Al Fresco’s
27 Dong Du, Q1 Tel: 3822 7317; 
21 Mac Dinh Chi, Q1 Tel: 3823 8427
To say that the food here is hearty is an understatement – the portions of ribs, steaks, burgers and burritos are downright challenging, and are well complemented by the salads and pasta dishes on offer. This laid-back Australian-themed restaurant also has a good selection of beers, cocktails and wines mixed with pleasant service and reasonable prices. 

Alibi
11 Thai Van Lung, Q1 Tel: 3822 3240
This restaurant/bar/lounge offers tapas and tasty international dishes with a Mediterranean twist. It also has a daily specials board and an extensive wine list. So you can sip on a sauvignon blanc while lapping up the eclectic, peach hued décor and comic-strip style pictures hanging on the wall.

Annam Coffee Lounge

16-18 Hai Ba Trung, Q1

Housing an upstairs charcuterie and café area, a wide selection of wine, coffee, sandwiches, baguettes, salads, cold cuts and cheese is available to satisfy any discerning appetite. Free Wi-Fi.

Au Parc

23 Han Thuyen, Q1 Tel: 3829 2772

Sells a varied selection of salads, sandwiches and other light dishes such as Moroccan chicken and moussaka. Noted for its excellent smoothies and juices. Has a special gourmet menu for dinner. 

Barbeque Garden
135A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Q1
Tel: 3823 3340
Popular and leafy outdoor barbeque restaurant with an extensive menu of grilled meat, hotpots, stir-fried dishes and seafood. Very centrally located with a relaxed atmosphere, like its sister restaurant, 3T Quan Nuong, the concept is simple.

Black Cat 
13 Phan Van Dat, Q1 Tel: 3829 2055
Parklands Country Club, 628A An Binh, An Phu, Q2 Tel 898 9837
480D Nguyen Thi Thap, Q7
Tiny but popular two-floor restaurant with iconic images of Saigon blown up and made into wallpaper. Serves up an excellent selection of western-style fare with a Vietnamese influence. Particularly popular is the extensive range of imaginatively named sandwiches and burgers, all with a decidedly cattish theme. Also has an outlet at the Parklands Country Club in An Phu and next door to Bike City in Saigon South.

Boat House
APSC Compound, 40 Lily Road, Q2
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Recently opened and overlooking the Saigon River, the menu here in this outdoor setting bar and restaurant is built around surf and turf. Lunch comprises of a healthy selection of soups, salads and sandwiches while dinner concentrates on top-end beef (from Australia and America), seafood and pastas. The décor is simple and attractive. 

Bonsai Cruises
Tel: 3910 5560 www.bonsaicruise.com.vn
Offers two-hour dinner and entertainment cruises down the Saigon River. Excellent buffet meals, a full bar with service and the general ambience a big cut above average. The boat can also be booked out for private parties where a range of food and beverage options are available. The boat leaves nightly from the same pier as the hydrofoil that goes to Vung Tau.

Brazil Churrascaria
56 Bui Thi Xuan, Q1 Tel: 3925 5258
www.nhahangbrazil.com
A meat-eater’s paradise, the name of the game here is the Churrascaria, a Brazilian form of barbecue that was developed in the cowboy and meat-producing areas of the Brazilian south. The meat comes skewered and grilled in 12 cuts, all served and sliced at the table by meat waiters, called passadors. Together with a salad buffet, this is a place to stuff yourself silly, all for VND330,000.

Bread & Butter
40/24 Pham Ngu Lao, Q1 Tel: 3836 8452
Very popular but miniscule hangout bar with an excellent Australian and American-style food menu. Lunches change weekly while dinner staples include the celebrated fish and chips and a selection of burgers. Very generous portions, reasonable prices and friendly service.

Byblos

11 Ngo Duc Ke, Q1

Tel: 3825 7781

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For a flavor of the Middle East, this restaurant doubles as a shisha lounge. The menu ranges from vegetarian, grilled meats, fresh seafood, Lebanese pastries and staples such as hummus, falafel, kebab, shawarma to fill your appetite. Also enjoy the taste of Ksara (Red, Rosé & White wines), one of the best vineries during Mesopotamia.

Elbow Room

52 Pasteur, Q1

Tel: 3821 4327

Located in the newly chic part of Pasteur Street, Tristan Ngo’s (of Skewers fame) Elbow Room is what a bistro should be- refined but unpretentious, hip but relaxed. This new restaurant is decked out in a tasteful blend of muted earth tones and exposed brick. While away a relaxed afternoon or evening over superb fare including Moroccan sea bass, gourmet burgers, wine braised short ribs or appetizers like goat cheese tart or deep fried calamari. Great wine selection.

Gia Dining Room

5A Nguyen Sieu, Q1 Tel: 3827 9399

Classy and elegant place with Eastern & Western-style menu for lunch and dinner. Offers full range of wines from France, Italy, America and Australia. Also does catering. Special place for business lunch or private events.

Halal Saigon

31 Dong Du

Tel: 3824 5823

Most of the halal food in Vietnam is Indian-themed. Halal Saigon sets out to create halal-ready Vietnamese classics, such as banh xeo and pho, along with other popular Malaysian and Indian dishes. Prices are very reasonable.

Hideaway Cafe
41/1 Pham Ngoc Thach, Q3
Tel: 3822 4222
Set in a secluded colonial era villa replete with an inside, leafy courtyard, Hideaway Cafe is exactly as its name suggests – a great place to escape to if you want some reprieve from the city. 

Jaspa’s
33 Dong Khoi, Q1 Tel: 3822 9926
A hip sibling of Al Fresco’s, the unbeatable combination of location, simple but attractive décor, comfort but tasty food and excellent value have made this an enduring expat favourite. The creative menu focuses on Australian-influenced, international fusion cuisine, with main courses starting at around VND120,000. Known for their excellent salt and pepper steaks with wasabi mash. 

Juice
49 Mac Thi Buoi, Q1 Tel: 3829 6900
Make-your-own sandwiches are a popular option, while salads, meat pies, mains and a very extensive juice and smoothie menu come in big portions. Three floors of bright, spacious, comfortable Wi-Fi-enabled dining space make for a very popular lunch and coffee spot.

La Cuisine
28B Ngo Van Nam, Q1
Tel: 2229 8882
Newly opened, the elegant and arty atmosphere of this bright and airy restaurant will make you feel at home. The open kitchen allows you to see the chef and his team pamper you with freshly prepared French Mediterranean cuisine. Offering take home sous-vide meals, La Cuisine provides tasty continental fare using quality ingredients at reasonable prices. Set lunches from US$12 to US$15.

La Habana
6 Cao Ba Quat, Q1
Tel: 3829 5180 
www.lahabana-saigon.com
Cuban-themed bar and restaurant selling a tasty range of Cuban and Spanish cuisine. The signature seafood-based paella goes for VND330,000 for two people and a big selection of tapas starts at VND40,000 each. Also has a small German menu featuring favourites such as curry wurst and Weiner schnitzel. Does excellent cocktails and three-course lunches, including a drink, go for VND150,000.

Little Manila Restaurant & Ba

S2-1 Hung Vuong 2, Phu My Hung, Q7

Tel: 5410 0812

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The only Filipino restaurant in Vietnam providing authentic cuisine from the Manila with locations in District 7 and one located in the food court of Eden Mall. The restaurant serves, delivers & caters.

Margherita
175/1 Pham Ngu Lao, Q1 
Tel: 3837 0760
Low-key family restaurant on a busy backpacker thoroughfare mixes a lived-in Italian décor with a cross-cultural menu that dabbles in Italian, Mexican and Vietnamese food. The pizzas are popular as are the convincing burritos and enchiladas. One of the best restaurants in the area.

Mekong Merchant
23 Thao Dien, Q2 Tel: 3744 6478
Ideally geared to suburban An Phu, this laid-back courtyard brasserie has a reputation for uncomplicated and consistently good international cuisine. There’s always something interesting on the specials menu and the casual ambience is perfect for a lengthy weekend brunch or for a long leisurely coffee. Good Wi-Fi connection.

Mogambo
50 Pasteur, Q1 Tel: 3825 1311 
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A stalwart of the past, Mogambo is one of the city’s longest running bars, with excellent American and Tex-Mex fare adding to the mix. Despite a recent relocation, though, little has changed. The dark bamboo panelling, booth-like seating and long wooden bar are still the hallmarks of this venue, as are the Savannah-esque images adorning the walls. The cuisine has also survived the wear and tear of time, with some of the best burgers and Tex-Mex in town. 

Nineteen
Ground floor, Caravelle Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square, Q1 Tel: 3823 4999
Great buffets draw daily crowds to this hotel restaurant. Streamlined décor and clean lines create a modern ambience that makes an excellent backdrop for the extensive range of cuisine. Presently regarded as one of the best buffet restaurants in town.

NYdC
235 Nguyen Van Cu, Q1
Tel: 3833 6933
www.nydc.com.sg
A Singaporean Franchisee, New York Dessert Cafe (NYDC) offers a menu built around pastas, sandwiches and delicious desert. The idea is to bring high-quality New York-style fare to Asia.

Pacharan
97 Hai Ba Trung, Q1 Tel: 3825 6024
There’s serious Galician chic to the four floors of this downtown eatery and bodegas, which has transformed Spanish cuisine in the city. Using authentic ingredients, the team here has put together a creative menu which includes sea bass, fillet of veal, a selection of paellas and a large range of tapas. Prices start from around VND50,000 for tapas and the wine list is Spanish-only. Also does live music on Wednesdays and drinks specials throughout the week.

Parkview
New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, Q1
Tel: 3822 8888
Newly renovated, the minimalist yet slightly kitsch décor here is designed to bring out the colours and ambiance of the restaurant’s lavish buffets. Served three times a day, with a number of alternative cooking stations, the cuisine runs the gamut from Chinese to Italian, sushi and seafood to creative salads, cold cuts and cheese plates to a range of desserts. Also boasts a pizza oven, an a la carte menu and an extensive wine list.

Pizza Hut
19 Le Thanh Ton, Q1 Tel: 3824 3718
Level 4, Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, Q1 
Tel: 3824 2856 
Citimart E-Town, 364 Cong Hoa, Tan Binh Tel: 3813 0602
www.pizzahut.vn
 
Qing
110 Pasteur, Q1
Best known as a polished wine bar offering a good range of old and new world wines, this appealing street-side venue offers a compact but interesting menu of excellent Asian fusion dishes with an emphasis on seafood. Particularly tasty are the Asian tapas.

Refinery
74/7C Hai Ba Trung, Q1 
Tel: 3823 0509
Everything is nicely judged in this casual and appealing brasserie-style restaurant tucked away in a quiet courtyard. With café-style, cane furniture in the leafy outdoor area and a cool, solid interior, the Parisian-style décor is matched by an excellent range of contemporary bistro cuisine. One of the most popular restaurants in town.

River Café
Riverside Apts, 53 Vo Truong Toan, Q2
Tel: 3744 4111
From the brains behind Skewers and Qing bar, this restaurant has proven itself to be a popular spot for all day dining. Great riverside location in An Phu and tasty cuisine. Serves all-day breakfasts with live jazz accompanied by a brunch buffet every Sunday.

Riverside Cafe
Renaissance Riverside, 8-15 Ton Duc Thang, Q1 
Tel: 3822 0033
Offers versatile all-day dining of international quality, with the bonus of being able to watch the action on the river sidewalk. Features western, Asian and Vietnamese buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus an ongoing roster of themed lunches in a fresh, elegant setting.

Rock Grill 
102 Cong Quynh, Q1 Tel: 5404 4848 
Try a different BBQ experience at RockGrill, where you see your slab of meat (lamb, beef, fish) cooked in front of your eyes on a heated volcanic rock. Also good selection of sanwiches, pastas and sides.

Sandals

93 Hai Ba Trung

Tel: 09 3734 5223

Sailing Club comes to Saigon in the form of Sandals Restaurant and Bar. The sleek , three-storey venue mixes browns, creams, wooden paneling for a relaxed atmosphere similar to their locations in Mui Ne and Nha Trang. Drinks are affordable and the menu has may great international and fusion dishes on offer. Top floor terrace is one of Saigon’s hot spots.

Scoozi
6 Thai Van Lung, Q1 Tel: 3823 5795
It’s all about pizza here, so it’s lucky that they’re on a par with anything else in the city. The expansive array of spicy and innovative options, all prepared in a wood-fired oven, will enthuse even the most jaded pizza aficionado. Prices from below VND100,000 and a bit more for hot options like the Vesuvio.

Skewers
9A Thai Van Lung, Q1
Tel: 3822 4798
www.skewers-restaurant.com
Attractive and cool Mediterranean restaurant where the extensive menu of classy but homey dishes mix simple grains, pasta and lettuce with sharp onion and garlic spices, and citrus and olive oil essences. Mains – think Moroccan-spiced sea bass or cumin-flavoured pork skewers – start at around US$8 and remain true to the ‘keep it simple’ theme of Mediterranean cuisine. The small cigar lounge upstairs is a great place for an after dinner cognac. Does delivery as well.

Stripes
62 Nguyen Duc Canh, Q7
Tel. 5412 0350
Located in Phu My Hung, Strips is a restaurant/bar which serves European cuisine and some Russian basics including beef goulash and specially prepared artichoke hearts. Warsteiner and Carlsberg on tap.

Texas BBQ
15/1 Le Thanh Ton, Q1 
Tel: 6291 0478 
Known for its BBQ and ferocious appetite, this restaurant mirrors the American state it gets its namesake from when it comes to portions. Burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs at its best. 

The Deck
33 Nguyen U Di, Q2 Tel: 3744 6632 
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A new addition to the area from the partners behind Mekong Merchant. Focused around a wooden-plank deck that stretches onto the Saigon River, this bar and restaurant offers fusion food like a tomato crab salad (VND95,000) or marinated tuna fresh spring rolls (VND120,000). Great location and fresh, airy décor.

Vasco’s
74/7D Hai Ba Trung, Q1 Tel: 3824 2888
The food arm of this well-known bar and nightspot sports a similar menu to its sister restaurant in District 2, Cafe Evita. With a downstairs eating area and upstairs terrace, the quality cafe fare includes wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, salads and more refined dishes such as tuna carpaccio. Reasonable prices. Now delivers.

Warda
71/7 Mac Thi Buoi, Q1 Tel: 3823 3822
Authentic Lebanese and Middle-Eastern cuisine is served up at this chic and richly colourful downtown venue selling everything from falafel and sambousah to lamb shank marinated in five spices. To fit in with the theme, hookas are also available to smoke. 

ZanZBar
41 Dong Du, Q1; 41 Vo Truong Toan, Q2
Eatery and bar with a growing reputation for the quality of its international fare, all served up with an imaginative twist. The wine list is extensive and the cocktails are of a high standard. The décor is slick and elegant and prices – although higher than average – are reasonable given the overall quality and ZanZBar’s two prime locations.

Zoom Cafe
169A De Tham, Q1
Pleasant street corner hangout with a penchant for Vespas and a great vantage point over the Tran Hung Dao/De Tham intersection. The excellent food menu sells western comfort food and pan-Asian cuisine at reasonable prices. Great breakfasts and probably the best burgers for their price in town. Arguably the best restaurant on De Tham.