4 Best Restaurants in Side Trips from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

A visit to Con Son isn't complete without a meal at Thu Ba. Chef Thu Ba works her magic in the kitchen while her daughter Thuy works the guests in the homey front section, recommending dishes from the extensive menu full of Vietnamese seafood, pork, and beef dishes (the slipper lobster is highly recommended). Western and Vietnamese options are available for breakfast and Thu Ba can also prepare picnics for hikers and campers.

Banh khot (tiny rice flour pancakes topped with shrimp that you wrap in baby mustard leaves) is Vung Tau's signature dish and locals rate Banh Khot Goc Vu Sua as the best in class. This is simple, inexpensive, and 100% delicious local street food—and adventurous foodies will enjoy the whole banh khot experience, sitting on tiny chairs in a big tin shed that fills with smoke every time a new batch is cooked.

Half a block north from the market, this bright, fan-cooled café has a rustic chic style featuring driftwood, rope, hessian, and a pool table. The menu is geared toward travelers, with pizza, burgers, and a small selection of Vietnamese dishes. The breakfast menu offers an extensive range of international breakfasts including the full English. There are regular barbecue nights and Vietnamese street food nights. Staffers are friendly and are happy for guests to stay until the wee hours.