Tried and tested: Jovel Chan’s Top Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

After a lifetime of eating, two years of full-time blogging about Vietnam’s food and drink scene and eating at 120+ restaurants and eateries across the country - here are my top 19 restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.

Say hello to my first annual guide of the top restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City!

This guide aims to spotlight the city’s vibrant and dynamic vibrant food and drink scene as well as highlight restaurants that consistently deliver top-notch flavours with a side of convivial ambience, tasteful interiors and great hospitality (of course). These are the places you’ll regularly see me happily spending my dong or showing off to my out-of-country friends, clients and family.

All concepts are homegrown and helmed by a talented group of both local and foreign culinary tastemakers changing the dining scene in Saigon. So, whether you’re a traveller, out-of-town business man or looking for new haunts in the city, I hope this guide (categorised by district and subdivided into casual and upscale dining) will help inspire your next foodie adventure in Ho Chi Minh City.

Here’s how you should use this guide:

• Restaurants are categorised by district and sub-divided into both casual and upscale dining

• $: Less than 150k for a main / $$: 150k to 350k / $$$: More than 350k for a main (all prices are in Vietnamese dong)

• Hyperlinks, full reviews (wherever available) and addresses are all provided

• All restaurants have been visited by Jovel Chan (either herself or her team) at least once in the past year (2022)

Photo courtesy of Fujiro (Source: Facebook)

District 1

CASUAL DINING

• 日本の定食 Fujiroホーチミン店 ($): Visit Fujiro during lunchtime and you’ll see droves of Japanese diners sinking their teeth into its signature Tonkatsu 豚カツ - a popular Japanese dish of deep-fried breaded pork cutlet served with rice, shredded cabbage and Japanese Worcestershire sauce. For me though, it’s the deep-fried Kaki (oysters) that keep me coming back. 8a/8b1 Thai Van Lung, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Ittou Ramen ($): A hidden ramen spot located just a 15-minute walk from Saigon’s famous Japantown. Thick and chewy handmade ramen noodles served with a side of rich and flavourful broth - this Tsukemen (180k) favourite amongst both Japanese locals and foreigners is perhaps my favourite ramen spot in town. 8/8 Hẻm Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City

San Francisco Clam Chowder in a bread bowl (Source: Facebook)

• The Elbow Room Bistro ($): Opened in 2009 by celebrity chef Tristan Ngo, The Elbow Room was one of the first restaurants to serve American comfort food in Saigon. While there are many signatures on its menu that are worth mentioning such s the Reuben with pastrami with sauerkraut, a must-have for me is the San Francisco Clam Chowder in a bread bowl filled with delicious potato chunks, bacon and spring onion. 52 Pasteur Street, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City

• Sol Kitchen ($$): Playful Mediterranean-inspired interiors, moreish flame-kissed dishes boasting bold and fiery Argentian and Mexican flavours as well as colourful cocktails. A good value-for-money options for both lunch and dinner, Sol is an easy top choice for me. 115 lý tự trọng, Ho Chi Minh City

Duck roti with blue cheese fondue, apple, kale, spicy walnuts and finely-chopped herbs on a crisp homemade roti at Elgin (Source: Facebook)

UPSCALE DINING

• Elgin ($$): An open and airy two-story restaurant flaunting nude pink walls interspersed with bunker chair seating, floor-to-ceiling windows as well as an open kitchen where Head Chef Curtis Demyon sits at the helm. Snag a seat at the counter and tuck into the Duck roti with blue cheese (290k) and Razor clam fried rice (215,000 VND). 27 Đ. Mạc Đĩnh Chi, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (Full review of Elgin)

• Kappou Nishiyama Omakase ($$$): Named after chef-founder Chef Nishiyama, who has graced sushi counters of some of the top omakase spots in the region such as Singapore and Hong Kong, this hole-in-the-wall counter-style omakase spot serves traditional purist-style omakase using only the freshest ingredients imported from Japan. 144/1 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Photo courtesy: NOUS (Source: Facebook)

• NOUS Capsule Dining ($$$): Proof that good things can come in small packages, this tiny 8 seater delivers a stunning, imaginative, yet practical menu. Nous highlights the best of Vietnamese produce where it makes sense and puts it to work with other top-quality ingredients, creating world-class cuisine that gently proves that Vietnamese ingredients are up there with the best of them. Combined with imaginative plating that you can watch being assembled in the open kitchen, this makes Nous top 10 in my books. 1st floor, 42 Lý Tự Trọng, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Quince ($$$): Claiming the spot of ‘Best restaurant in Vietnam (2020)’, and name-checked on the Asia Top 50 Discovery list in 2019, Quince is helmed by Chef Julien Perraudin who was awarded “Best Chef of the Year’ for two consecutive years in 2019 and 2020. Sleek and sexy interiors with an open kitchen where you can witness the action, go for the Spicy Salmon Nori Taco (200k each) and BBQ Hokkaido Scallops and Suckly Pig Belly (450k). 37bis Đ. Ký Con, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (Full review)

Assortment of grilled kebabs and meat at Ararat (Source: Facebook)

Thao Dien

CASUAL DINING

• Ararat Restaurant & Messo Lounge ($): The first Armenian restaurant in Saigon. This Bohemian al fresco restaurant housed inside a villa serves up a gorgeous Khachapuri - a traditional Georgian bread dish with a cheese-stuffed crust and an egg baked into the centre - and an assortment of delicious grilled kebabs (chicken, beef, pork and crocodile - indeed). 2b Đường số 12, Thao Dien, Điền, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

• Chevap ($): Say hello to HCMC’s only Balkan restaurant. This cosy joint serves up classic Balkan food including Ćevapi, a traditional Balkan grilled beef dish served with handmade flatbread, fresh onion and Ajvar - a grilled eggplant and bell pepper sauce - as well as drinks. 22A01 Đường 64, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City (Full review)

• Spice Bistro ($): My top pick for casual Vietnamese food set in a tranquil outdoor space surrounded by nature. The mixed rice noodles with pork (similar to Thai boat noodles) (120k) are a must and if you’re feeling adventurous, opt for the platter of grilled eel meat wrapped in turmeric leaves (190k). 32 Đường số 11, Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City

FEURO (Source: Facebook)

• FEURO ($$): A delivery-only concept that gives dine-in restaurants a run for their money. The menu consists of a mix of Western, Asian and even Middle-Eastern dishes from all over. Think of your favourite dish - Perogi, yaki udon with roast belly pork and Moroccan Harissa chicken - made with fresh high-quality ingredients and expert technique and that’s FEURO. Simple yet so satisfying, my go-to is their stir-fried yaki udon with juicy roast pork belly.

• Fennel Private Dining ($$): Authentic Sichuan Chinese flavours using imported peppercorn amongst other ingredients whipped out by a talented all-Chinese kitchen team. Spicy beef tripe, stir-fried gizzards with peppers and century egg - they’ve got them all. 61 Street 47, Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City

An’s Saigon (Source: Facebook)

UPSCALE DINING

• An’s Saigon ($$): This multi-concept sanctuary tucked away in a small alley combines a spa, chef’s table, beautiful al fresco cafe and garden (where the team grows their own herbs and spices) in one space. Meaning “peace” in Vietnamese, An’s menu is a refreshing discovery of familiar Vietnamese flavours and ingredients such as fish sauce, shrimp paste and jungle leaves in subtle and simple unprecedented ways. By far one of my favourite Vietnamese haunts, An’s is helmed by the talented Chef Cuong Nguyen who is no doubt a rising culinary star. 5A Tống Hữu Định, Thảo Điền, Ho Chi Minh City

• CLAY ($$): A riverside open-air casual dining concept with stunning interiors, a live DJ and a happy hour from 4 to 7 pm and 10 pm to late featuring 100k sangrias - what is there not to like about Clay? For food, I recommend pork ribs or chicken but make sure to order multiple plates to fill up your bellies. 18 Duong so 6, Phuong Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City

La Villa French Restaurant (Source: Facebook)

• La Villa French Restaurant ($$$): A cut above the rest, a meal at La Villa by Chef Thierry Mounan is more than a pleasurable treat, it’s a luxury. Housed inside a charming villa, expect white tablecloth service with an impressive cheese trolley and a variety of tasting menus (starting from VND 1.69 mil for lunch) to choose from that feature quintessentially French classics such as Duck Foie Gras terrine and Snacked Hokkaido Scallops with apple compote and sweet cider jus. Don’t miss the famous apple tart. 14 Ngô Quang Huy, Thao Dien District, Ho Chi Minh City

• Okra Food Bar ($$): This dimly-lit and sleek fine-casual 10-seater concept fronting an open kitchen and chef counter is helmed by Chef-founder Jamie Celya. The focus here is on in-season locally-sourced ingredients with an emphasis on vegetables. I recommend the Brown bourbon butter street corn and Burnt cabbage with Romesco sauce. So 10 Thao Dien, Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City

Olivia Dining (Source: Facebook)

• Olivia Dining ($$$): Helmed by Chef David Green (ex-Executive Chef of two-hat Lakehouse Daylesford in Sydney), Olivia (named after Chef David’s daughter) boasts aesthetically-pleasing minimalistic country house interiors with an open kitchen, private dining room, wine cellar and crisp white tablecloths. The tasting menu is simple yet elegant and masterfully displays Chef David’s clever interpretations of local ingredients, flavour and texture, all delivered with expert technique and tasteful presentation. 31A Lê Văn Miến, Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City

• Tevere ($$): An underrated Italian bistro with over 100 wines on tap set in a cosy and romantic space with an adjacent bar and outdoor al fresco seating area. Order the traditional carbonara Romana using guanciale, pecorino Romano, Phu Quoc pepper and handmade perfectly al dente spaghetti - trust us, you won’t regret it. 55B Ngo Quang Huy, Ho Chi Minh City

Featured Articles

Follow me on Instagram