The greatest reason to fall in love with a person (or a country is through) food!
Fine dining and dating are not new acquaintances but maybe the country of Vietnam is a little new to you. Experience a fancy local restaurant when you travel and you won’t regret treating your date. On top of that, you’ll get to satisfy your curiosity about street food in a beautiful environment with chairs that may fit you and your date a little better. Here are some of the selected romantic restaurants for dinner in Ho Chi Minh City you should check out.
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Den Long – Vietnamese Cuisine
Den Long offers a menu full of tasty Vietnamese food and a restaurant influenced by the design of Hoi An. I have eaten Vietnamese food for more than 20 years, which is why it is difficult to impress me. However, this was a mind-blowing experience.
The menu is very coherent with clear pictures of all the dishes, so you can feel comfortable knowing the selection. Since the portions are not too large, I ordered five different dishes to make a typical Vietnamese family meal (which has rice, one vegetable dish, two to three dishes with meat/fish/egg and one bowl of soup), none of which has failed to satisfy my taste. I especially love the pomelo salad, chicken with caramelized sauce, pan-fried garlic with water spinach, soft shell crab, and coconut rice. Den Long even has a small menu for vegetarians. I paid around 500,000 VND (21 USD) for a feast of five courses for two to three people.
More than just food, the friendly staff is also a highlight of Den Long. They speak English really well and work with a smile on their face. If you don’t know what to do after you finish your food but don’t want to end the night, don’t hesitate to ask. They will be happy to give you some advice. This restaurant is always my first recommendation to those who want to enjoy signature Vietnamese dishes in Ho Chi Minh City.
MORE INFORMATION
- Address: 130 Nguyen Trai, District 1
- Phone: 0909 949 183
- Business hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
- Den Long’s Facebook – Tripadvisor – Website : https://www.denlongrestaurant.com
- Price range: 30,000 – 300,000 VND
The Racha Room – Thai Cuisine
More than just a restaurant that serves traditional Thai food, the dainty food at The Racha Room is a perfect mash-up between Thai cuisine and various other countries. I was first impressed by the mysterious atmosphere with a colorful art picture of an elephant painted on the brick wall.
Due to my friend’s recommendations, I tried prawn and ginger dumpling with red chili peanut dressing, wagyu and foi grass la lot. Although I appreciate taste first and foremost, something is to be said about the presentation of these dishes. Not only did it look good, it was also very flavorful. Aside from an a la carte menu, a set menu is also available for lunch (Monday to Friday) and dinner (Saturday and Sunday).
The Racha Room also has a fancy bar section inside the restaurant. They offer many signature cocktails, classic cocktails, and a cocktail of the month. You shouldn’t skip a chance to grab a cocktail here as it is a perfect addition to make a good dining time just a little more romantic.
Catch their Happy Hour promotion every Monday to Saturday, from 5 PM to 8 PM to have a 50% discounted for all alcoholic drinks by the glass. Check out their Facebook for more information.
MORE INFORMATION
- Address: 12 – 14 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1
- Phone: 0908 79 1412
- Business hours:
– Mon to Fri 11:30 AM – 12 AM
– Sat to Sun 4 PM – 2 AM - The Racha Room’s Facebook and Tripadvisor
- Price range: 50,000 – 300,000 VND
Chanh Garden Bistro – Western Cuisine
Chanh Garden Bistro is hidden on the rooftop of a building facing Bitexco. The large open space with a view to Bitexco offers an excellent spot for a romantic date or an intimate family dinner.
Even though the price is a bit higher than many places, the food quality will make it worth every penny. Upon arrival, you will have a palate-cleansing shot of lime and ginger. Among many different delicious dishes, I enjoy the ratatouille and barbequed pork ribs with French fries and salad the most. Both dishes are perfectly seasoned and cooked. The red wine was a top-notch complement to my dinner.
Chanh Bistro has both a la carte and different set menus for lunch, dinner, and breakfast, which are frequently changed so that you can try new appetizing things more often. There are some vegetarian options available.
The staff and owner here are also very friendly, polite, and professional. They always take good care of you and try their best to please you with a big smile. It truly makes the dining experience even better. If you are looking for a fancy place to spend the rest of your leftover cash, Chanh Bistro is a place to go.
MORE INFORMATION
- Address: Rooftop 171 Calmette, District 1
- Phone: 0769 669 063
- Business hours: 10:30 AM – 11:45 PM
- Chanh Bistro’s Facebook
- Price range: 25,000 – 870,000 VND
Shamoji Robata Yaki – Japanese Cuisine
To those who have a huge love of Japanese cuisine (like me), Shamoji Robata Yaki is a hidden secret in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The wooden interior of this restaurant reminds me of the Japanese comic books and movies that I have read and watched since childhood. If you want to experience the fun and exalted Japanese drinking culture, this is a place to go. I really like looking at the kimono that the chef wears, which adds to the elegant dining experience and Japanese spirit of the place.
The menu of Shamoji Robata Yaki is truly an artwork. Besides taking beautiful food photos, they also display their creativity with illustrated drawings. As this is not a sushi restaurant, don’t be disappointed if you can’t find sashimi here. The best dishes you should try here are grilled food (kushiyaki) and rice macaroni with sea urchin and salmon roe. And don’t forget a bottle of Sake (a Japanese liquor).
At some times of the day, the chefs will host a fun and exciting cooking show, you can even volunteer to join them. Another cool thing about this place is that it is a favorite spot of many Vietnamese celebrities. If you are lucky enough, you may spot one.
Shamoji Robata Yaki is a fantastic place to celebrate your last day in Ho Chi Minh City or to grab some drinks with your friends for a special occasion.
MORE INFORMATION
- Address: 8 Dong Khoi, District 1
- Business hours: 4 PM – 2 AM
- Phone: 1900 066 890
- Shamoji Robata Yaki Facebook and Tripadvisor
- Price range: 80,000 – 500,000 VND
Ly Club – Fusion Cuisine
Ly Club has a peaceful green garden in the heart of the bustling Ho Chi Minh City. If you are looking for a venue to host your dream wedding in the city, Ly Club is a flawless choice. Inside the restaurant, the luxury interior and elegant decoration make this place another superb environment for a romantic date.
The chef and his team put a lot of effort into creating an amazing dish which has a delightful taste and mouth-watering look. Every ingredient from the meat to vegetable is chosen very carefully to make sure it has the best quality before delivering it to your table. Ly Club has done a really good job in balancing the harmony for their fusion dishes. Since the food is stunning and hard to ignore, many people choose the set menu, so they don’t have a hard time deciding what to eat.
Consider having a fancy farewell dinner in Ho Chi Minh City at Ly Club, you won’t be disappointed!
MORE INFORMATION
- Address: 143 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, District 3
- Phone: 028 3930 5588
- Business hours: 10 AM – 11 PM
- Ly Club Saigon’s Facebook & Tripadvisor
- Price range: 80,000 – 700,000 VND
I hope you will have a great dining time in Ho Chi Minh City. Don’t forget to share your most favorite restaurants with other readers in the comment sections. If you are looking for some fun experiences in the city, check out these article about drinking culture in Saigon part 1 and part 2
Follow Phuot3mien Blog for more articles about travel in and around Vietnam, our rich culture and customs. We even have guides to living in Ho Chi Minh City, long-term and short term. Stay tuned for more interesting reads coming every week.
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