Pho Bar, Tallinn

Pho Bar: How Kairi Vu Built a Vietnamese Haven in Tallinn

In the heart of Tallinn, there’s a cozy Vietnamese spot with the best Pho in town. It’s called Pho Bar, and behind this beloved eatery is the remarkable journey of Kairi Vu—a woman who took a leap of faith, defied doubts, and built something extraordinary. We sat down one Wednesday morning to have a chat about her story, and then I went on to capture moments in the kitchen and the restaurant.

From Tallinn to the World and Back Again

Kairi’s story doesn’t begin with restaurants or business plans. Born and raised in Tallinn, she spent her teenage years in the United States, where she finished high school and continued her studies. But the classroom wasn’t enough—she craved exploration. Her journey took her to Brazil, Vietnam, and various corners of the world before bringing her full circle back to Estonia after ten years away.

Returning home wasn’t easy. With just two suitcases and no clear direction, she felt like time had stood still for her while her old friends had built their careers. She dabbled in startups, went back to school, and navigated life’s uncertainties. Then, life threw another surprise her way—motherhood.

A Pandemic, A Baby, and A Bold Idea

While many would have hesitated to start a restaurant during a global pandemic, Kairi saw an opportunity. Her father, a longtime restaurateur, had always told her there was a gap in the market for authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Tallinn. While there were places serving pho, they were often fusion interpretations—nothing like the flavors she knew from her time in Vietnam.

Trusting her intuition and driven by a desire to build something meaningful, she decided to take the plunge. The skepticism from other people didn’t deter her. One of the only people who fully supported her vision was her father. “Maybe he was just excited that I was following in his footsteps,” she laughs now.

Finding a Home for Pho Bar

With restaurants shutting down left and right during the pandemic, there were plenty of vacant spaces. One caught her eye—a former rock bar with red walls, pool tables, and a reputation that attracted its fair share of bearded, leather-clad patrons. It wasn’t the obvious choice for a Vietnamese eatery, but Kairi saw its potential. She never looked at another location.

With limited funds, she and her team transformed the space with their own hands. By July, just a few months after securing the location—and only weeks after giving birth—Pho Bar opened its doors.

The Early Days and an Unexpected Success

Kairi braced herself for a slow start. Her father had warned her that the first few years would likely be financially challenging. But within just six months, something unexpected happened—there was no financial loss. The restaurant was thriving, defying the typical struggles of a new food business.

Still, success didn’t mean it was easy. Juggling a newborn, a new restaurant, and lingering postpartum challenges meant she barely remembers those early months. It was pure survival mode, balancing exhaustion, stress, and the relentless demands of running a business.

The Secret Sauce: People and Passion

When asked about the key to Pho Bar’s success, Kairi doesn’t hesitate—it’s the people. Her kitchen team, mostly Vietnamese, has been with her since the beginning. They’re the heart of the operation, ensuring consistency and quality. She’s also built a strong front-of-house team, many of whom are from diverse international backgrounds.

Kairi believes in fostering a workplace where people feel valued. She doesn’t demand over-the-top service; she just wants authenticity, warmth, and consistency. This philosophy has helped her maintain a committed team—something rare in the fast-moving restaurant industry.

Thriving Despite the Odds

While many restaurants struggled post-pandemic and amid rising costs, Pho Bar continued to grow. Despite being located in what some call Tallinn’s “dead zone” for restaurants, Kairi’s business kept expanding. She attributes this resilience to a combination of factors: a dedicated customer base, the right pricing strategy, and the growing love for authentic Vietnamese flavors in Estonia.

Her higher-than-average prices, initially questioned by some, turned out to be a smart move. They allowed her to maintain quality and, when other restaurants had to hike prices, Pho Bar remained stable—making it a consistent and trusted choice for customers.

More Than Just Food

Despite owning a restaurant, Kairi doesn’t consider herself a traditional foodie. “I wasn’t the kid excited to try everything,” she admits. “I’d be in Vietnam surrounded by incredible seafood, eating instant noodles.” But over the years, she’s developed a deeper appreciation for flavors, especially as she experiments and refines the dishes at Pho Bar.

When she does eat out, she often supports friends in the industry—people she’s met along the way, who, like her, have put their heart into their food. But at the end of the day, the meal she craves the most is always her own restaurant’s pho. “It’s the cure for everything,” she jokes. “Hangovers, heartbreaks—you name it.”

Looking Ahead

Four years in, Pho Bar is more than just a restaurant. It’s a testament to resilience, risk-taking, and the magic that happens when passion meets opportunity. Kairi doesn’t have grand expansion plans—at least not yet. Right now, she’s focused on maintaining what she’s built and continuing to serve the food she loves to the people who appreciate it most.

For those who step into Pho Bar, they’re not just getting a meal—they’re stepping into a story. A story of bold decisions, late-night hustle, and a woman who turned a crazy idea into one of Tallinn’s most beloved dining spots.

Pho Bar is located in Tallinn on Tatari 6.

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