Ho Chi Minh City

Eat and meet

Street food

Pho Hoa

Some of the best pho in Saigon

260C Pasteur, District 3
T: (08) 3829 4943

Once one of the best-kept secrets in town, Pho Hoa has now been discovered as a restaurant that delivers some of the best bowls of pho Saigon has to offer. Recently an influx of tourists, reading recommendations from various sources, has begun to descend on the restaurant. With the tourists come ... read more
94 Quan Thuy

If you have seafood on the brain

84 Dinh Tien Hoang, District 1

If seafood is on the brain, check out 94 Quan Thuy, a favourite with locals looking to feast on shellfish. They are famous for their crab, which they offer in a variety of styles. Their most popular dishes include cha goi cua, a fried crab spring roll, and mien xao cua, glass noodles sauteed with ... read more
Hong Hanh

Breakfast stopover

17A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1

If you're interested in eating breakfast like the Saigonese but pho in the morning sounds too far out of your comfort zone, hunt down Hong Hanh. This is where you can try banh cuon, a thin, steamed pancake rolled around a filling usually consisting of a mixture of diced pork and mushrooms. ... read more
Com Dong Nhan

A good spot for after-drinking eats

11 Ton That Thiep, District 1
T: (08) 4312 2516

Office building by day and street stall by night, Com Dong Nhan packs itself onto a street surrounded by popular Western restaurants. So if the surrounding high prices have you feeling the pinch, or you just want to try some local street food, this is your place. Here they serve com, rice with your ... read more
Pho Anh

Great pho

8-10A Ky Dong, District 3
T: (08) 3843 7480

If you're looking for a truly great bowl of pho, your journey will likely lead you out of District 1, but fear not, your journey will be short. A quick, 10-minute jaunt by taxi out of Saigon's backpacker district will bring you to Pho Anh, a plastic stool street stall that skips on decor but ... read more
Ban Xeo 46A

Go-to spot for authentic street food

46A Dinh Cong Trang, District 1
T: (08) 3824 1110

With a solid reputation as a go-to spot for authentic street food, Ban Xeo 46A offers a glimpse into how Saigon locals eat. Specialising in its namesake, a crispy-shelled crepe folded over various ingredients, as well as spring rolls, you can feel confident eating here as you ease yourself into ... read more
Nam Son Beef Steak

A no nonsense stop

188 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 1
T: (08) 3930 3917

A simple restaurant near the Reunification Palace, Nam Son Beef Steak is your no nonsense stop for traditional Vietnamese meat and bread dishes. There isn't much frill to the decor or dishes; you simply get your cut of meat and a baguette. Always packed with locals, this is a great spot to ... read more
Co Ba Vung Tau

Break out of your culinary comfort zone

59B Cao Thang, District 3
T: (08) 3629 8118

For those looking to break out of their culinary comfort zone, a 15-minute taxi trip to Co Ba Vung Tau will introduce you to a local favourite. Co Ba Vung Tau is popular for their banh khot, small, deep-fried rice pancakes topped with various ingredients, but most commonly a seafood combination of ... read more
Ben Thanh Market

Foreigner friendly fare

Le Loi, District 1

Right in the heart of the city, Ben Thanh market is a definite stop on most travellers' Saigon itineraries. Besides the shopping, it's also a great spot to try local street food. In the back area of the market several vendors occupy stalls selling cheap and tasty Vietnamese food and drinks. ... read more
Pho 2000

A Saigon staple

1-3 Phan Chu Trinh, District 1
T: (08) 3822 2788

Pho 2000, right across the street from Ben Thanh market, is one of the more popular eateries in Saigon. Famed for a visit from former US president Bill Clinton, they are the self-proclaimed best pho in town. While we'd make a case that it's not actually the best in town, the pho is decent and ... read more

Vietnamese

Cuc Gach Quan

Beautiful and delicious

10 Dang Tat, District 1
T: (08) 3848 0144

Mixed in with residential buildings, the easy to miss Cuc Gach Quan is one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Saigon. Located on a short street in the Tan Dinh Ward of District 1 in a redesigned French colonial mansion, complete with antique wooden furniture and floating staircase, ... read more
3T Quang Nuang

Good spot for first-time grillers

29 Ton That Thiep, District 1
T: (08) 3821 1631

Located above an ice cream shop and sharing a stairwell with another restaurant, 3T Quang Nuang can be easily missed though is well worth your search. The partially covered, palm-decorated rooftop gives the feeling of outdoor patio dining. What the restaurant lacks in decor is made up for by the ... read more
Lemongrass

A hidden gem

4 Nguyen Thiep, District 1
T: (08) 3822 4005

Down a slightly concealed street, close to the Sheraton Hotel, Lemongrass is a hidden gem for those in the know. Their attractive dining room is on the smaller side, so hopefully you're okay with getting intimate with those around you because it is regularly full to capacity. Making a reservation ... read more
Xu

Sleek and stylish

75 Hai Ba Trung, District 1
T: (08) 3824 8468

One of the more sophisticated restaurants in town, Xu is an upscale location that is both sleek and stylish. Artistically designed, complete with fantastic pop art paintings and creative lighting, it is a good setting for businesspeople to entertain clients or couples to have a romantic dinner. ... read more
Temple Club

With a romantic atmosphere

Ton That Thiep, District 1
T: (08) 3829 9244

Hidden down a tight hallway next to an ice cream shop in a building shared with another fine restaurant, the Temple Club is one of the most atmospheric establishments you'll find in Saigon. Built in what was once an actual temple, it is decorated with Buddhist tapestries, throw rugs and antique ... read more
3A3 Bun Bo Hue

No-nonsense bun bo hue

39A Ngo Duc Ke, District 1
T: (08) 829 3526

With several locations throughout Saigon, Bun Bo Hue 3A3 is a clean and air-conditioned restaurant that serves a no-nonsense bowl of its Vietnamese namesake. Similar to what Pho 24 brings to pho, these restaurants bring you traditional hue with a Western fast food atmosphere at a reasonable price ... read more
Nhu Lan Bakery

A favourite

50 Ham Nghi, District 1
T: (08) 3829 2970

Located in the shadow of the Bitexco Financial Tower, the Nhu Lan Bakery is a favourite among locals and tourists. Many people come to this bakery because it offers tasty food at street-cart prices without sacrificing cleanliness. The menu includes many Vietnamese standards, including sandwiches, ... read more
Nghi Xuan

The place to sample Hue cuisine

5/9 Nguyen Sieu
T: (08) 3823 0699

A walk down a small alley off of Nguyen Sieu will lead you to Nghi Xuan, an attractive three-storey restaurant specialising in Hue cuisine. With a design similar to a mini palace, the dark brown woods and warm lighting give it a very romantic feel. The menu is most definitely Hue, with dishes such ... read more
Wrap and Roll

A cut above a typical chain

62 Ha Bai Trung, District 1
T: (08) 3822 2166

A perfect example of when to not judge a book by its cover, Wrap and Roll is a cut above other Vietnamese restaurant chains. While it looks like an uninspiring, fast-food styled restaurant, the quality of food is quite high. With a clean and modern feel, they specialise in spring rolls and wraps, ... read more
Pho 24

Fast pho

23-25 Tran Duat, District 1
T: (08) 8848 0807

With many locations across Saigon, Pho 24 is basically the pho version of fast food. With a simple menu offering a variety of pho styles, and a limited selection of other Vietnamese dishes, you'll find an adequate, but not great, bowl of the popular soup. The air-con restaurants are clean, they ... read more

Korean and Japanese

Sushi Bar

Setting the standard in Saigon sushi

2 Le Thanh Ton, District 1
T: (08) 3823 8042

With its imposing front facade that strategically has the word "SUSHI" jumping off several bright red signs, The Sushi Bar is tough to miss at the busy intersection of Le Thanh Ton and Ton Duc Thang. Open since 1999, it's been the standard for sushi in the city for more than 10 years and has built ... read more
Asian Kitchen

A hidden gem in backpacker land

185/22 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1
T: (08) 3836 7397

A simple looking restaurant in the crowded backpacker district, Asian Kitchen is a hidden gem for budget conscious travellers. Located down a quiet alley, they offer typical Japanese cuisine and ice-cold beer. The food isn't the most authentic in town, but it is tasty. Staff are extremely ... read more
Seoul House

One of the first Korean restaurants in Saigon

33 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1
T: (08) 3829 4297

One of the first and only Korean restaurants in the city, Seoul House has been on the move. In its latest location it continues to attract customers because of its full service Korean menu, offering hot pots, grilled meat, and its ever popular kim chi tofu soup. For those ordering a meat dish, ... read more
Dragon Noodle

Aims to please

29 Dong Du, District 1
T: (08) 3521 0008

Dragon Noodle aims to please fans of Japanese ramen, with a menu that focusing on that dish but also covering stir-fries and rice-based choices. The food here isn't made as spicy as traditionally served. With prices starting at around 100,000 VND range, the food is a little pricy but the ... read more

Other Asian

Tandoor

Prime location and very popular

74/6 Hai Ba Trung, District 1
T: (08) 3930 4839

One of Saigon's original Indian restaurants, Tandoor still delivers quality food at comparatively low prices. Featuring both northern and southern dishes it has something for everyone, including a large selection of vegetarian options. It doesn't have the best Indian food in the world, or Saigon ... read more
Spice Restaurant

Over 100 traditional Thai dishes

27 Le Quy Don, District 3
T: (08) 3930 7873

Open since 2003, ornately decorated Spice Restaurant delivers authentic Thai cuisine just off the beaten path in District Three. The menu contains almost a hundred traditional dishes covering the gamut of Thai foods. Hot pots here are very popular as is the barbecue, which they give you the option ... read more
Mai Thai

Authentic Thai

19 Ton That Thiep, District 1
T: (08) 3821 2920

Tucked away on a street populated with mostly Western fare, the cosy two-story Mai Thai is a great find. Traditionally decorated right down to staff dressing in Thai style clothing — this is one of the few restaurants in Saigon delivering authentic Thai cuisine. With a large menu covering the ... read more
Golden Elephant

Best Thai in town

34 Ha Ba Trung, District 1
T: (08) 3822 8554

Located close to the middle of downtown, the Golden Elephant serves up some of the best Thai food in Saigon. The themed decor, including pictures of the Thai royal family, and warm yellow walls make for an inviting and relaxing atmosphere. The menu offers a wide range of dishes, from curries ... read more
Alibaba

Tasty food in an ordinary setting

43 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1
T: (08) 3829 9033

One of the older Indian restaurants in Saigon, Alibaba offers a large selection of reasonably priced dishes. While the decor and overall feel of the building leaves something to be desired, Alibaba does deliver some tasty food, including a variety of curries and vegetarian dishes. Their flat ... read more
Dragon Court

Chinese standards

11-13 Lam Son Square, District 1
T: (08) 8829 1516

Just across the street from the Saigon Opera house, the Dragon Court Chinese Restaurant, also known as Hoang Long, sits at a prime location. This large restaurant, with plenty of elbow room, seats you family-style at large booths or smaller tables depending on your group's size. The staff is ... read more

Cafes and coffee

Up Cafe

Cafe on its head

269 Nguyen Trung Tuyen, District 3
T: (08) 3845 2155

Literally turning convention upside down, Up Cafe is an unexpected score among Saigon's cafes. Just a short 10-minute drive from downtown, the cafe's made itself the most unique in the city by flipping everything over. Light fixtures and paintings are turned upside down, a full dining set is on the ... read more
Sozo

Helping a good cause rarely tastes this good.

176 Bui Vien, District 1
T: (09) 5870 6580

One of the more ‘feel good' establishments in Saigon, Sozo is a small cafe that employs disadvantaged youth to teach them English and work skills. All profits received from the sale of delicious American-style coffee, muffins and cookies goes back to the training and education of the staff. The ... read more
Kita Coffee House

An insider secret

39-41 Nguyen Hue, District 1
T: (08) 3821 6799

Sitting in a colonial-era building under the shadow of the Bitexto Tower, the classically styled Kita Coffee House is an insider secret so far gone largely unnoticed by guidebooks. The quiet ambiance, contemporary decor and comfy chairs can leave you momentarily forgetting that you are sitting ... read more
Bobby Brewers

The only cafe that doubles as a cinema

45 Bui Vien, District 1
T: (08) 3920 4090

With several locations throughout Saigon, Bobby Brewers stands alone as the only cafe that doubles as a cinema. The movies are free to paying customers, and play in small theatres on the cafe's top floor. The menu consists of Western-style, espresso-based coffee, fruit juices and smoothies. The ... read more
Java Coffee House

Healthy smoothies

38 Dong Du, District 1
T: (08) 3823 0187

A somewhat forgotten spot on the corner of Dong Du, Java Coffee House is being rediscovered at just the right moment. In its heyday, it was one of the premiere cafes in the city, but a poor redesign caused it to lose favour with local clientele. Now, trying to regain its former glory with a remodel ... read more
Highlands Coffee

Chain cafe VN style

7 Cong Truong, District 1
T: (08) 3822 5017

With several locations in various prime locations throughout the city, Highlands Coffee is the Vietnamese version of a Western chain coffee establishment. More budget friendly than its Western competitors, the menu offers a wide range of espresso, smoothie, and juice options mixed with Vietnamese ... read more

French

Le Jardin

Simple fresh-tasting fare

31 Thai Van Lung, District 1
T: (08) 3825 8465

Around the back of the French Cultural Centre, Le Jardin gives you a choice between sitting in the garden area outside or the cosy dining area inside. Its simple food, fresh-tasting fare rarely disappoints and this has made it quite a popular venue - so popular in fact that it can get quite packed ... read more
La Fourchette

One of Saigon's best French restaurants

9 Ngo Duc Ke, District 1
T: (08) 3829 8143

Frequented by French expats and tourists, which is always a good sign, the nearly two decades' old La Fourchette has established itself as one of Saigon's best French restaurants. The wood panelled dining area is small, but still comfortable, and adds to the warm, homely atmosphere. A good spot ... read more
The Refinery

Classy and intimate

74 Hai Ba Trung, District 1
T: (08) 3823 0509

A French-style bistro tucked into a plant-heavy courtyard close to the Park Hyatt, the Refinery with its limited but classy decoration lends an intimate feel. While it doesn't possess the longest menu in the city The Refinery does have a good variety of light cafe fare, such as salads and ... read more

Other Western

Zan Z Bar

Intimate and trendy

41 Dong Du, District 1
T: (08) 3822 7375

For those looking for something a little more upscale, Zan Z Bar has an atmosphere that is intimate and trendy. Just across the street from the Sheraton, this restaurant caters to a higher-paying clientele than the norm but its prices still won't completely break the bank. Food here, a fusion ... read more
Juice

Great for the health conscious

49 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1
T: (08) 3829 6900

Health conscious eaters may want to give Juice, a Western-style sandwich and juice bar, a stopover. The cheerfully coloured, three-storey eatery is a favourite of local expats, who pack the building at lunch and also take advantage of the restaurant's speedy delivery service. Besides having a ... read more
Warda

Uniquely Middle Eastern

71/7 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1
T: (08) 3823 3822

Hidden at the end of a dark alley jam-packed with other restaurants, Warda sets the mood with its Arabic decor of arches and lanterns. Whether you sit in the outdoor dining area or in the restaurant's ample interior space you will experience an atmosphere that is uniquely Middle Eastern. The food ... read more
Amigo Grill

One of Saigon's best steakhouses

55 Nguyen Hue, District 1
T: (08) 3824 1248

With beef imported from Australia and America, Amigo Grill has earned a reputation as one of the best steakhouses in Saigon. Here you get to pick from a variety of premium cuts, cooked to order, with your choice of marinade and side. The beef is truly delicious in a city where it can be tough to ... read more
Stella

If suffering from rice overload

119-121 Bui Vien, District 1
T: (08) 3836 9220

In the heart of the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker district on Bui Vien, Stella (or "New Stellar" depending on which sign you see first) offers some of Saigon's best pizza and pasta. The Italian goes hand in hand with a range of Vietnamese selections, served up in bright and clean air-con surrounds. Hop ... read more
Jaspas

International fusion

33 Dong Khoi, District 1
T: (08) 3827 0931

Sitting on the corner of busy Dong Khoi, Jaspas grabs your attention with its bright yellow walls. The thick menu is a diverse fusion of international cuisine including pizza, pasta, steaks and burgers. They also have one of the better kids' menus in town and paper tablecloths for children and the ... read more
Skewers

Mediterranean in Saigon

9A Thai Van Lung, District 1
T: (08) 3822 4798

With terracotta floors and antiques lining the walls, Mediterranean-styled Skewers is great for a romantic dinner. Their authentic menu provides favourite dishes, such as falafel and spanakopita, and a variety of choices of meat skewers, including a delicious lamb one. Watching the open-air ... read more
Margherita

An older haunt for the expat crowd

175/1 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1
T: (08) 3837 0760

An older haunt for the expat crowd, family-run Margherita has a longstanding reputation as one of the best deals in Pham Ngu Lao. Most popular for its excellent pizza and pasta, which is some of the best in the city, the menu also has a variety of seafood, vegetarian, Vietnamese, and Tex-Mex ... read more
Al Fresco's

Jumbo ribs

27 Dong Du, District 1
T: (08) 3823 8424

A favourite among the local expat crowd, Aussie-owned Al Fresco's offers a friendly environment with a very efficient and English-speaking staff. Famous locally for its jumbo ribs, the restaurant also serves up a variety of international cuisine, such as Tex-Mex, pizza and hamburgers, all at large ... read more
Phatty's

Classic sports bar and grill

46-48 Ton Than Thiep, District 1
T: (08) 3821 0796

A classic sports bar and grill, Phatty's is a favourite haunt of expats. With several large TVs playing everything from football to cricket to tennis, sports lovers should feel right at home with the friendly and uproarious atmosphere. The menu contains the regulars of your average sports bar, ... read more

Bars

The Factory

One of Saigon's more unique clubs

102 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1
T: (08) 3823 8102

Designed to look like it sounds, The Factory is one of the more unique nightlife locations in Saigon. The bar is designed to look like a warehouse, complete with caution lines and an industrial fan; staff wear overalls and hard hats as uniforms. Drink selection is average, as are prices. With ... read more
The Amber Room

A cosy, yet sophisticated lounge bar

59 Dong Du, District 1
T: (08) 6291 3686

Across the street from the Sheraton hotel on bustling Dong Du, The Amber Room is a cosy, yet sophisticated lounge bar. Aside from serving snacks, coffee, cocktails, wine and other drinks, it also sports one of Saigon's larger selections of champagne. A perfect venue for a small, private meeting ... read more
Gringos

The place for mojitos, margaritas and Corona

38 Ton That Thiep, District 1
T: (08) 3600 2509

A bar that has separated itself from others in Saigon is Gringos, an establishment in the Old Market area of downtown. Offering a mostly Mexican influenced menu, this is your place in the city to get mojitos, margaritas and Corona. While the food isn't perfect, it is leaps and bounds better ... read more
Go2

Pricey but popular

187 De Tham, District 1
T: (08) 3836 9575

Across the street from the Crazy Buffalo sits Go2, a 24-hour establishment. Due to its late hours drinks cost more than your average Pham Ngu Lao bar and food is also pricier. The first floor is a standard sit-down bar where you can grab a typical Western meal and listen to rock music, while the ... read more
Crazy Buffalo

Open very late

212 De Tham, District 1
T: (08) 3836 9946

With its giant, and iconic, blazing buffalo sign, it is hard to miss the Crazy Buffalo, a landmark of Saigon's backpacker area. Posing as a simple Western-style bar and restaurant by day, at night it really comes alive, where the dance party on the third floor can last all night. While the ... read more
Vasco's

Popular party spot

The Square 74/7D Hai Ba Trung, District 1
T: (08) 3824 2888

The anchor of Ha Ba Trung 74 square, Vasco's is a popular party venue for expats and tourists. It has an outdoor terrace area below with an air-con section, and the bar above is complete with a stage ready for live music and DJs. Downstairs is typically populated with French expats freely ... read more
The Drunken Duck

Sports lover pitstop

58 Ton That Thiep, District 1
T: (08) 3915 2853

With a creative cocktail menu featuring such creations as The Duckinator and a sports bar atmosphere, the Drunken Duck is the place for sports lovers to unwind after a long day sightseeing. With several TVs playing various live sporting events and a pool table downstairs, you may forget you're in ... read more
Apocalypse Now

One of Saigon's most famous bars

2C Thi Sach, District 1
T: (08) 3825 6124

Extremely popular among, and catered toward, Western tourists, Apocalypse Now is one of the oldest and most famous bars in Saigon. Known affectionately as Apo by locals and expats, on any given night you can expect a large crowd, throughout the two-storey building, with a healthy mix of tourist ... read more
Ice Blue

Popular with expats

54 Dong Khoi, District 1
T: (08) 3822 2664

Although slightly rundown and lacking the flash of some other Saigon bars, Ice Blue is still a popular stop for Saigon's expat community. What the bar may lack in aesthetics it makes up for with smoky character. Drink prices are fair and you can converse with the crowd, which tends to skew older ... read more

Live music

Sax n' Art

One of our favourites

28 Le Loi, District 1
T: (08) 8822 8472

With a smooth, laidback atmosphere and easy listening, there may be no better spot in Saigon to relax than Sax n' Art. If you're a fan of jazz music, there is really no other spot in town to get your fix. From 21:00 to midnight the owner, Tran Manh Tuan, plays jazz saxophone with his house band ... read more
Acoustic

One of the top live music venues in Saigon

6E1 Ngo Thoi Nhiem, District 3
T: (08) 3930 2239

Tucked down a back alley just outside District 1, Acoustic is one of the top live music venues in Saigon. With nightly rock 'n' roll themed music acts, consisting of both local and international musicians, you are always sure to find a crowd whenever you visit. Acoustic is small and seats can ... read more
Thi Cafe

The perfect place to escape techno

224 De Tham, District 1
T: (08) 2210 2929

A standout among a packed crowd in Saigon's backpacker area, Thi Cafe offers decent food, cheap drinks and free nightly entertainment. It is home to a light menu of standard Western bar food, with some surprising tasty Tex-Mex dishes, and drinks that are much cheaper than most of the neighbours. ... read more
Hard Rock Cafe

Expensive but a good venue

Kumho Asiana Plaza, 39 Le Duan, District 1
T: (08) 6291 7595

Filled wall to wall with rock 'n' roll memorabilia, the Hard Rock Cafe exists as an all in one bar, restaurant and live music venue with one of the bigger band stages in the downtown area. The large centre stage plays host to live music every night of the week, but the music comes with a ... read more

Nightclubs

Lush

A sleek, modern club

2 Ly Tu Trong, District 1
T: (09) 1863 0742

Lush is a sleek, modern club with manga-inspired wall graphics. The inside features lounge-style seating both downstairs, wrapping tightly around the bar, and making for hard navigation during crowded nights, and in the small upstairs area. For a more relaxed experience, especially on crowded ... read more
Fuse

Popular with the hiso locals

3A Ton Duc Thang, District 1
T: (09) 1920 6461

One of the more popular clubs for young, high-class youth, neon-drenched Fuse proudly plays dance beats for its patron-filled dance floor. The club features local and international DJs working the turntables, usually for a packed house. In fact, Fuse is one of Saigon's smaller clubs and has a ... read more