Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City offer a rich selection, ranging from bargain basement affairs and street side stalls to haute cuisine. The Ho Chi Minh City restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three different pricing categories:

Expensive (over US$35)
Moderate (US$20 to US$35)
Cheap (under US$20)

These Ho Chi Minh City restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service. A tip of 10% is customary.

Mandarine

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Vietnamese

A delightful oasis of calm, close to the Saigon River, this elegant, award-winning restaurant serves some of the best Vietnamese food in the city. All come exquisitely presented, as does the interior, which is tastefully decorated in a Vietnamese style. Only the freshest of ingredients are used for the dishes which include spicy sautéed beef served in a bamboo tube. Reservations are recommended.

Address: 11a Ngo Van Nam, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3822 9783

La Villa

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: French

Staff are very attentive at this award-winning restaurant, where you can dine in the sumptuous interior of the delightful villa or eat outside by the pool. The chef uses fresh produce from the local market to create fine, French cuisine for a menu that changes daily. Treat yourself to the lightly-seared tuna cubes with marjoram oil or go all out and have the tasting menu. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. There’s even a very impressive cigar list to round things off.

Address: 14 Ngo Quang Huy, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3898 2082.

Au Manoir de Khai

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: French

This very stylish French colonial villa, built in the early 1900s, now houses an exquisite restaurant serving arguably the finest French cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City. The intriguing black and white décor is very French and chic, while the service is impeccable. Enjoy a glass of champagne at the sumptuous bar, or sample a bottle of plonk from the extensive wine list, before splurging on the excellent pan-fried lobster, prawns and scallops, which all comes beautifully presented. Au Manoir de Khai is worth every cent.

Address: 251 Dien Bien Phu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3930 3394.

Cung Dinh Restaurant

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Vietnamese

There is a particularly good dance show during dinner at the Cung Dinh Restaurant in the Rex Hotel, with folk dancing accompanied by traditional instruments, such as the Trung used by the country's ethnic minorities. The menu features imperial dishes from Hanoi and Huế as well as Ho Chi Minh City, with vegetables intricately carved in the form of birds and animals, and the restaurant is decorated in the style of a royal court. Reservations are advised as it is popular with visiting dignitaries.

 

Address: 141 Nguyen Hue, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3829 2185.

The Deck

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Asian, International

Arrive in style by boat at this riverside restaurant, which offers a pure escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, just 15 minutes away. This stylish, modern restaurant, where you can dine indoors or on the deck, serves contemporary Asian and international fusion cuisine such as herb crusted tuna with curried papaya. The Deck is perfect for a leisurely breakfast, a long lazy lunch or a relaxed evening meal with friends.

Address: 38 Nguyen U Di, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3744 6632

Hoa Tuc

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Vietnamese

Set in a former opium factory, Hoa Tuc makes the most of this delightful colonial-era building by serving up delicious Vietnamese meals with a contemporary twist. The lovely outdoor space, which includes wrought iron furniture surrounded by greenery, is a bit of a hideaway and a great place to meet up with friends. Try something a little different here, such as soft shell crabs in green rice batter with a passion fruit sauce. Dinner reservations are essential.

Address: 74 Hai Bà Trưng, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3825 1676.
Website:

Au Lac do Brazil

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Brazilian

Serious carnivores with a hearty appetite need to check out Au Lac do Brazil at least once during their trip. This all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue forks out different cuts of meat (including beef, pork, chicken, sausage and shrimp) directly at your table. Keep going until you indicate you can't eat any more by turning your coaster over to red to indicate you are full. If you still have space, try their signature passion fruit mousse.

Address: 238 Pasteur, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3820 7157.

East West Brewing Co.

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Vietnamese / International

The first craft brewery and restaurant concept in HCMC proves that you really can enjoy great beer and fantastic food, the best of both worlds, in a single setting. American chef Matthew Venzke cooks up an extensive menu that draws gastronomic inspiration from across the globe while head brewer Sean Thommen offers a wide variety of classic and seasonal brews that pair well with mouth-watering dishes. Their Far East IPA is fast becoming the must-try beer in the city.

Address: 181 - 185 Lý Tự Trọng, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 91 306 07 28

Quan Ngon

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Vietnamese

Designed to reflect an authentic Vietnamese village, there’s a slew of food stalls serving up a range of traditional Vietnamese dishes at very reasonable prices. Wander around and look at what is being cooked before making your selection. Located in a lovely colonial villa, this place buzzes with activity and is popular with both locals and visitors. Dine indoors or al fresco and let the friendly, helpful staff help you choose what to eat.

Address: 138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3827 9666 / +84 28 3825 7179

Pho 24

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Vietnamese

Pho 24 serves hearty, delicious traditional beef noodle soup (pho) in a smart, clean location. This is just one of a chain that dishes up the Vietnamese equivalent of fast food across the city and country. It is very popular for visitors who want to try the traditional Vietnamese dish but are reluctant to eat at one of the street stalls. It’s also excellent value for money and popular with the locals. If you really love their grub, they sell instant noodle pot gifts as well.

Address: 91 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone:  +84 28 3514 3202
Website:

Al Fresco's

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: American

Serving good, old-fashioned American fare (think: burgers, sizzling steaks, Tex-Mex food, pizza, pasta, ice creams, freshly baked cakes and tropical fruits), in relaxed Aussie-style surroundings, Al Fresco’s is best known for its fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs. A family favourite with a casual vibe, this eatery (one of seven branches across the city) is great for those wanting western food that doesn’t break the bank. It is open for hearty breakfasts as well, making it the perfect start to the day.

Address: 27 Dong Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Telephone: +84 28 3823 8424.
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