8 Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The name translates to "poppy flower," 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. Hoa Tuc is popular with tour groups, so reservations are recommended, especially for lunch.

Serving contemporary Vietnamese cuisine in an intimate, elegant setting, Madame Lam feels like dining in the home of a well-traveled friend. Dishes showcase flavors from all over Vietnam with an innovative twist and gorgeous presentation. Don't miss the creative cocktails featuring Vietnamese flavors and local ingredients.

Authentic Italian cuisine in a dreamy space by the sea is what Mare offers, right in the middle of Sunset Town, which itself looks like it was lifted from the Amalfi Coast. The menu here is Mediterranean-focused with dishes like Iberico pork, homemade pasta, and a wonderfully spicy Spanish-style garlic shrimp. Several dishes are finished tableside like the rich tiramisu and the pasta carbonara, prepared in a wheel of Pecorino Romano. Aim to finish dinner slightly before 9:30 pm and head outside to watch the fireworks.

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.

There's a great atmosphere as well as great food at District Federal, helmed by a Mexican chef cooking authentic Mexican cuisine with fresh, high-quality local ingredients. Don't miss the fabulous 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 since 2009, wouldn't be out of place in New York. The Elbow Room serves hearty all-day breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and pastas.

With prints and paintings of old Saigon, this stylish bistro pays homage to its historic location within the former La 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 remake 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.