Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, was known as the Pearl of the Far East. Now it has become the most developed and bustling city in Vietnam and one of the most active ones in Southeast Asia. There are many exciting things to discover here such as well-known historical destinations, noisy playing areas, hospitable people and especially local cuisine.Â
Here is a list of some of the more popular restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. I recommend and hope you enjoy the following list of top 10 best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City!
1. Banana Mama Rooftop & Kitchen
Banana Mama Rooftop & Kitchen is one of the most well-known outdoor restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, which is well-liked by both youth and foreign tourists. The restaurant is located on the rooftop of WMC building, near Bui Vien walking street - the most bustling street in Saigon. The decor of the restaurant takes inspiration from a summer vacation. There is a lot of yummy summer drinks and food served here especially Banana Mama, arrived from the name of the restaurant.Â
Banana Mama is a cocktail bringing the flavor of summer with a combination of dark rum, rum malibu coco, and fresh pineapple. It is wonderful to enjoy a cocktail in exciting music and see the city at night.
Location: 10th floor WMV Building, 102 Cong Quynh Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 05:00 pm - 02:00 am Price: 60.000 VND to 220.000 VND per person
2. Shamballa Vegetarian Restaurant & Tea House
Shamballa Vegetarian Restaurant & Teahouse is considered as a do-not-miss restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City not only for vegetarians but also by tourists alike. Taking inspiration from a mysterious nation in Tibetan Buddhism, the founder of this restaurant wants to bring gourmets the opportunity to enjoy lightly relaxing moments with pure and tasty vegetarian dishes.Â
This restaurant is decorated with a unique combination of French architecture and large fresh green spaces from nature, divided into three zones: ground floor space, mezzanine space, and an airy outdoor space all ready to meet guests needs.Â
Besides impressive spaces, Shamballa Vegetarian also attracts gourmets with various and attractive vegetarian menus which are all made from pure natural ingredients. With the price from between 200.000 to 300.000VND/a person, Shamballa Vegetarian Restaurant & Tea House is ideally suitable for parties, meeting customers, friends, relatives or birthday parties.
Location: 17-19 Trinh Van Can Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm Price: 200.000 VND - 300.000 VND per person
3. Signature Restaurant
Renowned for world-class cuisines from Vietnam and other countries presented by eminent chefs and the panoramic stunning view of the city at night from the 23rd floor of the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower, Signature Restaurant is remarked as one of the most famous Ho Chi Minh restaurants.Â
It is a five-star western-style restaurant in a luxurious setting and relaxed atmosphere, with fantastic cuisines from different countries prepared by international chefs. The restaurant is suitable for organizing parties, birthday parties, dates, meeting customers, friends, relatives,... and you will have wonderful culinary experience in the restaurant.
Location: Level 23 Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower, 88 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 06:00 am - 10:00 pm Price: 500.000 VND - 1.000.000 VND per person
4. Li Bai Restaurant
Li Bai Restaurant is another famous restaurant in Saigon, located in Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower, too. Unlike Signature Restaurant mentioned earlier, Li Bai Restaurant specializes in Chinese food, encompassing more than 50 tasty dishes, especially the very delicious dim sum.Â
Chinese culture is the main inspiration source of the restaurant’s decoration, which offers guests the opportunity to enjoy meals in the cozy ambiance of a typical Chinese style. There are over 50 dishes served on the extensive menu and it is also well-known for moon cake which will leave an impression. However, the cake is served in the Mid-Autumn Festival only. It is suitable for organizing parties, birthday parties, meeting business partners, friends, relatives.
Location: Level 2 Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Tower, 88 Dong Hoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Opening hours:Â Monday - Saturday: 11:00 am - 02:40 pm Sunday: 10:00 am - 02:30 pm Monday - Sunday: 06:00 pm - 10:00 pm Price:Â 698.000 VND +++ per person (Adult) 600.000 VND +++ per person (Child)
5. Bun Bo Nam Bo - Ba Ba Restaurant
Bun Bo Nam Bo - Ba Ba is not a large luxury restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, just a small one but very popular and typical for Vietnamese street food. From the beginning, Ba Ba’s concept is to reinvent Vietnamese street food: familial recipes, quality ingredients, affordable price but be served in a clean and modern space.Â
The restaurant attracts many tourists and locals because they can taste the delicious attractive flavor of Vietnamese traditional dishes here that you don't find at any other restaurant. The flavor is a harmonizing combination of the sweet taste of bouillon, beef, the fresh herbs, the hot spice of chili sauce, and the sourness of citrus. Moreover, the staff are all very professional ands will walk you through the dishes and menu.
Location: 76 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: 07:30 am - 09:00 pm Price: 60.000 VND per person
6. Poke Saigon
Poke is a colorful salad originally coming from Hawaii and it quickly has become one of the hottest food trends in 2018/19 in Ho Chi Minh City because of its taste and benefits to human health.Â
Poke Saigon is the first poke restaurant in the city and until now, it has two branches, one at 42 Nguyen Hue Street and the other at Ly Tu Trong Street. From the beginning, the purpose of the founder is to change the eating habits of young minds and provide another healthier delicious and nutritious choice for the Vietnamese menu. There are some differences in the decoration in two branches. The first is a charming place to enjoy a bowl of poke, which is decorated with floral prints and an adorable garden while the second is an open space boasting an outdoor seating area. Both these dining areas specialize in an American style flavour.
Location:Â Branch 1: 2 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Branch 2: 1st floor, 42 Bis Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours:Â Branch 1: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 09:00 pm Branch 2: Monday - Sunday: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Price: 150.000 VND per person
7. Lost Boy Hideout
Lost Boy Hideout, the best sports bar in the center of bustling district 7 is worth visiting for tourists traveling to Ho Chi Minh City. Walking into the bar, tourists will get lost in an exciting bar restaurant where they can put the real world and stress behind them, play many games such as darts, foosball, pool,... and enjoy signature food and drinks with a live DJ or bustling live music.Â
The most impressive choice here is Cajun food, which cannot be found at any other restaurant in Ho Chi Minh city. Moreover, there is also a child play area for any families passing by. It is suitable for dates, birthday parties, parties with friends and relatives.
Location: 147/2A, 3C Le Van Luong Street, Tan Kieng Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: Monday – Thursday: 02:00 pm – 24:00 am Friday: 04:00 pm – 02:00 am Saturday: 11:00 am – 02:00 am Sunday: 11:00 am – 00:00 am Price: 50.000 VND – 300.000 VND per person
8. La Villa French Restaurant
Those looking for a beautifully decorated restaurant in Saigon should not skip La Villa French Restaurant, which specializes in French cuisine. The restaurant is located inside an old villa having French architectural features with a romantic space next to the pool. A diversified menu with five-star dishes and scrumptious wines, professional services and friendly staff all add to the restaurant’s fame.Â
According to the comments of guests, they are really impressed by the art and beauty of the food presented in each dish. All are carefully crafted by a well-known French chef and he makes the effort to come to each table to ask whether guests are satisfied with the meals.
Location: 14 Ngo Quang Huy Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: Monday - Saturday Lunch: 11:45 am - 04:00 pm Dinner: 6:30 pm - 00:00 am Price: 500.000 VND - 2.200.000 VND per person
9. Stellar Restaurant
Another Western restaurant among the must-tries in Ho Chi Minh. Stellar Restaurant, specializes in European cuisine and is famous for its design and menus. It is isolated from the hustle and bustle of an active Ho Chi Minh City and decorated with a nice garden, swimming pool in the center and a luxurious terrace to relax on. This is why Stellar Restaurant is highly recommended if you are looking to perhaps impress.
Location: 43 Tran Ngoc Dien Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm Price: 1.000.000 VND - 2.000.000 VND per person
10. Hum Vegetarian, Lounge & Restaurant
Hum Vegetarian, Lounge & Restaurant makes a great impression on gourmets with its vegetarian dishes and simple but elegant decoration. The vegetarian food in the restaurant shows typical culinary features of Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia.  The main point in terms of decoration and style here is the focus on lotus motifs, some typical kinds of fruit trees in Vietnam, lotus ponds, old pottery, lotus patterns, buddha statues, etc. It is such a memorable experience for anyone coming here that the restaurant has become a very popular destination for not only vegetarians but many people in Ho Chi Minh City.
Location: 2 Thi Sach Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm Price: 100.000 VND - 500.000 VND per person
