Romantic and luxurious dinner suggestions for couples in the central area of Saigon

I have always thought about a romantic trip in this familiar city, which I have long chosen as my second home. If I were a tourist who would stop for just a few nights in this bustling and noisy city, and to find a peaceful corner for myself and my lover, I would probably spend 3 evenings, with each evening having a different flavor, from which I could choose non-repetitive restaurant scenes, for moments together that would last forever.

The first night – The night of wind, moon and vast sky

When night falls, Saigon takes on a different appearance, colorful and sparkling. Under the yellow light from street lamps and restaurants, the melodious music blends with the sound of vehicles, the pace of life seems to slow down. In the heart of the city lies a world of exquisite cuisine, where every dinner is not just about eating, but a journey through flavors, space and emotions.

The places I choose will be restaurants with a view from high floors, where you can observe the whole city center when it lights up. Located on the 12th floor of the Silverland Ben Thanh Hotel in the city center, next to Ben Thanh Market, Smith’s Kitchen & Bar offers a culinary experience that is both luxurious and cozy, like a gentle invitation to relax and cherish the moment with your loved one. In the soft yellow light and the space curved with raw iron, the creative cocktails in the Signature Cocktails category bring a symphony of tastes, from the delicate yuzu Gin to the rich Tango, warm and sweet like an urban dance, ideal to sip when Saigon lights up. On review sites like TripAdvisor and Google, Smith’s received a near-perfect rating (4.9/5), where diners not only praised the quality of dishes such as gambas shrimp, grilled cod, crab fried rice… “unforgettable”, but also mentioned the attentive service, the staff were ready to “turn on the flash” to take photos for guests, and always kept a warm smile throughout the evening.

Located on the 51st floor of Bitexco Financial Tower, EON51 Restaurant & Lounge is currently the highest restaurant in the central area of Saigon, possessing a panoramic view of every corner of the city. All the hustle and bustle seems to disappear to make way for a sophisticated culinary space. Opened since 2013, EON51 Restaurant & Lounge offers unique culinary experiences to diners at a height of 200m. Surrounding the restaurant is a strip of transparent glass walls, allowing diners to enjoy dinner while admiring the vast city view from every seat. 

Night Two – Explore Michelin’s Restaurant List

Vietnamese people have an old habit of going to the market to eat well. Hidden in the old market on Ton That Dam Street, which is quite dark at night, is a culinary treasure called Anan Saigon, a restaurant honored with 1 Michelin star in 2025. The space here is like a wooden box that opens unexpectedly with the kitchen located right in the center, allowing diners to witness each stage of preparation, the chef moves quickly, the sound of knives and chopping boards blends with the aroma rising from hot pans. From crispy taco pancakes, soft pho rolls, foie gras spring rolls, Hanoi turmeric braised fish and mini Wagyu sandwiches… to cocktails inspired by Vietnamese spices, all of which awaken the taste buds. Sophisticated contemporary Vietnamese cuisine, elevating street food with modern techniques. The first restaurant to receive 1 Michelin star in Ho Chi Minh City stands out with a menu that skillfully blends traditional flavors and the chef’s modern culinary creativity.

Nestled among the quiet streets of an old villa area, A by TUNG is where chef Hoang Tung – the youngest person in the top “50 Best Restaurants in Asia” – puts his heart into every dish. The restaurant space has a sophisticated Nordic feel, with a vaulted ceiling printed with aurora and an open kitchen for guests to sit and admire the art of preparation. A by TUNG serves a seasonal tasting menu with just under 20 dishes, honoring local ingredients from all over Vietnam. More than just a simple blend, the dishes here highlight identity through creative combinations of ingredients, flavors and advanced processing techniques. Every three months, diners are welcomed with a new version, a new story, to experience the differences by season, by region. The highlight is the “dish description card” placed with the plate, helping diners follow the story of each dish easily. The essence of Vietnamese cuisine in each dish, from the scent of Northern guava, to the symphony of mountain and ocean flavors, appears through each skillful combination on the plate. Each dish is not only meticulously prepared, but also slowly told, so that diners not only enjoy, but also feel the history, geography, origin and love for Vietnamese food.

The space like a Zen garden of Nén Light opens up a world of subtle combination of shimmering light and quiet bamboo bushes. Soft lights cover the wooden table, vines and winding bamboo shadows, creating a feeling that is both cozy and mysterious. Chef Summer Lê leads diners through the Sto:ry menu of 7 or 9 dishes with their own story, changing seasonally. Each dish is a delicate transmission of local ingredients such as gac fruit, wild vegetables, wild-caught seafood, creatively prepared like works of art on the plate. Nén Light is not just dinner, but a journey through cuisine and memories. NÉN has been awarded the first and only MICHELIN Green Star Award in Vietnam in 2024, an award that highlights the activities of those working in the culinary field towards sustainability in the community.

The Last Night – Night for warmth and unfinished stories

The journey to discover classy culinary addresses at private tables for two seems to last forever in this city. And to temporarily close the romantic journey with your lover in Saigon, take some private moments for a culinary walk in French style. Among the street corners that are always lit up, and not far from The Myst Dong Khoi hotel, are quiet eateries that retain the poetic beauty of Paris, telling different French culinary stories, both modern, sophisticated, nostalgic and familiar.

Just a 5-minute walk from The Myst Dong Khoi Hotel, Le Corto – a contemporary bistronomy by Chef Sakal Phœung, who has spent more than 25 years working in Michelin-starred restaurants in France. The restaurant is named after the cartoon character “Corto Maltese”, a wandering sailor, inviting diners to travel through flavors. Le Corto’s space is gentle, the red – gray – black color palette creates a luxurious but comfortable feeling. The soft lighting and wooden bar are ideal places to sip wine before diving into the menu. The menu is a fusion of French culinary quintessence and creative inspiration: pan-fried foie gras with port sauce and mango, tofu parfait with salmon roe and Dalat micro-herb, finished with berry pavlova with coriander sorbet. Cuisine here is not just cooking, it is the way the chefs tell stories through taste.

And right next to The Myst Dong Khoi Hotel, Le Comptoir Bistro & Books is like an old French house in the middle of modern Saigon. Standing out with its white paint, open facade and mint green wooden doors, the restaurant brings a friendly and cozy feeling to diners. The space is lightly decorated with elegant wooden tables and chairs, but the small and pretty bistro restaurants of Paris and old bookshelves evoke a feeling of peace and relaxation with a cup of coffee or a glass of red wine, hand in hand with a lover. The menu is diverse from duck confit, salmon tournedos, to homemade crêpes, prawn carpaccio… each dish is served in a simple yet sophisticated style. All bring a feeling of “truly French” in every small detail in the center of Saigon.