Ho Chi Minh City is bursting with motorbikes, people and the most amazing food. From delicious street food to beautifully designed cafes and even a blossoming international cuisine scene. If you travel for food, Ho Chi Minh City should definitely be on your list ;) We recently returned to Ho Chi Minh City for the second time, and continued to eat our way through it. So here are our favourite picks of where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)…
Where To Eat In Ho Chi Minh City Map
A where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City map so you always know what delicious food is close by… ( + printable pdf map at the end)
Local + Street Food In Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Cuon Hai Nam
COME HERE FOR Banh Cuon
A simple little restaurant in District 3 known for their ‘Bahn Cuon’ otherwise known as rice noodle filled with pork and mushroom.
11A Cao Thắng, P. 2, District 3
Banh Mi Hoa Ma
COME HERE FOR Banh Mi Op La
We first found this recommendation from an amazing food blog by Mark Wiens, Migrationology, who recommended the Banh Mi Op La, which is essentially a breakfast of eggs, meat and bread.
The breakfast was simple and delicious but it was the experience that I loved best. Little plastic stools and tables line the alleyway, locals coming for their morning food and catching up.
If you’re wondering where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City to have an authentic street food experience, then this is for you. Also, see the top photo.
53 Cao Thắng, District 3
Quan An Bac Hien
COME HERE FOR Pho
This was our favourite place for morning pho close to where we were staying and it always seemed to be busy with the locals. A few other dishes were on offer, including Bun Bo Hue. Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup with broth, meat, rice noodle and herbs.
111 Hai Ba Trung, District 1
Banh Mi Hong Hoa
COME HERE FOR Banh Mi
Banh Mi is essentially a pork sandwich in a Vietnamese baguette with some herbs and vegetables, sauces and chilli. Bahn Mi Hong Hoa was my absolute favourite Bahn Mi place in Ho Chi Minh City.
Beautiful fresh Banh Mi with roasted pork with crackling and coriander. Simple and delicious. Not as much meat (no luncheon meat inside) as in other places, but I actually preferred this.
62 Nguyen Van Trang, District 1
Quan Bun Cha Anh Hong
COME HERE FOR Bun Cha
This remained one of my favourite Bun Cha in all of Vietnam, even though it’s a dish which originates in Hanoi. Bun Cha is a dish with grilled pork patties, rice noodles, herbs and a dipping sauce.
34A Mac Dinh Chi, District 1
Bun Bo Hue Dong Ba
COME HERE FOR Bun Bo Hue
We stopped here on a food tour and tried the Bun Bo Hue. More of a restaurant than ‘street food’ but their bun bo hue was tasty.
Bun Bo Hue is a Vietnamese soup with a beef and pork broth with lemongrass, rice noodles, herbs and brisket, with a few other add-ons.
110A Nguyen Du, District 1
Vinh Khanh Street
COME HERE FOR Seafood
We have been to a couple of ‘restaurants’ on this street in district 4, known for their seafood. The street itself is pretty lively, lined with different places to sit on tiny plastic stools, and little tables and eat delicious seafood.
Some of my favourite dishes are their scallops with peanuts and dressing as well as the crab with salt, pepper, lime and chilli dipping sauce. Come here in the evening.
Vinh Khanh, District 4
Street Food Stalls at Thai Binh Market
We spotted some food stalls at this market and had a delicious fried dumpling with pork and water chestnut inside, which was really tasty. There were also a fair few other stalls around with a variety of different dishes in the afternoon/evening.
Cnr Pham Ngu Lao + Cong Quynh Streets, District 1
Cafes In Ho Chi Minh City
L’usine
L’usine is a beautifully designed cafe and shop selling beautiful fashions and well-designed products. They have two outlets, both offer something unique so if you have time why not try both?! One (or two) of my favourite cafes in Ho Chi Minh City.
151/1 Dong Khoi Street, District 1 | Daily 7.30 AM – 10.30 PM
70 B Le Loi Street, District 1 | Daily 7.30 AM – 10.30 PM
The Workshop
Another one of my favourite cafes in Ho Chi Minh City, in a beautifully restored old building. Here, they specialise in different kinds of coffee and different methods (including pour-over, french press, cold brews etc).
They also have delicious juices and food, great for breakfast or lunch.
27 Ngo Duc Ke (2nd Floor), District 1
Daily 8 AM – 9 PM
The Refinery
The Refinery describes itself as a bistro and wine bar. We sat outside on the beautiful terrace for lunch and enjoyed the atmosphere.
74 Hai Ba Trung, District 1
Daily 11 AM – Late
Trung Nguyen
Trung Nguyen is synonymous with Vietnamese Coffee and is a local favourite. If you want to try Vietnamese coffee (and trust me… you do), then here is a great place to try.
I love the iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk (cà phê sữa đá). You can also get coffee beans and grounds to take home. Trung Nguyen has many different outlets but I’ll list the one we visited below.
80 Dong Khoi Street, District 1
Highlands Coffee
Another Vietnamese coffee chain, Highlands coffee is also great to try. You can’t go wrong with iced coffee!
Lam Son Sq (behind the Opera House), District 1
Juicy
If you’re in the mood for a good juice or smoothie, this low-key cafe is a good pick if in the area.
18A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1
Restaurants In Ho Chi Minh City
So when you’re thinking about where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City you’re probably thinking about Vietnamese food, and rightly so. But a lot of restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City have a variety of cuisines other than Vietnamese.
For us, we found the best way to try Vietnamese food here was by eating street food and when it came to restaurants we tried a variety of cuisines from the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.
Propaganda
Propaganda is a modern Vietnamese restaurant. A great place for a nice meal out, yet still being able to taste the local cuisine.
21 Han Thuyen, District 1
Daily 7.30 AM – 10.30 PM
Ganesh
Ganesh has restaurants all over Vietnam, but each one stands alone. I had some of my favourite Indian food from Ganesh in Vietnam. One of the few Indian restaurants where you can get Chris’s favourite chicken Chettinad.
I did not expect to have an Indian food recommendation for Vietnam, but if you’re craving some during your stay it won’t disappoint.
38 Hai Bà Trưng, District 1
Daily 11 AM – 2.30 PM + 5.30 PM – 10.30 PM
Pizza 4ps
I was a little sceptical about Pizza 4Ps before I first tried it. It stands for Platform of Personal Pizza for Peace :)
They make not only classic pizzas but also Asian fusion flavours. Let us just say, when I walked into Pizza 4Ps I did not expect such a beautiful restaurant. This is no cheap and cheerful pizza place.
We sat right in front of the pizza makers and the wood-fired ovens and saw our pizza made in front of us. They use their own homemade cheese, source organic produce and the best quality ingredients.
Again, did not expect to recommend a Pizza restaurant for your time in Vietnam, but this is a special place ;)
8/15, Lê Thánh Tôn, District 1
Daily 10 AM – 11 PM
The Deck Saigon
The Deck is a restaurant set along the Saigon river. Although it’s about 20 – 30 minutes in a taxi (or you can arrive by boat!) from District 1, it’s not only worth the drive, but it’s nice to see another area of Ho Chi Minh City.
We came here for dinner and sunset and loved our evening.
38 Nguyen U Di Street, Thao Dien, District 2
Daily 8 AM – 12 AM
Nha Hang Ngon
Nha Hang Ngon was our first meal in Vietnam when we came a few years ago. We got off the plane, checked into the hotel, and braved our first Ho Chi Minh City street crossings in the dark… anything for a good meal ;)
Nha Hang Ngon is the perfect place to come for a food introduction to Vietnam. The food is good, and here you’ll be able to try lots of different street foods but in a restaurant environment. Then the next day you can go out and try them all on the streets ;)
160 Pasteur Street, District 1
Ciao Bella
A cosy Italian restaurant, with really friendly service. Come here if you want to mix up your cuisines.
11 Đông Du, District 1
Dessert In Ho Chi Minh City
Pacey Cupcakes
Yep, cupcakes. Maybe not very traditional, but they still taste delicious ;)
53g Nguyễn Du, District 1
Daily 9 AM – 10 PM
Street Sweets
You will certainly walk past some delicious-looking desserts on the street, so make sure to try them, they are delicious.
One of my favourites was a simple coconut pandan waffle, otherwise known as ‘banh kep nuong’.
Drinks
Pasteur Street Brewing Company
A small brewing company and tasting room serving craft beers which include local ingredients. The passionfruit wheat ale was particularly good.
144 Pasteur Street, District 1
Daily 11 AM – 11 PM
Shri Restaurant And Lounge
A rooftop restaurant and lounge perfect for sunset drinks with a beautiful view over the city.
72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3
Monday – Saturday 10.30 AM – 12 AM + Sunday 4.30 PM – 12 AM
Get your printable ‘Where to eat in Ho Chi Minh City Map’ here…
Read More:
Where To Stay In Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam: Our Ho Chi Minh City Accommodation Guide
The Best Hoi An Street Food: Our Favourite Vietnamese Dishes And Experiences
The Best Hoi An Restaurants We Discovered Over 3 Months
I LOVE that you have a printable PDF at the end! Will def use this on my trip next week!
Hi Mark, so happy to hear that :) Hope you had an amazing time in Vietnam!
Sooooo helpful and informative! Thank you very much!
Hi Michelle, Thanks so much, so happy you found it helpful :)