With an all yellow décor, staff in yellow uniforms and a lively sidewalk dining crowd, Tan Tap 3 is easy to spot. You can sit outside downstairs or upstairs in a more formal table dining area. With an attentive and abundant staff on-hand, try the specialty fish head hot pot or from a variety of other hot pots like seafood, spicy Thai style or goat. Other things on the menu include snails, shrimp, and your choice of barbecued pork or beef. While this place is open during the day, it's the night when this place is busiest and the sidewalk seating has the best service. - Kevin Minh
This cozy restaurant resembles what might be an English countryside inn, serving up a variety of hearty dishes like shepherd's pie, fish and chips, Aussie beef burger, and kangaroo pie. You can choose to sit downstairs in the narrow bar area or upstairs at the long tables. This place is one of the only bars in Saigon serving cheap Huda Beer from central Vietnam and plays an eclectic mix of great tunes. The owner of this operation is also the chef and server who checks up on his customers in an attentive and easygoing manner. Be sure to come Sundays for the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding! - Kevin Minh
Arguably the most popular Pho restaurant in town, Pho Hoa is a Saigon landmark that locals frequent and tourists visit by the busload. The setting here is modest with strangers often sitting shoulder to shoulder as locals normally do, or you can find less crowded seating in the air-conditioned rooms upstairs. Servings are big here, with the traditional beef noodle soup served in a hearty broth that you can order with a variety of toppings such as tai (raw) tenderloin strip, or dac biet (a special mix of different meats). You can add your choice of garnishes to your meal, which include fresh mint leaves, bean sprouts, chili, lemon and breadsticks. -Kevin Minh
Xu Restaurant Lounge is the brainchild of chef and owner, Nguyen Duc Bien. Opened in 2006, this bi-level establishment has distinctly separated its lounge and cocktail bar on the ground floor for the trendy crowd to enjoy a lively nightlife. Enjoy their happy hours with a delectable sip of their cocktail or nosh on their fabulous modern Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant upstairs is one of the best places in town to try fabulous contemporary Vietnamese fare. Beautifully executed and delightful to the palate, their dishes are worth the spend. Dress to impress at this elegant yet intimate restaurant and lounge.
Waffle Place is a lovely Vietnamese cafe serving some of the best waffles in town. Scrumptious varieties of the dough-based delicacy are eaten the traditional way with maple syrup, fruits or ice-cream, or with inventive accompaniments like cheese and whipped cream, or topped with chocolate syrup. Also on offer are teas, coffees and signature smoothies. The cozy interiors are inviting. The fence against the vibrant wall and the tea-chinaware donning the rustic cabinets gives you the impression you're dining in an outdoor Korean garden.
This upscale restaurant is located in Ho Chi Minh City's main tourist district. The kitchen cooks up delicious and authentic Thai dishes. Favorites include curried soft-shell crab, Tom Kha Gha soup and their famous mango sticky rice for dessert. Locals and expats agree that Lac Thai is easily one of the best restaurants in the city, whether it be for a special occasion or just a regular night out.