HO CHI MINH CITY | “Do you have a Ho Chi Minh City Food Guide?” and “Where can I find the best Ho Chi Minh City food?” are questions I’m asked regularly whenever I return from Vietnam. While I don’t pretend to have the exact same insight as a born-and-bred local, I do know a fair bit after eating my way through the city multiple times over the past decade.
On my most recent trip to Ho Chi Minh City, I covered a huge breadth of the dining scene: street vendors, high-end tasting menus, noodle soups, sandwiches, hidden cocktail bars, and third-wave coffee roasters.
In this guide, updated for 2026, I’ve put together what I consider some of the best places to eat and drink in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers not just District 1, Saigon, but several other of the city’s districts. My guide is a culmination of personal research, first-hand experience, and discussions with knowledgeable locals. Are any of your favourites listed below?
At-A-Glance: Ho Chi Minh City’s Best Food & Drink
| Venue | Neighbourhood / District | Style / Speciality |
| 1914 Bar | District 1 | Nostalgic cocktail bar focusing on local Vietnamese spirits & rượu gạo |
| 96B Cafe & Roastery | District 1 | Specialty roaster highlighting local Liberica, Robusta & coffee workshops |
| Anan Saigon | District 1 | Modern Michelin-starred Vietnamese fine dining |
| Bánh Mì Hòa Mã | District 3 | Historic bánh mì ốp la (skillet eggs & meats with baguette) |
| Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa | District 1 | House-baked crispy baguettes with classic pork cold cuts & iced coffee |
| Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa | District 1 | Loaded signature bánh mì đặc biệt with rich pork cold cuts & pate |
| Bebop | District 1 | Jazz club, wine bar & Asian fusion dining in a historic colonial building |
| Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters | District 1 | Sleek specialty coffee bar showcasing high-grade Vietnamese Arabica |
| Bún Riêu-Canh Bún 66 | District 3 | Traditional crab & snail vermicelli noodle soup (bún riêu ốc) |
| Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền | District 1 | Southern Vietnamese cold vermicelli with grilled pork & spring rolls |
| Bún Thịt Nướng Bà Thêm | District 1 | Historic 70+ year street stall for grilled pork vermicelli on Nguyễn Huệ |
| Bò Kho Dì Út Ấn Độ | District 3 | Fragrant, slow-cooked beef stew noodle soup (bò kho) |
| Cacao Bà Tám | District 5 | Iced triple cacao drinks served with bánh mì |
| Cháo lòng Chị Thanh | District 1 | Hearty street cart pork offal congee (cháo lòng) |
| Chè Vỉa Hè Cô Điệp | District 3 | Sidewalk Vietnamese desserts (chè), tapioca & coconut treats |
| The Cocoa Project | District 3 | Bean-to-bar chocolatier, cakes, & specialty cocoa drinks |
| Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền | Phú Nhuận | Iconic broken rice with giant grilled pork chops (cơm tấm) |
| Esta | District 1 | Modern fine dining tasting menus paired with French & Asian wines |
| Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang Thành Đạt | District 1 | Chinese/Khmer pork bone noodle soup (hủ tiếu nam vang) |
| Là Việt Coffee | District 3 | Da Lat specialty roaster, filter coffees & coffee cocktails |
| Layla Eatery & Bar | District 1 | Hidden cocktail bar serving local botanical drinks & bar bites |
| LUA Saigon | District 2 (Thảo Điền) | Casual natural wine bar & seasonal French-Vietnamese plates |
| Maison Marou | District 1 | Flagship bean-to-bar Vietnamese chocolate cafe & patisserie |
| Nhà Hàng Đông Phố | District 3 | Classic Hue specialities & French cuisine in an old-world setting |
| Palais Des Douceurs | District 1 | Hidden upstairs French patisserie, cakes, coffee & tea |
| Quán Bún Chả Ánh Hồng | District 3 | Hanoi-style grilled pork patties with vermicelli & herbs (bún chả) |
| Quan Ut Ut | District 1 | American-style low & slow smoked ribs with Vietnamese flavours |
| QUINCE Saigon | District 1 | Wood-fired European dining informed by local produce |
| Summer Experiment | District 1 | Rooftop experimental cocktail bar using local fruits & herbs |
| The Workshop Coffee | District 1 | Pioneer third-wave specialty coffee roaster & pour-over bar |
| Trung Nguyên Legend | District 1 | Classic, reliable Vietnamese drip coffee & local beans |
District 1
1914 Bar
Inspired by the heritage of Saigon’s Ben Thanh Market, 1914 Bar is a nostalgic cocktail bar focusing on local Vietnamese spirits and ingredients. The drinks menu showcases traditional rượu gạo (rice wine) and regional botanicals, crafted into creative, modern cocktails in an intimate atmosphere.
196 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
96B Cafe & Roastery
96B Cafe & Roastery is a specialty coffee shop and roastery dedicated to highlighting Vietnamese coffee origins, including Liberica, Excelsa, and fine Robusta. The bright, minimalist space offers pour-over filter coffees, coffee workshops, and signature house drinks.
96B Phan Ngữ, Đa Kao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Anan Saigon
Owner/chef Peter Cuong Franklin’s ‘Asia’s 50 Best’ awarded modern Vietnamese restaurant, Anan Saigon, is a must visit. The menu takes diners on a journey through the roots and diversity of Vietnamese cuisine. You’ll enjoy delicious dishes that challenge preconceptions about what Vietnamese food is, and can be.
89 Tôn Thất Đạm, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa
There are thousands of bánh mì spots in Ho Chi Minh City, but Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa stands out for its exceptionally crispy, house-baked baguettes and generous fillings. Order the bánh mì thịt nướng or classic cold cuts, pull up a plastic stool, and enjoy it with an iced Vietnamese coffee.
54 Nguyễn Văn Tráng, Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa
Popular family run Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa has been operating since 1989, and is famous for their signature bánh mì đặc biệt. It’s a light and airy Vietnamese baguette loaded with pork bologna, shoulder ham, beef patties, pork floss, pork liver and skin pate, and a lathering of butter.
26 Lê Thị Riêng, Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bebop
Named after the 1940s jazz movement that swept through mid-century Saigon, Bebop is a jazz club, wine bar, and restaurant set inside a late 19th-century French colonial building. Downstairs, enjoy Asian fusion share plates alongside natural wines; upstairs, catch live performances by top local and international jazz musicians.
38 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters
Set behind a glass and stainless-steel facade near the Saigon Opera House, Bosgaurus Coffee Roasters is known for its meticulous approach to Vietnamese Arabica. The sleek central bar serves single-origin V60 pour-overs, espresso, and elevated takes on iced Arabica milk coffee.
Multiple Locations
Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền
Bún thịt nướng is a popular Southern Vietnamese dish consisting of a bowl of cold rice-vermicelli noodles topped with grilled pork, grilled garlic pork sausage, spring rolls, fresh herbs and salad, and bean sprouts. It’s served with nước mắm fish sauce, and topped with roasted peanuts, pickled carrots and radish. One of the best versions in Ho Chi Minh City can be found at Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền.
175c Cô Giang, Ward Cô Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bún Thịt Nướng Bà Thêm
Operating for over 70 years, Bún Thịt Nướng Bà Thêm is a historic street food stall hidden among District 1’s glamourous boutiques. Family-run across generations, they serve fresh bowls of cold vermicelli topped with charcoal-grilled pork, spring rolls, and herbs from 7:00am until sold out.
88 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Cháo lòng Chị Thanh
This street cart in District 1 has an offering that differs depending on when you visit. From late afternoon until the early hours of the morning Cháo lòng Chị Thanh specialises in cháo lòng, a delicious, hearty pork offal congee dish.
47 Cô Giang, Ward Cô Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Esta
Esta offers a modern, high-end dining experience that captures the energy of contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. The seasonal tasting menu pairs inventive, produce-driven dishes with a curated wine list focusing on independent French and Asian winemakers.
24/24 Đông Du, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang Thành Đạt
The speciality at Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang Thành Đạt is hủ tiếu nam vang. Nam Vang is the Khmer name for Phnom Penh, and the dish is a Chinese/Khmer one that originated in that city. There are several variations of the light and fragrant pork bone broth noodle soup, all which you can try here.
34 Cô Bắc, Cầu Ông Lãnh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Layla Eatery & Bar
Hidden cocktail bar Layla, is one of the best in Ho Chi Minh City, famed for its delicious and creative cocktails. Influenced by the flavours and produce of Vietnam, they’re made using the best quality spirits, fresh ingredients, herbs and other botanicals. If you’re hungry, there’s a full menu of elevated bar snacks.
63 Đông Du, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Maison Marou
Maison Marou is the flagship cafe, patisserie, and chocolate factory from bean-to-bar chocolate makers Marou. They make a chocolate that’s French in style, using Vietnamese ingredients, including cacao beans sourced exclusively from small scale Vietnamese growers.
168 Calmette, Nguyễn Thái Bình, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Palais Des Douceurs
Palais Des Douceurs is a French patisserie and cafe in District 1, hidden above shoe store, Annas. It’s a quiet and relaxing space, offering a delicious array of French pastries and baked goods, coffee, and tea.
39 Nguyễn Thị Diệu, Ward 6, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Quan Ut Ut
American BBQ specialists Quan Ut Ut serves a variety of low and slow BBQ dishes with a focus on pork. There’s the usual American flavours, but also a few options that take inspiration from Vietnam. Try the Oh Hell Yeah Saigon Pork Ribs, cooked low and slow with sweet and sticky fish sauce.
168 Võ Văn Kiệt, Cầu Ông Lãnh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
QUINCE Saigon
QUINCE Saigon is all about delicious things cooked over fire, and is an offshoot of the award-winning Bangkok restaurant of the same name. It offers a broadly European menu informed by local produce and flavours. When you’ve finished your meal, head upstairs to Madam Kew for a cocktail and chill live music.
37 Ký Con, Nguyễn Thái Bình, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Summer Experiment
This cocktail bar is about experimental cocktails, using locally sourced produce, with a particular focus on Vietnamese fruits, vegetables, and flavours. Sustainability is a big focus at Summer Experiment—a rooftop herb garden provides ingredients for the bar and kitchen. The food here follows the same philosophy as the cocktails.
2nd Floor, 77-79 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The Workshop Coffee
The Workshop Coffee is all about third wave coffee, brewed using the best locally and internationally sourced beans, brewed any number of ways. Think espresso, V60 pourover, Chemex, and Aeropress. Flavour profiles are listed for each bean, along with the suggested brewing methods.
2nd Floor, 27 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Trung Nguyên Legend
Trung Nguyên is the largest domestic coffee brand in Vietnam. At their multiple cafes, they use high quality, sustainably sourced Vietnamese coffee beans. It’s not strictly ‘the best’ coffee in town, but it’s always good, reliable, and nearby.
Multiple Locations
District 3
Bánh Mì Hòa Mã
Opening in 1958, Bánh Mì Hòa Mã is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s first bánh mì spots. The ‘bánh mì ốp la đủ thứ’ is a must order. It consists of a sizzling hot skillet filled with two fried eggs and several cuts of pork. To the side, a small dish of pate and mayonnaise, a plate of assorted pickled veg, and a freshly baked Vietnamese baguette.
53 Cao Thắng, Ward 3, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Bún Riêu-Canh Bún 66
Bún riêu is a traditional Vietnamese vermicelli noodle soup, and there are a few variations around. The version at Bún Riêu-Canh Bún 66 is bún riêu ốc, ốc being snails. Combined with vermicelli noodles in a fresh, sour, tomato and crab broth, it’s a delight.
58 Trần Bình Trọng, Ward 1, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Bò Kho Dì Út Ấn Độ
The speciality at Bò Kho Dì Út Ấn Độ is the Northern Vietnamese noodle soup dish, bò kho. The dish originated in China, evolving over the years for local ingredients and tastes. It’s a slow cooked beef stew, featuring slow braised, tender chunks of marinated beef and beef tendon, vegetables, and lemongrass. It’s hearty, yet light at the same time.
194/5 Võ Văn Tần, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Chè Vỉa Hè Cô Điệp
Chè Vỉa Hè Cô Điệp is a sidewalk dessert shop in District 3 that’s popular with locals looking for a quick dessert to-go, or enjoy while sitting on one of the plastic chairs on the sidewalk. Make sure you try their banana, coconut milk, and tapioca pearl dessert.
241 Võ Văn Tần, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
The Cocoa Project
The Cocoa Project is a bean to bar chocolatier and cafe that’s about creating a culture of chocolate appreciation in Vietnam. The chocolate, made on site, uses the best quality Vietnamese cacao beans and ingredients. It’s also a cafe, offering an assortment of chocolate drinks, cakes, and pastries.
28 Thảo Điền, Thảo Điền, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Là Việt Coffee
Là Việt Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster from one of Vietnam’s premier coffee growing regions, Da Lat. They have several cafes in Ho Chi Minh City, offering up some of the city’s best Vietnamese and Western style coffees, teas, and coffee cocktails.
Multiple Locations
Nhà Hàng Đông Phố
Nhà Hàng Đông Phố is a restaurant in the heart of District 3, that specialises in food from Hue, and French food. It’s housed in a beautiful multi-room building, with a charming old world atmosphere. Try one of their tasting menus, which provides a varied assortment of what the restaurant does best.
57 Hồ Xuân Hương, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Quán Bún Chả Ánh Hồng
One of the best spots to enjoy Hanoi specialty bún chả in Ho Chi Minh city, is Quán Bún Chả Ánh Hồng. Start with the base set, which gets you smoky, flavoursome grilled pork mince patties, white rice vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, pickles, dipping sauce, and condiments like chilli and garlic.
117-119 Lý Chính Thắng, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Outer Districts
Cacao Bà Tám
Cacao Bà Tám is tucked away down a few side streets in District 5, and is absolutely packed with locals enjoying the same thing. It’s an iced triple cacao drink, containing drinking chocolate, thick cacao paste, Milo, and condensed milk, over shaved ice. With it, comes bánh mì, and scissors to cut it.
14 Trần Bình Trọng, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Cơm Tấm Ba Ghiền
Cơm tấm is an essential Ho Chi Minh City food. It consists of broken rice with grilled pork ribs and assorted sides. At Cơm tấm Ba Ghiền in Phú Nhuận, which has been operating since 1995, there’s six base sets that you can customise as you like. Go for combo #6 ‘cơm tấm bì chả sườn trứng ốp la’, which gets you a bit of everything.
84 Đặng Văn Ngữ, Ward 10, Phú Nhuận, Ho Chi Minh City
LUA Saigon
LUA Saigon in District 2 (Thảo Điền) is a casual spot, focused on a constantly changing selection of seasonal Vietnamese / French inspired share plates, made using the best quality local ingredients. Accompanying the food is a focused selection of wines from like minded wine makers, including special biodynamic house wines and kombuchas.
2 Đ. Số 11, Thảo Điền, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Love craft beer? Take a look at my Ho Chi Minh City Craft Beer Guide for where to find the best locally brewed beers across town.