Green Basil-A FRESH Vietnamese Restaurant With the Best Pho and Bun Around

Phone: (630) 922-7700
Address: 43 E Jefferson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540

Menu
Order: grubhub.com, doordash.com, seamless.com
Hours: Tue-Mon 11:00-9:00, Sun 11:00-8:00, Closed on Mondays
$$
Green Basil is a hidden gem in Naperville. Nestled behind Quigley's, it's easy to miss, but once you find it, you'll go back again and again. For those familiar with Vietnamese food, this is one of the best in the Chicago-land area. But if you are new to Vietnamese and Pho, this is an excellent place to start. The staff is super friendly and can recommend dishes that will be a hit for any palate.

One of the noticeable differences with Vietnamese food is the freshness. They let the herbs, vegetables, and meats provide the fresh flavor. The restaurant itself is in an older Naperville building with plenty of light and a cozy atmosphere. It's a great restaurant choice for any occasion.

Our Favorite Things to Order:

TEA: Super fresh and served with a hint of Jasmine.

103 CHA GIO GRISPHO EGG ROLL: Wrapped in a translucent shell, the shrimp, noodles, and herbs are really tasty. It comes with a side of their homemade peanut sauce (other options available if there are allergies.)
107 GOI THIT BO: Grilled filet mignon, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, fresh mint and basil.
505 TOM RAM MAN: Jumbo shrimp with garlic scallions, onions, chili sauce, basil and fresh veggies.

There are lots of other great options. One of the things that made our first trip great was that our waitress, Hong, listened to the kinds of food we liked then helped us pick out these three great dishes.

Naperville Foodie Pointers:
PARKING: Parking is limited, so its easiest to just park in the garage behind Barnes and Noble. The restaurant is just across from the back parking lot.
ALLERGY OPTIONS: Lots of Gluten-free options as well as choices for folks with other food allergies.

HOW TO SAVE $$: This restaurant isn't too pricey, especially for the quality and amount of food you get, but there are mother's day and father's day promotions. Additionally, it's a great restaurant to share plates. We ordered two entrees and appetizer and had more than enough.

Even More Foodie Info:

This is truly and unique restaurant in downtown Naperville. The owner/chef originated in Vietnam and has lived in the states for the past 20 years. He is committed to providing the best fresh and authentic plates from his home country.
Green Basil just celebrated its 7th year in the Naperville location and over the past several years has been able to add more to the menu as it becomes easier to source Vietnamese spices and herbs in the states.
And finally, we learned that a distinct ingredient of Vietnamese food is basil. However, it's a slightly different variety--one that comes with a purple stem. So look out for it as you enjoy this restaurant, and decide for yourself whether "Green Basil" or "Purple-stemmed Basil" would be a better name for this great restaurant. :-)

Comments

Kessara MontoyaJuly 27, 2019 at 5:42 PM
My name is Kessara and I’m a manager at Green Basil. I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful review. Just wanted to add one correction: Sunday hours are from 11:00am to 8:00pm. All other hours are correct. Look forward to seeing you again soon to try out many other great dishes
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Northcott--A Cool Speakeasy in Downtown Naperville

Northcott Liquorette 40 W Chicago Ave, Naperville, IL 60540 Northcott is a cool new Speakeasy in Downtown Naperville. It's hidden away at the top of Empire restaurant. You need a reservation and come prepared to enjoy old fashioned mixed drinks and liquors along with appetizers. Visit their Website & Menu What we ordered: Absinthe fountain and Northcott 75 Cheese tray and a burger (from Empire) How was the food/drinks? Great Price: Pretty expensive drinks, but you are paying for the atmosphere as well. Atmosphere: Great atmosphere. The eclectic furniture provides a variety of seating arrangements. The music is good and not overpowering. The atmosphere provides a unique experience Service: The service was great. The bartenders were entertaining.

Naperville Farmer's Market--Now OPEN

Don't let the summer pass you by without a trip to Naperville's Farmers' Market. It's open every Saturday (rain or shine) in the Fifth Avenue Station parking lot and definitely worth the trip. Location: Fifth Avenue Station, 200 E 5th Ave, Naperville, IL Hours: Saturdays 7:00AM -12:00PM (Rain or Shine) Parking: Parking is free and there is plenty of it. Naperville's open-air market is sponsored by local farmers who bring their fresh fruits, vegetables, perennials, honey, baked goods, and so much more to sell. There are over 40 vendors with samples and stories about how their products were grown or made. The market is open every Saturday, beginning the first week of June through the last week of October. FOODIE PRO-TIPS: -Most of the vendors take credit cards, but you can also bring cash. -As the summer starts to wind down, many of the berries and fruits seasons will also end. So go soon to get what's left from this year's harvest. ...

St. Patrick's Day--What to do in Downtown Naperville!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! It's going to be a balmy 40 degrees out today so its a perfect day to head to Downtown Naperville to enjoy a celebration of all things Irish. Join the parade or just visit one of the many restuarants that are celebrating the holiday with special Paddy's day cuisine. Here is a list of some of the special events. Bar Louie – Opens 11am – 1am. $4 Green Beer (Miller) Empire Burgers & Brew: Opens at 9AM, serving brunch items and Live Band at night. Features Bar & Grill – Will open from 11AM – 1AM Jackson Avenue Pub – We will be open 11AM – 1AM. Jimmy’s Grill – We will be open 11am – 1am! Stop by! Lantern – We will be open 10am – 1am. Food specials too! Potter’s Place – Heated Tent will be open at 12noon. $3 Miller Lite Draft, $4 Harp Draft, $5 Guinness Draft, Gleeson Irish Band/Stone Ruckus 4pm-7pm, SODA 9pm-12am Q-BBQ – Q-BBQ Smoked corned beef is the March special! The beef is smoked for 22 hours, then served on a brioche bun ...

10 Best Ethnic Food Restaurants in Downtown Naperville

We have a varied taste with an appreciation for foods from different cultures. After study-abroads, various trips through Europe and living 5 years in Japan, we developed an appreciation for foods from many cultures. We love going to restaurants with atmosphere and flavors that transport us to another time and place. The list below is our top spots for Ethnic Food in Downtown Naperville so far. Feel free to add your suggestions. 10. Green Basil Vietnamese Basil's authentic Vietnamese cuisine is delicious. This quaint restaurant is tucked away in east of Main Street with plenty of parking. The Pho Ga, chicken soup with bean sprouts and the Bun Bo Xao are favorites. This isn't the flashiest, but a great place to go for a nice lunch or dinner. Menu 9. Q-BBQ Southern-Style BBQ BBQ may be stretching the "ethnic food" category, but authentic southern style BBQ isn't always easy to find in the Chicago-land area. This spot features Memphis, Texas and Sou...

Meson Sabika--What to Order at Our Favorite Restaurant

Meson Sabika is one of our favorite restaurants (period.) We love the food, the service, the Sangrias and the setting. Over the years we've had many awesome meals here with friends and family. You need to make a reservation well in advance for this one though. Visit their Website & Menu After much experimenting and countless trips, here is a list of our top 10 favorite plates. This is a ranked list of our favorite plates, but the style of this restaurant is to order a few at a time and see how far you get. So we typically start with some of the lighter plates (olives, cheese, shrimp, etc) and work our way to the heavier plates until we're full. Top 10 Favorite Plates 1. Aceitunas Alinadas--Spanish Olives You'll get a free sampler of these, but you'll want more. 2. Tostada con Centollo --Alaskan king crab toast points topped with avocado 3. Pipiranna de Buey- -Skirt steak, sautéed onions, and potatoes in a blue cheese sauce 4. Gamas a la Plan...

Allegory--A Foodie's Dream "Farm-to-Table" Restaurant

Allegory 224 S. Main St., Naperville, IL Phone: (630) 536-8862 Website | Menu HOURS Mon Closed Sun,Tue-Thur 11:00am - 9:00pm Fri-Sat 11:00am - 10:30pm Allegory is a newer restaurant in the heart of Downtown Naperville. It is a farm to table restaurant that brings the freshest sourced ingredients to the table in a comfortable atmosphere. You know you are in for a treat when the chef can tell you where the grass-fed beef comes from and how many hours ago the trout was caught, and gets excited about the fresh greens that are a few weeks away! It's a foodies dream to find a restaurant that combines both the art and science of creating the perfect meal. The flavors are fresh and balanced and the presentation is flawless. After several years in the food industry, chef/owner, Chris Mason, opened Allegory in Downtown Naperville where he is able to bring his passion for creating the perfect meal and giving his patrons a comfortable dining experien...

The Best Thing to Eat at Giordano's of Naperville

When you have friends from out-of-town, it's always fun to make a stop at a traditional Chicago-style Pizza place, and the Giordano's in Downtown Naperville is the perfect spot. Three of our daughter's friends made the 12 hour drive from their homes in Texas and Oklahoma to Naperville so we took a brisk walk to Giordano's. We tried three different pizzas and two salads and after an official vote, we can rank the best Chicago-style pizza and salad to have with out-of-town college students. Salads The Wedge Salad House Salad Tie: We tried two salads and the vote was a tie for the best. (But since I write the review, I'll say that the wedge salad was the best.) 1) Wedge Salad: This is not your traditional 1/4 head of lettuce wedge. It's spears of lettuce with fresh bacon bits and onion shallots. The ranch dressing isn't too over-powering and compliments the ingredients. 2) House Salad: An assortment of lettuce types, including arugula, which I lik...

UMAI AJI YA -- A New Japanese Ramen Restaurant Coming Soon to Naperville!

UMAI AJI YA LOCATION: 760 N IL--59 Suite 112, Naperville IL 60563 (corner of Rt. 59 and North Aurora) Website | Menu Coming Soon! Watch for the grand opening later this summer! At last count there are 19 Japanese Restaurants in Naperville! Whether it be hitting up a new Japanese restaurant or opening a bag of edamame, American's love of Japanese food continues to grow. And while many of the local Japanese restaurants specialize in Sushi or Hibachi, one of the most popular types of Japanese restaurants--a traditional Ramen Shop--is still missing. However, all that will change later this summer when Umai Ajiya (Simply Fresh) opens it's doors in Naperville. Last week Naperville foodies joined other bloggers, you-tubers and media for sneak peek at one of Naperville's exciting new restaurants. We enjoyed sampling some of their upcoming specialties and cannot wait for the grand opening near the end of June! About Umai Ajiya UMAI AJIYA will specialize in Ramens an...

The Best Ice Cream, Gelato and Cookie Dough in Downtown Naperville

Approximately 20 friends of Naperville Foodies joined a walking tour of Naperville’s Ice Cream and Gelato spots. The tour brought us to the conclusion that Downtown Naperville definitely has its share of great dessert shops. Below is a list of some the group favorites and our recommendations that any ice cream or gelato lover shouldn't miss. MIDICI In addition to great Neapolitan pizza and calzones, MidiCi offers real “Italian Ice” (Gelato.) The flavors are authentic and nicely cap off a great Italian meal. But if you still have a little extra room for dessert after your pizza, you really HAVE TO TRY the Nutella Calzone. It's a warm dessert filled with Nutella and fresh berries, wrapped in the same Neapolitan Pizza crust that makes the pizzas so great. It's then baked for 90 seconds at 900 degrees in the brick ovens. Then it's lightly frosted with powdered sugar and.. drizzled in even more Nutella. It’s really so delicious that it’s hard to describe and a mu...

Hizemans --Naperville's Elevated Sports Bar

Address: 218 S. WASHINGTON ST. Phone: (630) 362-6872 Website | Menu Hours M-Th 11am-12am, F-S 11a, - 2am, Sun 11am-10pm $$ A new restaurant opened on Washington St. during the pandemic - Hizemans. They describe themselves as an elevated sports bar with the biggest & best TVs in the area, giant wings, & great food. Walking in we were impressed with that atmosphere and friendly wait staff. We would recommend it as a great place to watch a game and hang out with friends. Our server recommended the wings. They were not traditional wings, but giant wings (like fried chicken) with different sauces - Classic Buffalo • Tangy BBQ • Hizaki Teriyaki • Chili Garlic • Honey Sriracha • Gonzo Sauce (Togarashi.) Of course, we had to try this specialty. He ordered the wings with the classic buffalo, tangy bbq, and honey sriracha sauce. Make sure you have lots of napkins for this yummy, messy dish. We also tried the Hizeman Burger, Bad Goat Sal...

Naperville Foodies

Search This Blog