14 Best Restaurants in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

A devilishly themed cocktail bar hidden deep down a local alley, The Heo Bistro not only expertly crafts classic and signature cocktails, but their kitchen also serves delicious bistro snacks, salads, and pastas.

Pizza, burgers, pastas, salads, and fish-and-chips are just some of the tasty bar food available day and night at this chilled-out, cheerful restaurant on the east coast—worth the drive if you want to hangout and enjoy the breezy space that includes a large deck, minigolf, swimming pool, petanque court, and pool table. Hosts Rory and Yoon preside over the café/bar, which has a genuinely welcoming atmosphere and fabulous vantage over the ocean.

At Cassia Cottage Resort's in-house restaurant, whether you choose to dine beside a lily-filled pond in the manicured tropical garden, by the pool, or right on the beach, expect delicious Vietnamese and Mediterranean cuisine using fresh local produce. This is a great option for a special romantic evening that won't break the bank.

The in-house restaurant at this friendly eco-lodge serves fresh local seafood, vegetarian dishes, and lau (hotpots), which will be paired with a terrific view. Don't miss the house specialty, tempura shrimp, or book a beach barbecue for two. It's wise to make a reservation, as the restaurant's capacity is limited.

A basic, often busy joint designed for Vietnamese family-style eating, ordering different meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes to share, the house specialty is com ca kho to (catfish in claypot) and sweet-and-sour soup with catfish or shrimp. The service can be hit or miss when busy.

For years this French restaurant was the finest dining in Can Tho. While the city has grown-up considerably, L'Escale still boasts the best rooftop terrace; try to snag a table at the front overlooking the riverfront promenade. The specialty is steak, but the menu has chicken, duck, pork, or fish dishes as well, accompanied by a decent size list of wines by the bottle and jazzy tunes.

The newest restaurant on Can Tho's tourist strip has an intimate set up, comfortable furniture, and a coveted terrace on the ground and upper floor with views of bustling Ninh Kieu Pier. The menu is divided between European and Asian and both sections offer plenty of variety (try the chicken braised in coconut). There's also La Baguette, their grab-and-go on the side for quick sandwiches, drinks, coffee, or cake, which are baked on-site.

This lodge on the Mekong River proudly sources fresh local ingredients and happily accommodates vegetarians. The riverside location and lovely Mekong views are worth the effort to get here by boat or motorbike (the lodge cannot be reached by car). Mekong Lodge supports charities, including a school and a training center for disadvantaged locals. A meal here gives back to the community.

One of several ancient houses in the neighborhood, the house of district chief Tran Tuan Kiet was built in 1838, its 108 poles made from the wood of xylia xylocarpa trees. Beautiful carved furniture, some with mother-of-pearl inlays, doors carved with flowers and trees, ceramic pieces, and other antiques fill the house, which was restored in 2003 with financial and technical assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Its on-site restaurant is a popular stop for small group tours and serves a seven-course set menu of Mekong Delta cuisine, including deep-fried elephant ear fish.

A plain and simple restaurant associated with Cuu Long Hotel across the road, the main reason to come here is for the riverfront location. The menu has a range of standard Vietnamese dishes, including hotpot, and a few Western choices, though the staff don't mind if you grab a riverside seat for drinks rather than ordering a meal.

This cute little café has an Asian fusion menu that has a vegetarian section and a good selection of drinks, including Pasteur Street craft beer on tap and a sizeable menu for wine by the glass. Brunch is their forte, with delicious eggs Benedict, as well as homemade granola. The array of baked goods changes daily.

In a superb riverside setting inside Can Tho's beautiful old market hall, Sao Hom is one of the only restaurants on the water's edge (or on the water, if you manage to get a table on their dock). The menu seems stretched trying to please everyone with its range of made-for-tourist Vietnamese dishes, including the local version of cha gio (spring rolls), as well as Western favorites. But with friendly, polite staff and an interesting location beside busy Ninh Kieu boat pier, Sao Hom is a great place to pause and watch the river with drinks or snacks.

There are several chain-type dining outlets inside Vincom Xuan Khanh, a multilevel shopping mall and cinema adjacent to Sheraton Can Tho. Level 4 is where most of the eateries are, as well as an indoor kids' play center. Choices include Thai BBQ Buffet, GoGi House (Korean), Kichi-Kichi (Japanese), and dim sum/Chinese restaurant chain Crystal Jade Kitchen.

As you'd expect from a seaside town, Ha Tien has excellent seafood restaurants, most of which line the river. Vinh Map is a good place to tuck into fresh shrimp, squid, clams, sea snails, and oysters, which are usually sold by the kilo or half kilo. An English menu helps, but not as much as a bit of confidence and the ability to point at what you'd like to eat.