World famous Vietnamese restaurant opening a new location in Toronto

A Vietnamese restaurant that’s become famous around the world and has been praised by the likes of Anthony Bourdain is opening a new location in Toronto.

Lunch Lady is inspired by the world famous Vietnamese street food served in Saigon by the original “lunch lady” herself since 1995. The concept has now evolved into a totally new restaurant located in Vancouver that snagged a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023.

“Since 1995, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh, most famously known as the legendary lunch lady, has served rotating daily noodle soups to Saigon locals and world travellers,” reads the Lunch Lady website.

Anthony Bourdain highlighted those soups on his TV show No Reservations, saying they were “like discovering new neighbourhoods every few mouthfuls.”

The Vancouver location of Lunch Lady serves brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks. They still do classic noodle soups, but they also serve other signature dishes like pork skewers, crispy soft shell crab, and a ribeye with peppercorn sauce to which you can optionally add pan-seared foie gras.

“Rooted in heritage, driven by innovation. At Lunch Lady, we find culinary excellence in marrying the best local ingredients of the Pacific Northwest with Chef Nguyen Thi Thanh’s mastery over Vietnamese flavours,” reads the site.

“Designed by Chef Benedict Lim and refined by the Lunch Lady herself, our modern yet approachable menu offers a dining experience like no other. Come and taste our award-winning dishes that are distinctly authentic to Vietnam.”

Now, those Vietnamese flavours and award-winning dishes are making their way to Toronto.

A representative for Toronto’s location of Lunch Lady tells YourCityWithIN.com that they are aiming to open at 93 Ossington Ave. around May 2025.