Must see restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Nirvana for the serious meat lover, El Gaucho matches hearty serves of fall-apart lamb shanks, tender skewers and juicy steaks to a fine-dining…

Paying homage to the classic Vespa, this buzzing place has a perfect location for watching the world go by. The menu includes great burgers with original…

The Melbourne is a classic cafe downstairs, where you can sip a perfect espresso, while upstairs is more local. There's a wide-reaching Vietnamese menu…

For first-rate, affordable steak in a simple setting, this is a superb choice. Local steak, other beef dishes (such as the spicy beef soup bun bo Hue),…

Browse the books at the rear of this cafe then settle down to order British comfort grub like the full English breakfast, cottage pie, bangers 'n' mash or…

Run by a friendly Cao Dai family, this humble vegan spot looks like a simple canteen. The food is delicious and cheap; try one of their daily set menus (…

This place offers some of the best-value food in town. For US$6 you get five fabulous Vietnamese dishes. The popular cooking course – incorporating five…

This compact Cao Dai vegetarian restaurant turns out delicious traditional treats without resorting to fake meat. The simple eatery's been here since the…

This place is consistently popular with French expats seeking an escape from the busier boulevards. It has a wholesome bistro-style menu with a shaded…

Close to Ben Thanh Market, Pizza 4P's has an interesting mix of pasta and Japanese-influenced pizza – trust us, the combinations work – and is partnered…

With a winning line in perfectly done skewered meats, the Mediterranean menu here takes in all stops from the Maghreb to Marseilles. It's strong on…

Take the temperature down with a freshly made coconut ice cream (served in a coconut) or a cooling banana split at this long-standing local ice-cream…

Hung with eye-catching oils, this relaxing spot is one of the better budget cafes in the area. Look forward to big breakfasts, Western favourites like…

Occupying a bustling corner on Ð Pham Ngu Lao, this place is often packed out. As well as regular pho, it specialises in pho bo kho, a stewlike broth.

This purely vegetarian restaurant offers an eclectic range of tasty choices from Vietnamese sour soup through to four-cheese pizzas and Mexican dishes.

One of the better options along bustling Ð Bui Vien, with a friendly atmosphere, decent wood-fired pizza and other Italian-inspired dishes.

Popular pho place near backpackersville, open till the wee hours.

Street art-influenced decor and great-value noodle and tofu dishes make this a favourite of Saigonese students. It's on the right-hand side of the lane –…