8 Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The name translates as opium poppy, and this chic little eatery is in a corner of the former La Manufacture d'Opium, the French-controlled opium refinery and warehouse. It offers contemporary Vietnamese cuisine with knockout flavors and a wine list that works with the local cuisine. The art deco interior is elegant, with wrought-iron chairs, cast-iron lamps, hand stenciling, and a leafy outdoor terrace. Standout dishes include mustard-leaf rolls; pink pomelo, squid, and crab salad; and soft shell crabs in green rice batter with passion fruit sauce. The kids' menu will also make mini foodies happy.

This American barbecue joint is wildly popular among locals, who love the tasty ribs, the craft beer, the cheeky menu, and the laid-back vibe. It was set up by an American, Australian, and French trio, who charm the local dining scene with shared plates, communal picnic-style tables, stripped-back surroundings, and reasonable prices. The most popular menu items are the ribs and the big, spicy Italian sausage, each including three sides. You can choose whether to eat with a knife and fork or chopsticks. A second outlet is at 47 Xuan Thuy in District 2.

One of the hippest eateries in town, the Racha Room serves up Asian-inspired fusion food as well as artisanal cocktails (prepared by a mixologist imported from Melbourne, Australia) in a small but groovy space, with exposed brick walls, graffiti art, and funky music. The place has proved a hit with locals, expats, and travelers alike for its bold flavors and overall grooviness, so reservations are recommended.

There's a great atmosphere as well as great food at District Federal, the only place in town with a Mexican chef cooking authentic Mexican cuisine with fresh, high-quality local ingredients. Don't miss the Mexican drinks, including tepache juice, horchata, and frozen margaritas. You can stop by for drinks only, but the food really should not be missed.

This friendly little bistro, a fixture in the city's dining scene for many years, wouldn't be out of place in New York. The Elbow Room serves hearty all-day breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and pastas.

A destination dining experience that's well worth the long journey out to the back lots of District 7, this restaurant produces Asian-inspired tapas platters in a hospitality supply showroom situated in an industrial zone. Don't miss the grilled pork chop glazed with soy and honey and the excellent duck confit.

With prints and paintings of old Saigon, this stylish bistro pays homage to its historic location within the former Manufacture d'Opium (built in 1881), yet the menu and the wine list are decidedly Continental. The Refinery's set lunch is great value, and its outdoor section is a great spot for a few sundowners. The menu often divides diners; some rave about the salads; and others the hearty mains. One of the few places in Ho Chi Minh City that does an authentic French steak frites.

Australian celebrity chef Luke Nguyen has given this longtime tourist-centric restaurant a new lease on life with an innovative "modern Vietnamese" menu and a stylish refit of the interior. The name, the central location, and the beautiful art deco building remain the same, but everything else is fresh and exciting.