The Best Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City's Thao Dien Ward

Unless you knew what to look for, you’d probably drive right on by without a second glance. Turns out some of the best Mexican food in the city is hiding in Thao Dien. Their shredded duck meat will change you. Nobody is the same person after taking a bite of a crunchy duck taco.

Villa Song is located along the Saigon River, offering customers a rare view of natural beauty amid a mega-city of cement and motorbikes. They have their own little paradise carved out here, where they serve from a rich and varied all-day menu.

The Mekong Merchant is a popular spot for professionals. Like many places in Ho Chi Minh City, the street-front view is misleading. After a short stroll down an alley, you come into a beautiful courtyard, where friendly servers take care of you and your grumbling stomach. Their menu features pasta, sandwiches, salads, steaks and pizza.

The Deck is the kind of place where a lovely dinner/lunch usually turns into some dessert drinking. Before you know it, you’ve had a few cocktails and you’re feeling great. Their food is excellent on its own, but having the Saigon River in the background somehow makes the experience even tastier.

The BoatHouse is hidden down the canopied lanes of the An Phu compound. The location is simply stunning, but it’s the food that brings in repeat customers. Pay attention to their Facebook page, because they often have live music and other special events.

Look no further than Quan Bui Garden for the best Vietnamese food in Thao Dien — seafood, noodles, spring rolls, and so much more. Thao Dien has culinary experiences from around the world, but Vietnamese food is always a great choice. When you walk inside Quan Bui, you really feel like you’re walking into a garden. The walls overflow with flowers and foliage. Truly a wonderful dining experience.

You’ll probably have a bit of trouble finding this place the first time you go. Look for the Bangkok style food cart parked out on the sidewalk, and then head down the alley. We recommend the duck curry, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the dishes here.

Walking into Snap Cafe feels like walking into a warm blanket. It’s just that inviting. They have a varied menu with dishes from around the world, with a kids menu as well. If you’re looking for a place to spend a relaxing evening with friends and family, Snap Cafe is for you.

Pendolasco has some of the best pizza in the city, and their pasta is up there as well. Noodle soups and banh mi sandwiches are nice, but sometimes you just want some hearty Italian food to really feel your stomach expand. That’s when you need Pendolasco.

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