Dua Vietnamese

Best Vietnamese food place in Downtown Atlanta. Definitely recommend to visit. Only reason I an rating 4 is due to long time you have stand in queue to place order something they should learn from chick-​fil or chipotle how to manager during rush hours

Out of fresh rolls. Tried fried egg rolls and very disappointed. Watery ducky sauce and flavorless roll. Did not eat second one. Light on sides of bean sprouts, meat and spaghetti like noodles. Being freshly prepared for each order is the two stars. I will not be back as soo many other great Vietnamese places to eat.

While I attended GSU and going to class in Aderhold, the smell of phở would just set off my stomach. I really really love this place. Their phở absolutely hits the spot. Especially on a cold rainy day. I used to come here with my friends after our finals. I also came here with my boyfriend when we were both sick and in Atlanta. I would have to say their Phở is almost as close as authentic than other Vietnamese places in Atlanta. Their broth is just great and I love cilantro– and they pack it with cilantro. The price is generic– but does add up quickly.
This place gets packed so quickly, especially during lunch time. You will never find a seat or table here. It’s really small. They have an upstairs and a downstairs. The downstairs is cozy and cute. They have music on, cute christmas lights, and fake candle lights.
Also next door they have a separate delivery/​take out– if that’s what you choose.

So, I really wanted to like this place. I am feeling a little under the weather, and I work near the GA Dome, and I was really craving Phở which is what I want when I have a cold or sinus infection. The broth is very healing to me. Usually, I will make the trek to Buford Hwy or eat at my favorite Phở spot near my house. However, today, I went to Dua downtown because it has 4 stars on Unilocal,so I thought I would check it out. I was very underwhelmed by my experience there. It is clear that the people who think this place is great do not know the difference between good Phở and bad Phở… or they had to have ordered something else.
Logistically this place is tricky because you must park on the street or walk a little ways to a garage. it is surrounded by lots of other eateries and if you work within walking distance, it is probably a good place to visit. I had to drive there. I was able to find street parking somewhat easily but I think that was sheer luck. It was very busy and they had a constant line of people. That actually encouraged me when I walked through the door. I ordered the large bowl of beef phở and the fried pork eggrolls. The eggrolls tasted like they came out of a box from the freezer and were deep fried. They were nothing special and in fact I literally have bought better frozen eggrolls at Kroger than these eggrolls. The Phở was also completely disappointing. First of all, it was served with 2 basil leaves, 5 jalapenos, a half a handful of bean sprouts, and half a lime wedge. I have never seen a Vietnamese place skimp so much on the garnishes that go in the Phở, and I ordered a Large bowl… not a regular. I am also used to some either cilantro or culantro with it. On top of that, the broth was so bland to me that it really needed the herbs, lime, and jalapenos for the flavor so the fact that you barely got any herbs and lime at all was a huge disappointment. I ended up putting tons of hot sauce (sriracha) and I even put salt and pepper just to make it have some sort of flavor. There was a pretty decent noodle to meat ratio but the meat was so over cooked. I am used to rare beef phở where the beef cooks a little in the hot broth. This beef was already cooked. Overall, I think I will drive to Buford Hwy next time and not waste my time at Dua.

Very good option for phở if you live in downtown/​midtown Atlanta and don’t want to make a trek to Buford Highway. Dua Vietnamese is located in a small cluster of Asian restaurants in downtown Atlanta. The restaurant takes orders at the counter and the main dining area is the size of what is is typical at a fast casual dining restaurant. In addition to phở, the menu includes rice dishes, appetizers, and vermicelli noodles.
I ordered a bowl of house phở, which includes both cuts of beef and meatballs. The broth was light and the seasoning was not complex. In my phở, there was a reasonable amount of both noodles and meat. Salt level was a bit above average. I finished all of the noodles and meat but only half the broth. It was tasty, but there was enough salt for me not to finish all of the broth.
I also sampled the fried egg rolls. They were okay, but I would say the restaurant’s phở was the highlight of my meal. Service speed was on par with your typical Vietnamese phở joint.

Been a regular since opened. Today was asked to leave immediately at completion of meal. $ 40 for 3 meals and crappy hospitality just doesn’t deserve my patronage any longer.

I really hate giving this review, but I have been eating here for years and finally reached a breaking point today and will never eat there again.
The food here is very good and the general staff is kind and helpful. However, the ownership is nothing less than nasty to customers. There are an abundance of ridiculous rules with no leeway and they are very hateful to people if they are not following all of them to a «T».
For example: they have a rule that you must spend a minimum of $ 8 to sit down in the restaurant. I actually completely understand and support this kind of policy during peak hours or when the restaurant is busy, but I have seen the female owner (today being an example) absolutely YELLING at a customer over this when the restaurant was otherwise completely empty. Several months ago, a few colleagues and I came into the restaurant for a going away (late) lunch with 4 people in our party. One of the people in our group could not eat any of the food due to dietary/​allergy restrictions, but the restaurant was almost completely empty and the other 3 of us all got full meals and drinks (averaging to more than $ 8 per person among the 4 of us). After we had sat down in the downstairs area, the female owner made a beeline to us to inform us that the 4^th person had to leave immediately or buy a meal. The entire room we were in was empty except for us and we were taking up the same size table that we would have taken with just the 3 of us (so making our colleague leave did not open up a seat for someone else). The female owner was rude and hateful when she spoke to us. Over the last couple of years I’ve seen it happen on multiple occasions when it didn’t need to (i.e. when the restaurant was basically empty and one person in a party didn’t order), it’s like she is just constantly looking for something to get on to someone about. It’s stressful just being in the same room with her.
Additionally — there are signs everywhere with rules — «No free refills, refills $ 1» on the «freestyle» machine that actually only has pretty standard options in it rather than the typical freestyle options. «No lids for water» — yes, seriously, there is a sign that says you cannot take a lid for water cups, those are only for patrons that have paid for a drink, no lid freebies here.
Today when I went to pick up an order to go around 2:45 pm, I saw the female owner yelling at one of the employees because the employee didn’t know that delivery orders had to go through a third party website. The employee was sweet and respectful of all the customers and was polite and quietly took her verbal lashing — I was very impressed with her composure. While I was waiting, someone came in and made an order and then went to sit outside in the Dua outdoor seating. At this time, the restaurant and the outside seating were only about 25% full. The female owner noticed that the woman had kids with her but she had not bought a meal for them. The owner immediately went on her war path to right this blatant disregard of her many rule signs (printed in classic papyrus font of course). She then got into a yelling match with the woman when the customer wanted to cancel her order. It was unprofessional on the part of the female owner and was extremely uncomfortable for the other customers around. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me with this place.
Of the 4 of us that came that day months ago for the going away lunch, I was the only one still eating there. They are going to slowly lose all of their regular clientele with the kind of policies and attitude this woman has towards the customers and her staff (I don’t want to eat somewhere where the owner treats their employees like crap). If another phở place moved into the area, this place would be out of business pretty quickly.

If you need your phở fix and are stuck in the city it’s the only place to go. But the quality of the food is mediocre at best. The broth is so phoking sweet (see what I did there) like they added maple syrup in the broth. They were kind enough to give just enough bean sprouts and mint leaves for a starving African child. Then they served me my viet iced coffee without any ice, that’s like giving me a milk shake made with water. All in all. Meh. If u need phở and can’t drive to a better place, it suffices

C3. On point.
I’ve been eating here since I started working in downtown. Never gets old. It gets super crowded during lunch. Order online ahead of time and pick up at Dua 2 go.
Beef with rice is also really good. So tender and flavorful. Bun is awesome too if you want refreshing vermicelli noodles. Phở is good but not amazing.

I was very surprised that this Vietnamese restaurant would actually be good. I walked in thinking it would be mediocre. I have had food from the TO GO side and the sit down restaurant side. On the sit down side you order first before you sit down and refills are $ 1. There is a small main dining room area and a down stairs dining area. I’ve had
Bo luc lac (shaking beef), Bun thit nuong (vermicelli and pork), egg rolls, and phở ga (chicken phở). All were really good and I could tell it was authentic. The first meal I had here was the phở ga and I could tell from there that this place is legit. The phở had perfect bold authentic flavor. If you are in the down town area and want real Vietnamese food this is the spot.

The food in this place is okay. But, the customer experience is truly the worst. They don’t ever offer REFUNDS.
I used to come here regularly and eat by myself. I would like to note that every time I do so I occupy an entire 2 people table all by myself. Today, I came to get some phở with a friend of mine. Since my friend was not going to eat lunch at 4:00pm, he didn’t order anything. I was told that since my friend had not spent a minimum of $ 5.00, that we would have to eat outside or relocate to the Gyro place down the street, which is apparently owned by the same owners as well.
In other terms, I was being asked to place a to-​go order and take it to a different restaurant to eat. I simply did not feel comfortable doing so. I do not feel like transporting a bowl of to-​go Phở to a different locations that doesn’t offer the same condiments as they do. This occurred past 4:00 pm and there were many empty tables available. I proceeded to ask for a refund which they do not offer. Then, I proceeded to ask for a manager and the cashier simply stated «I am the manager.» I did not want to make my friend feel uncomfortable, so I simply left the restaurant without a refund.
I am now in the process of filing a bank claim to get my money back and a complaint with the Business Bureau for denying me a refund. I highly suggest visiting a different location for food.

I «found» Dua from my new job, they often use them for catering and work lunches. And being a new hire, it was our first lunch. I had no idea there was some Vietnamese downtown.
Food is solid, especially the tofu dish. Even those who don’t eat tofu enjoy it. It has a spicy lemongrass sauce that is delicious. I’ve tried a little of a few things from the grilled chicken to the buns to the spring rolls — I’ve been satisfied with it all.
You can order takeout during the day and pick up from their «Dua 2 Go» side location next to the main store. They also deliver within a 2 mile radius — but not to Midtown. Good for downtown office lunches.

Three things come to mind about the meal I had here: It was tasty. It was hot. It was filling.
Dua gets busy during the lunch hour. So busy, in fact, that if you’re standing just a foot or two out of place, maybe you’re just poking your head in, or want to read a menu or something, a very nervous girl behind the counter will politely assert that you should get back in line. Which I did. Because I did want my tasty, hot, and filling meal.
Once I got it, my friend and I grabbed a table along the wall and got on with our conversation. I do find it rather difficult to eat noodles and politely converse by western standards, which involve a culture conflict on the appropriateness of slurping, and maybe talking while there’s still food in your mouth. Both of these practices are okay with me, but I often wonder what my guest might think. Not to mention what to do with that delicious shrimp tail. I had ordered the «B4» Bún tôm nng. It’s the kind of tasty, hot, filling, and frankly delicious meal that I kind of just want to order by myself, so I can demolish the thing as Cookie Monster would, without working about remaining presentable.
The Bún tôm nng is cold rice vermicelli noodle dish topped with grilled shrimp, fresh herbs like basil and mint, fresh salad and maybe some bean sprouts. They top the whole thing with some peanut sauce and sometimes a spring roll. The truth of the matter is, you can’t go wrong with any of the bún or the cm dishes. They’re all very good. You’re going to leave happy.
My suggestion is to get there early, and to prepare for it to be busy. Things move quickly in this restaurant, and I think you’re going to enjoy the food. Holler if you want some company.

Food is usually pretty top notch, but lately I’ve been disappointed. I always order the same thing: lemongrass tofu bun. It’s probably one of the best items on the menu when it’s fresh. However, I’ve ordered it twice recently, and the tofu has been dull in color, tough in texture, and not crisp as it usually is. I don’t know why they wouldn’t make each meal fresh to order, but it was clearly very old. Very disappointing, but I know how good it can be, so I’ll be back. But I will start checking the order before I pay from now on.

The food is good. It’s about $ 10 for lunch so not the cheapest in the area but good once in awhile.
Their well-​known for their phở and it’s good. It’s bigger inside than you’d think also — they have two floors.
They’ll make your food pretty quick and get there early because they’re going to be packed.

I’m so surprised I haven’t written a review for Dua yet! Dua is my husband’s top favorite restaurant. He went to school at GSU and took me to Dua for a lunch a few years ago, and we’ve been frequenting ever since. I love their food so much, I’ve been using them to cater small lunches for my work team when I have the chance.
I typically get Dua’s beef phở or the marinated pork with rice and egg. I one time had the phở when the beef was chewy, and I admit it could be sliced thinner, but that’s my only complaint, and the tender noodles, hearty broth, and bright basil with fresh veggies outweighs that one little negative blip. The marinated pork is consistently delicious. The flavors on that pork is amazing, and even though it’s more food than my stomach can fit, I always try to eat the entire thing. The spring roll that comes with the noodle dish is always crispy and tasty, too. I keep telling myself I’m going to try the lemongrass chicken some day, but my two favorites of the pork and the phở always end up winning when it comes time to order.
Speaking of ordering, even though the restaurant is typically busy and packed during lunch, I have always had a very good customer service experience at Dua. The service is always excellent, and the folks running the register have always kept their cool and a smile on their face.
We’ve recommended Dua to friends already, and we took my slightly suspicious sister and her boyfriend for a visit a couple months ago. They’d never had Vietnamese before, and they didn’t know what to expect. They loved it, and we knew they would!
For tasty Vietnamese in Downtown Atlanta, there’s no beating Dua. There’s additional seating downstairs; you can find the stairwell down the hallway near the bathrooms. There’s also a take out location two doors to the left, by the way.

The phở at this place tastes great for a great price. I heard it was owned by the same family as Dai Loi on Buford Highway. It’s located downtown on Georgia State campus and it gets really crowded around lunchtime. Also, if you’re not within walking distance, finding street parking can be really difficult. They have 2 store fronts right next to each other. One side is for dine in customers and the other is for to go orders. The lady at the cash register (who I think owns the place) has been nice every time I’ve been here, but I’ve heard multiple people say she has been extremely rude and argumentative to customers.

This is a very neat little place and a great find! They ran out of Bun Bo Hue broth!!! It was early-​late afternoon and this was our first time in! We definitely have to come back for the Bun Bo Hue, because broth that runs out at a restaurant can only mean one of two things: They underestimated how many people would come in that day, or the broth is so delicious and popular that they ran out!
Also, it usually means they cook it in smaller, more quality batches (speculating).
Anyways, the phở was awesome. I was a little disappointed with the Bun Dac Biet. Maybe they put too much fish sauce? It just didn’t come together that nicely and there was no lettuce at the bottom to balance the fish-​sauciness and meat.
There is plenty of seating downstairs in their little underground den.

Look, there is nothing better in the area than a bowl of piping hot phở when it is this cold outside. Albeit, I’m not always willing to walk down to Dua Vietnamese in the blustering winds, but for sure, I’m always craving it.
The first time I came a couple weeks ago, I came with a co-​worker that had never had phở! (Blasphemy). We actually ended up at DuaIIGo on accident and had to stand in line all over again when we realized our intentions were to come here. So as to not get confused, if you are coming from the Marta station, this will be on Broad St. on your left, right after Reuben’s Deli. If you want it to-​go, you will see DuaIIGo first.
The area looks pretty small, with only high tops and small 2 person tables. But actually they have a downstairs with about 10 other tables meant for parties of 3 or more. Besides the first time I was here, I’ve been pretty lucky about not coming during a major rush. Even that first time, the lines moved pretty quickly.
Aside from your traditional phở, they also have com (rice), bun (vermicelli noodle salad-​esque), mixao (some stir fry noodle), and salads. They also have egg rolls and spring rolls.
I’ve tried the beef phở and spicy lemongrass tofu com. The regular is huge, so I don’t know if I would bother with the large… Ever. The broth is a bit sweeter than most, but it’s still good. I think that when they are busy, they aren’t as conscious with the meat. I got a bunch of clumps of meat instead of thinly sliced the last time I was here. With the phở, they also provide you with bean sprouts, jalapenos, lime, and basil leaves. The lemongrass tofu rice platter comes with rice, tofu, sliced cucumber and tomato, pickled daikon and carrots, and some sort of side salad. The pickled daikon tastes just like the stuff in banh mi. I wasn’t a fan of the salad. It was pretty much just spring green mix and some unpleasant dressing. The tofu, however, was SO TASTY. It’s soft on the inside and firm on the outside. I would definitely try this vegetarian option.
Side note, I could never figure out how to pronounce dua and a Vietnamese friend informed me that it was Do-​Uh. Explains why their shirts say just DUA it. Just DWAH it definitely doesn’t make any sense.

No, no, nooooo good!
After three days and nights of drinking, we said noodle soup sounded good and a good way to cure our hangovers. My friends found Dua on Unilocal.It had 4 stars so we thought we would give it a try.
I ordered the meatball phở (#2). At about $ 8 a bowl, it was a bit more expensive than I’m use to but I’m guessing it was the financial district area so that was understandable. Each bowl of phở was served with a side of beanspouts, lime wedges, and mint leaf stem, and jalapenos slices.
The noodles were slightly overcooked. My first taste of the soup was good. It was hot, comforting on the stomach, but I could taste the MSG. The more soup I had, the salt and the MSG became so unbearable. In other words, I barely ate much of my food and left the restaurant unsatisfied.
WHAT TO KNOW:
*Variety of dishes: phở (noodle soup), bun (vermicelli dishes), com (rice plates), and mixao (pan fried noodles)
*It’s like a fast food restaurant. You order at the counter, take your number, and your food is brought to you.
*Ground level and downstairs seating. Downstairs has tables for larger parties.
*To go location located next door
*Metered street parking