Vung Tau
A chic, casual French bistro-deli with a fine pavement terrace. It's the best place in town for a Western breakfast or brunch (try the pancakes or eggs…
Must-see restaurants in Vietnam
Quy Nhon
An inviting little bar-restaurant serving terrific pizza (try the sausage arrabbiata), filling pasta dishes, tasty salads, paninis and ribs. You'll find a…
Dalat
Casual, popular, foreigner-friendly place with bamboo furnishings run by a welcoming Hanoi couple. Strong on dishes such as coconut curry, mango chicken,…
Phu Quoc Island
You may not expect heaven to have basic wooden tables opening onto a road, but it does at this good-value family joint. With fresh, generous servings of…
Can Tho
Every evening the space between Phan Boi Chau and Phan Chu Trinh streets comes alive with dozens of bustling food stalls selling grilled meats and tofu on…
Danang Region
Owned by a hip Japanese surfer, Burger Bros is a cool spot for excellent gourmet burgers, plus well-priced beer and terrific french fries and coleslaw…
Hoi An
Mexican flavours come to Hoi An at the excellent Hola Taco. The standouts are the tacos and enchiladas, both well spiced and ideal with a couple of Tiger…
Hue
A top, unfussy spot to try Hue's dizzying menu of royal rice cakes. Serving portions are pretty big, so rustle up a few friends to try the different…
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnamese comfort food served in simple but attractive surroundings. The menu ranges widely, from lots of different sandwiches – try banh mi bi (shredded…
Cat Ba Island
At this 'floating' fish-farm-meets-restaurant at Ben Beo Pier, select your seafood from the pen and it will be grilled, fried or steamed in no time…
Vinh Long
Occupying a prime location overlooking the river and the adjacent gardens, this is an inviting al fresco cafe with an upstairs terrace for river breezes…
Kon Tum
The only thing this hole-in-the-wall place serves is delicious nem nuong – roll-your-own spring rolls that incorporate Vietnamese pork sausage, green…
Nha Trang
This intimate place is perfect for a budget veggie feed with good seaweed fried rice, bitter melon salad and green mango salads. The bamboo seating and…
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Dine on grilled and steamed de (goat) – try the goat with lemongrass – at this riverside spot in Son Trach. Other options include spicy chicken and ice…
Ho Chi Minh City
For fine seafood and snails in District 4 look no further. Specials include oc len (snails cooked in coconut milk) and grilled clams with fish sauce and…
Quang Ngai
This vegetarian restaurant offers a selection of tempting dishes – tofu, noodles, spring rolls and soups – all beautifully presented and served with dips…
An Bang Beach
This homely and rustic-textured spot is the top An Bang choice for baked goodies, with an on-site bakery taking care of fresh baguettes, cakes, croissants…
Phu Quoc Island
Pick and choose from a buffet of Vietnamese vegan-vegetarian dishes, such as mock shrimp on sugar cane, to accompany green veg and rice for an excellent…
Bac Ha
A favourite dish in northern Vietnam is grilled duck. Come to this simple restaurant (look for the rotisserie out the front) for a half (100,000d) or a…
Mui Ne
On the inland side of the main strip this popular seafood restaurant is consistently recommended by locals. Browse the tanks outside or consult the menu;…
Ho Chi Minh City
This hole-in-the-wall banh mi joint is busy day and night with locals zipping up on motorbikes for stacks of the excellent baguettes stuffed with pork,…
Cao Bang
In the north, banh cuon – freshly steamed, stuffed noodles – are served with a bowl of hot broth. Try this dish, prepared and served in the owner's rather…
Danang Region
This seafood restaurant is very popular with Vietnamese families on weekends and holidays, but is usually quiet otherwise. Eat right over the water in one…
Hanoi
Do yourself a favour and reserve a window table at the Hanoi branch of this legendary Hong Kong dim sum chain, high above the city on the 36th floor of…
Ho Chi Minh City
Tacos, burritos and enchiladas all feature at this colourful restaurant where the decor features cacti and lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) masks. Well…
Ninh Binh
Expect very large portions, options for vegetarians, and a warm welcome from the host family at this busy little place that's popular with travellers. The…
Hue
Owner-photographer Mr Cu, whose inspirational pictures adorn the walls, has been hosting backpackers for years, and his relaxed restaurant has lots of…
Tam Coc
Our pick of the family-owned restaurants along the Tam Coc strip. Good goat dishes – you're in Ninh Binh after all – and cheap rice and noodle dishes when…
Tra Vinh
South of the centre, this informal joint is justifiably popular with locals for its nem nuong – roll-your-own rice-paper rolls filled with pork sausage,…
Mekong Delta
Set on a lively strip of restaurants and bars, this cavernous place specialises in seafood and grills and draws a steady local crowd. Highlights includes…
Phu Quoc Island
The name says it all: this bar is about really good burgers, beer and a large selection of cocktails, mixed by the eponymous Winston. Linger for a chat or…
Hanoi
Visiting Hanoi and not eating bun cha (barbecued pork with rice vermicelli) with a side of nem cua be (sea-crab spring rolls) should be classed as a…
South-Central Vietnam
Located opposite the Violet Hotel, these rustic riverside eateries serve up simple Vietnamese snacks, ice-cold beer and whole or half grilled suckling pig…
Hanoi
This Italian-owned deli has excellent bread, cheese and salami, as well as homemade pasta and sauces and other items. It’s north of central Hanoi in the…
Haiphong
At this restored townhouse, authentic Thai dishes are beautifully prepared and presented – try the lab moo (pork salad) or pepper squid; there are good…
Kon Tum
Big groups pack this hangar-like space. The beer is disappointingly unchilled but the (Vietnamese-only) menu offers lots of choice and our bo toi chanh …
Northwest Vietnam
Located a few blocks south of Muong Te's bus station is this lively restaurant that specialises in bun dau mam tom – deep-fried tidbits, noodles and herbs…
My Tho
The speciality here is carnivore-friendly hu tieu My Tho, the vermicelli-noodle soup speciality of My Tho. It's flavoured with fresh and dried seafood,…
Hanoi
This bia hoi joint has evolved into an Old Quarter favourite, with well-priced Vietnamese food and excellent service led by the eponymous Mrs Minh. Grab…
Southeast Coast
Pizza from a wood-fired oven is the speciality at this casual, sociable hotel restaurant that enjoys terrific vistas over Back Beach. You'll also find…
