NHA TRANG | To most visitors, Nha Trang is a resort town. It’s a place to visit for sandy beaches, scuba diving, snorkelling, and island hopping. It’s not a place that pops up on traditional foodie itineraries, with many deterred by the tourist-focused food spots that dominate the centre of town.
Like any city, though, Nha Trang is filled with gems catering to hungry locals, and those who seek these spots out will be rewarded with a diverse selection of delicious Vietnamese delicacies.
Being a coastal city, Nha Trang excels in seafood. There are several markets in the city where fishermen sell their local bounty, providing fresh produce for many of the best food spots in town.
In this guide, I’ll tell you the places to visit if you want to experience the best food and drink in Nha Trang.
At-A-Glance: Nha Trang’s Best Food & Drink
| Venue | Neighbourhood / Location | Style / Speciality |
| Bánh Căn – Bánh Xèo 7C Tô Hiến Thành | Tô Hiến Thành | Crispy rice-flour bánh căn pancakes & sizzling bánh xèo |
| Bún Cá Sứa Năm Beo | Phan Bún Trinh | Traditional jellyfish & fish cake vermicelli noodle soup (bún sứa) |
| Cơm Gà Giòn Da A Tài | Yersin | Crispy-skin free-range fried chicken over chicken fat turmeric rice |
| Đen Cá Nướng | Điện Biên Phủ | Charcoal-grilled whole fish, sea snails & fresh market seafood |
| Little Armenia | Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai | Authentic Armenian & Georgian cuisine, dolma, khachapuri & khorovats |
| Nem Nướng Đặng Văn Quyên | Lê Lợi | Signature Ninh Hoa-style grilled pork sausage roll ups (nem nướng) |
Where To Eat In Nha Trang
Bánh Căn – Bánh Xèo 7C Tô Hiến Thành
Bánh căn are the lesser-known cousins of Vietnam’s bánh xèo, and something that you have to try when you visit Vietnam. In Nha Trang, you can find great versions of both dishes at the rather lengthily named Bánh căn – bánh xèo – Bánh canh tôm hùm 7C Tô Hiến Thành.
Bánh căn are little bite-sized pancake cakes made from rice flour, water, and turmeric. They’re cooked in a special cast-iron or traditional clay pan with round moulds and very little oil. Popular toppings include fresh shrimp, pork, and quail eggs, served alongside fresh herbs and savoury dipping broth.
7C Tô Hiến Thành, Tân Lập, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
Bún Cá Sứa Năm Beo
As you’d expect given its location on Vietnam’s southern coast, Nha Trang is known for its seafood. One regional delicacy that you have to try when you visit is bún sứa, or jellyfish noodle soup.
A light, semi-sweet boiled fish broth is served with rice vermicelli, sliced jellyfish, and fried fish paste cakes. To the side, you’ll find raw vegetables, herbs, lime wedges, and chilli so you can customise your bowl. The cleaned jellyfish adds a fantastic, cucumber-like crunch to every bite. At Bún Cá Sứa Năm Beo, order the signature bún cá sứa, which includes chunks of fresh local fish.
B2 Phan Bội Châu, Chợ Đầm, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
Cơm Gà Giòn Da A Tài
If you’re in Nha Trang and craving fried chicken, it doesn’t get much better than the Vietnamese-style chicken rice at Cơm Gà Giòn Da A Tài.
Succulent, marinated, crispy fried chicken is the star of the dish. You can choose a quarter, half, or full chicken, fried until golden brown using quality local free-range chicken (gà ta). Served alongside the chicken is fragrant turmeric rice cooked in chicken fat, clear chicken broth, pickled salad, and dipping sauces.
55 Yersin, Phương Sài, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
Đen Cá Nướng
At Đen Cá Nướng, you will encounter friendly staff and some of the best seafood in town, sourced daily from local fishermen. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to order a feast to share across the table.
Sea snails are served in a peppery sauce; sweet, wok-fried prawns come with a spicy dip; and garlicky egg noodles with steamed squid and greens are irresistible. Be sure to order a whole fish selected fresh from the display, wrapped in banana leaf and grilled over charcoal. It comes with herbs, sauces, and rice paper sheets so you can build your own fresh rolls.
33 Điện Biên Phủ, Vĩnh Hòa, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
Little Armenia
If you’re looking for a change of pace from Vietnamese food during your stay, I highly recommend Little Armenia (formerly Small Armenia). In the kitchen, you’ll find an Armenian chef preparing authentic Armenian and Georgian dishes.
The menu features stuffed grape leaf dolma, cheesy khachapuri bread, juicy khinkali dumplings, and charcoal-grilled khorovats (Armenian barbecue meats) alongside grilled vegetables. Portions are generous, so come with a group to try a few different dishes.
75A Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Tân Lập, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
Nem Nướng Đặng Văn Quyên
Nem nướng, Vietnam’s famed grilled pork sausage, originated in the town of Ninh Hòa, 30km north of Nha Trang. It’s a regional specialty popular across Vietnam, and one of the best places to enjoy it in the city is at Nem Nướng Đặng Văn Quyên.
Platters of smoky nem nướng arrive accompanied by crispy fried rice-paper rollers, fresh herbs, cucumber, green mango, and a warm, savoury dipping sauce. Wet a sheet of rice paper, wrap up a bit of everything, and roll it together for an outstanding meal. Be sure to order some banana-leaf-wrapped fermented pork sausages (nem chua) as well.
16A Lãn Ông, Xương Huân, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
Planning a trip to Nha Trang? Check out my guide to 48 Hours In Nha Trang for top tips on things to do across the city.