Vietnam Why Not Restaurant

5/54-68 West Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095, Australia
+61 2 8021 1906
$$$ Vietnamese restaurant
(126 Reviews)
Price Range $20–40

Welcome to Vietnam Why Not Restaurant, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Manly, NSW. This charming establishment invites you to embark on an authentic Vietnamese culinary journey that beautifully captures the vibrancy and rich flavors of Vietnam.

At Vietnam Why Not, the menu is a delightful mix of traditional dishes designed to tantalize your taste buds. Start your dining experience with the Chả Giò, crispy spring rolls filled with homemade pork or crab and prawn, served with a sweet fish sauce that perfectly complements the crunch. If you’re after something refreshing, the Gỏi Cuốn summer rolls, with their fresh herbs and crisp vegetables wrapped in soft rice paper, are a must-try, especially when dipped in the rich peanut hoisin sauce.

For the main event, indulge in the restaurant's signature Pho – a fragrant Vietnamese noodle soup simmered to perfection with a blend of beef and chicken bones, ginger, and spices, finished with fresh bean sprouts and Thai basil. You can choose from beef, chicken, or even a lovely tofu option. Customers rave about the Bún Chả Hà Nội—Hanoi-style grilled pork vermicelli—making it a perfect choice for those who crave a taste of the traditional street food scene. And don’t miss out on the crispy noodle dishes that have received high praise for their delightful texture and flavor.

The atmosphere at Vietnam Why Not is cozy and inviting, perfect for family gatherings, friend meet-ups, or a casual date night. With attentive staff who greet you with warmth and serve you with a smile, the restaurant strikes a balance between friendly casual dining and exceptional service—commonly mentioned in rave reviews from visitors.

Despite a few customer notes on meal temperatures, the general consensus is clear: the flavors are authentic and dishes are well-prepared. Many guests, like Anne-Marie Torrens, leave the restaurant with plates licked clean after savoring delicious meals. The blend of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and the thoughtful seasoning—from the Gỏi Bò beef salad packed with crunchy textures to the rich flavors of BBQ octopus—truly transports diners to Vietnam.

With its accessible location at 5/54-68 West Esplanade and a quick call to +61 2 8021 1906, why not treat yourself to a meal that celebrates Vietnamese culture? Whether it’s your first experience with this vibrant cuisine or you’re a returning patron seeking your favorites, Vietnam Why Not Restaurant promises a dining adventure that will leave you wanting more.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves halal food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Paid street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 9:30 PM

126 Reviews
Thomas Cool

17 Sep 2025

dishes are decent, the clay pot is more suitable for hot plate dishes since the rice is not included and came in a different bowls, ok but way too salty for that amount of rice. spring rolls also not bad/good, probably frozen. the spicy pho (bún bò huê) is not spicy at all like they’re lying to me even though the taste is good, also it was warm not hot (I think this happened because they’re waiting for my cousin’s pho and sit there for a long time, beef pho taste the same like they’re spicy pho without that red paste, for $20 is a bit too expensive especially with that amount of meat, tendons, and no orgas like tripe at all. the staffs are welcoming and friendly, both day and night staffs

Thuy Tien Vu

13 Sep 2025

Good food, quick service even on the weekend while the restaurant was quite busy at the time we visited. Seasoning is not too strong like vietnamese food but it is reasonable due to most of the guests are western people. Will come back when we have a chance to visit Manly beach again.

Anne-Marie Torrens

28 Aug 2025

Having walked the length of The Corso looking for something for lunch on a sunny Fathers Day, we settled on Vietnam Why Not. I had some crispy fried noodles with vegetables and beef. Hubby had a chicken satay. Both plates just about licked clean! Soooo good! Visited Vietnam Why Not again last weekend. Service with a smile, and ever so fast! I had a delicious beef pho and hubby once again had chicken satay (he is a creature of habit after all). I look forward to our next meal there soon.

pritiprabha sahoo

18 Aug 2025

Vietnam Why Not is a cozy spot perfect for relaxed, casual dining. The food is tasty, drinks are great, and the service is truly amazing—friendly and attentive staff make the experience even better. A wonderful place to unwind and enjoy a meal!

Ben Dao

01 Aug 2025

Crispy noodle is delicious. Beef noodle soup is also good but the soup is not hot enough. Bbq octopus seasoning is on point to my liking 8/10

Trevor Lawrie

22 Jun 2025

Pleasantly surprised! This place has an extensive menu with an array of traditional Vietnamese dishes. Great authentic Vietnamese flavours and super fresh ingredients. We went for lunch and had the Crab and Prawn Spring Rolls, Duck Pancakes, Bun Cha Hanoi Beef, Grilled Octopus and finished off with Banana Cake dessert. With the friendly service and a full bar with a good range of beers and wines we had a very enjoyable lunch. Service was delightful and the dishes were quickly on the table.

Jolie Linh Nguyen

18 Jun 2025

Travelled to Manly beach for a meeting. Was craving Vietnamese food, the first time I had tried the food here, Pho and Vietnamese ice coffee were yummy. The owner & staff are very friendly and they have very nice & cozy decorations inside , bringing back nice memories of Vietnam.

nat ber

08 Jun 2025

We stopped here for a quick lunch to check this new Vietnamese restaurant. “Why not” has slightly different menu to previous Vietnamese restaurant at the same spot, with more noodles and salad options so don’t expect the same choices . What we order was tasty, size of the dishes was regular and service was quick. We really appreciated that our waiter took our orders with a smile as my husband wanted his Pho without the coriander and I wanted my pancake without the prawns.

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