This Hole-in-the-Wall Vietnamese Restaurant in Virginia Serves Outstanding, Vegan-Friendly Dishes

I'm not a vegetarian, but I do love vegetables, especially when they're used in creative, unconventional ways. Vu Noodles in Charlottesville is a shining example of a restaurant celebrating fresh herbs, colorful produce, and fragrant spices, taking inspiration from Vietnamese dishes.

Where traditional Vietnamese food can incorporate a wide variety of meats, most commonly pork, chicken, and beef, Vu Noodles forgoes meat entirely, bringing a vegan and vegetarian-friendly approach so flavorful you may not even realize you're eating tofu.

I remember the first time I walked by Vu Noodles, located on the downtown mall in Charlottesville along bustling Water Street. I've always enjoyed Vietnamese food for its colorful dishes loaded with spice and flavor, so I was intrigued when I saw the small brick building with a walk-up window for ordering. I made a mental note to return someday for lunch, and when I did, I was instantly hooked by the bánh mì and iced chai. And remarkably, every item on the menu is just as inventive.

A recent visit to Vu Noodles, named for founder Julie Vu Whitaker, confirmed what makes this business so special. I visited on a Thursday afternoon around 11:30 on a beautiful spring day. I had placed my order online, and then arrived early. While waiting, I decided to order an iced dirty chai, one of my go-to drink orders on a warm day. It's crafted with iced chai tea and oat milk, a perfect balance of sweet and nutty.

Ever since Vu Noodles opened its doors, it's acquired quite a local following. This is evident during the lunch rush, when there's inevitably a small crowd hovering outside the pick-up window. Vu is mostly a to-go spot, but there are a few small tables outside for enjoying food there. I was lucky enough to snag one of those spots and before long, my order was ready.

I unwrapped the bánh mì, a perfectly toasted hoagie filled with five-spice lemongrass tofu, fresh cucumbers, cilantro, light vegan mayo, pickled daikon, carrots, cilantro, and soy sauce. Refreshing yet hearty, it's one of my all-time favorites, and I'm not alone. One recent visitor raves about the top-notch quality: "My favorite bánh mì sandwich and I’m not even vegetarian. Vu Noodles makes such a great tofu bánh mì, I usually pick one up for lunch on the days I am in my downtown Charlottesville office. The sandwich is so nicely balanced with texture and flavor - it’s spicy, tasty, and warm, and the roll is fresh and crispy."

Starters, soups, sandwiches, and noodles organize the menu. As far as starters go, the vegan dumplings, perfectly fried and filled with leeks, onions, tofu, cabbage, and sesame oil, are fantastic. Equally tasty are the vegan cheesy spinach wonton bites—another personal favorite. Order the ginger lemongrass tofu noodles if you're in the mood for something light. Fresh ginger, lemongrass tofu, and onions are served over rice noodles, baby greens, and Thai basil.

On a chilly day, there's hardly a better option than the pho, in which fried tofu is served in a steaming broth packed with garlic shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, and fresh rice noodles. You can stir in extra toppings like jalapenos, bean spouts, hoisin sauce, dried mixed peppers, and chili oil for an extra kick. It's remarkably flavorful, and in my opinion, can stand up to any chicken or beef broth.

Vu Noodles is open for lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. You can also order ahead by visiting the website. Need a place to stay in town? Check out this adorable downtown apartment just steps away from Vu. Then for dinner, head to this authentic Neapolitan pizza restaurant that's one of the best in Virginia.