Restaurant Review: Stellar

Indulge in decadent continental—with delicate touches of Thai flavors—cuisine in a picturesque colonial villa Many restaurants in this town have tried their hardest to put on the face of luxury; few have succeeded. Secluded in a quiet Thao Dien back street, Stellar (43 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, D2) has done its best to attempt … Read more

Restaurant Review: La Belgique

Saucy, satisfying and sometimes deep-fried, Belgian cuisine isn’t for those on a diet Tucked into a busy side street across from Tan Dinh Market, La Belgique (17 Tran Quoc Toan, D3) is small and welcoming, with checked tablecloths and faux-brick wallpaper. The beer is from Belgium, the meat is perfectly cooked, and the portions are … Read more

Restaurant Review: Di Mai

A modern celebration of Vietnam’s culinary diversity and past As anyone who lives here knows, Vietnamese people are serious about good food. Whether it’s the street vendor rolling spring rolls or your aunt making noodles, they carefully blend different flavors and textures to make each bite amazing. This is the inspiration for Di Mai (translated … Read more

Restaurant Review: Quan Bui

A charming restaurant with food inspired by tradition and Vietnamese moms Nestled down an inconspicuous side street off Le Thanh Ton sits Quan Bui (17A Ngo Van Nam, D1), a culinary haven, which also happens to shelter us from an uncharacteristic downpours this time of year. Danh Tran, owner of the five Quan Bui restaurants … Read more

Head in the Clouds

For exceptional views and stylish settings, the rooftop Liquid Sky Bar is unsurpassed Saigon seems to have caught on to the idea that a lot of good things happen when you reach the rooftop. The air’s a little cleaner, the breeze a little better, the view just goes on and on and gives you the … Read more

Restaurant Review: Relish & Sons

Not all burgers are created equally Considering the fierce competition found in Saigon when it comes to burgers, Relish & Sons (44 Dong Du, D1) tries and succeeds at being a hip burger joint attracting a wide array of clientele from young, modern Vietnamese to homesick expats in need of a break from the local … Read more

Restaurant Review: The Deck Bar

When The Deck (38 Nguyen U Di, D2) opened in 2008, a glitzier sister to Thao Dien’s cozy Mekong Merchant, it quickly evolved into a Saigon institution. The Deck represented everything good about comfortable living in Saigon – river breezes, a taste of home, reliably good service and lazily expansive views, all wrapped up in … Read more