14 Best Restaurants in The South-Central Coasts and Highlands, Vietnam

What began as a modest seafood restaurant is now a bustling three-story eating emporium that's jam-packed on weekends with tourists from Ho Chi Minh City who come to Mui Ne to feast on fresh seafood. To order, head out front to the buckets of prawn, fish, clams, and other sea critters and make your selection (price is by weight), then choose how you want it cooked (steamed, grilled, stir-fry, hotpot). There is also an à la carte English menu.

True to its motto of “Eat, drink, relax, be happy,” this is the place to eat and hang out in Mui Ne. Order from any of the eateries, from seafood hotpot and sausage platters, to Hungarian goulash and fish tacos, underneath swaying palms with sweeping views of the water. The open-air space is family-friendly during the day, before the on-site Nirvana Beach Club cranks up the tunes at night.

If you're looking for a change of scenery away from Mui Ne's main strip, head up the hill to Cargo Remote, and enjoy salads, burgers, pastas, and other casual Western dishes in a modern space made from industrial metal and bamboo.

The small, romantic restaurant inside boutique Cham Villas Resort adds an extra touch of class to Mui Ne. Overseen by the German owner, who also runs Ratinger-Lowe Restaurant, the kitchen serves a range of Vietnamese dishes, such as beef-and-prawn skewers and spicy lemongrass beef served with fried thien ly flowers, as well as international options if your heart desires.

A Mui Ne favorite, El Latino serves up homemade Mexican and Tex-Mex with a very chill vibe. Warm and cozy with exposed brick, fun painted murals, and loads of color, the kitchen nevertheless takes its food seriously, making fresh tortillas, breads, and brownies to accompany the mainly slow-cooked meats that will melt in your mouth. Check their Facebook for events, such as live music on Friday or Saturday night.

This long-standing Indian restaurant serves delicious North Indian and tandoori dishes, with large naan bread. Located in the heart of Mui Ne's tourist strip, Ganesh offers a break from Vietnamese cuisine.

A staple in Mui Ne for live music, Western food, and draft beers, the café's cavernous property is located right on the seashore in the heart of the strip. Filled with greenery and dappled sunlight, Joe's is open from early morning until late, so enjoy a sea-view breakfast or hang out when there's live music at night.

Almost exclusively using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Lang Viet's menu highlights Vietnam’s regional culinary diversity with the best dishes from three regions, North, Central, and South. It's a journey through Vietnam via your palate.

This Franco-Swiss-owned resto-bar serves great European staples including raclette and Swiss fondue, as well as steak served on a hot stone in a contemporary setting on the main strip. Sip wine and nibble on a cheese or charcuterie platter in the fan-cooled space backed by a jazzy soundtrack.

The customizable poke bowls are loaded with fresh seafood and other toppings at this simple but cheerful joint, which also has smoothie bowls and delivery service.

Once the in-house restaurant at Cham Villas Resort, Ratinger Lowe's traditional German fare became so popular it had to move to larger premises on the street. The owner, hailing from Ratingen, oversees a bountiful menu of German specialties (including bratwurst and wiener schnitzel, of course) as a well as a selection of international and Vietnamese hits.

Inside Sailing Club Resort Mui Ne, in a high-ceiling Balinese-style pavilion overlooking the sea, Sandals has long been considered one of Mui Ne's best dining options even if you're not staying there. The menu is diverse, with everything from lighter poke bowls and seared tuna salad, to heartier dishes from the grill.

Sindbad's short and sweet menu of fresh, tasty kebabs, salads, and dips is widely celebrated in the area. The staff is friendly, and the service is generally quick.

Sunsea Resort's small oceanfront restaurant, Sukhothai, serves authentic Thai favorites, including som tam papaya salad, chicken laab, and a range of delicious curries.