Sapa
This recently expanded place stands out for great service and superb valley views from the windows. Come for decent Vietnamese and European food, good…
Must-see restaurants in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
Not to be confused with its popular sibling restaurant with the same name, this little gem is all about traditional home cooking in an Old Saigon setting…
Hanoi
Busy New Day attracts locals, expats and travellers alike with its broad menu. The eager staff always find space for new diners, so look forward to…
Southeast Coast
Anantara's signature restaurant is a supremely elegant (and expensive) affair, and offers Vietnamese and Western dishes. It's the latter that impresses…
Can Tho
On a street with plenty of eating options, this is one of the better and larger com chay (vegetarian) eateries in the city. The vegetable, rice and mock…
Ho Chi Minh City
This simple-looking spot looks like it belongs in a Mekong Delta village rather then inner Saigon, with its thatched roof, chunky wooden tables and…
Ho Chi Minh City
Baba's sets Ɖ Bui Vien alight with the fine flavours, aromas and spices of India. There's ample vegetarian choice and the atmosphere is as inviting as the…
Hoi An
Do the meals taste exceptional here because Streets is for a good cause? Perhaps it helps to know that the staff are disadvantaged youths trained up in…
Hanoi
Hanoi’s best Indian flavours feature at this cosy lakeside spot sandwiched between the lau (hotpot) restaurants on Truc Bach Lake. The ambience is more…
Phu Quoc Island
With the coolest music in town, this cafe is excellent for sides of tourist info with its New Zealand ice-cream combos, toasted sandwiches, fish ’n’ chips…
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Moi Moi's super-relaxed and very rustic location is just the ticket for a lazy afternoon of playing pool, chilling in a hammock and snacking on…
Nha Trang
This classic Vietnamese restaurant is set in a traditional house in the countryside, 7km west of town, surrounded by rice paddies and a lotus pond. The…
My Tho
Here vegetarians can try a completely meat-free version of My Tho's vermicelli-noodle soup speciality, hu tieu My Tho. It's garnished with fresh herbs and…
Sapa
A smaller, more intimate version of Le Gecko, just a few doors away, with cabana-style architecture and slightly cheaper prices for almost the same menu…
Nha Trang
Owned by a welcoming Englishman, this tiny cafe down a little alley is tricky to find but well worth seeking out for fry-up breakfasts, muffins (including…
Con Dao Islands
This popular cafe is great for coffee (including espresso and cappuccino) or smoothies, plus Western comfort grub, including filling breakfasts, burgers,…
Ho Chi Minh City
This renowned spot, acclaimed by Anthony Bourdain, serves some of the best banh xeo (Vietnamese rice-flour pancakes stuffed with bean sprouts, prawns and…
Hoi An
For baked goodies, 9 Grains gives it the whole nine yards: from granola at brekkie to the artisan bread, pain au chocolat, croissants, cakes and pastries,…
An Bang Beach
Featuring a garden setting and decorated with colourful lanterns, Purple Lantern is a low-key family-owned restaurant a couple of streets back from the…
Mekong Delta
Here's how it works: grab a barbecue and order a wave of seafood to cook in the middle of the table, and wash it all down with some local beers. Staff don…
Haiphong
This well-established restaurant is run by Keralans from India so it’s the real deal, with pukka (authentic) milky chai, lassis (yogurt drink) and…
Hanoi
Surrounded by local cafes on ‘Coffee St’, Izakaya Yancha serves izakaya – think Japanese tapas – in a buzzy and friendly atmosphere. Secure a spot near…
Sapa
This French-owned place has classy service and a menu of flavoursome country cooking that jumps from French tartiflette casserole with potato, cheese and…
Hanoi
Housed in a restored 19th-century villa, Madame Hien is a tribute to French chef Didier Corlu’s Vietnamese grandmother. Look forward to elegant versions…
Cat Ba Island
Attentive service and smart decor, set around a central cafe counter, are the draws here, with tasty Chinese-style dishes (try the braised mushroom and…
Tra Vinh
With a stylish interior and upmarket aspirations, this cafe wouldn't look out of place in Ho Chi Minh City. The friendly owner speaks some English, the…
Phu Quoc Island
This Scandinavian cafe and bakery doubles as a cocktail bar by night, so is a good spot any time of day. Healthy and delicious breakfasts are available,…
Hoi An
English-speaking owner Son is a fantastic host at this popular little restaurant with an open kitchen and a short menu – try the fish in banana leaf or…
Ho Chi Minh City
A must for finely presented, traditional Vietnamese food, the airy and high-ceilinged loft of an old French-era shophouse is the setting for dining with a…
Ho Chi Minh City
The cheap decor does Coriander few favours, but the menu is stuffed with authentic Siamese delights. The lovely fried doufu (tofu) is almost a meal in…
Dalat
The local speciality banh uot long ga here is among the best in town. The rice noodles are saucy not soupy and the fresh shredded chicken, herbs and…
Southwest Highlands
Run by Mr Duc and his English-speaking daughter and son, this place serves tasty local spreads; there's no menu, just say what you like or don't like. The…
Mui Ne
Serving Swiss and French fare in stylish surrounds Modjo makes a fine choice for a gourmet meal. Specials include fondue, raclette and steak cooked on a…
Ho Chi Minh City
A handy location near Pham Ngu Lao's accommodation, air-con and a huge selection of street food from around Vietnam and the rest of the Asia are the…
Mekong Delta
This huge restaurant is set over four floors overlooking the river. It may look empty from downstairs, but count the number of motorbikes and you'll know…
Kon Tum
A great place to try the local speciality, pho hai, a noodle dish served in two bowls. One contains dry noodles topped with fried ground pork, onion,…
Halong City
Airy and spacious, Linh Dan offers great local seafood dishes away from the touts of the town's seafront restaurants. The fish in clay pot with lemongrass…
Ben Tre
This rather grand-looking floating restaurant is set on a giant dragon boat and features three floors. The menu includes a dizzying array of Vietnamese…
Quy Nhon
Enjoying rolling your own meal? Head to this local joint for lipsmackingly authentic banh xeo pancakes: grab some rice paper and make an envelope with a…
Mui Ne
Serves tasty, great-value Greek-ish cuisine including mean shawarma (beef or chicken doner kebabs), shish kebabs and great salads (Greek, Italian, garden)…
