Top 15 Best Restaurants in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnamese cuisine has long been regarded as among the greatest in South Asia. Besides Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City is also a great site to try authentic Vietnamese dishes. Dining in Ho Chi Minh City is not restricted to Vietnamese pho and coffee; you can also sample fresh seafood, noodles, rice, spring rolls, and meats served in a variety of ways.

Let’s find where to eat in Ho Chi Minh District 1 to explore the city from the cuisine and culture. 

1. Vo Roof - Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar

• Address: 113 Ton That Dam St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Open hours: 10:00 - 24:00
• Happy hours: 14:00 - 19:00 (Buy 2, Get 3 for ALL alcoholic drinks)
• Price range: US $1.50 - $7.66

Vo Roof is one of the top Vietnamese restaurant choices for international tourists, offering affordable yet delicious and healthy dishes. Opened in 2018, this is a branch of the well-known Bep Vo Kitchen in Thao Dien.

Since its establishment, Vo Roof has captured the hearts of numerous tourists, expats, and even locals due to its exquisite blend of affordability, delectable flavors, and healthy dining options.

Vo Roof - Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar

The restaurant has opened again after shutting down for nearly 2 years because of the Covid pandemic. The new Vo Roof is now located at 113 Ton That Dam, District 1, hidden in the old market at the heart of Saigon, and has a laid-back vibe with a cozy bar counter and a lush rooftop oasis.

The staff here serves excellent Vietnamese cuisine with a modern twist where the umami taste is utilized from fresh ingredients, and only a moderate amount of seasoning is used to enhance the flavor without using MSG. On top of that, Vo Roof offers an extensive menu with both savory vegetarian dishes and a wide variety of drinks, from fresh juice, smoothies to beers, wine, and cocktails. 

Vo Roof is a perfect choice for healthy eaters to relax and enjoy a rooftop chilling dinner

What to try?

• The Dry Noodles take center stage among Vo Roof's standout dishes, offering various protein choices such as cajun grilled prawns, beef, chicken, and even vegetarian options.
• The second signature dish that is highly recommended for you to try is Vietnamese Rolls, including the Binh Dinh extra-large rice paper rolls, mini fried spring rolls, and seafood fried spring rolls.

 

2. Secret Garden Restaurant

• Address: 158 Pasteur St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 
• Open hours: 11:00 - 22:00
• Price range: US $7.00 - $15.00 

Receiving a lot of excellent reviews on Tripadvisor, Secret Garden restaurant offers the authentic taste and experience of Asian and Vietnamese cuisine. 

The restaurant, which is located on the rooftop of a historic colonial-era structure with a traditional design, will transport you to a Hoian ancient house from the 1600s. There are now brightly colored lanterns with all-wooden furnishings, and the mood is more lively than ever. 

After settling in a location with a view of the entire district, you will be served the most familiar dishes in a Vietnamese family dinner. The food here is well-decorated and tastes well generally, made 100% from Vietnamese ingredients. Despite the simple look and name, it can give you delicious, sophisticated tastes. Trying it for the first time for some foreigners can be pretty strange, yet the dishes are not hard to eat and good enough to impress you. Those recommended are stir-fried morning glory with beef and grilled beef in betel leaves. 

Dining in one of the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh - Secret Garden with your friends is best.

Secret Garden Restaurant

 

3. The Refinery Bar and Restaurant

• Address: 74/7C Hai Ba Trung St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 
• Open hours: 11:00 - 23:00
• Happy hours: 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
• Price range: US $4.50 - $26.50

Among French restaurants in District 1, The Refinery boasts the most distinct style in space decoration and taste of dishes. From the inside out, the restaurant is designed luxuriously in the Western style, making it exude the splendor of a genuinely European restaurant. On the outside, it is airy and overlooks the whole stunning district, while inside, the atmosphere is quiet and romantic. Both are suitable for couples' dinner nights.

Coming here, you will be served a diversity of French dishes. The taste is good as they are made from Vietnamese ingredients and can give you quite an exciting experience. Those recommended are beef fillet, mignon with red wine juices and potato galette roll, salad nicoise, and salad black with white sesame chicken. In The Refinery, as it only serves Western food, the price can be pretty high, yet definitely worth it.

The Refinery Bar and Restaurant

 

4. Propaganda Saigon Bistro Restaurant

• Address: 21 Han Thuyen St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Open hours: 7:30 - 23:00
• Price range: US $4.50 - $9.00

Propaganda Saigon Bistro is a Vietnamese restaurant in District 1 that provides familiar home-cooked dishes and an airy, comfortable dining place.

On entering the restaurant, you will be impressed by the colorful interior decoration inspired by the Vietnamese propaganda slogans and mottos of the 1980s. The inside space is quite airy and bright, so you will quickly get comfortable during your meal. 

Besides, the food here will never let you down due to its diverse, authentic Vietnamese, and 100% cooked from fresh ingredients. Some of those signatures include rice noodle salad, Pho, and pulled pork Banh mi. Vegetarian options are always available.

Propaganda Saigon Bistro Restaurant

 

5. Ngon Restaurant Saigon

• Address: 160 Pasteur St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Open hours: 10:00 - 23:15
• Price range: US $9.00 - $22.10

Unlike Secret Garden and Propaganda Saigon Bistro, Ngon Restaurant is a luxury Vietnamese place in the center of District 1. The restaurant is traditionally decorated with elaborate wooden frames, sliding doors, and comfortable armchairs with cushions, giving you the most elegant, spacious, and sophisticated interior to enjoy your meal. If you want to, you can sit outside where there are a lot of trees and fresh air, great for chatting with friends and relaxing.

In such a space, you will be served exquisite and heavenly Vietnamese dishes, some signature dishes of which are fried rice, Vietnamese pancake, and steamed fish. Vegan and Gluten-free options are offered, so you don’t have to worry. You can come here to eat with your friend for lunch, dinner, and late-night meals. 

Ngon Restaurant Saigon

 

6. Tandoor Indian Restaurant Ho Chi Minh

• Address: 39A - B Ngo Duc Ke St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 
• Open hours: 10:30 - 14:30 or 17:00 - 22:45
• Happy hours: 2.30 pm - 5.00 pm
• Price range: US $4.50 - $24.50

Tandoor is among the best Indian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh District 1, which offers genuinely Indian cuisine in a cozy, Halal-styled interior space. 

The dishes served here are mainly Indian and Halal, which sounds pretty strange for some Westerners; yet, they are not hard to eat and turn out delicious and healthy in some way. Menus are diverse and feature some of the most signatures in Indian cuisine. Try Masala Dosa, pawn curry, and Kulfi (Indian ice cream). Besides, the restaurant is entirely vegetarian-friendly, so if you have any special diet, you can confirm it with the staff so that they can serve you the best. 

Tandoor Indian Restaurant

 

7. Hoa Tuc Saigon

• Address: 74/7E Hai Ba Trung St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 
• Open hours: 11:00 - 22:30
• Price range: US $1.92 - $17.08

The founders' search for innovative Vietnamese cuisine led to Hoa Tuc, or "Poppy," because every chef in Vietnam makes the same dishes year after year, capturing the country's cuisine in a "mold."

They tested many recipes over a year to create unique dishes with Vietnamese ingredients. By avoiding the term "fusion," devised a menu that delighted the senses and opened Saigon's first restaurant in District 1 in August 2008, Hoa Tuc served contemporary Vietnamese food for natural experience explorers. 

Hoa Tuc, Saigon's former opium refinery, was built, planned, and furnished locally with specially crafted wrought iron furniture, making excellent use of the historical setting. It features a lovely inside seating room with historic columns, a front terrace with a roof inspired by the Paris Metro, and a private outdoor dining area to its side with creepers and foliage all around, enough to distract anyone from the chaos of the city when they are seated right in the middle of it.

Hoa Tuc Saigon

 

8. Moo Beef Steak Prime Restaurant

• Address: 37 Ngo Duc Ke St, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Open hours: 10:00 - 14:00 or 17:00 - 22:00
• Price range: US $4.50 - $68.50 

Ranked the 19th best restaurant in Ho Chi Minh, Moo Beef Steak Prime offers tasty Western-styled beef steak featuring aesthetic decoration and impressive taste. Coming here, you can choose different types of steak with different sauces. All are easy to eat and delicious. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are always available.

Besides, the dining space of the restaurant is quite large and cozy. Therefore, you can enjoy the meal here with your whole family. Lunch and dinner are served. The staff is pretty friendly and the service is professional.   

Moo Beef Steak Prime Restaurant

 

9. Le Jardin French Bistro

• Address: 31 Thai Van Lung St, District 1 
• Open hours: 11:00 - 14:00 or 18: 00 - 23:00
• Price range: US $15.00 - $145.00

Le Jardin is unquestionably the place to go whether you're missing France or are simply seeking a fantastic bargain in Ho Chi Minh City. The location features a lovely garden setting and a welcoming attitude. The Steak Tartar and the Fillet Mignon are both excellent. For $5, you may purchase a delicious goat cheese salad with a good amount of cheese for lunch.

Even though the restaurant does not provide foie gras, it is the ideal location for simple French cuisine. Le Jardin is surprisingly funded by the Institute of French Cultural Studies, which explains why the costs are affordable. It is also very popular, so reservations are strongly advised.

Le Jardin French Bistro

 

10. Carpaccio

• Address: 79 Hai Ba Trung, District 1 & 5 Han Thuyen, District 1
• Open hours: 13:00 - 21:00
• Price range: $1.71 - $170.76 

CARPACCIO is a pure Italian restaurant with a history of nearly 20 years in Ho Chi Minh City. The name CARPACCIO means a traditional and popular appetizer in Italy, the brand wants to bring pure Italian cuisine to Saigon diners and the Italian Community currently living and working in Saigon.

With nearly 20 years of experience in serving customers. Bringing Nordic-style architecture with design details with classic and rustic materials such as brick walls, neutral colors of the interior, etc., creates a cozy overall space for CARPACCIO. CARPACCIO is a brand worth experiencing.

Carpaccio

 

11. El Gaucho Steakhouse

• Address: 74/1 Hai Ba Trung St, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 
• Open hours: 11:00 - 23:30
• Price range: US $22.00 - $80.00

El Gaucho Steakhouse offers tasty steak in a fancy and romantic dining space, suitable for couples’ date nights or small parties. 

On spending your meal here, you will have a chance to choose types of steak, and then, they will be cooked immediately for you. Some of the most recommended steaks are Wagyu Filet Mignon, Rib Eye, and Fillet Steak. All are well-cooked and seasoned. Besides, there are hamburgers for those who like to eat starchy food.

As previously mentioned, the space of El Gaucho Steakhouse is quite romantic. Therefore, it will be great if you come here with your lover.

El Gaucho Steakhouse

 

12. Quan Bui - Original

• Address: 19 Ngo Van Nam, District 1
• Open hours: 10:00 - 22:00
• Price range: $7 - $25

Regardless of your budget, you won't likely go hungry in Saigon. Some Vietnamese eateries that serve the corporate community have a strong Western influence. Quan Bui doesn't have a pure white tablecloth if you insist on having one. But for those who like to eat where the Vietnamese do, avoid the tourist restaurants with their white tablecloths and exorbitant rates and instead dine where the Vietnamese do. You will undoubtedly get the finest experience if you visit Quan Bui.

Even though many people nowadays can afford to eat well in fancy restaurants, Vietnamese society has always placed a high value on family reunions. Despite this, many individuals still have an unconscious urge to consume foods that make them think of simple country life and warm family relationships. Quan Bui wants to spread the warmth and tastes they had during these memorable moments with their family and friends to all of their customers

Quan Bui - Original

 

13. Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro

• Address: 38 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 
• Open hours: 10:00 - 22:30
• Price range: US $4.40 - $13.20

If you want something new in District 1, try Thai cuisine at Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro. Here, there is plenty of different Thai food for you to try. Some highlights are Thai dumplings, fried fishcake with sweet and sour chili sauce, fiery spicy octopus, and grilled chicken. 

The food, along with the cozy dining space of the restaurant, is very suitable for family meals and small parties. You can come here for lunch and dinner.

Tuk Tuk Thai Bistro

 

14. Shamballa Vegetarian, Restaurant & Tea House

• Address: 17-19 Trinh Van Can St., District 1 & 31 Ly Tu Trong St., District 1
• Open hours: 10:00 - 20:00
• Price range: $2 - $18 (excluding 5% service charge and 10% VAT)

Shamballa is a unique refuge encircled by enigma and magic. The word "Shamballa" has its origins in Sanskrit, where it denotes a place of tranquility, stillness, and delight. Shamballa is a secret kingdom tucked away north of Bodhi Gaya city, a hallowed location in Buddhism where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree. It is based on the most revered texts of Tibet by Kanjur Tanjur.

Shamballa Vegetarian Restaurant & Tea House adapts Buddhist balancing teachings, Buddhist art forms, and the idea of a mystery to Vietnamese society. A balance between urban and country life may be seen in the interior design of the French Colonial building with Vietnamese-Tibetan fusion. Tall glass windowpanes give an intimate setting a feeling of space. Shamballa is a haven of tranquillity amid a bustling metropolis.

To promote a healthy diet that equally appeals to taste, Shamballa Vegetarian Restaurant & Tea House delivers delectable dishes expertly made with organic ingredients. A greener energy source has a minor carbon impact. It is a step in the direction of living sustainably— a fresh perspective on life results from a satisfying experience with vegetarian food.

Shamballa Vegetarian, Restaurant & Tea House

 

15. Lobby Lounge - Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

• Address: Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, 88 Dong Khoi St.
• Open hours: 14:00 - 16:30 
• Price Range: $5 - $15

Every visitor might immediately be drawn to and especially love the beautiful but subtle décor here, which is located directly in the lobby of the Sheraton Saigon Hotel. The Lounge, in a comfortable setting, allows people to temporarily forget about their problems and chaos.

The Lounge's sofas are designed in a modern salon style, with three major tones: oxford blue, saffron, and denim gray, and are strategically distributed around the room to assist in creating a sumptuous overall but no less unique look. All diners sense the calm and tranquility that they have unintentionally forgotten for a long time under the yellow lighting, lyrical music, and the subtly poetic perfume of tea.

When you visit The Lounge, you will be impressed by the selection of famous teas from across the world and locally. Aside from the fragrant tea cups, there are always delectable delicacies that have been beautifully prepared and precisely designed.

The tea party here differs slightly in that it introduces diners to two distinct forms of tea enjoyment: the exquisite Asian afternoon tea party (Asian Excursion) and the classic European afternoon tea party (Western Tradition).

Lobby Lounge - Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

 

16. Viet Kitchen Buffet - Renaissance Riverside Hotel

• Address: 8-15 Ton Duc Thang St.
• Open hours: 6:00 - 23:00
• Price Range: $25 - $75

The restaurant has been invested in and designed with a new look that combines the contemporary with the local sound. In November 2016, the restaurant officially opened under the moniker Viet Kitchen.

The restaurant area is tastefully arranged, cozy but still private and intimate; the chefs of Viet Kitchen restaurant have successfully exhibited the exquisite culinary arts of the world as well as the characteristics of the pure Vietnamese meals of the three regions. The vast and traditional a la carte menu will satisfy even the most discerning eaters. 

Furthermore, the buffet menu is wide, ranging from European-style cuisine to Asian dishes. The fresh seafood is served in the style of Saigon street food or luxurious manner at the request of diners. The open kitchen design encourages more engagement and connection between diners and kitchen personnel. While the dish is being made, diners may see, smell, and taste it.

Viet Kitchen Buffet - Renaissance Riverside Hotel

 

Above are the 15 best restaurants in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us through our website. We are always available to help you with the best experience in Vietnam. 

Check out the best Ho Chi Minh tours with us and join the culinary exploration of the best eateries in Saigon!

Thanh Hang

(Image source: Internet)