Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [71]
Amigo 55 Nguyen Hué. Recommended for its T-bone steaks and seafood prepared on an open grill, plus a good salad bar. 11am–11pm.
Ashoka 17/a10 Le Thanh Ton. Smart Indian restaurant offering authentic Moghul Indian dishes – some, such as cho cho tikka (chicken marinated in yoghurt), cooked in the tandoor – and a satisfying range of veggie dishes. 11.30am–2pm & 5–10pm.
Augustin’s 10 Nguyen Thiep. Secreted down a narrow lane linking Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hué, an intimate bistro serving well-cooked but pricey French dishes. 11.30am–2pm & 6–10.30pm. Closed Sun.
Au Parc 23 Han Thuyen 08/3829 2772. Stylish place between Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace serving great breakfasts and salads, with a good deli counter and home delivery too. 7am–10.30pm.
Bi Bi 17/a6 Le Thanh Ton. This cosy French restaurant serving Mediterranean specialities is popular with expats. Set lunch $12. 11.30am–2pm & 6.30–10pm.
Blue Ginger 37 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. Refined, low-ceilinged dining room with eye-catching artwork on the walls and traditional live evening music as you tuck into quality Vietnamese dishes (main courses around $5, excellent menus at $12–27). Popular with tour groups but still worth checking out for its agreeable ambience and great food. 7am–2.30pm & 5–10pm.
Bun Ta 136 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. Hoping that the runaway success of its neighbour, Ngon, will rub off, this new place offers noodles every which way, with a pleasant streetside and indoor ambience. 6am–11pm.
Chu 158 Dong Khoi. American-style café, popular with well-off locals who enjoy the eclectic menu, including beef pie, spaghetti, Asian dishes and ice creams, as well as the nightly live music. 9am–midnight.
Ciao Café 40 Ngo Duc Khe & 74–76 Nguyen Hué. These smartly decorated, popular venues serve steaks, spaghetti and Asian food, and a kids’ menu too. 7am–11pm.
Cung Dinh Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hué 08/3829 2185. Some may find the lavish Oriental decor oppressive but there’s no knocking the food: try the pork ribs with chilli and lemongrass or one of the ten different set menus, ranging from $20–40. There are nightly traditional music performances; prior bookings are sometimes necessary. 11am–2pm & 6–10pm.
Dong Du 57 Dong Du. Sharing an entrance with Le Mekong, as well as a reputation for high-quality Vietnamese dishes. 11am–2pm & 5–10pm.
Gartenstadt 34 Dong Khoi. High-quality German bar-restaurant; generous portions, imported sausages and a good selection of German beers, some on draught. 10.30am–midnight.
Givral 169 Dong Khoi. A local institution, with an extensive light Western and Asian menu. It boasts a prime position facing the Continental on Lam Son Square, and there’s a newer, second branch at 56–66 Nguyen Hue. 6.30am–10pm.
Hoi An 11 Le Thanh Ton 08/3823 7694. Refined, traditional Vietnamese food is served in a sumptuous wooden house, run by the owners of Mandarine. Set menus start at $30. Book ahead to reserve a table. 5.30–10.45pm.
Jaspa’s 33 Dong Khoi. Under the same management as Al Fresco’s and Pepperoni, this place is a bit classier, featuring international fusion cuisine such as salt and pepper steak with wasabe mash. 7.30am–late.
La Fourchette 9 Ngo Duc Ke. Varnished light-wood panelling creates an old-world feel; the compact menu features melt-in-your-mouth imported steaks (around $15) and a well-stocked cheeseboard. 11.30am–2.30pm & 6.30–10pm.
Le Jardin 31 Thai Van Lung. 08/3825 8465. Excellent French food at very reasonable prices served in a pleasant garden setting. Very popular so advance booking is advisable. 11am–2pm & 6–11pm.
Le Mekong 57 Dong Du. This established French favourite still draws the crowds with tempting French cuisine such as roasted duck with orange and pepper sauce and hot chocolate soufflé with Grand Marnier; set menus from around $15. Guitarists meander between the tables during dinner. 11am–2pm & 5–10pm.
Lemongrass 4 Nguyen Thiep. Traditional upmarket establishment, where the highly rated Vietnamese food is eaten to the strains of serenading players during