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ABC Restaurant
A trendy joint for tasty late-night chow, ABC has indoor and outdoor seating and an extensive menu - from noodle soup and fresh seafood to juicy steaks.
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Banh Xeo 46A
Banh xeo, the Vietnamese rice-flour crêpe stuffed with bean sprouts, prawns and pork (there's also a vegetarian version), has been known to induce swoons of gastronomic delight among certain visitors. Come here to try some of the best banh xeo in HCMC.
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Bia Tuoi Pacific
Tucked down an alley, this spacious traditional eatery overlooks several other similar restaurants. Snag a table on the terrace and enjoy fresh crab - one of many seafood specialities.
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Café Zoom
This buzzy little place has lots of Vespa style and serves Vietnamese and foreign fare to an equally eclectic crowd.
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Camargue
The menu at this Saigon favourite includes a variety of gourmet dishes complemented by a well-appointed wine list. Great for a romantic dinner.
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Com Gia Dong Nguyen
Specialises in tasty roast chicken with rice ( com ga ).
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Dinh Y
Across the road from Thai Binh Market, Dinh Y is run by a friendly Cao Dai family. It serves inexpensive and delicious veggie fare, and has an English menu. The noodle soups are savoury and satisfying.
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Encore Angkor Plus
Angkor Encore serves wonderful Khmer, Vietnamese and other Asian cuisine with a touch of French influence. Good service, and a new central, yet tucked away location, make this a haven of pretty decor and authentic flavours.
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Gallery Deli
This atmospheric café has colourful artwork lining the walls (all for sale) and prepares tasty snacks and light meals. Internet available ( US$2 per hour).
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Giang Nam
A hole-in-the-wall diner that's famous for its noodle soups. There's no menu and only one or two dishes a day.
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Hoi An
Just down the street from Mandarine - and run by the same people - is this lovely, Chinese-style place decorated in a classical, antique motif. Hoi An specialises in central Vietnamese and imperial Hué-style dishes, and has the heaviest wooden chairs in Vietnam!
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Lemon Grass
Lemon Grass is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the city centre. You'd be hard-pressed to find anything bad on the menu, so if you can't decide what to order just pick something at random. The authentic Vietnamese experience is enhanced by two women in traditional costume who play musical instruments while you eat.
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Mandarine
A fine selection of traditional Vietnamese dishes draws from southern, central and northern cooking styles at Mandarine. The food is superb, and the pleasant decor and music performances make it an all-round good bet. A house specialty worth trying is the Hanoi-style cha ca (noodles with fish).
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My Huong
This is a highly popular indoor-outdoor restaurant serving up all kinds of good food, including superb noodle soup with duck.
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Nam Giao
Tucked away in an alley of cosmetic shops near Ben Thanh Market, Nam Giao serves superb Hué-style mains and is always packed with locals. There's a simple photo menu.
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Nam Kha
The unique setting here consists of a reflecting pool in the middle of the restaurant flanked by gold-leaf-covered pillars, with tables scattered around the outside. Savoury Vietnamese dishes match the unique setting.
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Nam Phan
A handsomely restored mansion fronted by an idyllic courtyard sets the scene for excellent traditional fare. Service is sometimes hit or miss.
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Pho 2000
Near the Ben Thanh Market, Pho 2000 is a good place to sample your first bowl of pho - former US president Bill Clinton stopped in for a bowl.
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Pho 24
Yeah, it's part of a chain, but this polished noodle shop serves fantastic bowls of high-quality pho - along with fresh juices and spring rolls. Visit www.pho24.com.vn for other Pho 24 locations.
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Pho Oso
This tiny noodle shop serves delectable bowls of pho amid a cosy setting packed with wooden carvings and antique curios. And remember the Oso mantra: 'no delicious, no pay'.
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Quan An Ngon
For next to nix, two people can sample a spread of regional Vietnamese treats here. Poke around the outside edge first, where cooks at individual stations make their specialities, and see if anything flirts with your appetite.
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Restaurant 31
This popular outdoor eatery in the city centre serves tasty Vietnamese barbecue. The house speciality is tender marinated beef that you grill over charcoal right at your table. It's served with salad. There are also good seafood dishes on the menu and the cheerful staff speak English.
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Temple Club
On the second floor of a beautifully restored colonial villa, Temple Club serves delectable Vietnamese plates (like fish with tamarind or shrimp in coconut milk) and an assortment of fresh salads. Handsome tile floors and elaborate woodwork set the scene. A comfy lounge for drinks adjoins the space.
