Cover Fish maw and egg custard at Ciel, a modern Vietnamese fine dining restaurant in Saigon (Photo: Instagram / @ciel.dining)
Fish maw and egg custard at Ciel, a modern Vietnamese fine dining restaurant in Saigon (Photo: Instagram / @ciel.dining)
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While known best for its vibrant street food culture, Saigon has quietly evolved into one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting gastronomic destinations
From elegant fine dining restaurants reinterpreting Vietnamese flavours to modern cocktail bars shaking up inventive drinks, and a strong coffee culture, Saigon’s culinary landscape goes far beyond the iconic bowls of steamy pho and fluffy bánh mì. Grounded in rich cultural heritage, a new wave of homegrown chefs and bartenders are crafting experiences that blend fresh Vietnamese ingredients with storytelling and creativity, paving the way for an exciting future.
Coffee: Start the day by sipping a fresh cup of coffee
A new generation of cafés are redefining the way locals and visitors experience coffee in Saigon. Bosgaurus champions local Vietnamese coffee, and their Arabica In Bottle series is ideal for gifts or a takeaway coffee. Likewise, at Every Half, minimal interiors are complemented with a selection of coffee-based concoctions, ranging from the classic condensed milk-based bạc xỉu to coffee with melon.
Cafés to visit:
- Bosgaurus, Multiple locations
- Every Half, Multiple locations
- Grand Mum Coffee, Hẻm 82, 86B1 Võ Thị Sáu, Tân Định, quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Bread: Pick up a baguette for breakfast—traditional or modern
While it may be considered a tourist spot, there is a reason why Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa is rarely without a line outside. The banh mi here overflows with up to 13 layers of fillings—cold cuts, pate, butter, ham, pork floss, and char siu—sandwiched between a crispy baguette. One sandwich here can easily feed two.
Across in Thao Dien, Breadventure is an artisanal bakery loved by locals. Only open from Friday to Sunday, its offerings often sell out early. The classic baguette here is served with plum jam and butter; during our visit, we opt for the jamon beurre baguette and add on extra jam for sweet-savoury magic.
Cafés to visit:
- Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa, 26 Lê Thị Riêng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
- Breadventure, 24 Đ. Đỗ Quang, Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức, Hồ Chí Minh
Fine dining: Explore Vietnamese flavours with a modern lens through a tasting menu
A reflection of the city’s dynamic spirit, these fine-dining restaurants offer a memorable journey through Saigon’s heritage, thoughtfully pushing the boundaries of Vietnamese cuisine. Upstairs Tasting Room, a relatively new addition to Saigon’s dining scene, is helmed by the mind behind Seroja and Gia Hanoi, Long Tran, and Truong Hiep. Thoughtful touches and attention to detail elevate the experience here, from a wooden serving plate designed to emulate the terroir of Vietnam to dishes based on local street food, like bánh xèo and hén xúc bánh da.
Tucked inside a charming private residence, Ciel Dining offers an intimate dining experience. The thoughtful menu blends French techniques with Vietnamese cuisine, and makes you feel as though you’re dining in the home of co-owners Viet Hong and Thanh Liem. Dishes here are seafood forward—a standout for us was the delicately bouncy fish maw with silky egg custard, a dish that has stayed on Ciel’s menu since its opening.
Having opened its doors in 2017, Anan Saigon is one of Saigon’s oldest and most internationally recognised fine dining restaurants. Helmed by Peter Cuong Franklin, Anan weaves Vietnamese street food—like bánh mì and turmeric fish—into a contemporary tasting menu. Housed in a narrow, multi-level building, each floor offers a distinct experience, from open-kitchen dining and a cocktail bar to a rooftop lounge overlooking the city.
Fine dining restaurants to visit:
- Upstairs Tasting Room, 36 Nguyễn Bá Huân, Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức, Hồ Chí Minh
- Ciel, 6/3 Đ. Số 50, Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức, Hồ Chí Minh
- Anan Saigon, 89 Tôn Thất Đạm, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
Bars: Grab a nightcap and explore Saigon’s bar scene
Saigon’s bar scene is buzzing with creativity and talent, from the charm of Drinking & Healing to local hangout Layla Eatery & Bar. A new and exciting addition, Raw + Atelier, blends two concepts seamlessly—a sunlit café downstairs and sleek cocktail bar above.
Bars to visit:
- Drinking & Healing, 25 Hồ Tùng Mậu, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
- Layla Eatery & Bar, Second floor, 63 Đông Du, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, 700000
- Raw + Atelier, Lý Tự Trọng/97B Ward, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
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About
Katelyn is the dining and travel editor of Malaysia and Indonesia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she offers readers an inside look at the movers and shakers in Asia’s growing food and beverage industry.
