When it comes to chill weekend dinners, al fresco dining in a breezy atmosphere with a stunning view over the river is a natural choice in Saigon.
From fine dining to casual dining, check out our lowdown on these top-notch riverside cafes and restaurants in Saigon for a memorable waterfront dining experience.
Image credit: Làng Ẩm Thực Cù Lao Xanh
Cù Lao Xanh Culinary Village boasts a unique riverside dining experience – located in the middle of the river, the rustic-looking restaurant offers a panoramic view over the river and the greenery from surrounding parks and lawns. Guests have to embark on a 3-minute boat ride to reach the restaurant.
Image credit: Làng Ẩm Thực Cù Lao Xanh
With numerous stand-alone rustic pavilions made from bamboo and straw, Cù Lao Xanh Culinary Village is a great for people looking for an intimate dining experience.
Alongside the unique visuals is a menu filled with over a hundred Vietnamese countryside delights.
Seafood salad with bamboo shoots
Image adapted from: Làng Ẩm Thực Cù Lao Xanh
Start with a dish of seafood salad with bamboo shoots (VND230,000,~USD9.91 for 4 pax) topped with peanuts, tasting fresh and sour.
For an authentic Western Vietnamese dish, order the salty and chewy sun-dried fish, which is harmoniously balanced with crispy and soft rice balls (VND139,000,~USD5.99).
Firm and flaky, snakehead fish steamed with winter melon (VND310,000,~USD13.36 for 1KG) would make a tasty and healthy dish for four people.
Image credit: Làng Ẩm Thực Cù Lao Xanh
Cù Lao Xanh Culinary Village also has a playground for kids, where they can have a blast with different rides under the watch of a security guard so you can comfortably enjoy your meals.
Address: 88 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 088 989 80 00
Image credit: Ẩm thực Sân vườn Mái Lá
Lush, casual, and breezy, Ẩm thực Sân vườn Mái Lá is an ideal destination for those looking for an intimate dinner date by the river.
Image credit: Ẩm thực Sân vườn Mái Lá
Aside from an outdoor dining space that can host up to 300 guests, the restaurant also has many private rooms for those who want to dine with a date.
Image credit: Ẩm thực Sân vườn Mái Lá
The restaurant features a wide range of countryside dishes, from the juicy and savory chicken steamed with fish sauce (VND385,000,~USD16.60) to the sweet and lean tilapia with spices (VND195,000,~USD8.41).
Spiced tilapia
Image credit: Ẩm thực Sân vườn Mái Lá
Address: 1D Road 36, Ward Tan Quy, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 9AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 093 922 00 35
Image credit: Elisa Floating Restaurant
Those who want to take your romantic date up a notch can get on board Elisa Floating Restaurant that sits on a ship docked in the Saigon River.
Image credit: Elisa Floating Restaurant
Decked out in a lavish setting, the restaurant provides a panoramic view over Saigon River and the glittering skyline of District 2. Guests can choose to dine al fresco in the cooling breeze or inside the restaurant on rainy days.
Image credit: Elisa Floating Restaurant
The ship also has many windows, allowing indoor guests to catch a clear view of the river.
While this restaurant is an idyllic place for dinner, remember that it requires guests to book in advance and accepts at least 2 guests per booking.
The food here is well worth the trip, featuring a diverse menu that includes both Western and Vietnamese cuisine.
Tiger prawns
Image credit: Elisa Floating Restaurant
For a fancy appetizer, check out the fresh, savory lobster miso soup (VND325,000,~USD14.01).
Order the foie gras salad (VND395,000,~USD17.03) for a buttery and delicate meal, and chow down the moist and firm flambé tiger prawns (VND285,000,~USD12.29) for a sumptuous dinner.
Address: 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ward 12, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Telephone: 093 856 81 82
Opening hours: 10.30AM-11PM, Daily
Image credit: Thao Dien Village – Làng Thảo Điền
Overlooking the Saigon River and surrounded by meticulously trimmed lawns, Thao Dien Village is one of the most scenic spots among the riverside cafes & restaurants in Saigon.
Image credit: Thao Dien Village – Làng Thảo Điền
You can sit on the verandah to enjoy the soothing breeze without having to worry about the sun or the rain, because the restaurant has a retractable roof and lots of trees.
With ample seating from armchairs to plush sofas, Thao Dien Village is suitable for both intimate dates and group meetings.
Image adapted from: vivi_vn/TripAdvisor
Thao Dien Village dishes out both Vietnamese and Italian cuisine, from the comforting pho with beef (VND90,000,~USD3.88) to a big Italian breakfast (VND155,000, ~USD6.68) with 2 eggs, spinach, and toast drizzled with Napoli sauce.
Image adapted from: Thao Dien Village – Làng Thảo Điền
Overlooking the river, Thao Dien Village’s beautiful bar is a spot you can hit up for a tasty drink after a full meal.
Address: 197/1 Nguyen Van Huong St., Thao Dien Ward, District 2
Telephone: 0283 7442 222
Opening hours: 6AM-11.30PM, Daily
Image credit: Salem Nguyen
Despite its nondescript appearance, Phong Cua is the go-to place for those who want to enjoy a leisurely feast of seafood in the cooling river breeze.
Consisting of two 2 seafood restaurants near each other, Phong Cua offers spacious parking, ample seating, and unobstructed views of the river.
Image credit: VAn ANh
What these riverside cafes & restaurants in Saigon lack in chicness needed for a romantic date, they make up for with their abundance of tasty and affordable seafood.
From prawns to fish to snails that can be served with congee, rice, and noodles, guests will be spoiled for choice.
Fish hotpot
Image credit: Trang Nguyen
You can start your meal with a dish of peppery and meaty pila polita braised with pepper (VND100,000,~USD4.31). To keep your belly warm and full, order an aromatic hot pot of tender and fleshy catfish (VND230,000,~USD9.91).
Non-seafood eaters won’t feel out of place here, as Phong Cua also has plenty of dishes starring chicken and beef. From healthy chicken thigh stewed with medicinal herbs (VND89,000,~USD3.84) to the smoky beef steak (VND99,000,~USD4.27), you’ll have a lot to choose from.
Image credit: Nhung Nguyễn
Phong Cua also has a lush garden boasting unique decorations which guests can create lovely snapshots with, such as a crab-shaped statue and a small waterfall.
Address:
Opening hours: 9AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 0907 848 061
Image credit: Mekong Quán – Ẩm Thực Sông
Those searching for a place that exudes both a rural and casual vibe will be happy with Mekong Quán – Ẩm Thực Sông.
From the pavilions built from bamboo and straw to a menu filled with traditional Vietnamese dishes, this restaurant is heavily reminiscent of western Vietnamese villages.
Image credit: Mekong Quán – Ẩm Thực Sông
Boasting roomy dining space with plenty of seats overlooking the river, Mekong Quán – Ẩm Thực Sông makes for an idyllic group dinner spot.
Image credit: Mekong Quán – Ẩm Thực Sông
Signature dishes on the menu include green mango salad with dried fish (VND79,000,~USD3.41) and wild boar served on a bamboo tray (VND360,000,~USD15.52).
Address: 38 Road 10, Neighborhood 5, Hiep Binh Chanh Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 10AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 090 189 98 95
Image credit: BoatHouse Restaurant: Vietnam
If you’re looking for a breezy place with catchy tunes by a live band, BoatHouse Restaurant is the place to be. Filled with pleasant greenery, BoatHouse Restaurant has a spacious dining area that overlooks the Saigon River.
Image credit: BoatHouse Restaurant: Vietnam
Using natural elements in its architecture such as wood and bamboo coupled with sleek furniture, BoatHouse Restaurant exudes a modern rustic vibe.
From Indian to Western cuisine, BoatHouse Restaurant has a great variety of dishes ranging from appetizers to desserts.
Image credit: BoatHouse Restaurant: Vietnam
Lamb Seekh Kebab (VND220,000,~USD9.48), made of spicy ground lamb wrapped with salad and yogurt and grilled until charred, is a juicy and flavorful appetizer to start the dinner with.
Lamb Seekh
Image credit: BoatHouse Restaurant: Vietnam
For a traditional Indian dish, try the creamy and savory Paneer Tikka (VND140,000,~USD6.04), which is made of Indian cottage cheese marinated with onion, pepper, and spices grilled in a tandoor.
BoatHouse Restaurant also has a menu for kids, which makes the place suitable for family dinners. They can try the Mexican crowd-pleaser cheese quesadilla (VND125,000,~USD5.39), which are flat grilled pancakes filled with cheese to munch on.
Cheese lovers can cap the evening off with the decadent cheese board (VND350,000,~USD15.09), consisting of goat cheese, blue cheese, camembert, parmesan, balsamic onion, marmalade, croutons, dried fruits, and cashew nuts.
Image credit: BoatHouse Restaurant: Vietnam
Address: 40 Lily Road, APSC, 36 Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 7AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 028 3744 6790
Image credit: WaterBiz Coffee
Situated on Bach Dang Wharf, Waterbiz Coffee & Tea Express offers visitors a wide view of Thu Thiem Ward in District 2 and Landmark 81, Vietnam’s tallest building in Binh Thanh District.
Image adapted from: WaterBiz Coffee
With plenty of outdoor seats, guests will be able to feast their eyes on the stunning sunset and ships sailing by while sipping on refreshing drinks. That’s why Bach Dang Wharf is considered one of the most scenic spots in town to watch sunsets.
Image credit: WaterBiz Coffee
Chow down on tasty, affordable options that include pho (VND49,000, ~USD2.11), stir-fried noodles with beef (VND49,000, ~USD2.11), and broken rice with pork and eggs (VND49,000, ~USD2.11).
Broken rice with grilled pork
Image credit: WaterBiz Coffee
We recommend checking the weather forecast before you head here, as the coffee shop is open-air and doesn’t have shelter when it rains.
Address: Bach Dang Wharf, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 7AM-10AM, Daily
Telephone: 028 3620 1585
Image credit: The Deck Saigon
The Deck Saigon’s location alongside Saigon River’s bank offers stunning waterfront scenery, with floating common water hyacinths and the glimmering view of the skyscrapers in District 1 in the evening.
Image credit: The Deck Saigon
You can dine alfresco at the veranda for a cool breeze, or sit indoors as the floor-to-ceiling glass windows still offer an up-close view of the water.
Image credit: The Deck Saigon
The spacious and contemporary dining space makes the place suitable for both romantic dates and business meetings.
Image credit: The Deck Saigon
Tuck into the meaty and mildly sweet sea bass (VND185,000,~USD7.97) for a fresh tasting appetizer, and for a main, try the slow-roasted pork belly enhanced with the fragrant confit daikon plum yuzu dressing (VND550,000,~USD2.37).
Vegetarians can opt for the creamy and nutty chickpea aubergine masala served with bread (VND250,000) for a comforting and healthy midweek meal.
After a hearty meal, sit down at the restaurant’s bar for a round of tasty drinks to cleanse your palate.
For a sweet and herbal flavor with an acidic hint, order the cocktail STOP ON A DIME (VND280,000,~USD12.1), which has butterfly pea flower syrup mixed with darjeeling alto plata tequila tepache. Or for a boozy option that doesn’t make you tipsy fast, sip on a glass of CEP D’OR 2019 (VND180,000,~USD7.76), a refreshing rose wine brimful with fruity aroma.
Address: 38 Nguyen U Di, Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 8AM-12AM, Daily
Telephone: 028 3744 6632
Vietnam’s biggest city Saigon has a gigantic network of rivers along which are plenty of dining options.
Boasting scenic views over the river and the city’s skyline, these riverside restaurants and cafes in Saigon will make for ideal destinations for relaxing dinner dates with your loved ones.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: Elisa Floating Restaurant, The Deck Saigon, BoatHouse Restaurant: Vietnam, and Làng Ẩm Thực Cù Lao Xanh
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