15 Covid-Friendly Outdoor Dining Spots in Ho Chi Minh City (2022)

Photo courtesy of Fika Together

With many diners in Saigon looking for outdoor dining areas amid the pandemic, I decided to put together a list of 15 Covid-friendly outdoor restaurants, cafes and eateries with spacious outdoors areas. To help me put this list together, I got the help of Saigon foodie (7 years) and long-time F&B operations expert (more than 20 years), Will Knight, to really zero in on the hygiene and safety measures of the curated list of outdoor spots below.

According to the NPR, “dining that is truly outdoors, with no temporary shelter at all, is indeed much safer because there are higher air speeds, more dispersion and more mixing than indoors”. This means that respiratory droplets that play host to the virus don't accumulate when people are close to each other.

Features of all dining establishments listed include:

• Outdoor dining area sits at least 10 people with space to practice social distancing

• All staff (service and kitchen) wear masks during their shift

• Sanitisers are placed in the restaurant for guests to use

District 1

Brick and Barrel

Saigon's newest chicken, burger and pizza joint, Brick and Barrel is a casual and comfortable watering hole in the heart of District 1 with a spacious rooftop venue located above the famous Tomatito and Maison Marou on Calmette street. Considering its popularity in its few weeks of opening, it’s safe to say Brick and Barrel is definitely a welcomed addition to the area and we’re all here for it. There are huge timber tables ensuring a fair distance is kept between diners and all team members wear masks and have sanitisers placed around the restaurant.

Address: 114-152 Calmette, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, HCMC
Operating Hours: 10am - midnight daily
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bricknbarrelvn

Rice Field Rooftop - Homecooked Vietnamese Cuisine

Located on one of the busiest streets in Saigon, Rice Field Rooftop is a gem that brings you a taste (literally) of Vietnam’s countryside through its authentic food, interiors and team. All staff wear masks and hand sanitisers are available throughout the restaurant.

Address: 75 - 77 Ho Tung Mau Level 1-2- Rooftop, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Operating Hours: 10am - 10pm daily
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ricefieldrestaurant

Secret Garden Calmette

Another Calmette location, but this time from the Secret Garden/Secret House family. Think modern takes on traditional Vietnamese food imbued with Chinese influence and that’s what you get here. Set in a cosy bamboo covered courtyard, the space is open, airy and spacious. Tables are also well distanced apart from each other, staff all wear masks and sanitisers can be found throughout the restaurant.

Address: 131 Calmette, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, HCMC
Operating Hours: 10:00 - 22:00 daily
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Secretgarden.131Calmette

Soul Ben Thanh Restaurant & Bar

In this beautiful 3 levels Heritage Building that overlooks the infamous Ben Thanh Market and the City Skyscrapers, Soul Ben Thanh Restaurant and Bar not only serves up some deliciously moreish Vietnamese cuisine but also has an alfresco dining area and a speakeasy rooftop bar. Here, tables are comfortably spaced a part, all staff wear masks and sanitisers can be found throughout.

Address: 7 Thủ Khoa Huân, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1
Operating Hours: 7am - 2am daily
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/soulbenthanhrestaurantbar

The Refinery

A popular French brasserie in a quiet courtyard setting off Hai Ba Trung. A location nostalgic and reminiscent of the French-Chinese Opium history, the Refinery’s interiors pay homage to the stories it was inspired by. Today, you can still admire the old O&M logo (La Manufacture d’Opium) and an interlaced wrought iron O & M, in the main gate as you enter the courtyard from Hai Ba Trung Street as well as the stylised carved opium poppies above the entrance.

With ample outdoor dining space to practice social distancing, the Refinery’s staff also wear masks and provide hand sanitisers to guests. The Refinery is also a merchant of Savyu, so first timer diners are rewarded with 50% of their bill into points, which they can use to dine again at The Refinery or at one of more than 100 different merchants available on the app. [Not sponsored].

Address: 74/7c Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, HCMC
Operating Hours: 11am - 11pm daily
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/refinery.saigon

Vo Roof Garden

Vo Roof Garden is a cozy family-run business where the Vo cousin share their passion for food from their home town in Binh Dinh. Here, the Vos aim to whip up clean, quality and refreshing Vietnamese cuisine at reasonable prices. With ample seating as well as a spacious outdoor terrace, here guests can practice safe distancing on their own accord. All staff wear masks and hand sanitisers are also available in the restaurant.

Address: Rooftop, 7th floor, Trung Thuy Building, 44 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe ward, district 1
Operating Hours: 9am - 11pm daily
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/voroofgarden/

District 2

P’ti Saigon

Stunning, spacious and sunny, the perfect 3 words to describe P’ti’s outdoor area. With ample ventilation from the outdoor fans and air-conditioning alongside incredible French food offered by Chef Sakal Phoeung. Staff wear masks, temperature checks are taken, social distancing is applied and hand sanitiser is also available.

Address: 52 Ngo Quang Huy, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC 
Operating Hours: 11:00-14:30 / 17:30-00:00 daily except Tues/Weds - open lunch only
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ptisaigon

The Snap Cafe

The ideal destination for those looking to unwind with a book or a family-friendly brunch spot with an outdoor playground. Here at the Snap Cafe, guests are also invited to discover exclusive designers’ products from 12 exquisite boutiques. Tables are distanced from each other, staff wear masks and hand sanistisers can be around the cafe.

Address: 32, Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, Q2, Ho Chi Minh City
Operating Hours: 7:30am - 10:30pm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSnapCafe/

The Deck

The Deck is situated on the banks of the Saigon River 15 minutes from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It is one of the city's most elegant rendezvous. Saigon's most stunning location situated on the banks of the Saigon River. Light and airy by day and intimate and candlelit by night, the perfect place to get away from it all. Ample space for social distancing, hand sanitisers and all staff wear masks.

Address: 38 Nguyen U Di, Thao Dien, District 2 Ho Chi Minh City
Operating Hours: 8am - midnight daily
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thedecksaigon/

The Brix

Your new tropical escape, as they tell us on their Facebook page. We have to agree, sunny tropical-esque vibes, refreshing drinks, mouth watering modern Asian food, and a decent playlist, make for a perfect getaway at your doorstep. With a huge open air space surrounding the pool area, social distancing is easily applied. Masks for staff and available hand sanitisers are also observed.

Address: 26 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC 
Operating Hours: 8am - midnight daily except Monday - (closed), Fri/Sat - open till 1am
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/thebrixsaigon

L’Herbanyste

It’s impossible to not include L’Herbanyste in this round-up guide of top outdoor dining spots. Quite possibly our favourite green gem in Thao Dien, here you can find freshly made vegan delights as well as tropical Bali-esque interiors. Your boho chic dream come true, there is also an outdoor pool as well as a space where you can purchase plants for all your green finger dreams. Hand sanitisers can be found throughout and all staff wear masks here.

Address: Thảo Điền, Quận 2 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 70000
Operating Hours: 9am - 6pm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/herbanyste/

Binh Thanh

Fika Getogether

Fika Getogether is quite possibly our new favourite find in Binh Thanh. Surrounded by lush greenery and nature with wicker furniture and interiors to mimic a tropical holiday away to Bali. What’s not to love here? Furthermore, hygiene standards are high at this one with disinfectant spraying works in the cafe as well as heat equipment for their utensils. Mask wearing for staff as well as sanitisers are both also observed.

Address: 602/32 Điện Biên Phủ, P. 22. Q. Bình Thạnh
Opening Hours: 7am - 10pm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fika.getogether

District 3 

CTY Kitchen + Bar

Interestingly, CTY is a venture by Vietcetera, Vietnam’s renowned media giant. In fact, this does not come as a surprise considering CEO Hao Tran has dabbled in multiple F&B ventures and is part owner of the renowned Anan Saigon. With this said, CTY is Saigon’s new kid on the block and boosts a formidable team of industry stalwarts including Jay Moir (from Layla and Summer Experiment) as well as Blue Lam. The menu is varied but not mammoth such that you’re left overwhelmed; it borrows influence from both Western and Asian (with an special nod to Japan) and needless to say, the food reflects the quality and passion of the service, kitchen and management team, who can all be seen hanging around CTY.

With exception of perhaps a few posed photographs during opening, the team and management were all wearing masks during service. Well spaced tables with ample of space and hand sanitisers provided at the entrance, we’ll definitely be back to CTY.

Address: Centec Tower, 72 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường 6, Quận 3, HCMC
Operating Hours: 7am - midnight Mon-Thurs / 7am - 1am on Fri-Sat / 7am - 10pm on Sun
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ctykitchenandbar/

Dabao Concept - Heritage

Dabao concept is a small local coffee shop, hidden in old building of Saigon and inspired by Japanese architecture and interior design. Dabao is a minimalistic cafe home to Saigonese hipsters and teens getting their daily dose of Instagram-worthy shots. Nonetheless, the coffee here is worth the accidental Instagram-tween photobomb.

Address: 1 Đinh Công Tráng, Tân Định, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Operating Hours: 9am - 10pm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dabaoconceptheritage/

District 7

Credit: Sol Kitchen and Bar in District 7

Admittedly, Sol Kitchen and Bar in District 1 has to be one of my favourite restaurants in Saigon. From its playful Mediterranean interiors, nude brown and white hues and open kitchen where if you’re lucky, you’ll able to see full tattoo-sleeved Chef-founder Adrian Chong plating delectable dishes on the pass. Not just a treat for the eyes but also the tastebuds, Sol Kitchen dishes out mouthwatering flame-kissed Latin American dishes such as Wagyu beef and olive empanadas, quesadillas, swordfish carpaccio and Wagyu M7 ‘Carne Asada’ with salsa and taro fries. On the liquid front, Sol offers an equally colourful cocktail menu filled with zesty and zingy margaritas.

So when the team behind Sol Kitchen announced its new opening in District 7 debuting a dreamy outdoor location with an adult-only pool coddled on all sides by white-cushioned cabanas, I jumped at the opportunity to make the trip down. Unfortunately, by this time Saigon had announced its looming lockdown and the closure of restaurants for dine-in. Dubbed Saigon’s version of Santorini, I reckon a visit, bask under the sun and some moreish Tapas-esque treats and dips are definitely warranted after the lockdown.

Address: 514B Huynh tan phat Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 72914
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SolKitchenD7/
Tell: 079 997 6760

Need some inspiration to get your productivity game on? Check out our Top 10 work-friendly cafes in Ho Chi Minh City

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