The 31 Must-Try Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Nothing beats enjoying a sunset with friends at a rooftop bar, drinks in hand and chill music playing from a DJ. Founded in 2011 in Shanghai, Le Café des Stagiaires expanded to Bangkok in 2015 and Ho Chi Minh City in 2020. The idea is simple: create a neighborhood gastrobar where tasty food and drinks reflect European café culture, serving as a hub for social interaction. Don’t miss out on signature cocktails like the Coriander Mule or sangria, or customize your own gin and tonic.

If you're in the mood for a light yet tasty snack, visit Xôi Lá Chuối for some sweet or savory sticky rice. This stall stands out by wrapping sticky rice in banana leaves, which helps to lock in the flavors. Try the savory mixed sticky rice featuring sweet soy-marinated shredded chicken, alongside smoky Chinese sausage, Vietnamese sausage, and shredded pork, all drizzled with scallion oil and topped with peanuts.

If you’re seeking authentic family-style Vietnamese cuisine in a charming ambiance, Cục Gạch Quán is the perfect choice. Established by architect Trần Bình in a stunning French Colonial building adorned with vintage tiles and antique furnishings, it quickly became known as the “architect’s house” among the creative crowd in HCMC. Gaining fame in 2011 when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt dined here, it has since become a beloved spot for both locals and tourists. Diners enjoy a nostalgic atmosphere with Saigonese music playing as they savor dishes like braised pork belly in coconut water, stir-fried garlic zucchini flowers, fried egg and tofu with lemongrass and chili, pomelo salad, and tamarind sour soup.

Å by Tung’s Nordic-inspired architecture distinctly contrasts with the nearby Vietnamese shophouses in the fashionable Dakao Ward. This restaurant pays homage to Northern Europe, where chef Hoang Tung honed his skills in fine dining. Dining here is a complete experience, featuring a sleek interior and a 19-course tasting menu that evolves every three months. Each artfully plated dish showcases seasonal local ingredients while harmonizing Eastern and Western culinary techniques.

Opened in 2016, this charming neighborhood bar has quickly become a cornerstone of the trendy Phạm Viết Chánh area. It’s quite small, accommodating about 10 guests indoors, and finding a spot on the street-side patio can be a challenge. Initially popular among local creatives, its appeal has broadened, drawing a diverse crowd. You never know who you might meet over a glass of whiskey.

Luu Bar perfectly embodies the vibrant spirit of the Phạm Viết Chánh neighborhood, making it an ideal spot for a laid-back yet lively atmosphere. With a selection of craft beers, upscale cocktails, and Champagne, plus DJs to keep the energy up, it’s the place to be. If you’re feeling hungry late at night, grab a slice of pizza from Oliver’s Restaurant nearby, recently taken over by Luu Bar’s owners, William Szabo and Du Minh-Duc Laurent.

Visit this spot in Tan Dinh Market after 7 p.m. for a steaming bowl of Singaporean-style frog congee. Simply take a seat on a plastic chair, call out 'em ơi' (hey you), and place your order. Specializing in a single dish, Tân Đinh has mastered its frog stew recipe, offering bubbling bowls that are both spicy and sweet, paired with plain congee. Don't forget to order some steamed winged beans on the side, and watch as the chefs skillfully balance numerous clay pots of braised frog meat on the grill over hot coals.

Noir Dining in the Dark was established in 2014 by Vũ Anh Tú and Germ Doornbos as a social enterprise aimed at providing stable employment for the visually impaired community in Vietnam. Here, guests experience dining in complete darkness, testing their taste buds to identify flavors without the aid of sight. While similar restaurants can come off as gimmicky, this one excels in execution. Diners can choose from several thoughtfully curated set menus, including a vegetarian option, all made with the finest local and organic ingredients.

Là Việt Coffee stands out as a significant force in the contemporary coffee landscape. Eschewing the traditional robusta beans commonly used in the area, founders Trần Nhật Quang and Nguyen Thi Nhu Ngoc, a husband-and-wife team, have chosen to specialize in arabica beans sourced from their own farm in Da Lat. Their innovative approach has led to the creation of distinctive coffee beverages, including a specialty margarita coffee mocktail made with lime, sugar syrup, and cold brew, garnished with a salt rim. The couple continually explores new horizons in Vietnamese coffee while honoring its rich culture; they even dedicated 14 months to crafting a unique brewing tool that combines a drip attachment ideal for arabica beans with the familiar shape of a phin filter.

Okkio’s cafes, established by Đạt Phan, provide a peaceful escape from the bustling motorbikes and honking vehicles. The District Three branch is hidden in an alley off the busy Pham Ngoc Thach Street, and from the outside, the white French Colonial facade appears unassuming. However, stepping inside reveals an Instagrammer's paradise, featuring winding steel staircases, charming red pathways, two floors adorned with retro-chic furniture, and a small garden. Okkio offers a diverse range of beverages, including cold brew, Vietnamese cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee), and a brew bar where patrons can select their beans and brewing method. For the ultimate Okkio experience, try one of the house beans.

Milk tea is always in demand at Phúc Long, where locals and delivery drivers flock morning, noon, and night. This local chain began as a supplier of tea and coffee before shifting focus to retail. Their milk tea is perfectly balanced—strong, sweet, and creamy—offering excellent value for money. Its popularity has soared in recent years, making it widely available across the city. The Trần Cao Vân branch, located at the bustling Ho Chi Minh City Turtle Lake roundabout, is particularly vibrant at night, bustling with people enjoying street food. In addition to milk tea, Phúc Long also serves a variety of beverages including coffee, juices, smoothies, and fruity black iced tea.

Prior to the establishment of Pasteur Street Brewing Company, Vietnam's craft beer scene was virtually nonexistent, offering only mass-produced local beers or imported options in bars, restaurants, and street stalls. Founders John Reid and Alex Violette aimed to combine American craft brewing methods with fresh, locally-sourced Vietnamese ingredients. They brewed their inaugural batch in November 2014, and by 2016, they made a significant impact on the international craft beer scene when their Cyclo Imperial Chocolate Stout won a gold medal at the World Beer Awards. Pasteur has since become the leading craft beer brand in Vietnam, diversifying its range of flavors and taprooms while collecting numerous awards and exporting internationally.

Founded by Saroi Ushimi and Stanley Boots in April 2017, 7 Bridges Brewing began in Danang and has since expanded with taprooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The company has garnered numerous awards and is committed to zero-waste practices and local charitable initiatives. In addition to its own craft beers, patrons can also enjoy organic cider from the acclaimed local cidery, Saigon Cider, which has partnered with 7 Bridges to create Vietnam's first nonalcoholic craft beverages.

Entering Hum feels like a serene escape, as you cross a tranquil pond adorned with lotus leaves and fish. The restaurant showcases that vegetarian cuisine can be an intricate and delightful journey for the taste buds, far surpassing the typical fried tofu. The mushroom coconut curry, served in a fresh coconut, offers a delightful mix of sweetness, creaminess, spice, and umami. Complement this with a crispy deep-fried spring roll filled with mushrooms and vegetables, which is both crunchy outside and rich inside. Finish your meal with a shot of Vietnamese apricot rice wine.

Koreans form one of the largest expat communities in Ho Chi Minh City. Alongside the popularity of Korean pop culture in Vietnam, Korean cuisine, especially barbecue, has also gained immense appreciation. Bornga, renowned for its premium meats and ingredients, has expanded across Asia and Australia, boasting two locations in HCMC. As your table fills with an array of banchan, don’t miss the marinated galbi, jap chae (glass noodles), galbi-tang (beef bone stew), and the essential kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew). Pair your meal with a bottle of flavored soju or raspberry wine for a refreshing finish.

In 2007, Vietnamese artist Linh Dung established the first Cộng Cà Phê in the vibrant downtown of Hanoi. The café quickly became a favorite among the local art community, drawn in by the delightful Cốt Dừa Cà Phê, a refreshing blend of iced coconut milk and robust Vietnamese coffee. The name “Cộng” pays homage to Vietnam’s full name, Cộng Hòa Xã hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam (the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), while the café’s decor showcases numerous design elements reminiscent of the Viet Cong. Younger patrons in the city, who view the war through a different lens than older generations and the global community, have embraced the vintage aesthetic and military-style furnishings as charming kitsch, leading to its immense popularity in HCMC with numerous branches.

This restaurant, named after the traditional Northern dish featuring fish in turmeric sauce, has perfected its signature offering. Originating in Hanoi, it has since made a mark in HCMC as a must-visit spot. The dish includes turmeric- and dill-marinated whitefish fillets, stir-fried right at your table with generous amounts of fresh dill and spring onions. It’s served alongside a bowl of vermicelli, garnished with peanuts, rice crackers, and either fermented shrimp paste or fish sauce.

Làng Nướng Nam Bộ is a lively and vibrant venue, beloved by local Vietnamese families. The entrance is marked by striking ceramic sculptures and bamboo decor, while inside, the atmosphere is bustling and noisy, filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and the thud of plates piled high with food. Established in 1999, this restaurant draws patrons from across the city for its specialty: whole-roasted baby suckling pig served with crispy baos. There’s also an array of fresh seafood available, best enjoyed with a chilled glass of Saigon Bia.

Ho Chi Minh City boasts a vibrant Japanese expat community, highlighted by an area of narrow streets known as Japan Town. Here, you can discover cozy ramen and gyoza spots, whiskey bars, and yakitori chains. For an exceptional omakase experience, head to Maguro Studio, the dining establishment from Yamanaka Vietnam, a premium seafood importer that sources the freshest seafood directly from Japan, including bluefin tuna. The fatty tuna, salmon belly, and beef offer a melt-in-your-mouth delight.

Ho Chi Minh City is home to a vibrant Chinese Vietnamese community dating back to the 18th century, with numerous venues for families and friends to enjoy dim sum on weekends. With four branches, Dim Tu Tac stands out for its excellent yet affordable dim sum and attentive service. Be prepared for a long wait during peak lunchtime on weekends, but it's worth it for the delicious Taiwanese soup dumplings, tender roasted fatty pork belly, sweet and spicy rice rolls in XO sauce, zesty Taiwanese wontons, and crispy Peking duck served in two styles.

Entering Summer Experiment through its narrow, dimly lit entrance and climbing the vintage staircase signals a unique adventure ahead. This cocktail bar, listed among Asia’s 100 Best Bars in 2021, is the creation of Australian expat and renowned HCMC mixologist Jay Moir, who brings the essence of the garden to the bar. The diverse drink menu features vibrant cocktails like the Purple Potato Madness, a creative twist on the espresso martini made with rum, sweet potato puree, and cold brew. Emphasizing a farm-to-bar philosophy, minimal plastic use, and zero-waste cocktail practices, the Summer Experiment team collaborates with local sustainability initiatives that support farmers and suppliers.

Pizza 4P’s originated in a Tokyo backyard where founder Masuko Takasugi and his girlfriend Sanae built an outdoor pizza oven, laying the groundwork for their future success. In 2011, they transitioned from corporate life to establish their first location in Ho Chi Minh City, off Le Thanh Ton Street in Japan Town. To keep prices affordable, they began making their own mozzarella cheese in Da Lat and later expanded to include Camembert and burrata. Their thin-crust pizzas range from classic combinations like Parma ham, cherry tomatoes, arugula, and burrata to innovative creations such as salmon sashimi with onion ricotta sauce. They also offer vegetarian options featuring zucchini, zucchini flowers, and basil with house-made lactic cheese. If pizza isn’t your choice, try the house-made pasta with crab sourced sustainably from the Mekong Delta.

In 2018, Phạm The Can, the visionary behind Vina Chuối, showcased his startup on Shark Tank Vietnam, securing investment to grow from a single shop to eight stalls across the city, all dedicated to selling fried bananas. While this dish is a street food staple, Vina Chuối prepares the fruit fresh on-site, using a secret blend of seasonings in their batter. The bananas come out crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and are notably less greasy than those from competitors. The menu also features grilled bananas and banana ice cream.

Nestled behind the bustling stalls of one of the city’s oldest wet markets is a traditional, slender Vietnamese house featuring three floors of inventive culinary experiences by acclaimed chef Peter Cuong Franklin. Anan (Eat Eat), the oldest of the trio, gained international recognition with its $100 versions of pho and banh mi, the latter showcasing truffle mayonnaise, foie gras, and caviar. If those are out of reach, don’t miss the crispy Dalat Pizza topped with roasted duck or the luxurious truffle pho made with wagyu and truffle consomme. Also, make sure to visit Nhau Nhau (Drink Drink) on the second floor, a cocktail bar offering Song Cai, Vietnam’s first craft gin, which is distilled in Hanoi using local grains and botanicals sourced from the Red Dao, Hmong, H’Re, and X’Tiêng communities.

Legend has it that when Anthony Bourdain first visited Vietnam, he and his crew often stopped by this street cart. One bite, and you’ll understand why. Unlike the usual fillings of pâté and cold cuts, the sandwiches here are filled with mini pork patties marinated in sweet soy and garlic, then grilled over charcoal. Tucked away in a narrow alley off Nguyen Trai Street, it opens in the late afternoon. Arrive early and hope the line of locals and tourists doesn’t stretch too far down the street — but even if it does, the wait will be worth it.

Filmmaker Vincent Mourou crossed paths with former banker Samuel Maruta during a challenging jungle survival expedition in Vietnam, where they discussed the concept of establishing a Vietnamese chocolate brand. Their friendship blossomed into a collaboration, ultimately leading to an award-winning, single-origin, bean-to-bar chocolate success. Marou partners with local cacao farmers from seven provinces throughout Vietnam, tailoring chocolate flavors to reflect each region. The beautifully scented shop and café in Ho Chi Minh City offers an array of desserts beyond chocolate bars, including truffles, cookies, hot chocolate, and a dynamic selection of mini cakes. Under the guidance of celebrated French pastry chef Stéphanie Aubriot, the team continuously innovates and adds new treats to their offerings.

Phở Phú Vương has been serving customers for over 25 years, offering a distinctive fusion of Northern and Southern pho styles. Owner Phạm Văn Cử’s parents hail from Nam Dinh Province, roughly 50 miles from Hanoi, and brought their cherished family pho recipe when they moved to Ho Chi Minh City in 1954. To suit Southern preferences, they adjusted the broth to be slightly sweeter and highlighted the flavors of ginger, anise, and cinnamon. Don’t miss the creamy poached egg yolk, which bursts with flavor as you enjoy your meal.

Quince, the sister restaurant of its Bangkok counterpart, shines brightly in Ho Chi Minh City's vibrant international dining scene. Led by chefs Julien Perraudina and Charlie Jones, the kitchen crafts a Mediterranean menu that emphasizes fresh produce, utilizing two wood-fired ovens. Each dish is beautifully plated and packed with rich, deep flavors, such as the baked Isigny Camembert drizzled with black truffle honey and the wood-roasted cauliflower served with 24-month-aged AOP comté cream. Don’t miss the main dishes like the Israeli spiced lamb rump, aged Barbary duck magret, and wagyu tomahawk bulgogi.

The gourmet doughnut phenomenon arrived in Ho Chi Minh City with the launch of Dosh Doughnuts by Kevin Bùi and Emma Nguyễn in 2017. Their flagship location, a vibrant creamsicle-colored multi-story building overlooking the Saigon River, is as photogenic as the doughnuts it serves. Crafted from fresh local ingredients, the menu is regularly refreshed with innovative options. Choices vary from classic glazed to extravagant creations, such as doughnuts filled with rambutan and served with pipettes of caramel, or those stacked with strawberry waffles like a Jenga tower.

Ascend the narrow concrete stairs to find Pride Cafe, a queer-owned establishment launched in 2021 by Võ Minh Quân, Derek Dodd, and Dustin Leonard. The café features vibrant pink neon signage, soft light bulbs spelling out 'Pride,' and a whimsical pink swing set. Indulge in specialty coffee beverages like the Tiara & Fabulous (a blend of espresso, tiramisu sauce, cocoa, coffee ice cream, and a ladyfinger) or enjoy a spirited drink such as the Green & Gold (Irish whiskey, ginger, and stout). The café hosts community events like monthly board game nights, book clubs, and chess clubs.

After a day spent exploring Cholon (Chinatown), be sure to visit this local gem that's been serving patrons for over 20 years. The enticing smoky and sweet scent of garlic pork chops sizzling over an open coal fire will beckon you inside. Their signature dish features tender, thinly sliced chops served atop a bed of steaming broken rice, accompanied by shredded pork, crispy pork skin, baked pork egg loaf, and a sunny-side-up egg. In addition to the pork chop, the menu showcases a rotating selection of traditional Vietnamese dishes prepared daily.