For many Vancouverites, Ông Bà Vietnamese Eatery was more than a neighbourhood favourite—it was the kind of place you returned to again and again for soul-soothing bowls of phở, warm hospitality and the feeling that every meal came with a story.
Now, after closing its intimate Denman Street location earlier this year, the beloved family-run restaurant is beginning an exciting new chapter. On July 12, Ông Bà officially opens the doors to a stunning new 200-seat home inside Coquitlam’s Henderson Place, bringing with it an expanded menu, an elegant new cocktail program and more room than ever to celebrate the remarkable family history that inspired it all.
Named after the Vietnamese word for “grandparents,” Ông Bà is, at its heart, a love letter to owners Viet and Quynh’s family. Every detail of the restaurant honours the extraordinary story of Viet’s parents—Bố and Mẹ. He was a hardworking boatsman from the islands of Hạ Long Bay; she was a spirited city girl from Hải Phòng who adored French café culture. Together, they survived a daring prison escape by bicycle, spent 75 perilous days at sea in search of freedom and, after building a new life in Canada, went on to sponsor hundreds of refugee families. That legacy of resilience, generosity and community continues to shape every dish served today.
While many diners instinctively crave Vietnamese cuisine in cooler months, Ông Bà is embracing the energy of summer by shining a spotlight on the lighter, brighter side of its culinary heritage.
“Our menu has always balanced Bố’s traditional, disciplined approach to slow-simmered phở with Mẹ’s soulful love for French-Vietnamese fusion,” says Culinary Director Quynh. “This summer, we are shifting the spotlight toward Mẹ’s side of the menu, focusing on lighter, brighter fusion dishes perfect for the warmer months.”
The expanded kitchen allows the team to dream bigger than ever before. Alongside the restaurant’s beloved bowls of deeply aromatic phở and comforting Vietnamese classics, guests can expect vibrant share plates bursting with fresh herbs, crisp vegetables and bold Southeast Asian flavours, delicate French-inspired touches that reflect Vietnam’s colonial culinary history, colourful street food favourites, and seasonal dishes designed for leisurely summer dining. Think fragrant herbs, citrus, fresh seafood, crunchy textures and dishes made for gathering around the table with family and friends.
The drinks are equally compelling.
A brand-new bar program reimagines some of Vietnam’s most beloved beverages through a contemporary lens. Traditional cà phê phin (Vietnamese drip coffee) and cà phê kem muối (salted cream coffee) have inspired a sophisticated lineup of refreshing cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks that celebrate the bold flavours of Vietnamese coffee culture while offering something entirely new. It’s a natural extension of the restaurant’s philosophy: honour tradition while embracing innovation.
The new space itself feels like a destination.
Rich shades of crimson flow throughout the dining room, symbolizing passion, perseverance and celebration. Elegant finishes, warm lighting and thoughtful design details create an atmosphere that feels both contemporary and deeply personal—a visual representation of Bố and Mẹ’s long journey and joyful “happily ever after.” Even the restaurant’s refreshed logo reflects that evolution: where the original depicted Mẹ helping Bố escape on the back of her bicycle, the new emblem shows them standing together later in life, united after decades of resilience and love.
For Viet, the move isn’t simply about opening a bigger restaurant—it’s about creating space for more people to become part of the family’s story.
“Our mother spent her whole life feeding people as her way of loving the world,” he says. “This summer, we invite our long-time West End guests and our new Coquitlam neighbours to sit at a larger table, toast to new beginnings with a cold drink, and continue the story that Bố and Mẹ began so many years ago.”
The next chapter of Ông Bà officially begins July 12—and judging by what’s coming out of the kitchen and behind the bar, it promises to be every bit as memorable as the first. Reservations are now open. —Noa Nichol
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