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

This month brings the long-awaited opening of Kirk Westaway’s new venture in M Gallery, an exciting project from the 2-star chef behind JAAN by Kirk Westaway in Singapore, nearly two years in the making. It also sees debut concepts from beloved chefs in Vietnam, like Upstairs by Chef Hiep and Nephele by Chef Francis Tran.

Plus, Saigon’s dining scene wouldn’t be complete without our favorite family-run spots and speciality gems dedicated to serving up just one thing. Another month, another batch of fantastic eats hitting the city. Happy dining, Saigon!

Credit: M Gallery

Albion by Kirk Westaway

Chef Kirk Westaway of Michelin-starred Jaan in Singapore is launching his first casual dining restaurant, The Albion by Kirk Westaway, in Ho Chi Minh City. Opening on November 2, the restaurant is located on the 23rd floor of Hotel des Arts Saigon – MGallery Collection and offers stunning city skyline views alongside Westaway’s "Modern British" cuisine.
The Albion reflects Westaway's pride in British heritage, blending tradition with his innovative approach to food. 

The 60-seat space features a mix of antique and modern décor, including a historic British bar as its centrepiece. Westaway is excited to bring British cuisine to Vietnam, a country he’s admired for its rich culture and vibrant food scene. The menu will highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including organic produce from Dalat and premium seafood from Japan. Or, for a more affordable option, diners can enjoy Albion's à la carte menu. For Westaway, "Vietnam presents an exciting opportunity for the casual concept I’ve long been wanting to create". 

• Address: 23rd floor of Hôtel des Arts Saigon, 76-78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3

• Opening hours: 5:30PM – 11:30 PM (closed on Sundays)

• Facebook page: https://www.hoteldesartssaigon.com/restaurants-bars/the-albion-restaurant-2/

Credit: Da Dining

Dạ 夜 Dining

Dạ 夜 Dining, from the team behind CoCo Saigon, is a moody, cinematic hideaway led by Vicky Lam and her all-star crew. Step through a narrow chinoiserie-blue corridor and tea-tinted glass door, and you’ll find a lush ‘theatre’ where Chinese cuisine gets a bold Western remix.

Chef Sơn Nguyễn, known for The Other Place, makes his comeback with eclectic dishes infused with Chinese flavours like ‘The Youtiao’—crispy fried dough sticks with Cashew ‘pâté’ and Sichuan satay—and ‘Chilli Crab Noodles’ with flower crab and Tobiko. The menu draws from Cantonese roots and Sichuan flavours, inspired by Vicky’s childhood and a trip to Temple House, where she and Sơn fell for Sichuan cuisine. So yeah, this isn’t your grandma’s Chinese restaurant.

Pair it all with expertly crafted cocktails from Đạt Nguyễn, the man behind Yugen and Rabbit Hole and we have a winner. From Thursday to Saturday, Bush Lâm’s curated performances crank up the vibe, with panoramic skyline views setting the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night.

• Address: Level 26th, Centec Tower, 72 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, District 3

• Opening hours: 6pm to 11pm, closed on Mondays

• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dadining.sgn

Credit: Upstairs

Upstairs

From the talented team behind Little Bear (a MICHELIN Selected restaurant led by Chef Nhat Duy, MICHELIN Vietnam's Rising Chef of the Year), along with Gia (one-star) in Hanoi and Seroja (one-star) in Singapore—thanks to F&B visionary Long Tran—comes the Upstairs Tasting Room, located just above Little Bear in Saigon. 

With its sights set on being a standout in the city's dining scene, this cozy space features just 10 seats, a chef’s counter for one, and three private dining rooms with a total of 12 seats. To top it off, there’s a wine cellar right in the dining room. Here, Chef Hiep serves modern Vietnamese cuisine through a tasting menu in a sophisticated setting. Expect inventive dishes that blend Vietnamese staples with Chef Hiep’s creative flair, honed through years of experience in renowned kitchens.

• Address: 36 Nguyễn Bá Huân, Thảo Điền, District 2

Credit: Nephele

Nephele

Nephele, the much-talked-about new spot by Chef Thuan Tran, is already the talk of the town amongst Saigon's coterie of fine dining lovers. Francis, previously the head chef at the award-winning Esta Saigon and Vietcetera’s Chef of the Year (2023), has quite the underdog story. He started as a dishwasher and food shipper back in 2010, slowly working his way through some of Saigon's best kitchens, from La Villa to MAD House, Quince Saigon and of course, the award-winning Esta.

Now, Francis is taking his talents to Nephele, a cosy spot tucked inside a renovated French-style house in District 3. The vibe is intimate and relaxed, with a wabi-sabi minimalist design. The food? Modern French dishes with a bold Vietnamese twist. His charcoal-based pita sauce has already become a favourite and let's just say the rest has clear Michelin potential, but what really stands out is the hospitality—it feels like you’re dining at a friend’s house (if that friend is an award-winning chef!)

• Address: 125/12 Nguyen Cuu Van Street, Ward 17, Binh Thanh

• Opening hours: 6pm to 11pm, closed on Sundays

• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nephele.sgn

Credit: Lupin Bistro et Vins

Lupin Bistrot et Vins 

Lupin is the cheeky new French bistro by the crew behind Tomatito and Bandido, and they’re serving up all the French charm with a side of playful Saigon flair. Tucked into a quiet street in Thao Dien, Lupin feels like a little slice of Paris, where the “joie de vivre” is as much a main course as the food. The rotisserie chicken is already the talk of the town—juicy, perfectly seasoned, and straight-up divine. And the wine? Handpicked by Gilles, who knows a thing or two about getting you the perfect pour.

The vibe is fun, a little fancy, but totally relaxed. With friendly staff, a cosy atmosphere, and a menu filled with French hits like artichoke salad and profiteroles (yes, please), it’s no surprise locals are already obsessed. Lupin is the kind of place you can pop in for a glass of wine and end up staying for the whole evening. This spot is just getting started, but trust—it’s already got the magic to become a Thao Dien fave.

• Address: 17 Nguyễn Cừ, Thảo Điền, 2, Thu Duc

• Opening hours: 530pm to 11pm

• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561569118192

Credit: Musubitei

Musubitei

If you’re in Thao Dien and craving some seriously delicious homemade Onigiri, you’ve gotta check out this new spot that’s already a go-to favourite for chefs, Saigon’s Japanese food lovers and well, us (of course).

Stylish interiors that vibe like a chic bar, complete with shelves of fancy bottles that make you feel like you’re in for a treat—who knows if they’re only serving this magic at night, but I won’t be surprised. With Japanese staff on hand and Vietnamese staff fluent in Japanese, you know you’re in good hands. This place has only been open for a few weeks, but they’re already whipping out delivery, take-out, and even electronic and paper menus—talk about efficiency! Plus, they have separate menus for day and night, which is pretty cool. 

Now, let’s talk about the food: the Onigiri rice balls are fluffy and delicious, and I tried the plum and salmon—both are must-haves! They've got a solid selection of snacks to enjoy while you sip on some beer, even in the morning. And don’t worry about parking; there’s bike space right in front. With comfy table seats and a combo lunch option that includes rice balls and fried chicken, it’s kid-friendly, too.

• Address: 14E Đ. Quốc Hương, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh

• Opening hours: 7 AM–11 PM

• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/おむすび専門店-MUSUBITEI-結亭-Thao-Dien/61565498549151/

Credit: Mandulia

Mandulia

Tucked away in the backstreets of Thao Dien, Mandulia is a hidden gem for Korean-Chinese grub, and trust me, you don’t want to miss it. This family-run spot is by a fabulous husband-and-wife duo who whip up some of the best homemade dumplings around. You can pick how you want them cooked—steamed or pan-fried—and get ready to dunk them in sauces that range from spicy Mala to sweet and sour. And the fillings? Oh, they’ve got you covered with options like pork and chives, chicken and shrimp, and more.

But, the dumplings aren’t the only stars here. The Mapo Tofu is a must-try, and if you’re feeling nostalgic, their Shredded Pork with Pickled Veggies and Rice will hit the spot. Don’t sleep on the Tomato with Egg, either—it sounds simple, but it’s pure comfort food gold. And if you’re feeling hungry, get the Kung Pao Chicken and Eggplant, they won’t steer you wrong.

The best part? The more-than-decent prices. Expect to drop around 100,000 to 150,000 VND per person for a home-cooked meal, and beers are only 40,000 VND a bottle. Seriously, a steal for what it is. 

• Address: 32 Trúc Đường, Thảo Điền, District 2

• Opening hours: 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9 PM

• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Mandulia-61557521357658/

Credit: Home Bar - Là Nhà

Home Bar - Là Nhà

Home Bar - Là Nhà, nestled in the ever-quirky Pham Viet Chanh (aka “Little Japan”), is the latest spot giving off serious “just like home” vibes. This actual house-turned-bar is warm and inviting, with a Wabi-sabi twist that blends vintage Vietnamese charm with cool industrial touches—perfectly photogenic yet laid-back.

Known for their “no-name” cocktails, each drink here is ordered by its key ingredients, so you might end up sipping on a tamarind whiskey sour or passionfruit gin fizz. The bites? Unpretentiously snackable, with Vietnamese-inspired tapas that make perfect drinking partners. Co-founder Katie, a low-key drink industry legend, says it best: “It’s a house, so you can do anything here—just don’t burn it.” She’s backed up by An, who swaps his banking and fitness day job to run the bar at night.

On any given day, you might find miso soup or Vietnamese fish balls served up, giving Home Bar that cozy, “snacks at home” vibe. For an easy, refreshing choice, we recommend the Shiso cocktail. At 200k-250k per drink, Home Bar is not just a bar—it’s your new favourite hangout in the heart of Saigon.

• Address: 40/25 Pham Viet Chanh Street, Ward 19, Binh Thanh District

• Opening hours: 6pm to 2am

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Home-Bar-Là-Nhà/61566746635035/

Hungry for more? Check out my tried-and-tested guide to the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Featured Articles

Follow me on Instagram