Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City: Top Picks for Every Budget and Taste
- HipsterHobo
- May 25, 2024
- 6 min read
If you're planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City and love trying new food, this guide is for you. We've explored the city and found some of the best restaurants, from Pizza 4P's to Com 1990, Baba's Kitchen, Home Saigon, and Le Chalet. These are our personal favorites, and we think you'll love them too.
We also included a special chapter about the best pho in Saigon, simply because we can't get enough of it. Whether you're on a budget or looking to splurge, there's something here for everyone. Our recommendations cater to every budget, so you can enjoy great food no matter what. Read on to discover our top picks and get ready for a delicious adventure in Ho Chi Minh City!
Table of Contents
The Best Pho in Ho Chi Minh City
Before we get into the best overall restaurants in Ho Chi Minh, we had to have a chapter about Pho. Pho is one of Vietnam's most iconic dishes, but did you know it varies significantly between regions? In Hanoi, pho is all about simplicity and subtlety with a clear, light broth and fewer garnishes. The noodles are thinner, and the focus is on the pure, rich flavor of the broth. On the other hand, Ho Chi Minh City's pho is bolder and richer, with a sweeter, more complex broth. The noodles are thicker, and the bowl is loaded with herbs, bean sprouts, and lime, often with condiments like hoisin and Sriracha on the side.
Now, let’s talk about where to find the best pho in Ho Chi Minh City. Pho Viet Nam (Google Maps) not only offers excellent pho but also a unique beef hotpot experience. The broth here is incredibly rich and flavorful, perfect for those who love a deep, hearty soup. Plus, you can enjoy cooking your beef slices in a hotpot right at your table, making it a fun and interactive dining experience.
Another fantastic place is Xuong Pho 118 - Lau Bo (Google Maps). This is a must-visit spot known for its delicious, aromatic broth that’s simmered for hours to perfection. The noodles are always perfectly cooked, and the beef is tender and flavorful. Whether you prefer traditional beef pho (pho bo) or chicken pho (pho ga), Xuong Pho 118 - Lau Bo has you covered. If you’re in Ho Chi Minh City, these two places are top choices to enjoy the best pho in town.
Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is a food lover's paradise with a diverse culinary scene. From traditional Vietnamese fare to international cuisine, there's something for everyone. If you're planning a visit, here are some of the best restaurants we've tried in different price ranges.
1. Pizza 4P's | Italian | $$$
Oh Boy, one of our favorite things to look forward to when we are planning a trip to Vietnam is the delicious food of Pizza 4P's. Traveling through Southeast Asia learned us appreciate the Italian pizza's in Europe even more, since they're hard to find out here. But, Pizza 4P's knows how to make their pizza's! This food chain is a beloved spot in Vietnam, with numerous restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
The restaurant offers a unique blend of Japanese and Italian flavors. Known for their wood-fired pizzas, this restaurant sources fresh, local ingredients and makes their own cheese in-house. At first, we were skeptical about this blend, but soon we found out that they really got everything right. No wonder all of their restaurants got a ranking of 4.9 out of 5.0 on Google with loads of reviews, amazing!
Signature dishes include the Burrata Cheese Pizza and the Salmon Sashimi Pizza. The ambiance is cozy and perfect for a casual meal with friends. Although, our personal favorites would be the Cold Cuts Platter, Pasta Arrabiata and of course Pizza Parma Burrata (which is the most expensive on the menu, but really worth to try!). Prices are moderate, with most pizzas ranging from 150,000 to 300,000 VND (approximately $6.50 to $13).
2. Com 1990 | Vietnamese | $
For a taste of traditional Vietnamese cuisine, head to Com 1990. With its budget-friendly dishes, this one is a favorite restaurant for tourists as well as for locals. Com 1990 is a great spot in Ho Chi Minh City for those who want to try real Vietnamese food in a setting that feels like the 1990s. The restaurant has a vintage look with old posters and wooden furniture, making it feel cozy and nostalgic.
The food at Com 1990 is all about traditional flavors. One dish you must try is the Com Tam, which is broken rice with grilled pork. The pork is tender and tasty, served with fresh veggies and a side of fish sauce. Another favorite is the Canh Chua, a sour soup with a tamarind-flavored broth, fish, and fresh herbs. It's a perfect mix of sour, sweet, and savory flavors. It's a great place to experience local food at reasonable prices, with most dishes costing between 50,000 and 150,000 VND ($2 to $6.50).
3. Baba's Kitchen | Indian | $$
If you're in the mood for Indian food, Baba's Kitchen is the place to go. We first encountered this restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City while wandering on Bui Vien Walking Street. Later, we discovered that Baba's Kitchen also has a restaurant in the Thao Dien area, which is truly charming with a large, outdoor garden. We advise you to here, instead of the one on the Walking Street, and you will see, no wonder that this restaurant is among our best in Ho Chi Minh City!
With Hoegaarden and Sapporo draught beers to accompany your Indian dishes, this hidden gem was absolutely worth it. We tried traditional dishes like Aloo Gobi, Tikki Masala and of course Butter Chicken and they were all to die for. The free rice pudding dessert made us feel truly welcome and ended our night on a high.
This popular eatery serves a variety of North and South Indian dishes, all bursting with flavor. The Chicken Tikka Masala and Garlic Naan are crowd favorites. The restaurant's warm, inviting atmosphere makes it perfect for a cozy dinner. Prices are affordable, with main dishes ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 VND ($4.50 to $8.50).
4. Home Saigon | Vietnamese | $$
Close to Bui Vien Walking Street, tucked away in a small alley, you can find Home Saigon. This restaurant offers a modern twist on Vietnamese cuisine, combining traditional flavors with contemporary presentation. Often quite crowded, this is one of the best restaurants you can find in this area of Ho Chi Minh City. Not only they make delicious traditional dishes, the way the dishes are presented, will make you want to taste it even more!
The Bun Thit Nuong (grilled pork with noodles) and Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls) are standout dishes. The restaurant has a chic, trendy vibe, making it a great spot for both lunch and dinner. Prices here are mid-range, with most dishes priced between 100,000 and 250,000 VND ($4.50 to $10.50).
5. Le Chalet | French | $$$$
If you're in Ho Chi Minh City and you're craving for some traditional French cuisine, this is the place to be. Le Chalet, located in the Thao Dien area, is a charming French restaurant that brings a slice of Paris to Saigon. Although pricier dan the average Saigon restaurants, Le Chalet will give you that authentic French food you're looking for and for that it ranks high on our list of best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. We were in Vietnam for quite some time and were looking for something like this. At Le Chalet, we found the traditional Raclette and, accompanied with a nice glass of white wine, we felt like true Parisians.
This cozy eatery is known for its classic French dishes like Coq au Vin and Beef Bourguignon, but also offers Cheese Fondue and Raclette. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. Prices are slightly higher, reflecting the quality of the cuisine, with most dishes ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 VND ($8.50 to $21).
Conclusion: Give in to your Cravings!
Each of these restaurants offers a unique dining experience that showcases the diverse culinary landscape of Ho Chi Minh City. Whether you're in the mood for pizza, traditional Vietnamese food, Indian cuisine, or French delicacies, Saigon has something to satisfy every palate.
If you found this article helpful, there is more where that came from! Check out our Travel Blog Page for everything on Southeast Asia. Insider Tips, Travel Guides and Best Restaurants, you name it! And while you're at it, you can also explore our Travel Apps Page, with reviews on the latest Apps used for traveling.
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