Excellent Restaurants in Saigon NOT Often Mentioned on Foodies

If you’re like me, you’ve probably done a lot of scouring through Facebook foodie groups to find the best restaurants in Saigon. There’s some pretty awesome stuff out there! You might want to check out Foodies in Saigon for some tips, but that said, sometimes it can feel quite repetitive and tiring scrolling through the same posts that get recycled every other week.

Personally, I like variety, and maybe you do too. So, at risk of getting more people in these other places, here are 5 excellent restaurants in Saigon NOT often mentioned on the Foodies Group:

Torisho Izakaya

If you’re looking for a “best value” Japanese dining experience, Torisho is your spot. The food is made to order and is so damned delicious we keep writing about it. Service top-notch, and they even give you a free shot of sake at the end of the meal. They have 2 locations, and the one in Binh Thanh is open again. So, you’ll have to walk through questionable alleys (which is an experience by itself), but the food is well worth it.

Address: 34-36 Dong Khoi, ward, Street, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Tip: The yakitori selection is excellent. They have sets of 6 different skewers for chicken, and pork options.

Sindbad

Kebabs, salad, skewers. This place has the works – they even have garlic shrimp. I used to travel all the way to Mui Ne just to get their food, and now, I’m happy to say, they have a spot in D7. The chicken and beef skewers are especially delicious, but the salad are also pretty filling, especially with the free bread. It can get pretty busy during peak hours (lunch), so best go there early. Or get delivery.

Address: Tân Phong, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Tip: Ask for extra sauce. Smother everything with that extra sauce.

The Vietnamese Greek Restaurant

I have to admit, I don’t really know what the actual name of this place is, but I know how to get there. And there are plenty of reasons to go… primarily in the form of juicy, well seasoned lamb. The tzatziki isn’t “traditional” but it’s still yummy and goes really well with the lamb. The service here can be hit or miss (they don’t necessarily cater to expats), but they’re very friendly!

Address: 395 Hoàng Sa, Phường 8, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Tip: Order the whole leg of lamb, by the kilo, served on the bone. Probably the best thing on the menu, but needs to be ordered in advance.

Malt

I’m going to get a lot of people mad at me for putting this on the list. “It’s a bar!” the mob shouts, while brandishing their torches and pitchforks. Well, let me explain – the food is excellent. For pub grub, this is about as haute as this sort of cuisine gets and they somehow even have salads! The quesadillas and stuffed chili poppers also make for good eating with their beers on draft. The original location is in D1, but they have another spot in D7 with a bigger, wider menu.

Address: 46 Mạc Thị Bưởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Tip: You don’t have to order the cheese sandwich to get the tomato soup! This can be ordered separately – and it’s worth it.

Gartenstadt Restaurant

German food is a bit underrated but this place is a good spot. Sure it’s in the tourist area, but it’s got large servings, great service, and a nice vibe for large group dinners. The menu is quite extensive without feeling overwhelming. Different types of sausages and schnitzels available (because, Germany), along with some seafood, and other specialties. For a German place, the beer selection could be expanded a bit, but then this is primarily a restaurant – besides, the rest of the drinks menu has good options. Easy to get too, big plates, friendly service. Good for groups!

Address: 34-36 Dong Khoi, ward, Street, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Tip: The place can get a bit smokey. Be prepared

So that’s it for this first installment. Hopefully, this becomes a series. I’ll have to expand my food horizons as well, so if you have any recommendations, fire away in the comments!