Saigon is one of the easiest cities in Asia to explore through food. Vietnamese cuisine may be at the heart of the city, but its dining scene has grown into something far more international, shaped by chefs, restaurateurs and communities bringing their own traditions to the table.

From Tibetan dumplings and Ethiopian stews to Basque small plates, contemporary Irish cooking and Japanese-Italian fusion, these restaurants offer a different way to experience Saigon: by travelling across cultures without leaving the city.

We continue to update this list as we discover new inspiring venues.

Om MoMo: Tibetan Comfort Food

Address: 11/2 Số 57, An Khánh, Hồ Chí Minh

Tibetan cuisine is still unusual in Saigon, which makes Om MoMo a particularly interesting discovery. The restaurant focuses on momos — Tibetan dumplings filled with meat or vegetables — alongside warm, home-style Himalayan dishes.

Momos are usually enjoyed with sauces and shared at the table, making them ideal for a relaxed meal with friends. The menu offers a welcome change from the city’s more familiar Asian cuisines, with warming flavours and a focus on comfort rather than elaborate presentation.

Yunka: The Meeting Point of Peru and Japan

Address: 80 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Nikkei cuisine grew from the meeting of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions, and Yunka brings this combination to the centre of Saigon.

Expect dishes that move between ceviche, sushi, yakitori and creative small plates, with bright Peruvian acidity meeting Japanese precision. Cocktails, sake and a lively atmosphere make Yunka a natural choice for an evening that moves easily from dinner into drinks.

Sara: Ethiopian Food and Coffee

Address: Tầng trệt căn B-00.01 Sadora, Mai Chí Thọ, Thành phố Thủ Đức, Hồ Chí Minh

At Sara Ethiopian, the meal is as much about sharing as it is about the food. Traditional dishes are served with injera, the soft fermented flatbread used both as a base and utensil.

The menu includes richly spiced stews such as doro wat, vegetarian combinations, tibs and shiro wat. Meals can finish with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, adding another layer to the experience.

For first-time visitors, Ethiopian food is an especially engaging cuisine to discover because it encourages everyone at the table to eat together, using injera to scoop up the different dishes.

Casinha: A Portuguese Little House

Address: 154 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu,Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh

Casinha means “little house” in Portuguese, and the restaurant presents itself as a traditional Portuguese bistro in Ho Chi Minh City.

Its menu includes classic dishes such as bacalhau à Brás, seafood and the restaurant’s own signature preparations. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, with homemade food designed to feel generous and familiar rather than formal.

Portuguese cuisine is particularly well suited to shared dining, thanks to its combination of seafood, salt cod, grilled meats, olive oil, garlic and comforting sauces.

CCCP: A Soviet-Style Canteen

Address: 48A Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Ho Chi Minh City

CCCP offers something different from a standard themed restaurant. Its canteen-style atmosphere and Eastern European menu create the feeling of stepping into another time and place.

The restaurant focuses on Russian, Ukrainian and broader Slavic flavours, with hearty dishes and an interior inspired by the Soviet era. It is as much a visual and atmospheric experience as a culinary one — a place where the setting gives context to the food.

Chevap: Balkan Flavours

Address: 222A01 Đường 64, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Thành phố, Ho Chi Minh City

Balkan cuisine is still relatively rare in Saigon, making Chevap an interesting stop for diners looking beyond the usual international options.

The food is built around grilled meats, fresh vegetables, flatbreads, rich sauces and bold seasoning. It is straightforward, generous and made for sharing — the kind of cuisine that works particularly well for a relaxed dinner with a group.

Éire: Ireland, Reimagined in Saigon

Address: 149 Tôn Thất Đạm, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh

Éire is not a standard Irish pub. The new District 1 eatery and bar brings Irish hospitality into a more contemporary, dinner-led setting, with a menu that places Irish cooking alongside Vietnamese ingredients and a lively programme of drinks and music.

The name comes from the Irish word for Ireland, while the concept is unmistakably local: Irish soul, shaped for Saigon. Expect recognisable comforts such as Irish stout stew, cottage pie and bangers and mash, alongside modern dishes and a strong drinks offering — including Guinness Draught on tap. It is a welcoming place to come for dinner, stay for a pint and music, and discover a version of Irish food that goes well beyond the usual pub format.

Three Little Owls: Italian x Japanese Fusion

Address: 18a/g3a Thái Văn Lung, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh

Hidden in the Thai Van Lung area, Trattoria Three Little Owls pairs Italian cooking with Japanese sensibility. The restaurant describes its approach simply: Tokyo flavour meets Italian passion.

The result is a compact, inventive fusion menu that combines Italian and Japanese techniques, with Vietnamese and European ingredients appearing throughout. It is an unexpected match, but one that makes sense when you consider what the two cuisines share: attention to seasonal ingredients, careful craft and a love of dishes made for sharing. 

Noir. & Blanc.: Dining as an Experience

Address: 180D Hai Ba Trung, Tan Dinh & 178B Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Đa Kao, Quận 1 

Noir is one of Saigon’s most distinctive dining concepts. Guests eat in complete darkness, relying on taste, smell, texture and sound rather than sight.

The experience is connected to Blanc, a nearby restaurant that serves contemporary dishes in a light-filled setting. Both restaurants are linked to a social mission supporting and employing people who are blind or visually impaired.

Noir is not simply about trying unfamiliar food. It asks diners to reconsider how they experience a meal, making it one of the city’s most memorable choices for a special occasion.

A City Best Explored Through Food

The best way to approach this list is with curiosity. Choose the restaurant that catches your attention, go with an open mind and allow time to enjoy the experience rather than treating it as simply another meal.

For an evening that feels especially considered, begin with our Secret Cocktail Experience in Saigon, then continue to dinner at your chosen restaurant. A carefully made cocktail, followed by an unexpected table, is a simple way to turn dinner into something more memorable.