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    An independent selection of the best eateries from fine dining to street food in Ho Chi Minh City, from Rusty Compass. No paid endorsements.

    Ho Chi Minh City
    eating guide

    • Fresh spring rolls -
      Fresh spring rolls - "Goi cuon".

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • "Goi Cuon" fresh spring rolls in production.

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • The Workshop Coffee, Saigon
      The Workshop Coffee, Saigon

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Quince Saigon
      Quince Saigon

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Classic family meal at the original Cuc Gach Quan restaurant.
      Classic family meal at the original Cuc Gach Quan restaurant.

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Banh Mi Vietnamese bread roll stand.
      Banh Mi Vietnamese bread roll stand.

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Production line, 4P's Pizza, Ben Thanh Market
      Production line, 4P's Pizza, Ben Thanh Market

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Street food Saigon.
      Street food Saigon.

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Pho Minh Saigon
      Pho Minh Saigon

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • "Mien Cua" Crab noodles.

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Banh Da Cua Di Ly, Saigon - Haiphong noodles and more
      Banh Da Cua Di Ly, Saigon - Haiphong noodles and more

      Photo: Mark Bowyer

    Introduction

    | 21 Aug 2017
    Last updated 21 Aug 2017

    Saigon is Vietnam’s culinary capital. It offers the best of the country’s delicious regional cuisine, a vibrant street food scene, and some amazing international eating options. If you love your food, this is one of Asia's great cities. The coffee and cafe scene are pretty special too. You might need to head out to sample the booming

    This independent and handpicked guide to Saigon's best eating was last updated in August 2017. We've tried every place on this list - most of them several times.

    featured

     The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon

    The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon

    The Old Compass Cafe is a little sanctuary of calm in Saigon's chaotic centre.  Stop by for great coffee, breakfast, a... Read more

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    The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon
    3rd Floor 63/11 Pasteur St, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City - down the alley right by Liberty Citypoint Hotel
    +84 28 38232969
    www.facebook.com/oldcompasscafe

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    featured

     Namo Tuscan Grill, Saigon

    Namo Tuscan Grill, Saigon

    Namo Tuscan Grill brings regional Italian cuisine to downtown Saigon, in a modern international setting. A good spot for some... Read more

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    Namo Tuscan Grill, Saigon
    146-148 Pasteur St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +848 3822 1431
    www.namogrill.com

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    featured

     Mad Cow Wine and Grill, Saigon

    Mad Cow Wine and Grill, Saigon

    Casual, cool steak and wine space with great views over the city. Well priced for the quality. Australian chef Danny Grimshaw is... Read more

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    Mad Cow Wine and Grill, Saigon
    Pullman Saigon Hotel, Level 30, 148 Tran Hung Dao Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +842838388686
    www.madcowsaigon.com

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    featured

     L'Usine Cafe, Saigon

    L'Usine Cafe, Saigon

    L'Usine has had a big impact on the Saigon boutique and cafe scene since opening in 2010. So big that there are now 3, as well... Read more

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    L'Usine Cafe, Saigon
    151/5 Dong Khoi (1st floor), Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +(84-8) 6674 3565
    www.lusinespace.com/

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    featured

     Tandoor Restaurant, Saigon

    Tandoor Restaurant, Saigon

    Tandoor is one of Saigon's longest standing Indian restaurants. It's a popular and consistent downtown eatery. Read more

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    Tandoor Restaurant, Saigon
    39A - 39B Ngo Duc Ke street, Ben Nghe ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +84 28 39304839
    www.tandoorvietnam.com/hcmc/

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    Thien Nam Restaurant, Saigon

    Thien Nam Restaurant, Saigon

    Old school Chinese restaurant, dating back to the 1950s. Grand building, quirky interior. A good stop for the nostalgic. Busy at... Read more

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    Thien Nam Restaurant, Saigon
    53 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (cnr Ham Nghi St)

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    Recent restaurant and cafe openings in Saigon - our picks

    Recent restaurant and cafe openings in Saigon - our picks

    Here are our picks of Saigon's best new restaurants. This has long been a great city for foodies. And it keeps getting better.... Read more
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    Secret Garden Restaurant, Saigon

    Secret Garden Restaurant, Saigon

    Secret Garden is a rooftop restaurant in the heart of Saigon serving a simple menu of classic Vietnamese family fare. Set in an... Read more

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    Secret Garden Restaurant, Saigon
    158 bis Pasteur St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

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    4P's Pizza, Saigon

    4P's Pizza, Saigon

    4P's is a pizza place with a difference - it's Japanese. It's a roaring success in Saigon - so much so that in 2016, they've... Read more

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    4P's Pizza, Saigon
    8/15 Lê Thánh Tôn Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +84-120-789-4444

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    5ku Station restaurant, Saigon

    5ku Station restaurant, Saigon

    5 Ku Station is a pop-up, DIY barbecue in central Saigon - good for a relaxed outdoor dinner over a couple of cold beers. Read more

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    5ku Station restaurant, Saigon
    29 Thai Van Lung, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    +84907775487

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    Atelier Des Reves Restaurant, Saigon

    Atelier Des Reves Restaurant, Saigon

    It’s a bit of a hike from downtown Saigon, but Atelier Des Reves is well worth the effort. A young Vietnamese couple, fresh back... Read more

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    Atelier Des Reves Restaurant, Saigon
    20/5 Kỳ Đồng St, Ho Chi Minh City
    +848 3526 1518

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    Au Parc Cafe, Saigon

    Au Parc Cafe, Saigon

    A popular shophouse-style Mediterranean cafe in a great location, overlooking a colonial era green space. It’s close by the... Read more

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    Au Parc Cafe, Saigon
    23 Han Thuyen St, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +84 8 3829 2772

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    Bang Khuang Cafe, Saigon

    Bang Khuang Cafe, Saigon

    Bang Khuang is a mellow little retro cafe hidden away in an old apartment block in the heart of Saigon. Good juices and coffee,... Read more

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    Bang Khuang Cafe, Saigon
    9 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé, 1, Hồ Chí Minh City
    +84 90 366 78 88
    www.facebook.com/BangkhuangCafe

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    Banh Da Cua Di Ly, Saigon

    Banh Da Cua Di Ly, Saigon

    The underrated flavours of the northern port city of Haiphong in a friendly, family run, downtown space. Special flavours. Good... Read more

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    Banh Da Cua Di Ly, Saigon
    Upstairs, 103 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

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    Banh Xeo 46A, Saigon

    Banh Xeo 46A, Saigon

    Perhaps Saigon's best known eatery for getting a Vietnamese pancake - known as banh xeo. Read more

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    Banh Xeo 46A, Saigon
    46A Dinh Cong Trang St, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

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    Ben Thanh Market food stalls

    Ben Thanh Market food stalls

    If you want an overview of Vietnamese cuisine - especially soups - Ben Thanh Market’s food stalls are a great place to go. It’s... Read more

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    Ben Thanh Market food stalls
    Ben Thanh Market, Le Loi St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

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    Bunn Oi noodles, Saigon

    Bunn Oi noodles, Saigon

    Classic Hanoian noodle dishes - bun cha, bun ca, banh cuon, bun nem, and more, in a cosy family run space right downtown.  Read more

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    Bunn Oi noodles, Saigon
    63 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City (upstairs) near Liberty Citypoint Hotel

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    Ciao Bella Restaurant, Saigon

    Ciao Bella Restaurant, Saigon

    Ciao Bella is a popular Italian restaurant in downtown Saigon. It's relaxed, cosy and well priced. Read more

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    Ciao Bella Restaurant, Saigon
    11 Dong Du Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +848 3822 3329
    www.saigonrestaurantgroup.com

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    Coffee - the best of Saigon's cafes

    Coffee - the best of Saigon's cafes

    Saigon's cafe scene is blossoming. This is a guide to best specialty coffee in the city - the guys who put coffee front and... Read more

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    Cuc Gach Quan, Saigon

    Cuc Gach Quan, Saigon

    Cuc Gach Quan quickly soared to the top of Saigon's Vietnamese cuisine scene after a visit by Brad and Angelina in 2010. It's... Read more

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    Cuc Gach Quan, Saigon
    10 Dang Tat, Ward Tan Dinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +(84.8) 38 48 01 44

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    District 2 - a guide to eating in Saigon's expat enclave

    District 2 - a guide to eating in Saigon's expat enclave

    Some of Saigon’s best restaurants and cafes are now located across the Saigon River in District 2 - aka. D2 or Thao Dien.  What... Read more

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    Dong Pho Restaurant, Saigon

    Dong Pho Restaurant, Saigon

    Dong Pho may be the nicest setting in Saigon for a spot of Hue cuisine. It's a around 10 minutes by cab from downtown in a... Read more

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    Dong Pho Restaurant, Saigon
    57 Ho Xuan Huong, Dist. 3, Ho Chi Minh City
     +84 8 3930 7665

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    Duck Deli Saigon

    Duck Deli Saigon

    Duck Deli brings Vietnam's street style duck specialty dishes into a cool downtown location. Read more

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    Duck Deli Saigon
    153 Nguyen Thai Binh St, Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    (+84) 908 371 990

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    El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, Saigon

    El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, Saigon

    Serving up steak and more steak, El Gaucho is in the happy place of being one of Saigon’s most expensive and most successful... Read more

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    El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, Saigon
    74/1 Hai Ba Trung St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +84 8 38272090
    www.elgaucho.asia/

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    Hoa Tuc Restaurant, Saigon

    Hoa Tuc Restaurant, Saigon

    A good spot for an introduction to Vietnamese cuisine, Hoa Tuc is located downtown in a colonial era former opium factory. Read more

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    Hoa Tuc Restaurant, Saigon
    74/7 Hai Ba Trung, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +84 8 3825 1676
    www.hoatuc.com

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    Hoang Yen, Saigon

    Hoang Yen, Saigon

    A long running delicious local restaurant that’s recently had a major facelift. Gone is the hospital lighting, cheesy 70s tunes... Read more

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    Hoang Yen, Saigon
    7 Ngo Duc Ke Street, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +84.8 3823 1101

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    Hum Vegetarian Restaurant, Saigon

    Hum Vegetarian Restaurant, Saigon

    Hum is a tasty and tasteful vegetarian restaurant in downtown Saigon - where there are few veggie options. Non-vegetarians will... Read more

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    Hum Vegetarian Restaurant, Saigon
    2 Thi Sach, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    (+84-8) 3823 8920

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    Le Bordeaux Restaurant, Saigon

    Le Bordeaux Restaurant, Saigon

    Le Bordeaux is a Saigon survivor - 20 years of serving quality French cuisine in a formal European style space, around 15... Read more

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    Le Bordeaux Restaurant, Saigon
    72-D2 Street, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
    +(84) 838 999 831
    www.restaurantlebordeaux.com/

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    Le Corto restaurant, Saigon

    Le Corto restaurant, Saigon

    French cuisine in a fancy downtown location. Dressed-up, but not stuffy. French President Francoise Hollande popped in for a... Read more

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    Le Corto restaurant, Saigon
    5D Nguyễn Siêu, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh City
    +84 8 3822 0671

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    Le Jardin French Bistro, Saigon

    Le Jardin French Bistro, Saigon

    A simple and inexpensive French Bistro hidden away in a small serene garden space in downtown Saigon. Don’t expect anything... Read more

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    Le Jardin French Bistro, Saigon
    31 D Thai Van Lung St, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City
    +848 3825 8465

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