Sao Mai in Berlin

A simple restaurant with reasonable prices and delicious Vietnamese food. You can sit outside and get freshly squeezed orange juice upon request.

For about 10 years, I've enjoyed eating here every now and then and have always been satisfied. Since the pandemic, everything has changed here too: instead of baked fish, I've only been served fried, greasy batter several times over the last year, with no trace of fish. Once, the vegetables in the dish were missing; they placed the food in front of me without a word, hoping I'd accept it. Recently, the hygiene conditions have become unacceptable: the tables are sticky, the floor, and the waitress's clothes were dirty; my complaint about the alleged "fish" was met with nothing but silence. In my opinion, this is fraud. Most recently, on March 18, 2025, I had severe diarrhea after eating nothing else that day except at Sao Mai. The poor hygiene here has caused my health problems today, and I will therefore not eat here again! It's a shame, because the owner of this restaurant knows how to do things properly, and it used to be really good here!

The best. Place for eat 🥰🥰☺️💚💚☺️🩵💙💜🩷💚💚💜🧡❤️

Food was good! Really crunchy chicken!

The worst Vietnamese restaurant in Berlin. By far. I lived in the neighborhood so went there a few times. I always said I'm never coming back but thought I would try them again. The last time they served me rotten lettuce. It was rotten! I was offended. Since there's no point in complaining in Berlin I paid and walked out without touching my dish. The restaurant and patio are dirty. The quirky DIY decor one often finds in Asian restaurants is non-existent here. The service is poor and the bad attitude of the cooks permeates the restaurant. If you're looking for Vietnamese there is another very good restaurant 1 block west on the same street.

It’s very dirty here, and my friend got food poisoning from the chicken. There was no response or apology from the staff

The curry with tofu is incredibly delicious! The Pho also tastes good and the price is very cheap in comparison :)

Good food at reasonable prices.

Fast and friendly service. The person who served today unfortunately did not have the best English but her German was better than mine so we managed. The menu is straight forward quality Asian. I had the chicken curry with veg. The service was very generous and very tasty with a red curry sauce. There are drinks available. Can recommend, it’s not fine dining but it’s cheap and cheerful and very filling. There is a bathroom however they sign a fee to use them. Not sure if do this for diners, but I was not charged today.

Unfortunately, very disappointing. Sour-spicy soup consisted only of water with vinegar. I've never had such bad soup before. The main courses were also a disappointment. Carelessly designed and without taste. Absolutely no recommendation.

Never had a plate of Thai noodles like this!! tasteless and full of water at the bottom of the plate. Greasy and dirty tables, I prefer to pay more but eat well

I love summer rolls. But here they were terrible. They are usually made with chicken or shrimp. Just a little puncture was done here. I wasn't asked like I was at the other shops. The cover was like leather. And all for €4.50! It wasn't even worth €1!

Everything here is the same as it was 15 years ago! No fancy stuff, just authentic. Indoor and outdoor seating (heated outside in winter). It's mostly about the food! This is just as authentic as the ambience! Price-performance ratio is right, but I've also gotten larger pho soups (classics) elsewhere! But it tastes very good here! Service great! Fresh extras on request and the homemade hot sauce is great! I can highly recommend this Vietnamese restaurant!

Amazing food and quick service for a very reasonable price

Unfortunately the food was tasteless, the floor was sticky and the atmosphere was a disaster for this area. A shame for every Asian. Unfortunately, no one was interested in the fact that the plates were returned full, which is a shame.

The menu is very dirty. Tables and the floor had not been wiped for a long time. Dishes were very dirty when served. The food we ordered was tasteless. The employees give the impression that they don't want to do their job. I can't recommend this restaurant. I wouldn't give any stars if I could.

Food has decreased significantly

We found the restaurant by chance when I was looking for somewhere to eat. The service was very good and the employees were very friendly. The food came very quickly and was very large portions with a pleasant price. Can be recommended if you are at Nollendorfplatz.

The spring roll was extremely tasty and I also had the Pho Ga

I eat here regularly. It’s not the fancy spot, but it does its job – affordable, quite tasty, quick

Chicken soup was delicious, po was also ok, spring rolls were horrible, so was chicken and rice. Stuff is nice and atmosphere is clean

Fried noodle.with crispy duck quite good

Very cheap, well located. A bit dingy inside, but friendly staff. Food was good!

Very good food, very nice people, very good prices, simple atmosphere

The food was very tasty and the portions were really generous. The host is very friendly and the price-performance ratio is really outstanding.

Capello/sporcizia nel cibo The signora, vero has reportato the pietanza, but he does not have a parola di scusa. Not so come abbia potuto mangiare qui, più volte negli anni.. Mai più! Hair/dirt in food The lady brought the dish back but didn't say a word of apology. I don't know how I managed to eat here several times over the years. Never again!

Addendum: Unfortunately I have to lower my stars to 1. For the second time the food wasn't ok, today I had to send it back. The noodles were not only fried but burned black. The food was great, the staff was friendly, and the price was unbeatable

I found the restaurant by chance when I was looking for somewhere to eat and I'm very happy. The service was very good and the employees were very friendly. The food came very quickly and was very large portions with a pleasant price. The atmosphere was quite pleasant and sitting there especially in a rainy weather is really nice.

Generous portions, tasty cuisine, very reasonable prices. Very good spring rolls, very good chicken soup, very good mango lassis

Sign on the footpath offering noodle box take away. I decided I wanted to take these with me. Now this is a restaurant and not a take away shop, so you end up standing there in the middle of the room - somehow always in the way and just a short clarification of details was really annoying.

Located at Nollendorfplatz, a bustling district in Berlin, especially at night, you'll find a fantastic Vietnamese restaurant called Sao Mai. I ordered the Chicken Katsu Curry Mango for less than €10, which is affordable compared to other restaurants. The portion is generous, the chicken is cooked perfectly and crispy, and the vegetables are fresh. Overall, the food is excellent. The service is decent, and the most important aspect is the cozy and awesome atmosphere. Highly recommended if you want to try Vietnamese food in this area.

Cheaper, Oker Vietnamese. Unfortunately we had plastic foil in our food.

Staff is very nice and polite, the food is very good with low prices as well! The drinks too are tasty, I had a season drink that was very refreshing! I ate here for a few evenings and I always came out full without spending too much, will definitely come back 🫶🏼

Mixed experience: sometimes super tasty, sometimes bad. Unfortunately the service was unfriendly, not good service. Prices very good. But just a bit of gambling whether it's good or bad

Super tasty and very cheap (glass of 0.3 wine for 4€!!) Had a very nice afternoon with you :)

I must say, it's an absolute gem! The food was incredibly delicious, with every dish bursting with flavor. What really stood out was the value for money. For such high-quality food, the prices are exceptionally reasonable, making it one of the best price-performance ratios I've experienced in Berlin. The portions were generous, and the service was attentive and friendly. I'll definitely be back! 😊

I’m an asian living in Hamburg. For this kind of price, you’d have no morals if you expect more. Food 9/10, the service from the old lady 10/10, and price 100/10

Price performance was great. Food was also just right. Very quick service.

Affordable and delicious. The location is also great.

Very delicious and big portion. It would be better if the rice was mixed with a little more sauce.

Inexpensive, quick Asian cuisine. Good location

The best Vietnamese in Berlin. Food is simply authentic! Prices are unbeatably cheap! Atmosphere like in Saigon in a street food stall. It doesn't get any better.

I don't know of any Vietnamese restaurant in Schöneberg where you can eat so cheaply and well. Lots of passing customers in front of the restaurant, both tourists and local residents. In short: delicious food with lots of visual entertainment.

Sticky and dirty tables. Wiping is a foreign word. Eat lukewarm to cold. The soup was served and a minute later the main meal. There is a need for optimization.

Unfortunately, I have now discovered that my orders were not taken correctly, despite clearly repeating my order, I don't get what I order every time (e.g. less vegetables)

The food was good for a great price on a late Friday night. It really hit the spot and the service was so friendly and quick. The only thing I'd say was a bit inconvenient was that the outdoor tents heaters weren't working on a cold rainy night.

I've been coming here for 14 years and it's still top value for money

Rarely eaten such a tasteless Pho Bo. I felt like I had to add salt 1000 times. At least the beef was good.

The food was good and cheap....we are coming back

The summer rolls are a dream. Pho Bo very tasty 😋 Rice with pork, vegetables and Sao Mai sauce very very spicy (salty) The atmosphere is very rustic. At the current temperature you have to keep your jacket on because it's very drafty. When you get home, your clothes smell very strongly of food. Price performance great

I've eaten here several times. Hair and plastic parts were found in food several times. The waiter sometimes gives the food to the wrong people. Still good value for money. One shouldn't have too many expectations from this restaurant. Really not very good. The boss gave me a Marlboro, plus point!

They couldn't explain to me what was supposed to mean about a cold, vegetarian spring roll with freshly fried noodles that had been warmed up in the microwave. The cola we ordered didn't make it to the table either.

It’s so delicious!!!! Especially Buncha!! Everything is just delicious!!!!!

Food is cheap and appropriate for the price, so nothing special. I ordered summer rolls, I had to ask for a napkin and I got the chopsticks myself. Then the soup came and what was missing? The spoon. 🙂 When asked, it was quickly put on the table. Although there wasn't much going on, there was no - bon appetit - or the question: Was everything okay....? So nothing like that. Somehow a winemaker should know that you need cutlery to eat and that a napkin can't do any harm. A smile and friendliness would also be nice, but it's not there. Conclusion: Food tastes good, prices are good and there is freshly squeezed juice, service is usual in Berlin 😊

The food is good for the price paid. Don’t expect global standard 5* and you won’t be disappointed. Ordered tofu and vegetables with rice and it cost around €7. Nice enough flavours and large portion for the price paid. The service was pleasant and the food was served quickly. One point less because when sitting inside, the place had a ‘wet dog’ smell and a day later, I cannot get the smell out of my jacket despite using plenty of Febreeze - next time will sit in the tent outside.

CAUTION! The prices on the homepage are significantly lower than actually in the restaurant. (see photos) For example, the “fried noodles with chicken” are not fried and are swimming in a watery sauce, are shown online as €5.90, but are actually charged €8. (see photos) That's not possible. Untrustworthy! Unfortunately the food doesn't taste good. The open kitchen and guest rooms are dingy and untidy. Better look for another Asian snack bar.

I found hair in the food, a few, but they told us it was not human hair, but duck hair. But that's not all, then I found a small fly in it :( It was a terrible experience

Very nicely cooked food and good prices!! Very kind personel

Cheap tasty Vietnamese dishes and very friendly service. Large portions and the #17 has the spiciness we love. Sao Mai is worth it.

The food here is great and cheap. Yesterday I ate soup with coconut milk, pineapple and chicken. 4.5€.

It's a genuine place, if you're looking for a cool place you won't like it. The food is good and of good quality, the owner is very kind and the prices are low.

I have been going to this restaurant for almost 10 years. The quality isn't as good as it used to be before the pandemic, but it's still a nice food option near Nollendorfplatz. I always opt for the spring rolls

The owner very kindly let us in for dinner shortly before closing time. This was very appreciated after an all day drive back from vacation. The Pho (beef with noodle soup) was excellent with fresh ingredients and tasted just like traditional Pho should taste. Highly recommended for any Vietnamese food enthusiasts looking for authentic food in a relaxed environment!

Bei solider Atmosphäre hat man gutes Essen und auch entsprechende Preise. Ich empfehle dieses Restaurant besonders für Mittagstisch, kurze Imbisse und sogar den relativ preiswerten Hotspot. Ein Date oder romantisches Dinner würde ich hier jedoch nicht verbringen.

Food amazing, good quality, a little bad thing is the waiters need to be a little more friendly. Always when I go to Berlin, I go there.

Sehr gutes frisches Essen zu fairen Preisen :)

War sehr lecker, da gibt es nichts zu meckern. Im Allgemeinen, Ambiente, Einrichtung Verbesserungswürdig.

Great taste and price, but the owners are unfortunately unfriendly.

Super authentic Vietnamese food! We ordered for takeaway. The perfect seasoning with peanuts and fresh vegetables and generous beef. Thank you!

Nicht mal den einen Stern wert. Ich habe gebratene Nudeln bestellt und bekam Wasser mit komischen Geschmack und helle weiße Nudeln die aussahen wie Würmer. Ich habe es nicht aufgegessen nur probiert es war absolut ungenießbar. Nachdem ich zu Hause angekommen bin hatte ich solche schrecklichen Magenkrämpfe. Ich weiß nicht ob die Magenkrämpfe vom Essen kamen aber nehme es an. Sobald ich an dieses Essen denke bekomme ich direkt Gänsehaut und ein Ekelgefühl. Die Tische klebrig ohne Ende und der Service Mega unfreundlich

Ordered spring rolls and crispy duck noodles and they were both fantastic! Both were properly crunchy and crispy and very affordable. Highly recommend

Wunderbares vietnamesisches Essen. Frisch und immer lecker und das zu einem TOP Preis. Es ist kein Restaurant, um fein essen zu gehen. Hier geht man mit unkomplizierten Freunden hin, sitz meistens draußen und hat leckeres Essen.

Eigentlich schreibe ich keine Google-Rezensionen, aber das extreme Maß an Unfreundlichkeit, welches man von den Mitarbeiter/innen in diesem äußerst miserablen vietnamesischen Restaurant verspürt hat mich schlussendlich dazu gebracht eine Rezension zu schreiben. Das Essen wird unter surreal unhygienischen Umständen zubereitet und die Mitarbeiter/innen (zumindest die Chefin(?)) sind zum Einen unfassbar unfreundlich und zudem auch noch extrem unverschämt. Ohne überhaupt Rückgeld anzubieten, was selbstverständlich sein sollte für jedes Individuum, bedankt sich die unfreundliche Mitarbeiterin für die glatte Summe Geld, die ich ihr in die Hand drückte und versucht unbemerkt und dreist zu verschwinden, mit der Hoffnung, dass ich mein Rückgeld überhaupt nicht fordern werde, weil es ja unangenehm wäre dies zu tun. Tut euch einen großen Gefallen und vermeidet dieses Restaurant inklusive Essen, welches euch prompt eine Lebensmittelvergiftung verpasst.

Wir konnten die gebratenen Nudeln mit Tofu (einfacher gehts nicht) nicht runterkriegen. GLUTAMAT Keule! Pfui Teufel und Nie wieder! Außerdem wirkt der ganze Laden lieblos und unsauber.

Basic food and cheap prices. We go there regularly. Good fresh orange juice.

Leckeres und preiswert! Ambiente ist runtergekommen, schmutzig, klebrig. lieber nicht in die Ecken gucken. Kellner trägt schmutzige Hose(keine Hygienekleidung), service könnte etwas aufgeweckter sein u. gepflegter. Schneller Imbiss wenn man nicht verweilen möchte.

5 Sterne weil es uns wirklich gut geschmeckt hat! 4 Sterne für's Essen weil es natürlich IMMER besser geht. 5 Sterne für den Service weil beide vom Tag echt fertig waren und wir die letzten, die noch bewirtet wurden. 2 für das Ambiente draussen. Es ist weder schön, noch gemütlich. Wenn man aber unterm Zelt sitzt, riecht man den Rest des Abends nach Imbiss-Bude. Trotzdem qualitativ empfehlenswert und wir würden wieder dort kaufen - aber zum Mitnehmen :)

Haare im Essen. Unfreundliches Personal

Sehr gutes, leckeres Essen. Leider nicht sonderlich freundliches, aufmerksames Personal. Dem Ambiente könnte ein Refresh gut tun, aber Essen ist 1a

Reasonable priced, standard service but friendly enough. The soup is very good! The noodle with tofu is too plain… but overall good, I’d come back to try out different dishes.

I've been a frequent visitor to this restaurant for about 10 years now, it was always a favorite for the tasty food and cheap prices that it used to offer. The last 2 years o noticed a significant decline on the quality of the food and last night , as my last visit I realized that sadly Sao Mai is nothing but a memory of what it used to be. The Crispy chicken with curry sauce was tasteless, more breading that chicken and accompanied by soggy overcooked vegetables. The once delicious Spring rolls were not far behind so much that I left most of it on the plate. We were almost done with our meal when the Mango lacksy and water we ordered made its way to the table. If you want cheap food Sao Mai still delivers but be aware that the quality of the food will be as low as what you pay for. Thanks for the memories Sao Mai, I will remember what you used to be as I walk on by.

Das Essen war sehr gut und für einen Imbiss war das Ambiente auch ok. Das der Laden schon einige Jahre besteht, sieht man an dem Ambiente. Das Personal war manchmal schwer zu erwischen, dann ging es aber immer schnell mit den ausgesprochenen Bitten/wünschen.

Sehr lecker und preiswert, freundliches Personal, kann ich jedem empfehlen.

For the price there's really nothing I can complain about. They even took credit card on my 6€ Pho.

The menu is quite small - unusual for an „asian“ restaurant. Nothing wrong with it though. We had the fancy hot pot and despite some ordering confusion it was good. The staff could be a bit friendlier.

Stets gutes Essen, Service und mega günstig. Immer wieder gerne dort.

Kann ich guten Gewissens uneingeschränkt empfehlen. Ich hatte eines von zwei Tagesmenüs, nämlich Gebratens Hähnchenfleisch, Salat mit Zitronensoße und Reis für 6,00 €. 5 Minuten war das Essen am Tisch und hat hervorragend geschmeckt. Frisch und gut gewürzt. Dazu ein alkoholfreies Bier (war gut gekühlt) Die Servicekraft ist sehr freundlich und hat auch ständig nachgeschaut ob alles in Ordnung ist. Also für unter 10,00 € mitten in Berlin angemessen essen und trinken ... das muss man erstmal finden. Nebenan gibt es Bratwurst im Brötchen für 5,00 €. Was für ein Unterschied!!

sehr lecker. Ich hatte die Nummer 20. Definitiv empfehlenswert

3 Gerichte bestellt, 2 davon waren die falschen. Essen schmeckte auch nicht gerade lecker. Schade

Sehr einfach eingerichtetes Lokal, geeignet für ein gutes frisches und schnelles Essen. Einfache Tische und Bänke zum sitzen. Jedesmal war es eine freundliche Bedienung und meist ein schneller Service. Es gibt Tees etc. Und auch frisch gepressten Orangensaft.

Die gute Note von 4,1 ist mir unerklärlich. Richtig schlechtes Essen, extrem unfreundlicher und unverschämter Service.

Essen war sehr lecker, Preis mehr als fair und die Bedienung sehr freundlich. Kommen gerne wieder. Vegane/Vegetarische Gerichte super lecker zum fairen Preis

endlich ein neues Lieblingsrestaurant. Preis/Leistung für die Lage top. viel mehr Gemüse als woanders. sogar Salat zum Gemüse dazu. frisch zubereitet. einzig von der Kokosmilch hab ich nicht viel geschmeckt ;) top trotzdem Edit: Gemüse scheint mindestens teilweise Frostgemüse zu sein. trotzdem alles in allem top

Good and fresh Vietnamese food, not expensive, very simple, slow service

sehr nette kleine vietnamesische Garküche. Personal total freundlich. Uns hat das Essen prima geschmeckt. Alles ist frisch zubereitet. Ebenso empfehlenswert sind die Hausgetränke. Die Tische sind leider etwas siffig und klebrig, das geht gar nicht!

Mega lecker 😋 kommen definitiv wieder

Sehr schlechtes personal einfach nur frech das essen ist Qualität sehr sehr schlecht nicht zu empfehlen nie wieder ich wünschte ich könnte 0 Sterne geben.

Friendly staff, cooperative and instant service. Food was simple yet flavoursome.

Sehr einfaches Restaurant , essen schmeckt gut .

Super günstig und einfach super lecker 😊