1. NHÀ HÀNG NGON (160 PASTEUR STREET)
This restaurant is very famous in the city for years for its authentic dishes. The best way to order is to wander around the colonial villa to have a look how local people cook specialties all over Vietnam. The restaurant is crowded all the time from the morning to late evening. For dinner, make sure you can get there before 8pm otherwise there are not many of options.
2. BARBECUE GARDEN (135A NAM KÌ KHỞI NGHĨA STREET, Q1)
A charming leafy outdoor terrace area lit up by fairy lights plays host to one of downtown’s most popular and alluring eateries. It’s a DIY barbecue on the table affair. A perfect place for dinner! Beef with cheese and prawns with pepper & chilly are worth a try. Variety of hot pot with tasty broths can satisfy any hot pot lovers!
3. PHỞ 2000 (1-3 PHAN CHU TRINH, Q1)
It has a slogan “phở for the president” thanks to the US president Bill Clinton who enjoyed Phở, the most Vietnamese favorite noodles at this restaurant. You can find Clinton’s photos hung on the wall. This restaurant not only brings you bowls of Phở, but also offers you the best deep fried prawn spring rolls in the city.
4. HOA TÚC (74/7 Hai Bà Trưng, Q1)
Beautiful contemporary Vietnamese dishes are served at a nice outdoor terrace and pretty indoor decoration. Specialties include pink pomelo squid & crab salad, mustard leaf prawn rolls, fishcake wraps and barbecue chicken in ginger, onions and a lime leaf marinade.