Pho Mai
Aussersihl, Zürich
Restaurant in Zürich, Switzerland
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$20–30per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Pho Mai is worth choosing for an easy, casual Zürich meal when convenience matters more than ceremony. It is better suited to repeat weeknight or weekend use than a special-occasion dinner, and returning guests should order with the season in mind: warmer, fuller choices in cold weather and lighter options when the day calls for speed.
About Pho Mai
Pho Mai is a casual venue in Zürich with opening hours across the week. It is a good choice for an informal meal when the timing works, and it's best to avoid building expectations around claims such as a named chef, published accolades, a tasting-menu format, a specific drinks program, or signature dishes.
Pho Mai is open Monday from 12–10 PM; Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM–3 PM and 5–10 PM; and Saturday and Sunday from 12–10 PM. Dress code is casual.
Who should choose this over a bigger Zürich night out
Choose Pho Mai when the group wants a casual Zürich option and the hours fit the plan. It is less compelling if the occasion depends on formal service, a known wine program, a named chef, or published accolades. For other dining styles, compare it with options such as Ah-Hua Brauerstrasse, Ikoo, SHOKUDO Izakaya, d'Aurora, or Fribourger Fonduestübli.
For a returning guest, the safest approach is to check the current menu and availability before going rather than relying on assumptions about specific dishes, sharing formats, or service style. Its appeal is practical: casual dress and hours that cover midday and evening periods on multiple days.
Quick reference: Casual Zürich venue with weekly hours; best planned around timing and direct confirmation of any menu or service needs.
Planning details
- Location
- Rotwandstrasse 51, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland
- Phone
- +41442419181
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Pho Mai sits modestly on Rotwandstrasse in Kreis 4 and reads like a neighbourhood kitchen more than a destination stage. The district's everyday urban texture and accessible dining culture shape the restaurant. The restaurant aligns with the Vietnamese philosophy embedded in the bowl, patient, cumulative cooking that privileges broth and herbs, and that sensibility shapes a relaxed, charming room where the focus is squarely on honest food and familiar rhythms rather than formality or flash.
Best For
This is a spot for local, everyday dining: people who live in the area or those seeking an unpretentious bowl of pho will feel at home. The description frames Pho Mai as neighbourhood-oriented and accessible, so it reads as a place for solitary lunches, quick dinners, or casual catch-ups rather than special-occasion formality. The emphasis on pho as a daily ritual suggests the kitchen is tuned to serving straightforward, comforting Vietnamese classics to regulars and passersby alike.
Ordering Tips
The editorial text treats pho as the cultural and technical centrepiece, noting the long-reduced broths and herb-forward southern variants; that context suggests ordering the Pho Bo to experience the house approach to broth. Summer Rolls are also listed among the signature offerings and pair well as a fresh counterpoint to the bowl. Keep expectations practical: this is about the fundamentals of Vietnamese cooking (broth, herbs and balance) so prioritise those classics rather than elaborate add-ons.
Venue details
Ambiance
Simple, informal, and clean with a casual family-run atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Pho Bo
- Summer Rolls
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Rotwandstrasse 51, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland
Planning details
Location
Rotwandstrasse 51, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- d'Aurora, Notable alternative
- SHOKUDO Izakaya, Notable alternative
- Ah-Hua Brauerstrasse, Notable alternative
- Fribourger Fonduestübli, Notable alternative
- Ikoo, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Pho Mai compares in Zürich
Pho Mai is the easier, lower-commitment choice if the goal is a casual meal without turning the booking into the main event. d'Aurora is the better cross-shop when the group wants a more classic sit-down feel, while SHOKUDO Izakaya makes more sense for a livelier Japanese-leaning night with more of a drinks-and-small-plates mood.
For comfort food, Ah-Hua Brauerstrasse is the closest practical alternative in the same casual-Asian lane; choose between the two based on craving and table availability. Fribourger Fonduestübli is a better fit for visitors who specifically want a Swiss fondue night, but it is less of an everyday fallback. Ikoo is the stronger pick when ramen or Japanese comfort food is the target.
Bottom line: pick Pho Mai for ease and a repeatable casual meal; pick SHOKUDO Izakaya or Ikoo when the format matters more; pick Fribourger Fonduestübli when the point is a Zürich-specific comfort-food evening.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Pho Mai guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Pho Mai
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Pho Mai | Zürich | No published awards |
| d'Aurora | Zürich | No published awards |
| SHOKUDO Izakaya | Zürich | No published awards |
| Ah-Hua Brauerstrasse | Zürich | No published awards |
| Fribourger Fonduestübli | Zürich | No published awards |
| Ikoo | Zürich | No published awards |
How Pho Mai Zürich compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Pho Mai?
Treat Pho Mai as a casual Zürich venue and plan around its hours: Monday 12–10 PM; Tuesday through Friday 11 AM–3 PM and 5–10 PM; Saturday and Sunday 12–10 PM.
Is Pho Mai good for a special occasion?
Pho Mai has a casual dress code, but it is not positioned as a formal celebration restaurant or special-occasion venue. If the occasion depends on a particular atmosphere, service format, or menu, confirm those details before booking or compare with other dining options such as Fribourger Fonduestübli.
Does Pho Mai handle dietary restrictions?
Dietary and allergy accommodations are not available. Ask Pho Mai directly before you go, especially if anyone in the group has strict requirements.
