New restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City to check out this December

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Dec 5

Saigon’s food scene just got a serious upgrade. This month, we’re seeing the city’s first-ever Iranian spot dropping bold Persian vibes, a no-booze bar that’s turning mocktails into an art form, and a Chinese snack joint bringing serious flavor with a side of attitude.

If you’re tired of the same old, you have more new kids on the block ready to shake things up—with some bite and a whole lot of soul.

No Honey, No Monkey

No Honey, No Monkey adds a fresh kind of chill to Thảo Điền. The open façcade with it hanging plants gives the place a slight jungle vibe, while you look out over a classic, traffic-filled Saigonese street. That same no-nonsense vibe carries into the menu with cocktails like Tango Bango or On Cloud Taro, beers, wine and snacks such as Tatsuuge Chicken or a Very-Cheesie toastie. “Calories don’t count here,” is what they proclaim here.

So you might as well go for one of their cakes like the Olive Oil Lemon Poppy seed one. Make sure to come during Happy Hour on weekdays (4pm till 8pm). On weekends, the fun starts earlier at 11am, with a fair chance that you pick up on one of their events — like their most recent “Wine, not?!” evening.

Address: 30 Đường số 10, Thảo Điền
Opening hours: Mon–Sun: 8AM–10:30PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nohoneynomonkey/

BahThai

The newest kid in this list by the same good guys behind the now-defunct Italian restaurant Bambino, BahThai is fresh off its official grand opening just now on December 4. Expect no fine dining here, but “wild dining” as they call it themselves. The result of what happens when Bangkok meets Saigon and you get double the heat.

On the menu that translates to typical Thai dishes like Nam Jim (raw prawns), Beef Pad Kaprow with Fried Duck egg and Som Tam, all done in clean, modern way. Drink follow the same sharp twist with cocktails like the 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 ‘𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫’ which is beefeater Gin infused with kaffir lime leaves, sugarcane, spicy herbs and calamansi juice.

Thai people say “กินข้าวยัง?” (gin-khao-yang) meaning “Have you eaten yet?”, just like in Vietnamese. So after finishing reading this, the same question applies: have you eaten yet? If not, BahThai is an easy choice.

Address: 213 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh
Opening hours: Tue–Sun, 5PM–late
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bahthai.vn/

Phê Men Bakehouse & Eatery

Walk into Phê Men, and you immediately get what it is all about here: warm words, soft lighting and an open kitchen with counter seats where you can watch your food come together right in front of you. Phë Men, from the same owner of Society Saigon, is casual, close-up and all about the craft. No surprise, since its name is a play on ‘fe-rment’, which translates to lên men in Vietnamese; a small wink to the slow, intentional way they make things here.

On the menu, the sweet stuff calls for attention, and this is for a valid reason. A Basque cheesecake rarely does wrong, but add sourdough to it, and it lands deeper, richer, and more interesting. On the savoury side, Phê Men goes for quality over complication. Dishes like green mussels and picanha grilled over charcoal. And yes, of course, you can add some sourdough to it, because that is part of the whole idea at Phê Men Bakehouse & Eatery.

Address: 193A Hai Bà Trưng, D3
Opening hours: Mon–Sun: 6PM–10:30PM (closed on Thursdays)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phemen.saigon

Belly Button

Walk into Belly Button by the good guys at The Pi, and the first thing you’ll probably hear is: “Make yourself at home and grab whatever you want from the fridge.” And they mean it.

Their fridge is stacked with more than 200 bottles of wine, all yours to pick. No overwhelming wine lists involved, no hovering waiters explaining terroir. You open the door, take what calls your name, enjoy it at one and that’s is. And it’s not just wine. Coffee flows too. Slow mornings, loud nights; at Belly Button, they keep you upright, always belly first.

The food follows the same logic: simple, confident and not trying to overimpress you. On the menu you find things like a grouper fillet, Turkish eggs roasted chicken with chimichurri. Or if you are more in a nibbling kind of mood: the Oasis Salad and Mala Prawn Tart are light, sharp and play well with… anything you pulled from the fridge.

Address: 39 Nguyen Van Thu, Tan Dinh
Opening hours: Mon–Sun: 9:30AM–10PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellybutton.sgn/

One River Mekong Eatery

The first thing you notice at One River Mekong Eatery is the shape of the space: long, linear, almost like stepping onto a boat headed down the Mekong Delta. But no, this isn’t your usual “Mekong-style” Vietnamese restaurant. It’s modern, clean and brings together flavours from all the countries along the river.

The menu follows the Mekong through Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam with dishes prepared like the people know them here. You’ll find green papaya salad done three ways, Cambodian curries and Mekong Delta Rolls (prices of most dishes run from 109k to 279k).

The drinks push your Mekong journey just that little further. Tam Mak Hung (a recreation of the papaya salad) and Cuu Long Tamarind, a smooth rum with a riverine tamarind base, fit right into the concept (199k-219k). Non-alcoholic options (89k-99k) are also put together with the best this region has to offer: palm seeds, kumquat, aloe vera…

Address: 31B Lý Tự Trọng, D1
Opening hours: Tue–Sun, 10AM–2PM & 5PM-10PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onerivermekongeatery/

Paris Apero

Ignore the neighbours for a second, let your eyes land on the deep blue façade and you’d swear you’ve just wandered into a Parisian bistro. Step inside and the feeling only gets stronger.

Paris Apero doesn’t try to reinvent Frenchness and its food; it simply serves the classics the way they are meant to be. Mille-feuille foie gras, scallops in beurre blanc, duck confit… The dishes you expect on a French menu, done right.

And what about the mood to expect here? They summarize it best themselves: an evening where partage and convivalité come alive — the French art of sharing and togetherness. Think set canapés, fine wine, and crafted drinks served from 5PM till late.

Address: 16–18 Hưng Phước 4, District 7
Opening hours: Mon–Sun: 5PM–12PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paris.apero/

2cms

Once hidden on the 13th floor of an old Vietnamse apartment block in Pham Viet Chanh, 2cms has taken on it next form: still in the same neighbourhood, just now it became a fully -fledged wine bar.

Step inside and the 2cms vibe immediately hits you: yes, still somehow eclectic, but also perfectly harmonious and more important: cosy. The iconic bánh mi epoxy lamp, for example, survived the move and somehow carries even more charm now. Add a hand-carved dooroknob and a 180 degree mirror that usually belongs in a surveillance setup, and the whole place becomes a beautiful collection of quirks that fit.

The wine remains front and centre, only now Vietnamese-French chef Patrick pairs it with a food menu that mirrors 2cms’ wit. Low-commitment bites like Terrine or a Pomelo Salad. Moderate effort favourites like Fried Oyster Mushrooms and Hamachi Ceviche. High impact dishes translate to Nem Chua Crispy Rice and Sausage Sabodet. And the sweet-toothed can finish up with the Jasmine Tea Waffle or White Miso Mousse. All dishes ranging from 90k to 350k.

Address: 72 Huỳnh Mẫn Đạt,, Bình Thanh
Opening hours: Thurs–Mon: 6PM–12PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2cms___/

Mindfully

Mindfully Café has reopened a new location in Thao Dien. It is a small, homey spot where you can stop for a coffee, brunch, a catch up with friends or some quiet hours of work.

The menu brings comfort, but is also not afraid of the unexpected. Kaya Toast (75k) adds a Malaysian touch with homemade sourdough, jam and a runny egg. Miso Toast (85k) brings a Japanese angle to hummus with their signature miso cream. You’ll also find homemade pasta and ingredients like house-cured bacon, adding more depth to the brunch section.

Fermentation is also a big part of what they do here: sourdough bread is on the menu but also drinks like fermented sodas, ginger ale and amazeke. Other drink options are their specialty Arabica coffee, healthy juices and a full matcha section (50k-135k).

Address: 17B Đường Số 11, Thao Dien
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 7AM-7PM
Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/Mindfully2021

Comfy Coffee & Bakes

Comfy Coffee & Bakes delivers exactly what the name promises: a place to sit, breathe, enjoy a good cup of coffee with a comforting sweet on the side. Especially with the recent stretch of pleasant weather in Saigon, their garden becomes the star: sun, soft shade and calmness as if escaping the city for a bit.

The menu keeps things straightforward. A macchiato with oolong if you want something familiar with a twist for example and prices that stay in the ease range (40-80k). If you’re in the mood for something sweet, the avocado mousse and cinnamon rolls are worth the detour.

Comfy fits perfectly into your weekly schedule. On Sundays, it’s the ideal spot to meet friends. Whereas on Mondays mornings you slip into the new workweek without forcing yourself immediately into fifth gear.

Address: 65 Đường số 10 Hiệp Bình Chánh, Thủ Đức
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun, 7AM–10PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfy_thuduc/

La Lola

La Lola sits in the centre of Saigon and keeps things simple: a calm Mediterranean-inspired space with clean lines and a steady, relaxed atmosphere. The interior sticks to clear orange tones, deep greens and white — noticeable, but not overdone.

The menu focuses on familiar coastal dishes (230-550k). Black Angus striploin, smoked and cooked to stay juice. Wild seabass with straightforward, light flavours. You’ll also find sides on the menu like truffle mashed potatoes or crinkle-cut fries (60k-90k). Desserts stay classic with churros or housemade ice cream (70k-140k).

If you are looking for a Mediterranean stop in the middle of the city, La Lola, is an obvious pick.

Address: 82 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Thanh Ward, D1
Opening Hours: Mon–Sun, 3PM–11PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalola_saigon/

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Hi, I’m Jovel Chan, a Singaporean food and drink blogger and F&B consultant📍Ho Chi Minh City.

Over the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of dining in more than 150+ restaurants across Vietnam and judging multiple competitions. Here, I share the industry through my eyes and I hope it inspires you to discover, learn and explore Vietnam’s exciting food and drink scene.