Ho Chi Minh City’s international dining scene is diverse and growing. Global cuisine is easy to come by, including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Turkish, Italian, North African, Mexican, Indian, German, American, South American, French and of course Vietnamese.
Dishes are affordable and surprisingly authentic: don’t be stunned if your charbroiled burger tastes just as good – if not better – than the fare you would get at a baseball game in Chicago. From wood-fired pizza, pasta, sushi, and burritos to steaks, falafel, kebab, seafood, crepes, galettes and hot dogs, you will rarely have a craving you cannot satisfy in Saigon.
At many of the more lavish international hotels, lunch, dinner and special occasion buffets and set menus are available. Here, dazzled by a dozen or more gleaming silver serving trays on immaculate linen-draped tables, you will be tempted to wolf down platefuls of seafood, pasta, roast meats, quiches, vegetarian delights and exquisitely prepared Vietnamese cuisine. Expect to pay premium prices.
North American and/or international fast food is – some would say thankfully – modestly represented in the city with fried chicken, hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza and a recent addition that flaunts itself as the American king of burgers. Indigenous fast foods, as mentioned earlier, include bánh mì, spring rolls, rice crackers and deep-fried fruits and vegetables, somewhat akin to heavier tempura.
The majority of these international restaurants in Saigon should have English-speaking staff and attentive service.
District 1
BABA’S
274 Bui Vien, D1; +84 28 3838 6661
The go-to Indian restaurant for many curry fan in Saigon. Dine in and takeaway options don’t disappoint.
BENARAS
5A Nguyen Sieu, D1; +84 9 8343 3340
Authentic fine dining Northern Indian cuisine that is simply delicious.
Basilico
InterContinental Hotel, corner of Nguyen Du and Le Van Huu, D1; +84 28 3520 9099
Arguably the city’s best Italian restaurant in brasserie style, with wood-fired pizza and authentic Italian dishes..
Choi Go Jip
https://facebook.com/choigojiprestaurant/
161 Ham Nghi, D1; +84 28 3914 2005
One of the more well-known Korean restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
Kissho
14 Nguyen Hue, D1; +84 28 3823 2223
This is a centrally located teppanyaki heaven, one of the largest in Saigon, also serving sushi and yakiniku.
La Cuisine
48 Le Thanh Ton, D1; +84 28 2229 8882
One of the best fine dining French restaurants in D1. Reservations are recommended.
L’Usine
19 Le Thanh Ton, D1; +84 28 3822 7188
Floor 1, 151/5 Dong Khoi, D1; +84 28 6674 9565
Floor 1, 70B Le Loi, D1; +84 28 3521 0703
A fashion boutique, café and restaurant. A contemporary Vietnamese experience in central Saigon, inspired by the Indochine era.
New York Steakhouse
25-27 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1; +84 28 3823 7373
New York meets Saigon in this quality atmosphere for some of the best steak in the city.
Octo Tapas Restobar
http://www.facebook.com/Octotapas
Level 2, 75 Ho Tung Mau, D1; +84 93 300 28 95
An open kitchen Spanish culinary experience in central Saigon, focusing on traditional tapas recipes, quality ingredients & modern cooking techniques.
Quince
https://facebook.com/quincesaigon/
37 bis Ky Con, D1; +84 28 3821 8661
A newer addition to Saigon’s fine dining scene and receiving rave reviews, Quince describes itself as the fruit of the union between passionate food and wine lovers who wanted to create an eatery unlike elsewhere in Saigon.
Shang Palace
Floor 1, Norfolk Mansion, 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong, D1; +84 28 3822 6111 / +84 28 3824 1835
Well known location to experience authentic Hong Kong and Cantonese cuisine with a good wine selection.
Skewers
9A Thai Van Lung, D1; +84 28 3822 4798
Wide variety of well prepared western food to suit most palates. The BBQ pork ribs are top notch.
Soul Burger
http://www.facebook.com/soulburgersaigon
(1st floor) 4 Phan Boi Chau, D1; +84 7 7517 1261
High quality burgers, made with premium ingredients and inspired by the greats of soul music (which also make up the soundtrack to your meal). As well as excellent burgers, it also features delicious chicken wings, craft beer and great cocktails. Check their Facebook pages for top value daily deals. You will not leave hungry.
Tandoor
39A-B Ngo Duc Ke, D1; +84 28 3930 4839 / +84 28 3930 2468
Indian cuisine with a large selection of vegetarian/halal food. Often less spicy than other Indian restaurants in Saigon, unless specified.
The Log
Rooftop GEM Center, 8 Nguyen Binh Khiem, D1; +84 9 7500 2288
Indulge in western fusion menus, both a la carte and buffet, in a natural and peaceful atmosphere surrounded by beautifully designed wooden architecture in Saigon’s GEM Center.
Union Jack’s Fish & Chips
130-1 Ton That Dam Street, D1; +84 32 691 1720 / +84 767 286 183
Established as the premier standard for British food in Saigon, the fantastic fish & chips are just one of many great dishes at this friendly, attentive first-floor restaurant with great music. Also, don’t miss their bangers & mash, full English/Irish breakfasts, pies, white & black pudding, and battered Mars bar dessert (yes!).
District 2
La Plancha
https://facebook.com/laplancha.saigon.1/
25 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, D2; +84 28 6281 8521
French-styled brasserie in District 2 of Saigon, with garden areas and a separate area for children. Save room for dessert.
La Villa
14 Ngo Quang Huy, Thao Dien, D2; +84 28 3898 2082 / +84 9 0771 9879
One of the finest French restaurants, notjust in Saigon’s District 2, but in the city and beyond. Set in a colonial style villa with a pool, they have a great cheese buffet in addition to their excellent menu.
Les Trois Gourmands
18 Tran Ngoc Dien, D2; +84 9 0822 5884
They make and serve their own cheese and are widely known for their generous use of truffles.
Papagayo
18 Tran Ngoc Dien, D2; +84 28 6252 0333
Quality French Mediterranean cuisine along with swimming pool, sand yard and petanque field.
The BoatHouse
http://www.facebook.com/boathousevietnam
40 Lily Road, APSC, 36 Thao Dien, D2; +84 28 3744 6790
A laid back, yet high quality restaurant and bar with excellent food, refreshing cocktails, a wide variety of craft beer, wine by the carafe, serene riverside views, alongside friendly and attentive service. Daily deals and frequent live music in the evenings to complete the experience.
The Deck
38 Nguyen U Di, D2; +84 28 3744 6632
A modern setting overlooking the river and serving a wide range of western food. Try their superb house cocktails.
District 7
Boomerang
107 Ton Dat Tien, D7; +84 28 5413 6592; +84 9 0186 8000
Quality Australian food on the Crescent strip.
Nice spot for beer with fish and chips.
Dae Jang Gum
https://m.facebook.com/DaeJangGum/
Floor 1, Crescent Mall, 5 Ton Dat Tien, D7; +84 28 5413 7850
Providing a good variety of tasty Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes.
La Forchetta
https://www.facebook.com/La-Forchetta-Ristorante-Italiano
24 Cao Trieu Phat, D7; +84 28 5411 0006
High quality, authentic Italian food that is well priced and with friendly service..
Other Districts
Kobe Teppan Yaki
13A Tu Xuong, D3; +84 8 3932 0187 / +84 28 3932 0189
Saigon’s first restaurant specializing in the famous Japanese teppanyaki and the premium AAA5 Kobe beef.
Le Bordeaux
https://facebook.com/RestaurantLeBordeaux/
72 Nguyen Gia Tri, Bình Thạnh District; +84 28 3899 9831
One of the oldest fine French restaurants in the city. Try the homemade foie gras and soufflé.
Ly Club
143 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3; +84 28 3930 5588
Modern, chic Eastern and Western dishes served in a superbly renovated French colonial villa.
Orientica
https://hochiminhcity.equatorial.com/dining/orientica-seafood-restaurant-bar/
Floor 2, Hotel Equatorial, 242 Tran Binh Trọng, D5; +84 28 3839 7777
A fine dining restaurant specializing in seafood, Chinese and Japanese cuisines.
For more info about comfort food in Saigon, click here.
For delicious lunch options, check out the Best Set Lunches in Saigon.
