{"id":707,"date":"2020-02-14T14:40:21","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T06:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=707"},"modified":"2020-10-19T11:36:33","modified_gmt":"2020-10-19T03:36:33","slug":"italian-restaurants-saigon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/italian-restaurants-saigon\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Italian Restaurants In Saigon To Get Your Pizza, Pasta & Pesto Fix – From Casual To Fine Dining"},"content":{"rendered":"

Italian restaurants in Saigon<\/h2>\n
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While Saigon is one of the best destinations in the world for Asian food, it can be tricky to find a place that truly celebrates good Italian cooking. If you\u2019re looking for more than just a comforting pizza or pasta for a special dinner occasion, check out this list of some of the best Italian restaurants in Saigon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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1. Vicolo1 Pizzeria & House of Crafts – pizza for just ~USD1.03 per slice<\/h3>\n
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\"Vicolo1\"
\nImage credit: <\/em>Vicolo1<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Pick Vicolo1 <\/strong>eatery for its ample space and a convivial, exciting vibe since the restaurant is located in Bui Vien, home to a hodgepodge of bars and pubs. It has a retractable roof, so you can enjoy the evening breeze that comes through.<\/p>\n

Diners can expect a wide variety of hand-made pizzas, including vegan and plant-based pizzas, at an affordable price.<\/p>\n

\"Vicolo
\nImage credit: <\/em>Vicolo1<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Small eaters can order pizza by the slice from only VND24,000 (~USD1.03) per slice<\/strong>, and won\u2019t have to worry about ordering more than they can eat. It\u2019s hard to find a place in town to get a single slice of pizza, so a place like this is worth bookmarking on your Google Map.<\/p>\n

Vicolo1 hasn\u2019t forgotten about those of us with larger appetites too: the catch-of-the-day pizza <\/strong>(VND450,000, ~USD19.37) <\/strong>is a generous 60x40cm of marinara sauce, prawns, octopus, clams and scallops, and the same-sized contadina pizza (VND390,000, ~USD16.79)<\/strong> is vegetarian-friendly, with mozzarella, rosemary, potatoes, and red onions.<\/p>\n

\"Vicolo
\nImage credit: <\/em>Vicolo1<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just the food that draws people to Vicolo1, but also the good karma. The restaurant lets diners pay it forward by exchanging VND20,000 (~USD0.90) <\/strong>for a Post-It, write their well-wishes on it, then stick it on the wall. Homeless children or beggars who drop by can pick one and exchange it for a pizza slice, no questions asked.<\/p>\n

Price range:<\/strong> <\/span>VND50,000-VND275,000 (~USD2.15-USD11.83)
\nAddress: <\/strong><\/span>232 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/strong> <\/span>12PM-2AM, Daily
\nTelephone:<\/strong> <\/span>0903 808 005
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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2. Pasta Paradise PXL – handmade pasta in a variety of shapes<\/h3>\n
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\"Pasta
\nImage credit: <\/em>Pasta Paradise<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Specializing in hand-made pasta, Pasta Paradise PXL <\/strong>has 4 main categories of pasta for you to choose from: shape pasta, long pasta, traditional pasta, and special pasta. <\/strong>Pastas here are delectable and nicely cooked from outside in.<\/p>\n

\"Pasta
\nAlla Carbonara<\/em> – a creamy Italian pasta dish cooked with eggs, pecorino romano, guanciale and black pepper
\n<\/em>Image credit: <\/em>Pasta Paradise<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Order the Italian all-time favorite delight, alla carbonara (VND99,000, ~USD4.25), <\/strong>a pasta dish containing egg, bacon, and cheese which bursts with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel in every bite. Rich and comforting, the baked seafood conchiglie with tomato sauce (VND129,000, ~USD5.55) <\/strong>has all the scrumptious texture of a seafood pie, yet with scrumptious conchiglie pasta shells for extra consistency.<\/p>\n

Price range:<\/strong><\/span> VND180,000-VND600,000 (~USD7.75-USD25.85)
\nAddress:<\/strong> <\/span>213 Phan Xich Long, Ward 7, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/strong><\/span> 10AM-10PM, Daily
\nTelephone:<\/strong> <\/span>028 3823 1080
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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3. Basta Hiro Pasta & Pizza – Japanese-style Italian cuisine<\/h3>\n
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\"BASTA
\nImage credit: <\/em>Basta Hiro – Pasta & Pizza<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Founded by leading Japanese chef Hiromi Yomada<\/strong>, Basta Hiro Pasta & Pizza <\/strong>looks exactly like a Japanese BBQ restaurant with a modern setting.<\/p>\n

With decor steeped in black, its use of pendant lighting makes it a cosy and intimate space to dine in. This restaurant serves Italian dishes cooked with Japanese recipes or ingredients, so expect lots of fusion combos such as spaghetti cooked in Japanese wafu <\/em>sauce, or a layer of shredded seaweed sprinkled over your pasta.<\/p>\n

\"Hanasaki
\nHanasaki spaghetti <\/em>– spaghetti cooked with Japanese wafu sauce and served with hanasaki crab and mizuna greens
\n<\/em>Image credit: <\/em>Basta Hiro – Pasta & Pizza<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Make sure you try their hanasaki spaghetti (VND380,000, ~USD16.35),<\/strong> to taste the combination of fresh, chewy hanasaki crab and the thin, al dente<\/em> spaghetti.<\/p>\n

The teriyaki chicken pizza <\/strong>dish (VND170,000, ~USD7.32)<\/strong> is also worth a try, with the sweet and salty flavor of teriyaki sauce lending a flavorful foundation for the succulent marinated chicken, topped with slightly creamy cheese and placed on a thin pizza crust.<\/p>\n

Price range<\/strong>: <\/span>VND60,000-VND600,000 (~USD2.58-USD25.82)
\nAddress:<\/strong><\/span> Level 3, Saigon Center, 65 Le Loi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/strong> <\/span>10.30AM-10PM, Daily
\nTelephone:<\/strong> <\/span>028 3821 8849
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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4. Ciao Bella – cosy and retro with muted lighting<\/h3>\n
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\"CIAO
\nImage credit: <\/em>TRANDUCDANTHINH<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Ciao Bella <\/strong>is a small, homey space with cosy muted lighting, convivial d\u00e9cor, vintage-looking photos on the walls, and exposed brick. Diners get a prosecco<\/strong> on the house when upon arrival, which you\u2019ll want to pair with its Nonna-approved food.<\/p>\n

\"Ciao
\nPosh carbonara<\/em>, made from cheese wheel, topped with prosciutto and slow-cooked egg
\n<\/em>Image credit: <\/em>@hungrychopsticks<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

This restaurant is a big hit among the Italian community in town, so you know it\u2019s legit. Try the posh carbonara (VND355,000, ~USD15.28)<\/strong> with silky and creamy spaghetti topped with an egg for a richer mouthfeel, or the spaghetti alla puttanesca (VND205,000, ~USD8.82)<\/strong> – tomatoes, olive oil, anchovies, olives, capers, and garlic, in addition to pasta.<\/p>\n

Price range:<\/strong><\/span> VND50,000-VND275,000 (~USD2.15-USD7.16)
\nAddress:<\/strong> <\/span>11 Dong Du, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/strong> <\/span>7.30PM-11PM, Daily
\nTelephone:<\/strong><\/span> 028 3822 3329
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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5. La Hostaria Restaurant – classy old-school vibe<\/h3>\n
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\"La
\nImage credit: <\/em>La Hostaria<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Decked out like an old-school Italian eatery, this restaurant uses muted lighting as well as signature white and red tablecloths.<\/p>\n

\"La
\nImage credit: <\/em>Ciro Gargiulo<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Its pastas are hand-made from fresh ingredients – delicate and aromatic, while its pizzas are renowned for being crispy on the crust with a soft and chewy center. Befitting its Italian menu and setting is the porcini mushroom pasta (VND180,000, ~USD7.75)<\/strong>, featuring nicely cooked pasta served with the slightly smoky, meaty tasting porcini mushroom.<\/p>\n

Price range:<\/strong><\/span> VND180,000-VND600,000 (~USD7.75-USD25.82)
\nAddress:<\/strong><\/span> 17B Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/strong><\/span> 10.30AM-3PM, 5.30PM-11PM, Daily
\nTelephone:<\/span> <\/strong>028 3823 1080
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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6. Carpaccio – designed like an Italian wine cellar<\/h3>\n
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\"Carpaccio
\nImage credit: <\/em>Carpaccio – Italian Restaurant<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Walking into this restaurant, you\u2019ll feel as if you\u2019re in an underground wine cellar with vintage photos of Italy on the walls. It\u2019s not just the wine here that people come for though – according to Tripadvisor reviews, this is the best place in town for pasta. Here, the pasta is firm and consistent, cooked evenly outside in, and comes in generous servings – one portion can be enough for two.<\/p>\n

\"Carpaccio
\nFettuccine norcina<\/em> – fresh homemade pasta cooked with tasty mushroom and Italian sauce.
\nImage credit: <\/em>Carpaccio – Italian Restaurant<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Make sure you try the restaurant\u2019s fettuccine nere pasta (VND320,000, ~USD13.77), <\/strong>which is squid ink pasta served with anchovies and tomato. The pasta has a rich and briny flavor with a light hint of saltiness, making it perfect with anchovies.<\/p>\n

Price range:<\/span> <\/strong>VND50,000-VND275,000 (~USD2.15-USD11.83)
\nAddress:<\/strong> <\/span>79 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours: <\/strong><\/span>Sun-Thu, 11AM-10PM | Fri-Sat, 11AM-11PM
\nTelephone<\/strong>:<\/span> 0902 951 099
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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7. R&J Italian Lounge & Restaurant – perfect for business meetings<\/h3>\n
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\"R&J
\nImage credit: <\/em>R&J Italian Lounge & Restaurant<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Wine is best enjoyed in a classy ambiance, with live music. R&J Italian Lounge & Restaurant <\/strong>showcases elaborate marble floors and wall mosaics, fancy furniture, and quality recommendations from the staff that will impress your dinner company.<\/p>\n

Come here on a Tuesday night for a live jazz performance to accompany your glass of wine. Or if you need a little more privacy as you plow through your entrees, the restaurant also has a number of private rooms, suitable for family celebrations as well as to entertain business guests.<\/p>\n

\"R&J
\nWagyu <\/em>with truffle, purple potatoes, porcini, and baked Australian-imported Wagyu beef brisket.
\n<\/em>Image credit: <\/em>R&J Italian Lounge & Restaurant<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Diners will be spoilt for choice with a variety of antipasti, pastas, wood-fire Neapolitan pizzas, and a decadent dessert selection. You\u2019ll want to try the restaurant\u2019s Wagyu (VND688,000, ~USD29.61) <\/strong>\u2013 which masterfully incorporates the earthy flavour of truffle, purple potatoes, and the soft bites of porcini with the imported Australian baked beef. Pair with a glass of Suoi Barolo DOCG 2012<\/strong> from Piedmont, Italy to enhance the experience.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, its Cartoccio (VND498,000, ~USD21.43), <\/strong>made of lobster, squid ink tagliolini, and flavored with cherry tomato, garlic, and chili, is filled with the delicate freshness of seafood.<\/p>\n

Price range:<\/strong><\/span> VND198,000-VND3,288,000 (~USD7.23-USD141.49)
\nAddress:<\/strong><\/span> Level B1, The Reverie Saigon, 22-36 Nguyen hue Boulevard, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours: <\/strong><\/span>5PM-12PM, Daily
\nTelephone:<\/strong><\/span> 028 3823 6688
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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8. Basilico – Italian dining in a modern and stylish setting<\/h3>\n
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\"BASILICO
\nImage credit: <\/em>Basilico – Italian Cuisine<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

For those who want to see their pizza being carried out of the wood-fire oven right to your table, Basilico<\/strong> is the place to visit, with its convivial atmosphere and hardwood decor.<\/p>\n

\"BASILICO
\nPizza Burrata e Prosciutto, <\/em>made with Italian dry-cured ham, asparagus, Italian cow milk cheese, and Parmesan cheese
\nImage credit: <\/em>Basilico – Italian Cuisine<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

You’ll want to try the restaurant\u2019s hand-made arrosticini (VND280,000, ~USD12.05), <\/strong>which is grilled black angus beef striploin, arugula, onion, mozzarella, and red wine vinaigrette. The quality beef striploin has a smooth texture, which comes from the flesh and fat that melts during the cooking process, then enriched with the hearty flavor of red wine vinaigrette.<\/p>\n

There are over 9 different pizzas and 13 types of pasta to choose from. On top of that, customize your own pizzas (standard and gourmet)<\/strong> by picking your favourite protein, cheese, and veggie topping.<\/p>\n

Price range:<\/strong><\/span> VND75,000-VND430,000 (~USD3.23-USD18.50)
\nAddress:<\/strong><\/span> InterContinental Residences Saigon, Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan frontage, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/strong> <\/span>6.30PM-10.30PM, Daily
\nTelephone:<\/strong> <\/span>028 3520 9099
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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9. ‘NAMO Italian Restaurant – a good selection of esoteric wines<\/h3>\n
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\"'NAMO
\nImage credit: <\/em>NAMO Italian<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

The restaurant boasts wood decor, abundant lighting, an open kitchen, and exposed brick, giving off a modern and industrial feel. Choose from its impressive collection of esoteric wines, ranging from petit verdot <\/em><\/strong>(made from Bordeaux red grapes) to barons de rothchild <\/strong><\/em>(from family vineyards also in Bordeaux).<\/p>\n

\"'NAMO
\nImage credit: <\/em>NAMO Italian<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

For a decadent seafood treat, order grilled seafood platter (VND650,000, ~USD27.96) <\/strong>\u2013 fresh scallop, prawns, sea bass, oyster, squid, and clams smothered in cheese. Vegans can order the velvety and creamy pumpkin soup (VND140,000, ~USD6.02).<\/strong><\/p>\n

Price range<\/strong>:<\/span> VND50,000-VND675,000 (~USD2.15-USD69.71)
\nAddress:<\/strong> <\/span>74\/6 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/span> <\/strong>Sun-Thur, 11AM-10PM I Fri-Sat, 11AM-11PM
\nTelephone:<\/span> <\/strong>028 3822 7988
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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10. Opera Restaurant – plenty of seating areas to choose from<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\"Italian
\nImage credit: <\/em>Park Hyatt Saigon<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Opera Restaurant <\/strong>has a separate bar where guests can have a light meal or drink, a separate dining room, and a terrace for outdoor dining. Its floor-to-ceiling windows give the space plenty of natural daylight, with a luxurious and modern feel.<\/p>\n

\"Italian
\nImage credit: <\/em>Park Hyatt Saigon<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

For folks who\u2019re watching their waistlines, this is a great place to dine, since it uses only a minimal amount of sauce or cheese to keep its dishes light, healthy, and also highly authentic.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll want to try the capesante e pappa al pomodoro (VND340,000, <\/strong>~USD14.63)<\/strong>, a thick Tuscan bread soup prepared with fresh tomatoes and bread, flavored with olive oil, garlic, basil, and other ingredients.<\/p>\n

Pop by for an Italian-styled afternoon tea from 2PM to 5PM, when the place is at its most laid-back and tranquil.<\/p>\n

Price range:<\/strong><\/span> VND250,000-VND550,000 (~USD10.76-USD23.67)
\nAddress:<\/span> <\/strong>Park Hyatt Saigon, No.2 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/span> <\/strong>6AM-10.30PM, Daily
\nTelephone:<\/strong> <\/span>028 3520 2357
\nWebsite<\/a><\/p>\n

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Italian restaurants in Saigon<\/h3>\n
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Whether you\u2019re craving a decadent slice of Italian pizza, or want to take your pasta-craving date to a charming and romantic restaurant for a change, these are some of the most beloved Italian restaurants in Saigon that the city has to offer.<\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/p>\n