Best Restaurant you ate at in Vietnam (HCMC, Hue, or Hanoi)
May 7th, 2007, 01:48 PM
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Best Restaurant you ate at in Vietnam (HCMC, Hue, or Hanoi)
Hello,
What is the best sit-down restaurant at which you ate a meal in either HCMC, Hue or Hanoi? Given what I'm hearing about how cheap prices are in Vietnam, price is probably no object. My husband is celebrating a landmark "decade" birthday while on our vacation, and I'd like to suprise him with something fun, special or nice.
Thank you.
Robin
What is the best sit-down restaurant at which you ate a meal in either HCMC, Hue or Hanoi? Given what I'm hearing about how cheap prices are in Vietnam, price is probably no object. My husband is celebrating a landmark "decade" birthday while on our vacation, and I'd like to suprise him with something fun, special or nice.
Thank you.
Robin
May 7th, 2007, 03:35 PM
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The best "sit down" place was Club L'Opera in Hanoi. It's almost directly across the street from the Metropole. Their sister restaurants, Emperor was not as good. Another place to consider is Brother's Cafe, it has a fabulous buffet (this is from someone who avoids buffets) that includes grilled to order seafood and meats, as well as Pho stands and a huge assortment of hot and cold dishes. Located in the courtyard of a former monastary, it is very atmospheric. When we were there, it took no credit cards.
By the way, I found French wines very reasonably priced at restaurants in VN, unlike Thailand, where the wine prices are really high.
By the way, I found French wines very reasonably priced at restaurants in VN, unlike Thailand, where the wine prices are really high.
May 7th, 2007, 06:40 PM
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Saigon Cool (on Dong Khoi street) was my favorite restaurant in HCMC on my first visit in 2003. On my last visit last year, it was beginning to age, but the decor and food are still very good.
The food, as well as the beer, is surprisingly good at Hoavener Brewhouse, also in HCMC. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but fresh ale is something different.
For dessert, look out for Fanny's, in both HCMC and Hanoi. Great home made ice cream in exotic flavors (durian is in season now, so expect to find it on the menu).
The food, as well as the beer, is surprisingly good at Hoavener Brewhouse, also in HCMC. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but fresh ale is something different.
For dessert, look out for Fanny's, in both HCMC and Hanoi. Great home made ice cream in exotic flavors (durian is in season now, so expect to find it on the menu).
May 7th, 2007, 11:59 PM
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Can't remember the name, but it was down the side of the HCMC Renaissance Riverside (not on the river side, but the other side) and it was brilliant. Had a red and green neon sign.
It must be highly rated by the locals because it was always full of Vieynamese business men and their 'minders'! The food ws to die for. I ate there three nights in a row.
It must be highly rated by the locals because it was always full of Vieynamese business men and their 'minders'! The food ws to die for. I ate there three nights in a row.
May 8th, 2007, 04:33 AM
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HCMC - Reflections @ The Caravelle plus pre dinner drinks in Saigon Saigon the rooftop bar on the top floor.
Hue - The restaurant at La residence overlooking the river - also a great place to stay.
Hanoi - I cant remember where we ate except that we tried to eat twice in teh main restarant in the Metropole and experienced appalling service on both occasions - as this is a special occasion I would avoid it
Hue - The restaurant at La residence overlooking the river - also a great place to stay.
Hanoi - I cant remember where we ate except that we tried to eat twice in teh main restarant in the Metropole and experienced appalling service on both occasions - as this is a special occasion I would avoid it
May 8th, 2007, 10:34 AM
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In HCMC I can still taste the "fish in clay pot" I had in a restaurant called Lemongrass. Sorry I don't know the address. It was such a rich flavorful meal I went back and had the exact same thing the next day!! Yummie
J
J
May 8th, 2007, 10:51 AM
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Hanoi-
The Green Tangerine serves french/vietnamese fusion cusine in a rustic-chic old villa....we enjoyed a topclass meal with wine and the decor was very romantic (antiques, lanterns in the coutryard entrance).
Bobby Chin's- fun, trendy restaurant and bar. Very posh for Hanoi, but could have been in SoCal...still a fun place to drop in for a cocktail, right by the lake.
The Green Tangerine serves french/vietnamese fusion cusine in a rustic-chic old villa....we enjoyed a topclass meal with wine and the decor was very romantic (antiques, lanterns in the coutryard entrance).
Bobby Chin's- fun, trendy restaurant and bar. Very posh for Hanoi, but could have been in SoCal...still a fun place to drop in for a cocktail, right by the lake.
May 8th, 2007, 05:34 PM
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We ate at the Temple Club and Lemongrass in HCM City.they were both quite good, but the Temple Club was rather expensive...Also ate at Vietnam House and it was delicious....I am still trying to remember the restaurant we ate at in Hue that was very good!!!!
May 9th, 2007, 02:25 PM
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I agree that for an upscale meal Club L'Opera was excellent.We went there on Kathie's suggestion. We had a very expensive beer at the bar at Bobby Chinn's and decided against eating there. Ridiculous prices and sounded like boring food. We thought La Carambole in Hue was good, not really elegant though. We couldn't get into Lemongrass in HCMC, so book ahead if you want to go there. But this was Christmas and high season. So we went to Vietnam House. It was fine, but not as exciting as some of the holes in the walls that we also ate at.
May 15th, 2007, 09:01 PM
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We were in HCMC this past February, and had dinner at the following restaurants: Square One at The Hyatt, Nam Phan, Quan Ngon, Temple Club, Lemongrass, Hoi An, and Crystal Jade at The Legend. Of these, the one that I would choose for a special night would be Nam Phan.
Nam Phan is a renovated French colonial villa with a beautiful garden, located at 64 Le Than Ton St., one block from the Hyatt, owned by Huong Kai, who also owns the Khai Silk stores, reknown as much for the beautiful merchandise as for the decor.
The interior is stunning, spare asian minimalism. The garden, is a fairyland of fountains, candlelight, and lush plantings. If you are looking for a romantic dinner with good food, good service, and lovely ambience, this would be your best bet.
This restaurant was given a thumbs up by Noodlepie, a Saigon street food blogger, as well as "Johnny" Apple, the late New York Times food guru.
Reputedly, "the most expensive restaurant in town", our bill was $63 US, including 13% tax, for 2 starters, 2 mains, a glass of wine, and one beer.
By "sit down", if you are referring to non street food, then this will be a pleasant change from all the Banh, Bun, and Com Tam.
Nam Phan is a renovated French colonial villa with a beautiful garden, located at 64 Le Than Ton St., one block from the Hyatt, owned by Huong Kai, who also owns the Khai Silk stores, reknown as much for the beautiful merchandise as for the decor.
The interior is stunning, spare asian minimalism. The garden, is a fairyland of fountains, candlelight, and lush plantings. If you are looking for a romantic dinner with good food, good service, and lovely ambience, this would be your best bet.
This restaurant was given a thumbs up by Noodlepie, a Saigon street food blogger, as well as "Johnny" Apple, the late New York Times food guru.
Reputedly, "the most expensive restaurant in town", our bill was $63 US, including 13% tax, for 2 starters, 2 mains, a glass of wine, and one beer.
By "sit down", if you are referring to non street food, then this will be a pleasant change from all the Banh, Bun, and Com Tam.
May 15th, 2007, 10:48 PM
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I thought Nam Phan was just average. The decor is very nice, but found the food nothing special. Many other places with equally good/better food at lower prices. 1,000,000 VND is too much for dinner in HCMC. Just my opinion. Another pricey option if that's what you're looking for is Nam Kha, which is also owned by Kai (he owns another very good Chinese Restaurant in District 7 and is opening another fine dining restaurant there, as well as being the major financial backer of a new High End Shopping Mall just across the street). He must be selling a lot of silk!
