[Personal list]
Thao Dien is one of our favorite areas in Ho Chi Minh City, and its diverse food scene is a big part of its appeal.
In this expat hub, you’ll find dozens of dining options, from street food to high-end restaurants, offering everything from Asian to Western cuisine, all within walking distance. It’s a district where you’re sure to discover something you like, whether you’re a local or a foreigner.
In this article, we’ll share with you our favorite restaurants, categorized by their culinary styles. Our list includes both long-established venues and newer establishments that opened post-Covid-19.
Please keep in mind that this is a personal selection. Even though we had lived there for a few years, and later also spent weeks there during our annual HCMC visits, we still haven’t had the chance to try every restaurant in the area.
*All pictures in this article were taken by us.
1. Traditional-Contemporary Vietnamese Cuisine: Madame Lam
We’ve tried many upscale Vietnamese restaurants in Thao Dien, and this is currently our top pick if you are looking for traditional Vietnamese cuisine with a contemporary twist.
You can find our full impressions in our detailed review of Madame Lam.
We like:
- Great food that goes beyond typical foreigner-pleasing options and offers a sophisticated take on Vietnamese classics.
- A diverse selection of drinks, especially the signature cocktails, which can be enjoyed on their own or paired with food.
- A beautiful, elegant, quiet, and relaxing space
- Attentive and professional service
Practical Info:
- Address: 10 Trần Ngọc Diện, Thảo Điền, TP Thủ Đức, HCMC
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KmRBmoFceYz1645Y8
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadameLamRestaurant
Read more: Madame Lam – Vietnamese Contemporary Cuisine- HCMC
2. Creative Vietnamese Cuisine: An’s Saigon
Vietnamese cuisine is gradually making its mark in the fine dining segment, an area once dominated by foreign chefs.
This shift has become more pronounced since the Michelin Guide’s debut in Vietnam last year.
An’s Saigon is one of the new faces embodying this promising change. The chef behind it is Cường Nguyễn, who previously served as sous chef at Annan Saigon (One Star Michelin) under Peter Cường Franklin.
The central feature of An’s is an exclusive set menu, served in a private setting by the chef to no more than eight guests.
Additionally, the restaurant offers a more affordable à la carte menu. That’s what we tried, and we were not disappointed, making us eager to one day try their exclusive set menu.
We like:
- Great upscale Vietnamese cuisine (although we have only tried the à la carte)
- Beautiful and relaxing space in a private villa
- Professional and enthusiastic service
Practical info:
- Address: 5A Tống Hữu Định, Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức, HCMC
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BvcFc6GHF9iCqbqZ6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ans.saigon
*If you’re interested in Vietnamese fine dining, make sure to check out our review of Chapter Dining and Grill in Hanoi.
More: Michelin Guide: An opinion on the first awards given in Vietnam
3. Classic French Cuisine: La Villa
The French community in Vietnam has always had a strong presence in the “foreign food scene”.
As a French, among all the French restaurants in Thao Dien, I had to recommend one that truly embodies French gastronomy, it would be La Villa.
Founded in 2008, this place remains our top choice whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion with French flair or simply want to discover what a ‘true’ upscale French dining experience is like.
Prices are clearly on the higher end compared to other Western restaurants in the area, but I personally believe that you’ll get a better value-for-price experience here than at many restaurants of this level in France.
We like:
- A true French Dining experience
- An institution in Saigon that stood the test of the time
- The cheese cart 🥰!
Practical Info:
- Address: 14 Ngô Quang Huy, Thảo Điền, Thành Phố Thủ Đức, HCMC
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PV19hH2pThmV714a6
- Website: https://lavilla-restaurant.com.vn/
You should also know that Thierry Mounon, the Chef behind La Villa, launched a more casual concept in 2022 in Thao Dien named La Fontaine (170 Nguyen Van Huong), focusing on iconic French bistro dishes.
Other French Restaurants we recommend:
3G Trois Gourmands – 39 Trần Ngọc Diện
Les Trois Gourmands is an excellent alternative to La Villa. You won’t be disappointed if you visit seeking a genuine upscale French dining experience.
To be completely honest, if we started this section with La Villa and not les Trois Gourmands, it’s because we visited there more recently and our memories are fresher. We do hold excellent memories of Les Trois Gourmands, although it’s been a while since our last visit.
P’ti Saigon – 52 Ngô Quang Huy
Opened by Sakal Pheoung, the French chef behind the renowned Le Corto in District 1, this place has quickly gained recognition since its opening a few years ago.
We found their set lunch to be of great value, but we have not yet tried their dinner.
La Plancha – 25 Trần Ngọc Diện
La Plancha is a more casual venue that focuses on cuisine from the south of France. This place has been a popular spot for years among French expats including us, thanks to its good value and the charismatic owner, despite little to no marketing effort.
4. Italian Cuisine: Terraviva Pizza & Italian Cuisine
Thao Dien also offers a variety of Italian dining options, ranging from budget-friendly to upscale. Currently, Terraviva Pizza & Italian Cuisine is our top choice for casual Italian dining, especially for pizzas and pastas.
If La Plancha, mentioned earlier, is known as a “meeting spot” for the French community in Thao Dien, then Terraviva seems to play a similar role for Italians living in District 2, which reinforced our impression that their food is genuinely authentic.
The only downside of this restaurant is its location in An Phú Ward, slightly outside the heart of Thao Dien.
We like:
- The perfect place to satisfy your craving for pasta and/or pizza.
Practical info:
- Address: , 2C Đặng Tiến Đông, An Phú, District 2, HCMC
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6zPMf9s9CJTB3Z3N6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terravivapizza
💡To be noted : the restaurant has a second branch in District 1 at 194 Lê Thánh Tôn Street.
Other Italian restaurant recommendation:
Antica Modern Italian Cuisine – Street 39/No 1 Ward, Thảo Điền
Italian cuisine cannot be reduced to just pizzas, so we were glad to see Antica open in the charming villa that previously housed the Vintage Emporium.
You won’t find pizzas on their menu, but there’s a good variety of appetizers, meats, and, of course, specialty pastas. From our visit, the Carré di Maiale, a dry-aged Iberian pork chop, made the best impression. We are planning to return to try more dishes and maybe provide a fuller review.
*If you like Italian Food you should also check out the review of one our favorite Italian restaurants in Hanoi: DragonCello
5. Creative Asian Fusion Food: Okra FoodBar
As food lovers, we always want to try as many new places as possible, especially when traveling.
However, during our last trip to Saigon, which lasted over two weeks, there was one restaurant we returned to twice – Okra Food Bar, and there is a very good reason for that! We have explained all of that in a detailed review about the place here.
We like:
- Unique and creative fusion cuisine not centered around meat (seafood and vegetables shine in many of their plates.)
- A space that is both cozy and vibrant
- A large selection of drinks ranging from craft beers, cocktails to wines.
- Happy hour from 5:30 to 7:00 PM daily: 30% off alcoholic drinks by the glass (excluding signature cocktails)
Practical Info:
- Address: 2 Đ. Lê Văn Miến, Thảo Điền, TP Thủ Đức, HCMC
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VYBxfEc6oEFNTNYN7
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OKRAFoodBarThaoDien
Read more: OKRA FoodBar – Creative Comfort Food in Thảo Điền
*Do you like Okra? You should check out our review of another favorite fusion restaurant of ours in District 1. Elgin Saigon
6. Ramen: Danbo Ramen
Whenever we crave traditional Japanese ramen, Danbo is our go-to choice. It is the oldest ramen shop in Thao Dien. Despite the emergence of many new ramen restaurants here in recent years, Danbo remains a strong favorite.
They also have an even older branch in D1’s Japantown, on Thai Van Lung st.
We like:
- Authentic, delicious Japanese ramen (typically strong for many foreingers’ palate; if you prefer lighter flavors, please inform the staff)
- Reasonably priced with several good combo deals
- Central location both in Thao Dien and D1
Practical Info:
- Address: 8a/7b1 Thái Văn Lung, Q1 / 64B3 Xuân Thủy, Thảo Điền, HCMC
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/q1nXg6Wmn8CvqmLQ7 và https://maps.app.goo.gl/wuKAPcHVns9ziFMC6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramendanbo.hochiminh và https://www.facebook.com/ramendanbo2
7. Vegetarian: Chay Garden
Thao Dien offers a wide selection of vegetarian restaurants, ranging from budget-friendly to upscale. If you’re looking for a vegetarian buffet that combines reasonable prices with a beautiful setting, high-quality food, and a diverse menu, Chay Garden is likely one of the best options.
They also have another branch in District 3, which was mentioned in the Michelin Guide under the Bib Gourmand category. Note that this branch is more centered around an à la carte and café concept.
We like:
- Delicious vegetarian buffet at reasonable prices, available for both lunch and dinner
- Beautiful, spacious, and green space
Practical Info:
- Address: 52 Võ Văn Tần, Q3 & 52 Xuân Thủy, Thảo Điền, TP Thủ Đức, TPHCM
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/k2n3MgjCnxGrFFrq5 and https://maps.app.goo.gl/XBVdgRg7jVGE9AEQ6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChayGardenQuan3 and https://www.facebook.com/ChayGardenThaoDien
8. Healthy brunch: Soma Saigon
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning our favorite brunch spot.
Soma Saigon is a popular hangout for the digital nomad community, fitness and yoga enthusiasts, and creative professionals in Thao Dien. (I didn’t use the word ‘hipster’ 😅).
On top of that, with its open design featuring abundant greenery and colorful murals, Soma often makes us feel like we’re in Bali!
One of our favorite dishes here is the Dill Pesto Udon. In the evenings, the place transforms into a lively bar, hosting various events.
We like:
- Delicious and healthy brunch menu
- Bright and airy space, with both indoor and outdoor seating
- Relaxed atmosphere
Practical info:
- Địa chỉ: 6 Đ. Lê Văn Miến, Thảo Điền, TP Thủ Đức, TPHCM
- Bản đồ: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NJkMn7FYv1ZnUAhs8
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SomaSaigon
Other various recommendations
We tried to keep this list as short as we could but there still a few places we would like to mention:
Mediterranean / Tapas: Lubu
As another longstanding name in Thao Dien, the quality of the food here is always reliable. Friday night is the perfect time to visit: with all tapas at a 50% discount. Just make sure to book a table in advance!
Wine enthusiasts will also appreciate their wine list.
Sweets (cupcakes in particular): Sweet & Sour
Thao Dien is home to many bakeries with beautiful, stylish spaces perfect for social media check-ins. However, Huong has remained a loyal customer of this simpler shop for nearly a decade. The red velvet cupcake here is one of the best she has ever had.
Kem Ý Gelato: Ralf’s Artisan Gelato
Whenever we crave ice cream, our go-to choice is always artisanal gelato rather than the mass-produced brands with high sugar content and other unhealthy ingredients.
Ralf’s in Saigon has been our favorite ice cream spot for the past seven years.
This list is entirely based on personal preferences. We haven’t yet tried some of the newer spots in Thao Dien, but we will update this article after our next visit.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in Thao Dien? Please share it with us!
Read more: Our Top 7 favorite bars in Thao Dien – HCMC
2 Comments
This article is completely out of date!!! It is only a copy/paste of dofferent articles that are nomore valid.
As an exemple, you talk about Gil from 3G Trois Gourmands restaurant that passed away more 8 years ago!…
Very serious!
Hello,
We appreciate feedback, especially when it helps us correct mistakes.
That being said, I’m not sure why you believe this article is a copy-paste of different sources. We visited all the places ourselves, and all the photos were taken by us! The article was written just a few months ago, and as far as we know, the only update is the closure of La Poissonnerie, which we have mentioned. Regarding Les Trois Gourmands, I was unaware that Gil had passed away, but the restaurant is still open and was even selected in the Michelin Guide!