Basil Leaf Pho

Skip the Springvale commute. Right on Brunswick Street, Basil Leaf Pho delivers an unapologetically authentic Vietnamese fix—steered by owner Annie’s fierce dedication to quality. Fitzroy’s most discerning noodle hounds routinely pack the lantern-lit dining room for the phở Hà Nội, a traditional home-style bowl sporting a deeply savory, aromatic nước dùng (broth) that hits every comfort-food receptor. The menu is loaded with vibrant, high-voltage flavor. Think ultra-crispy chả giò rế (net spring rolls) shattering on impact, a legendary combination laksa, and a green papaya salad electrified by shards of Granny Smith apple. Vegan and gluten-free diners get serious menu real estate here, too. Prices are aggressively fair. Portions are massive. It gets slammed during prime time—so grab a Vietnamese iced milk tea, settle in, and wait for the XO fried rice to drop.