Best Set Lunches in Saigon
Time is a valuable commodity during the precious workday lunch hour. By the time noon rolls around it is often difficult for most of us to think about much more than how to fill our stomachs. But don’t fall into the trap of eating at the same street stall day after day or spending way too much at a mediocre restaurant.
Check out our list of the best lunch deals from Asian and Western foods to Fine Dining options Ho Chi Minh City instead.
City Pass Guide has done the groundwork by surveying each eaterie for food quality and quantity, coffee and drinks, parking opportunities and how suitable the location is for business meetings classified by price.
VIETNAMESE RESTAURANTS
Bun Bar | Vietnamese Restaurant
40 Đặng Thị Nhu, Nguyễn Thái Bình Ward, District 1
Monday to Sunday
Price: VND99,000
Probably one of the cheapest set lunches in town, the newly opened Bun Bar offers freshly made “bún” rice noodles and clay pot rice dishes inspired by traditional Vietnamese recipes.
The rainbow rice noodles are made with natural ingredients and colorized with vegetable juices. You can design your own noodle dish and select from a variation of vegetables, meats and sauces that are all homemade. There is something for everyone from meat-eaters to vegans.
Parking: Motorbike parking is free of charge, there is no car parking available.
Business lunch meeting: No
INDIAN RESTAURANTS
Baba’s Kitchen | Indian Restaurant
274 Bùi Viện, Phạm Ngũ Lão Ward, District 1
232 Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, Thảo Điền, District 2
Monday to Friday
Price: VND140,000 net for vegetarian or VND150,000 net for chicken.
At Baba’s Kitchen, you can choose a Northern or Southern thali meal, which include different styles of curries, vegetables, rice, bread and your choice of dessert.
Parking: free parking for motorbikes, but there is no car parking available.
Business lunch meeting: No
JAPANESE RESTAURANTS
The Sushi Bar | Japanese Restaurant
179B, Hai Bà Trưng, Ward 6, District 3
54, Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, District 3
Saigon Court, 2nd Floor, 149 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, District 1
Lot C6B02-2, New South Urban City, District 7
Served everyday of the week
Price: VND218,000+
If you were one of those kids that wanted all food to be neatly arranged so that it didn’t touch anything else on your plate then you will love the orderly set-up of a classic Bento box. The Sushi Bar offers a daily Higawari Bento set, which includes rice, salad, miso soup and a main course that changes every day of the week.
Parking: Free parking for motorbike and car at all these places.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS
Pendolasco | Italian Restaurant
36 Tống Hữu Định, Thảo Điền Ward, District 2
Monday to Friday
Price: VND190,000 net for a starter, main and dessert.
Pendolasco is one of the oldest Italian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, serving authentic Italian food since 1998. The copious set lunch gives you a wide choice of Italian classics such as bruschetta al pomodoro, various pastas, pizza and an Italian ice cream to finish the feast.
Parking: Parking your motorbike and car is free of charge
Chanh Bistro Rooftop Saigon | International Restaurant
Rooftop levels, 43-45 Hồ Tùng Mậu, District 1
Monday to Friday
Price: VND149,000++ for starter and main course or main course and dessert - VND179,000++.
Chanh Bistro is the perfect set lunch option for an upscale business meeting or for those who are just craving some open air and a stellar view. The menu features international cuisine and complimentary lemongrass iced tea and Vietnamese coffee.
Parking: Free parking for motorbikes, car parking is available streetside.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
La Fiesta | Mexican Restaurant
33 Đặng Thị Nhu, Nguyễn Thái Bình Ward, District 1
Monday to Friday
Price: VND150,000+ to VND170,000+.
The set lunch includes La Fiesta’s usual free tortilla chips and homemade salsa as well as your choice of salad, one main plate served with rice and refried black beans (tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas or burritos) and a brownie dessert to cap it off.
It is a great venue to have a tasty meal with your family, but the room is quite noisy, so it’s not an ideal location for business meetings.
Parking: Motorbike and car parking are free, but space is limited.
Business lunch meeting: No
Belgo | Belgian Restaurant and Pub
159A Nguyễn Văn Thủ, Đa Kao, District 1
Monday to Friday
Price: VND165,000+ without drink, and VND195,000+ with drink. The menu includes soup, a main course and a dessert that all vary weekly.
Among Belgo’s options for your main course you can find salads, flammekueche, burgers and skewers. For dessert, don’t miss their traditional Belgian waffles!
If you order fries, don’t forget to ask for their homemade mayonnaise. For those who don’t need to be productive after lunch, check out their great selection of craft beers.
Parking: free parking for motorbike, car parking is available streetside.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
Relish & Sons | Western Restaurant
44 Đông Du, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1
Monday to Friday
Price: VND180,000 net including a burger with fries and a drink
Relish & Sons specialises in traditional American hamburgers that fill you up without overloading the stomach. The fries are thick and tasty, the service is friendly, the decoration and setup of the burger joint comes with a very special kind of humor.
The open kitchen is a bit noisy however and not optimal for business meetings. But if you’re into hamburgers, definitely check it out! The lunch combo includes a soft drink or a delicious draft “Platinum” to go with your burger, chips, onion rings or hash browns.
Parking: Parking for motorbikes is free, car parking is available streetside.
Business lunch meeting: No
May Restaurant | International Restaurant
56-58 Bùi Thị Xuân, Bến Thành Ward, District 1
Monday to Friday
Price: VND195,000 ++ for 3-courses + tea or coffee.
The set lunch menu at May Restaurant changes every week. The food itself is French influenced with a touch of Vietnamese.
The food quantity is just right, the service is great and the dishes are delicious. Water, coffee or tea are included in the price.
May Restaurant offers a warm, welcoming lounge feeling that makes the venue perfect for leisure as well as business meetings, however, the drinks are a bit on the expensive side.
Parking: There is free parking for your motorbike but not for cars.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
Jaspas | International and Vietnamese Restaurant
33 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1
15 Tống Hữu Định, Thảo Điền, District 2
Monday to Friday
Price: Order a 3-course Asian set lunch for VND245,000+ and your dining partner will get the same set lunch for only VND99,000+.
Centrally located Jaspas is well-known for consistent quality, which makes the restaurant a safe bet for business meetings. The wide, French colonial style windows flood the dining room with light. Though Jaspas is generally a bit pricey, the delicious international cuisine and the great English of its staff make the occasional visit worthwhile.
The set meal includes complimentary water, as well as Lavazza coffee with your meal.
Parking: There is free parking for your motorbike but not for cars.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS
Co Noi | Vietnamese Restaurant
7th floor,Bong Sen Hotel Saigon, 117-123 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, District 1
Available everyday of the week
Price: VND200,000 net without a drink.
Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan or you just need your green fix, Co Noi has you covered. The set lunch at this bright plant-filled restaurant will fill you up despite the lack of meat. Set lunch includes: fresh spring rolls, fried spring rolls, mushroom pho, and a delicious matcha custard for dessert.
Parking: No parking available, you can park in the Sheraton Hotel parking.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
FINE DINING
Le Corto | French Restaurant
5D Nguyễn Siêu Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1
Monday to Friday
Price: VND180,000 net for starter + main and VND250,000 net for starter + main + dessert.
Le Corto is a top choice for a quiet business lunch. The menu changes daily but the restaurant’s attention to quality fine dining remains consistent. To luncheon like a true Frenchie take your time and order that bottle of wine with your meal.
Parking: Motorbikes park for free but space is limited.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
Hoi An Sense | Vietnamese Restaurant
Rooftop, 12 Phan Kế Bính, Đa Kao Ward, District 1
The set lunch is available everyday of the week.
Price: Three different set menus for a minimum of two people. The menus range in price from VND340,000++
For an occasion where you would like to impress your dining partner or if you just love excellent food in a beautiful atmosphere, try Hoi An Sense. While this is one of the more expensive set menu options on our list it is also the most generous in terms of quantity and quality.
Each menu consists of six to seven different plates including starters, mains and a dessert. The traditional Central Vietnamese menu is sure to delight both local and international fans of Vietnamese cuisine.
Parking: Free parking for both cars and motorbikes.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
Jardin Des Sens Saigon | French Restaurant
251 Điện Biên Phủ, Ward 7, District 3
Monday to Friday
Price: VND630.000++ for a 3-course menu and + a glass of wine + coffee or tea.
Jardin Des Sens Saigon features a lunch menu that exemplifies modern, gastronomic French cuisine.
The restaurant offers a chef’s choice of starters, main courses and desserts paired with a glass of wine or soft drinks and one coffee.
Twin chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel have received international acclaim and Michelin recognition for their cuisine.
Parking: parking place is opposite the restaurant on Le Quy Don street. Free parking for both cars and motorbikes.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
La Villa French Restaurant | French Restaurant
14 Ngô Quang Huy St, Thảo Điền Ward, District 2
Monday to Saturday
Price: VND890.000 net per person for a 3-course menu including an amuse bouche and excluding drinks.
La Villa French Restaurant is known for being one of the most luxurious restaurants in Saigon. Dishes using the finest ingredients prepared by world-class chefs means that a set-lunch at La Villa will be something to rave about. If you want to try out the cuisine at the most established French restaurant in the city at a petite price head for the set-lunch. Each diner will be treated to an Amuse Bouche (a miniature hors d’oeuvre to tempt the appetite) followed by a starter, a main and a dessert (choice of two options for each course). While wine does not come with the menu, your server can guide your choices for wine pairings with each course. Sit in the garden for a little
Parking: Street parking easy and free.
Business lunch meeting: Yes
If you are interested in a greater variety and a list of restaurants in different price categories, pick one of the many venues that are listed in “Where to Eat in Ho Chi MInh City”.
Enjoy your meal!
Apropos: Also check out our article about "The Best Pizza in Saigon"!
Banner Image source: shutterstock.com
