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Bona Vietnamese Restaurant
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Asian, Vietnamese
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Reservations
Seating
Table Service
Takeout
Location
University / Dinkytown
Is this a Vietnamese restaurant?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 8:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Contribute
4.1
44 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
19
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Gary R G
Windsor9 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
As a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, I had lunch there with colleagues every Friday for many years. We always ordered several items to share and always had a wonderful lunch! I really miss that place now that I have retired and have moved away. However, I ALWAYS go there for lunch when my travels take me back to Minnesota!
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woodcrest55129
Woodbury450 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
We enjoyed it. Seafood pho was good (not watered down as some places). Wife had Bun bo hue, her favorite dish. It was good but could had been hotter in temperature but perfect for spices. We will be back.
Written September 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire C
Bowling Green13 contributions
Jul 2019 • solo
Bona is a pleasant place to eat. The hall is spacious enough to find a table even during a busy lunch time. Pho soup base is a bit sweet to my taste, but it is still good and fresh. Spring rolls have more noodle than I expected (I would love to have more veggies and maybe keep half of the noodle), but they are fresh and yummy without funny smell or taste. The place is clean overall and the service is just adequate- no big welcome, but they are polite and you feel that you are cared. A solid restaurant in every way.
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vik P.
Minnesota29 contributions
Oct 2019 • none
The food is just okay. If you're looking for actual good non-white-ified Vietnamese food this is probably not the place for you. American Express was the only card I had (and I had no cash). They made a big deal about this and said the owner won't accept it because American Express charges a bit more for the merchant - they said this is a common complaint which is a bummer because for literal pennies the restaurant is losing hundreds in revenue.
The food is okay and I would go back again just because it's close by but they can't take my card .
Written October 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josh F
Minneapolis22 contributions
Sep 2019 • family
I care in with family for dinner tonight and as we were told to sit anywhere on the right i walked over to the table, floors were wet and greasy (NO SIGNS OR NOTICE) — I slipped slammed my recent heel surgery in the floor hard trying to stop from sliding, and dove face first into the table grasping at the table trying not to slip and fall on my face. All in my surgical boot and on crutches.
My husband picked me up he asked for tables without wet floors they said they had none. Then we asked for towels or a mat to put down so I could walk back out and leave and they didn’t so anything .
My hands hurt from being jarred into a table and trying to hold to try to not slip, my foot is in excruciating pain, and will now be looking to be seen as I’m fearful this wasn’t good for my foot.
Not one person came to help with drying the floor or ask if I was okay.
HORRIBLE
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alejandro l
25 contributions
Sep 2018 • family
A lengthy menu, abundant, fast service, inexpensive, close to campus, friendly staff. We had to go twice in order to try more plates.
Written November 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visimom
56 contributions
Aug 2018 • business
I thought I didn't like pho, but apparently I had never had the right pho! The meat was very tender and it was very flavorful. I wanted to cry when I couldn't finish it. I was just too full. Yum!
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cmacf1
302 contributions
Aug 2017 • family
Today, my family and I found ourselves traveling through Minneapolis to the airport at dinnertime. My husband has told me for years about this great little Vietnamese restaurant he used to go to near U of Minnesota in the late 1980s, so when he suggested it today, I said, sure, let's go! I was not disappointed, my husband was delighted and even our kids liked it! The spring rolls were delicious (the peanut sauce was among the best I've ever had,) and our entrees were also wonderful. Hubby and I had the spicy lemongrass chicken, one child had curry chicken and the other had chicken fried rice. I wish this restaurant were in Baltimore! We have vietnamese restaurants here that I really like, but Bona surpasses them!
Written August 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fwlim
Singapore226 contributions
Mar 2017 • friends
Right next to UoMn campus where he light rail transit runs right through. Spacious seating. Friendly staff. Mostly campus students. Hence affordable meals. Beef phĂł broth was delicious. Meat was thinly sliced & tender.
Written March 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tegan C
Saint Paul6 contributions
Mar 2017 • friends
Bona has the best pho and eggrolls around, in my opinion. It is also inexpensive and consistent. Yes, it gets pretty packed over lunch, and there is good reason for that, but they have several tables and I have always received rapid service no matter how busy they are. I have never waited for a seat. The pho is flavorful and fresh and the meat is always super tender.
My regular order: eggrolls, the "C" (classic pho), and tricolor desert drink (shaved ice, coconut cream, and chewy jellies).
You will not be disappointed!
Written March 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CodeRed2015
Minneapolis28 contributions
Mar 2017 • solo
Pho is is decent. A bit pricey compared to other Pho restaurants. Sandwiches are ok. Overall decent experience.
Written March 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aenneken
Minneapolis520 contributions
Dec 2016 • business
I don't know if it's good or bad that Bona is located right around the corner of my office...I have tried various phos but also cream cheese wontons, sweet and sour chicken and other Asian staples they offer. The food is awesome!! Full of flavor, very well seasoned and what might be the best is that you never wait more than 10 mins for your food. I don't know how these guys do it....the lunch rush at Bona is seriously busy each weekday but yet, the service is always spot-on. They also offer Banh Mi for takeout. For $5.50 you get an outstanding quick lunch, too! I am totally in love with this place.
Written December 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natasha B
Grand Rapids20 contributions
Oct 2016 • solo
I have been here several times. They have phở with a vegetable broth as a vegan option, and while it isn't the most flavorful soup ever, it is pretty good. They also have a long list of tofu/mock duck dishes. I have had the mock duck with Chinese broccoli a few times. It tastes like a kind of generic sweet stir fry dish, but it is pretty good. The one thing I don't like is the vegetarian bánh mì that they came out with recently. It has a weird sweet, vinegary taste with crispy bits of noodle and tofu in it. It just doesn't make a very good sandwich. It is usually very crowded at lunch time, and you will get minimal attention from the waitstaff.
Written November 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gordon S
7 contributions
Oct 2016 • couples
There is no better Vietnamese cuisine than that served at the Bona near the University of Minnesota campus. Each dish is prepared by Vietnamese cooks. The owner and all the servers are Vietnamese. They certainly know their Vietnamese food and can advise diners to suit their tastes. It is a great place to go to try a variety of extraordinary dishes. I have been dining there frequently for about 30 years. I would not return so often if I weren't hooked on this restaurant and its food.
Written October 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kvavik U
249 contributions
Aug 2016 • couples
Stopped into Bona using light rail from down town MSP getting off at the East Bank U of M station. Short two block walk. Fast and easy.
The food and service were excellent. Quick, courteous, informed. The Pho as others have mentioned was excellent as were the spring rolls and egg rolls. Fresh and tasty, no off flavor on the shrimp. My wife has the Vietnamese salary with pork and was completely happy with dish. The pork was moist; the greens crisp and fresh.
Highly recommended.
Written August 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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