St. Louis food lovers, take note—Grand Bistro has officially opened its doors! This brand-new restaurant on South Grand carries on the legacy of a beloved institution: Pho Grand. While the name may have changed, the menu remains the same, ensuring that longtime fans of Vietnamese cuisine can still enjoy their favorite dishes. If you grew up on Pho Grand, stepping into this space is like stepping into a memory—the comforting aromas, the familiar dishes, and the same family carrying on a St. Louis institution. It’s as if Pho Grand never closed.
A Warm Welcome & A Nostalgic Menu
The refreshed space feels welcoming, with updated décor that still honors its Vietnamese roots. You'll still find the same murals and musical instruments from Vietnam adorning the walls, but you'll also note a few differences. When you enter the space, instead of being greeted by the bar, there's a new row of banquette seating. The bar has relocated & seating has been added. There's a wonderful selection of cocktails, shots, coffee & teas perfect for pairing with your favorite Vietnamese dishes.
But let’s be real—we’re here for the food. And Grand Bistro delivers, dish for dish, on everything that made Pho Grand legendary.
What I Ordered (of course, I included the menu numbers)
🍤 10.02 Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls) – These are the spring rolls I compare all others to. No excess lettuce here—just the perfect balance of vermicelli noodles, herbs, and plenty of shrimp & pork, wrapped tightly in rice paper and served with Vietnamese dipping sauce.
🫓 10.10 Seasoned Tofu – Crispy on the outside, creamy in the center, and bursting with lemongrass, onion, and red bell pepper flavors. It’s a must for tofu lovers (or even skeptics). Pro tip: Ask for peanut sauce on the side!
🍜 15.03 Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio – The perfect vermicelli bowl. Charred pork, crispy egg rolls, fresh veggies, and that signature nuoc cham sauce tie everything together. Light, yet deeply satisfying.
🥩 17.02 Banh Cuon Thit Nuong – Delicate rice flour crepes filled with pork, mushrooms, and onions, topped with charbroiled pork and crispy fried onions. It’s savory, textural, and absolutely addicting.
🍛 20.04 Com Thit Nuong – It might just be crushed rice with charbroiled pork, but trust me—everyone at your table will be fighting over every last crispy piece of red pork on the plate.
MUST TRY: New Cocktail Menu
- Grand Bistro Old Fashioned – classic old fashioned with pho spices, house bitters, star anise
- Saigon Sour – refreshing gimlet with gin, lime, saline, Thai basil oil (pictured below)
- Lemongrass Lady – spicy margarita with Thai chili, lemongrass, pineapple, lime
- Ca Phe Sua Da Martini – espresso martini with vodka, coffee liqueur, Vietnamese coffee, sweetened condensed milk, bitters
- Passion Project – a creamy mezcal sour with bergamot, passionfruit, sweetened condensed milk, lemon
final thoughts
Grand Bistro isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a continuation of something much bigger. It’s proof that some flavors never fade, and some traditions are worth preserving. Whether you’re here for a steaming bowl of pho or a plate of perfectly chargrilled pork, Grand Bistro brings back everything we loved about Pho Grand. The legacy lives on, and St. Louis is better for it.
🍽 Best for: Vietnamese comfort food, nostalgic flavors
📍 Location: South Grand, St. Louis
Who else is excited that the classics are back? Let me know your go-to dish in the comments!
