You go up the the counter and order. When it's done they call out your name and bring it to your table. I would definitely go again. We got the summer rolls as well. I guess the only reason I would take away a star is because for a date it was very very close and open to other tables. read more
54 is an excellent oasis of affordable, fresh, healthy and delicious sit down dining in a corner of DC dominated by fancy places with $50 entrees. It's our new favorite place for a quick and affordable but nice meal before the theater. You order at the counter but then take your seat and waiters bring your food to the table with a smile. The menu is simple. Vermicelli bowls are outstanding and rival the best of Virginia's Eden Center. Pho is good -- hearty and comforting and fragrant with star anise -- if not the best you've ever had. Banh mi seem popular and look terrific (we haven't tried them). read more
My friend and I checked out 54 before a matinee at the National. When I first came in and sat down, the staff member handed everyone else menus except me. This was kind of weird, but the only even remotely negative experience I had during my visit. I made a special request to get a side of steamed vegetables which they did for me and charged me $3. I also tried the veggie summer rolls and swapped the peanut sauce for chili sauce. All was super good, I added some siracha to my veggies. Not to mention it was SUPER quick... my friends Pho came out like two minutes after he ordered it! I would love to come back and try some more of the menu. read more
5 months ago
3 years ago
My friend and I came here for dinner on a rainy, Friday night. We came around 6:30 PM and were informed that they would be closing early for an event but still were able to get us food. We were first told to pick a table and then given menus. Once we were ready we went up to the cashier to order. After the food was ready they brought it over to our table. And also helped to bus our table afterwards. I ordered: -ROCKET SHRIMP ROLLS: Really yummy. Well fried and just a great appetizer. -PHO BO VIEN: I love Vietnamese beef meatballs so this was great! They give you such a huge portion of noodles! My only main issue with this was just that they don't give you a lot of meatballs for the amount of noodles and soup that they give you which was a little disappointing. All in all, a nice restaurant for a satisfying dinner. read more
Wanted to get my pho fix before exploring the tourist spots of DC. I walked in and they seat you and then when you're ready to order, you walk up to the cash register. I ordered the Pho Tai, Chin, Nam cause it had the most variety of meat choices and within SECONDS, the food was brought to me. They call out your name and boy, that busser should get a pay raise because he calls out these names like he's calling for his soulmate (i.e. with lots of vigor and passion). As for the actual pho itself, I think it lacked a bit of flavor all around despite me adding all of the mints and bean sprouts. I usually like my pho to speak for itself and not add a lot of sauce but it really lacked flavor so I had to add some extra sauce on. It hits the spot though! read more
Small fast casual (order up front) place. Had to get my pho fix in DC. Ordered the 54 dumplings, shrimp summer roll and a pho bac Ignoring the fact I ate all that as a single diner, the food was legit. Far exceeded my expectations. The summer rolls were tight, the dumplings were the most unique in that it is lightly fried and the skin is delicious. The pho was excellent. Soup is on the sweeter side but still very good. They even used real Siracha! read more
1 year ago
Meat tastes like it was cooked from a previous day. Pho was ok. Good location. But not the best. read more
2 years ago
Very fresh and solid Vietnamese restaurant in a bit of surprising location. But clearly well though of by the many Asian families and parties in for an early dinner (5pm on a Saturday). I had the lemongrass grilled chicken vermicelli bowl and shrimp summer rolls -- far more food than I needed. The bowl was quite large. But excellent value and quality. Vermicelli was properly done, vegetables (a lot!) were fresh and tasty, and the chicken was flavorful. Food came out quickly. As others have said, order at the register and it is brought to your table. I was staying at the JW Marriott and was quite convenient -- though the address here in Yelp is a bit misleading, it is actually on E street not Pennsylvania. read more
This quaint little spot was tucked away just around the corner from my hotel and I'm so glad I stopped by! I got the grilled lemon chicken vermicelli bowl and it was delicious! Such a nice and filling portion of food; plus it was so savory, you literally can't go wrong with trying! I ordered at the counter and my food was brought out about 10 minutes afterward, the party I was with consisted of 3 of us and we all received our food back to back. I also snuck in a bite of my significant others Banh mi and it was so good too; from my POV the Banh mi was also a decent size! The workers here were all very kind, explained how to order and made the ordering process very easy. For a party of 3 we paid around $55+ for 2 vermicelli bowls, a Banh mi, and 2 drinks! read more
3 years ago
The best place we ate in DC hands down. Great food, great location, and attentive service. Very reasonable prices on everything on the menu. You'd never think to find authentic Vietnamese food after passing by so many food trucks. It's hard to find a decent casual restaurant in DC for us; relying on Yelp for every meal. I got their beef vermicelli bowl and the beef bahn mi. You order from the counter and then the food is brought to you from the staff. The vermicelli bowl was huge, filled with rice noodles, amazingly sauteed beef, and lots of fresh herbs. I absolutely loved the fish sauce as well. And wish I had more to cover more of the noodles. Everything was as expected, and my expectations for Vietnamese food is always high. I loved this place and it's definitely a great place to keep on your list. read more
You order at the register first. Service is quick. I ordered the pork pot stickers and pho tai (raw meat). The pot stickers were ok. The pork was good, but the wrapping had a weird texture. The pho was a very large portion. The broth did not have a lot of flavor. Had to use a lot of sauces to get it taste. read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
Cute little place that's obviously popular with locals! The food was outstanding: my Banh Mi was delicious! It's quick-service where you order at a counter. My only complaint was the music was a little too loud. read more
1 year ago
Everything was amazing! We were able to seat ourselves aswell as order at the counter. The music was very chill and the restaurant smelled very very nice. Everything came out so fast! & HOT! Perfect for upset stomachs like I had the night before. 10/10 pricing; 10/10 service; 10/10 food read more
6 months ago
I picked up lunch from 54 Restaurant today and was amazed at the quality and tastiness. I wanted to grab lunch from somewhere downtown but wanted to skip the sandwich that a downtown lunch often entails. There's also a lack of good Vietnamese food in DC; you generally have to go to the suburbs for that. I'm happy to say that that's no longer true, now that this place has opened! I ordered the shrimp summer rolls to start and these tasted great. The proportions of rice noodles to shrimp to vegetables were perfect and the peanut sauce that accompanied the rolls was very good as well. I also ordered the pho beef broth, which was honestly the highlight of the meal. The broth was super aromatic, well salted, and provided in a portion larger than I expected for the $6 price tag. For my main dish, I ordered the lemongrass chicken rice plate, which turned out to be very tasty. The chicken itself was served on top of the rice with green and fried onions for garnish. The chicken was tender and the portion size was substantial. It was also served alongside some cucumber as well as very lightly pickled radish and carrot. All in all, I greatly enjoyed the meal and will definitely be back. read more
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1201 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006
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(202) 843-3189
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http://www.54restaurantdc.net
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54 Restaurant - vietnamese - Updated October 2026
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