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

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Aug 1

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, these new kids on the block are ready to shake things up—with some bite and a whole lot of soul.

Fortune Ivy

Fortune Ivy calls itself a Chinese snack bar, but that barely scratches the surface. At the entrance to Saigon’s buzzing Pham Viet Chanh, it has that grungy, European wine-bar-on-a-corner vibe—eat inside, then spill onto the curb and chat into the night.

Chef Mendy Hu, known for playful Chinese pop-ups and her legendary Biang Biang noodles, cooks only what she craves. The tight 8–10 dish menu delivers: noodles, Sichuan prawn & chive dumplings, marinated okra, and a peanut crème brûlée with coconut mochi. Specials change weekly and drinks are unfussy but spot-on: natural-leaning wines (180–270k a glass) and cocktails with names as fun as their flavors, like Ginger Snap or G & Tea (130–190k). Best part? Dinner for two runs 500–600k a head—you’ll leave full, happy, and plotting your return.

Address: 19R4, Đường Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Binh Thanh
Opening hours: 5pm til late (Closed on Monday)
Contact: https://www.instagram.com/fortune.ivysaigon/

Fellini

Fresh on the Thảo Điền scene, Fellini (The Italian Kitchen) is serving up simplicity, tradition, and just the right amount of cinematic romance. Think: the kind of food you wish your imaginary Italian nonna would make, but in a space with moody lighting, cozy corners, and wine that’s always ready to pour.

Early crowd crushes? The Spaghetti al Limone — sage-kissed lemon–butter perfection (155k), Burrata with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Pesto — creamy, herby, and straight-up sexy on grilled bread (289k), and a Tiramisu that’s already getting whispered about as the best in Thảo Điền (121k).

Starters cover everything from garlicky prawns to sweet melon with aged Parma ham, while the pasta lineup is pure carb seduction — from asparagus cream tagliatelle to a no-cream, guanciale-loaded carbonara that’s true to the Roman rulebook. Feeling extra? Go for the Fellini Burger: 180g beef patty, bacon, caramelized onions, arugula, Parmesan, and homemade sauce on toasted brioche (fries included, obviously). Drinks run from classic cocktails and limoncello spritzes (your one-way ticket to the Amalfi Coast) to wine, beer, and coffee. Starters go for 128k–218k, pastas from 150k–265k, mains 274k–320k, and desserts a sweet 99k–121k.

Address: 26B Thao Dien St, District 2
Opening hours: Mon–Sun, 11am–10.30pm
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/fellini.vn

RAW + Atelier

Wouldn’t it be nice to have one spot for… well, everything? Enter RAW + Atelier, the new double-duty gem from Jimmy Nguyen (Drinking & Healing) and Julia Doan (Floralpunk). Tucked in Ben Thanh Ward, this two-story hideout flips from cosy café to sleek cocktail bar without missing a beat.

By day, head to the second-floor café for espresso, Vietnamese coffee, matcha lattes, and mocktails (45k–75k). It’s all comfy-chic with great music, perfect for remote work or catch-ups. A new brunch menu is on the way, but until then, keep your caffeine close and your deadlines closer. Come evening, the third-floor cocktail bar turns things up. Sure, you can order a Martini or Bloody Mary—but why not go bold? Try the Holy Cheesy (gin, cheddar soya whey, soda, leftover brown soya cream, Angostura bitters) or the 20 Century, where cacao flirts with citrus. With award-winning bartenders, “basic” just isn’t on the menu.

Address: 97B Lý Tự Trọng, Ben Thanh, District 1
Opening Hours: 2nd Floor Café: 8am–12am, 3rd Floor Cocktail Bar: 6pm–2am
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RAW.Atelier

Saffran Iranian Restaurant

Authentic Persian food is a rare find in Saigon, making Saffran a welcome gem in Thảo Điền’s multicultural dining scene. Persian cuisine is a feast of vibrant colours and balanced flavours — fresh herbs, dried fruits, pomegranate molasses, lemon, and tiny tart barberries that add ruby-red pops of savoury tang.

Must-tries? The Khoresht Bademjun — tender braised lamb shank in smoky tomato-aubergine sauce with golden saffron rice — is a perfect intro for newcomers and a nostalgic comfort for seasoned fans. The Loubia Polo, a fragrant rice pilaf with spices, herbs, green beans, and fried onions, is deceptively simple but unforgettable. For dessert, their homemade saffron ice cream — hand-churned, creamy, and topped with pistachios — is pure luxury in a bowl.

For a little of everything, the Lunch Set (250k) offers starters, a main, dessert, and a drink, served on Saffran’s intimate rooftop kitchen. It’s available Tuesday to Sunday, and you can watch your meal being prepared before happily devouring it.

Address: 2nd Floor, 49E Quoc Huong, Thao Dien
Opening hours: Tues–Sun, 12pm–8pm
Facebook: http://www.instagram.com/saffran.saigon

ÚNU Cocktails & Eatery

Just a month after opening Ômm Mixology, the Amanaki crew is back with ÚNU Cocktails & Eatery, a sleek new spot inside the Anima Hotel where cocktails, food, and art collide.

Seven signature cocktails are inspired by artists whose works hang in the hotel’s rooms—think The Quốc Anh (Calvados, Bacardi Blanc, Banana Water, Yellow Miso) or The Phạm Xeen (Tanqueray Gin, Strawberry Shrubs, Tomato, Golden Berry). Other combos play with mango and ambarella, tangerine and lotus foam, bourbon and chocolate, even moscato and beer. Happy Hour runs daily 5–7pm with BOGO cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.

Food spans hearty loaded toasts with smoked salmon to sate noodles with char siu pork, plus lighter plates like grilled beef salad or mango sorbet with rice pudding. Lunch Deal (Tues–Sun, 11am–2pm) comes with a free drink, while Afternoon Tea (3–5pm) offers sweet and savoury bites for VND 250,000++ per person, complimentary for hotel guests.

Address: Floors G & M | 43-45 Hồ Tùng Mậu, District 1
Opening hours: Daily, 6:30am–11pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093093474548

Med - Non-Alcoholic Bar

In a city ruled by free-flow Ladies’ Nights, Med gives alcohol-free drinks their moment. Led by Saigon bar legend Dương Nguyễn (ex–Lady Triệu), it serves non-alcoholic cocktails so creative you might feel tipsy from the flavours alone.

The Non-Alcohol Collection features seasonal highlights like Winter’s blend of bamboo shoot, honey, beetroot, pineapple, jalapeño, garlic chili, Sichuan pepper, and orange. The Virgin Cocktail Collection reimagines classics—such as the Highball Virgin with Vietnamese apple, pear, cinnamon, pandan, and smoked oak syrup—while The Way of Water impresses with creations like Wind Salty, mixing shiso vinegar orange, seafood lime soda, and soursop ice cream.

But the true showstopper is the bold Vietnamese Fusion Collection, inspired by phở bò, cá kho, thuốc lào, and giả cầy, layered with shrimp paste, peanut powder, pickled chili, and even alcohol-free tobacco liqueur. To pair, a light bites (50k–75k) menu that includes Vietnamese Tofu Salad, Bell Pepper with Masala Sauce, Braised Pork (Hong Kong Salty), and Tré Trộn—pigs’ ears tossed with herbs and chili.

Address: 45 Đ. Trần Hưng Đạo, Ben Thanh, District 1
Opening hours: 1030am to 11pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mednonalcohol

Tre Sorelle

Who doesn’t love gelato—especially when it’s made with real strawberries, rich Marou chocolate, and actual pistachios by a man who swapped his corporate job to train as a gelato scientist in Bologna? Meet Patrick, founder of Tres Sorelle, named after his three daughters—Moggir (small cup) after his youngest, Ash (large cup) after his eldest.

In leafy Thảo Điền, this neighborhood gem scoops 15 to 20 small-batch flavors daily, all natural and preservative-free. The lineup changes often—one day tropical mango lassi, the next a zesty basil lemon. Word on the street is the nutty-salty peanut is addictive, while pistachio gets crowned one of the creamiest in town. Other hits include matcha, Marou chocolate, and fresh strawberry—each tasting exactly like the real thing because, well, it is.

Upstairs, there’s even a cozy movie room for gelato-and-a-film nights, or you can grab yours to-go—or better yet, take home a whole tub.

Address: Shop 40, Lumière Riverside, 275 Võ Nguyên Giáp, An Phú
Opening Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 1pm to 9 pm
Facebook Page: https://www.instagram.com/tresorellegelato/

Bunz Smash Burger

Tucked away in District 2 near the Mega Market, Bunz Smash Burger is winning hearts with its lean, no-frills approach to the smash-burger craft—crispy-edged, juicy patties that deliver pure beefy goodness. Burgers start from just 160k, with options to size up if you’re feeling extra hungry, and word on the street is the portions hit that sweet spot between satisfying and indulgent.

Their hand-cut fries already have a cult following, but the truffle version takes things up a notch—rich, fragrant, and dangerously addictive. And while the burgers are the main draw, the shakes (strawberry, vanilla and chocolate) might just steal the show. Thick, creamy, and unapologetically indulgent, they’re the perfect finale (or sidekick, if you’re bold enough to sip while you bite).

With minimalist interiors, counter service, and a focus on doing the basics brilliantly, Bunz keeps it simple but delivers big—making it a must for anyone chasing that perfect smash-and-shake combo in Saigon.

Address: 7, 17 Street, An Phu An Khanh, Binh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm, Tuesday to Sunday (Closed on Mondays)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bunz.vn/

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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.