Weekend Address: Three Countryside Rice Restaurants in Saigon

Adorned in vintage style, these rice restaurants offer a countryside dining experience.

Weekend Address: Three Countryside Rice Restaurants in Saigon

Secret Garden

Located on the top floor of an old apartment building on Pasteur Street, District 1, Secret Garden attracts many Western visitors in Saigon looking for a rustic dining space. The building lacks an elevator, so you'll have to climb 4 flights of stairs. This is a downside as the staircase is dimly lit and somewhat dirty, which can be unpleasant.

However, upon stepping inside, you'll have a different feeling. The restaurant has 2 areas, indoor and outdoor, decorated in the style of Vietnamese countryside, with old-style tiled floors, yellow-painted walls, and simple wooden furniture, creating a familiar atmosphere. Despite the absence of air conditioning, the open space makes the restaurant quite airy even in the summer.

Diverse Menu Offering Regional Dishes for Customers to Choose From Such as Braised Fish, Stuffed Snails, Water Morning Glory Soup, Fried Sticky Rice… Prices Range from 55,000 to 400,000 VND per Serving Depending on the Dish, so if You Go in Groups, You'll Have More Options. The Restaurant Opens from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Closed from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Due to the Limited Space, Customers Often Need to Make Reservations in Advance, Especially on Weekends or Holidays, Tet.

Address: 158 Bis/40-41, Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.

Lục Tỉnh Home Kitchen

If You're Walking on the Street, You Probably Won't Notice the Small Gate on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street Leading to the Western Atmosphere Space in the Heart of Saigon of Lục Tỉnh Home Kitchen. The Entrance is Small, Blending Rural, Simple and Elegant, Sophisticated Features. Every Corner in the Restaurant is Carefully Decorated, Emphasizing Greenery, Making it Quite Cool, Satisfying Customers.

Because it's Located a Short Distance from the Main Road, Inside the Restaurant is Quite Quiet, Separated from the Hustle and Bustle of the City. The Menu Mainly Consists of Western Specialty Dishes Such as Braised Fish Dipped in Starfruit Sauce, Field Crab Soup Cooked with Young Tamarind Leaves or Vietnamese Sizzling Pancakes, Tiny Rice Pancakes… Quite Delicious. The Price of Food is Not Cheap, on Average from 200,000 to 500,000 VND/Dish Depending on Your Choice. The Presentation of Dishes is Neat, Eye-Catching, Suitable for Inviting Guests or Family Gatherings on Weekends. The Restaurant Opens from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Address: 37 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1.

Hoa Giấy Rice and Coffee Shop

Hoa Giấy Rice and Coffee Shop, painted in the characteristic yellow color of Hoi Street, stands out on Huynh Tinh Cua Street, Saigon, where you can find a variety of Central Vietnamese dishes whenever you crave them. The blooming paper flower tree in front of the shop is the highlight, also a favorite check-in spot for many young people. The old furniture and tables bring back nostalgic feelings for those far from home. The shop's space is quite small, so it can get a bit stuffy in the summer if you visit before 5 p.m. Choosing a table by the balcony is more refreshing.

The menu mainly consists of Central Vietnamese specialties such as baby clam with rice paper, Quang noodles, fermented fish sauce vermicelli… with prices ranging from 35,000 to 120,000 VND, including office lunch. Dining here feels like having a cozy family meal. The drink menu doesn't offer many choices, just a few simple, ordinary flavors. The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. If you want to take Instagram-worthy photos, you should visit during the day. At night, the inside of the shop is dimly lit with yellow lights, a bit dark, only suitable for chatting and enjoying a cool drink.

Address: 19 Huynh Tinh Cua, Ward 9, District 3

By Vi Yen/Ngoi Sao

***

Explore: Travel guide on Mytour