Saigon’s dining scene takes a time out: What’s on the menu for consumers?
Saigon's food and beverage scene has been the talk of the town for years, but lately, things seem to be shifting. With fewer new spots popping up and customers changing their tastes to more wallet-friendly ones, it's clear the landscape is evolving
Sweet Revolution: Vietnam's only modern dessert bar boasts local flair
Monkey Gallery DESSERT BAR is where artistry and sweet indulgence meet in an art gallery setting. Placing among culinary heavyweights on the prestigious 50 Best Discovery List, this dessert bar isn't here to play it safe.
EM*Me: Where Saigon Rediscovers Love, Sip by Sip
Welcome to EM*me, where every sip tells a story and every moment feels like a rediscovery of love. Think handwritten letters sprinkled on the table, classic ‘Air Supply’ love songs and paintings on the wall that will make you swoon.
From Stars to Spices: Lesung Redefines Malaysian Dining in Ho Chi Minh City
Led by two ex-fine dining chefs - Eden (Malaysian) and Tommy (Vietnamese), this new spot replaces white cloths with Batik to serve up authentic Malaysian flavors that pack a punch.
Frozen to Fired Up: The Pandemic Brainchild that Became Ho Chi Minh City's Beloved Caribbean Pop-Up
When chaos reigned during the pandemic, a bright idea sparked in Ho Chi Minh City. It all began with frozen beef patties but soon transformed into a lively Caribbean pop-up with a cult following for its BBQ Jerk Chicken.
Review: Lune by Chef Adrien Guenzi
Lune is easily one of the most underrated restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. To be fair, it’s considerably new in the dining space (approximately a year) but Chef Adrien Guenzi is by no means new to fine dining fare or Saigon.
Review: Le Comptoir - is it worth its award-winning status?
Le Comptoir has been rising in the culinary ranks of late. From placing ‘Top 25 Restaurants in Vietnam” at the recent Robb Report Gourmet Collection 2023 to being ranked top 20 restaurants in Danang on TripAdvisor. I dine at this rising star to find out - is it worth its award-winning status?
Review: Gypsy Rooftop Kitchen and Bar - Danang’s best-kept Boho secret
Run, don’t walk to this hidden gem in Danang with a newly-opened rooftop kitchen and bar where you should be getting your sunset cocktail (and foodie) fix.
Review: C’s Steakhouse
There is a new king of steaks in town. Nestled in the centre of District 1, this is the place to go for the finest in steak, service and downright sexy ambience.
Review: Umenomoto
An Umeshu-focused Japanese tapas bar with over 100 varieties of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic plum wine opens in Saigon’s “Little Japan”.
Review: Sóno Grill & Bar - the sweet sound of success?
Sono Grill & Bar, another recent addition to Saigon’s increasingly crowded District 2 restaurant scene, self-identifies as a lifestyle concept where “flavour meets sound.”
Review: Elgin - what keeps me coming back?
Since its opening in August 2022, Elgin has fast become a favourite of mine (and many others around me). In a city no short of new restaurant openings on the regular - what keeps me coming back to Elgin? I can’t quite put my finger on it but it’s the vibe, food, atmosphere - a certain je ne sais quoi.
Review: TRE Dining, tres bien or no?
TRE Dining, recently opened in Saigon’s famous Thao Dien neighbourhood and named after the ubiquitous bamboo trees of Vietnam, is quietly making its presence felt in the local dining scene. Although, I don’t expect this to be the case for much longer.
Review: Aalto, another ubiquitous woodfired concept in Ho Chi Minh?
No, woodfire cuisine and cooking are not new in Vietnam but Executive Chef of the newly-opened Aalto by Hylo (ex-HypeAsia) Jimmy Garside, a native of Manchester, United Kingdom, is.
Review: Okra Foodbar, where vegetables give meat a run for its money
Your next date night sorted. Say hello to Okra Foodbar, a dimly-lit, sleek and sexy 15-seater hotspot with an open kitchen and chef counter helmed by Chef Jamie Celaya (ex-Chef de Cuisine at Park Hyatt Saigon and ex-Head Chef at Quan Ut Ut).
LUA - Taking all the food favourites you know and love and adding a twist to it
Tucked away in a quiet street is one of the most talked-about restaurants at the moment, LỬA. While it aims to be an unassuming casual establishment, its food and wine output are anything but.
Review: Il Muro Italiano, Salinda Resort Phu Quoc Island
Helmed by Executive Chef Simone from Sicily in Italy, Il Muro Italian serves up Italian cuisine with a nod to Vietnamese influence in a lush and romantic restaurant surrounded by deep verdant green trees.
Chef Bao La Adds a Burst of Flavour and Character to Madam Kew
Vietnamese-Australian Chef Bao La joins Madam Kew, sister-concept of Quince Saigon, to debut an elevated menu featuring creative and inventive takes on traditional Asian street food classics.
Cellar: A Wine Bar Nestled In A Craft Beer Brewery
From pivoting to an ‘essentials’ online marketplace amid Saigon’s strictest lockdown and selling designer street sneakers, Heart of Darkness now decided to venture into the world of wine, opening a new wine bar named ‘Cellar’ in the same building as its craft beer brewery located in District 1.
Review: Is Etesia Hanoi’s Trendiest Restaurant?
Boasting first-rate modern French fare by Executive Chef Benjamin Morelle, who cut his teeth in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, Etesia is the latest lovechild of the F&B masterminds behind Polite&Co, one of Hanoi’s original cocktail bars.