Reservations · Delivery · Takeout · Outdoor seating
Creative Vietnamese plates and excellent cocktails in a small, stylish space; food is inventive but service can be slow and uneven.
Co Nam excels with standout food quality—particularly garlic noodles, creative bao, and balanced cocktails—and a stylish, warm setting that draws neighborhood crowds. However, inconsistent execution on pho and mains combined with unreliable service pacing and occasional delays prevent a higher grade. This contemporary Vietnamese spot delivers inventive flavors worth experiencing, though expect variable execution at busy times.
Co Nam channels a compact bar-restaurant energy where the room feels warm and stylish, cocktails gleam, and plates arrive with modern Vietnamese flair. One diner raved that the garlic shrimp noodles had “perfect chew” while another praised the creative cocktails. Expect a neighborhood crowd and occasional waits when the team gets in the weeds. The cooking leans contemporary Vietnamese with fusion touches: pandan mochi waffles with fried chicken, a pho-rench dip, and carpaccio brightened with nuoc cham. Fans love the garlic noodles, bao, papaya salad, and well-balanced drinks; traditionalists sometimes find the pho less classic. This is a better fit for diners seeking inventive flavors than a strictly old-school bowl. Families can make it work thanks to familiar options like fried rice and bao, burgers with fries, and mild noodles. There is vegan pho and vegetarian rolls, but note that toppings may come inside the pho rather than on the side, and adventurous seasonings may not suit picky eaters.
Area: Lively urban corridor mixing indie eateries, bars, and boutiques; draws locals for evenings and weekend dining.
Safety: Generally busy and fine with normal urban caution; well-trafficked on weekends and evenings.
Nearby: Near 40th and Telegraph; close to Temescal retail, bars, and Kaiser offices; street parking norms.
Available: Reservations, Delivery, Takeout, Outdoor seating
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