Top 15 Best Restaurants in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The best restaurants in District 1, Saigon — from authentic Vietnamese street food to fine dining, rooftop bars, and international cuisine.
District 1 is the beating heart of Ho Chi Minh City — home to the best hotels, most famous landmarks, and a dining scene ranging from plastic-stool pho joints to rooftop cocktail bars with panoramic city views.
Vietnamese Cuisine in District 1
🍜 Pho Hoa Pasteur (260C Pasteur) — One of Saigon's oldest pho restaurants, operating since 1960. Rich broth, generous portions.
🥢 Quan Bui Garden Restaurant (17A Ngo Van Nam) — Elevated Vietnamese cuisine in a beautiful colonial-era shophouse. Perfect for a special dinner.
🍛 Cuc Gach Quan (10 Dang Tat) — Rustic home-style cooking in a charming old villa. Signature: ca kho to (clay-pot fish) and green papaya salad.
Street Food Near Ben Thanh Market
🥖 Banh Mi 37 (37 Ngo Duc Ke) — Tiny stall, huge flavours. One of the best banh mi in District 1.
🍹 Sinh To (Fresh Fruit Smoothies) — Dozens of vendors around the market serve creamy avocado, mango, and jackfruit smoothies for 30,000–50,000 VND.
Rooftop Dining & City Views
🌃 Chill Skybar (AB Tower, 76 Le Lai) — One of Saigon's most iconic rooftop bars with 360-degree city views.
🌅 EON Heli Bar (52nd Floor, Bitexco Financial Tower) — Cocktails and views from the city's most recognizable skyscraper.
Dining Tips for District 1
💰 Budget meal: 40,000–80,000 VND at street stalls
💰 Mid-range: 150,000–400,000 VND/person
💰 Fine dining: from 800,000 VND/person
📌 Reserve popular restaurants for Friday and Saturday evenings.
📌 Many restaurants add 5–10% service charge — check the menu before ordering.
Frequently asked about Food & Dining
Quick answers to help you plan with confidence.
Choose busy stalls with high turnover, drink bottled or boiled water, and go easy on ice in very remote areas. Street food is a highlight—pho, bun cha, banh mi, and fresh spring rolls are usually fine at popular, clean spots.
Yes. Vietnam is very vegetarian-friendly, especially with Buddhist “com chay” restaurants. Tell vendors “không thịt” (no meat); note that fish sauce is common, so request “không nước mắm” if you are strictly vegetarian or vegan.
Start with pho, banh mi, fresh rolls (goi cuon), bun cha (Hanoi), cao lau (Hoi An), and bun bo Hue. In the south, try broken rice (com tam) and fresh seafood. Regional variations make each city worth tasting.
Cooking classes are excellent in Hoi An, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City—often including a market visit. Book highly rated operators; Morning Glory–style classes in Hoi An are among the most popular for visitors.
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated. Rounding up small bills, leaving 5–10% in nicer restaurants, or tipping guides and drivers for good service is common among international travellers.
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