Khoi Thom
29 Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street
District 3, HCMC
Cafe Central
Cafe Central is located on the ground floor of Sun Wah Tower. I'd say it's not the most characteristic or unique in ambience. Quite boring actually, but I was pleasantly surprised the first time I had lunch here.
The menu is huge. Everything from Vietnamese, to Asian and Western favorites. I ordered a pineapple juice and was so happy to see that my drink was 3x the size of most "juices" I order in Saigon.
As for the fish dish? I loved it! Grilled fish accompanied with tomato salsa. Broccoli, cauliflower, and other veggies on the side. I can't think of many other places in town where I can find a westernized dish like this that's large enough in portion to be filling, fun to eat, and healthy. I've also tried the Hu Tieu noodle soup, and found it to be good, but a bit light on the amount of noodles.
I think Cafe Central is a convenient place in which businessmen and women, couples, and tourists can equally enjoy. Perfect for a meal, dessert, or simply coffee. The outdoor seating area also allows prime location to sit under the shade and chat, watch people, cars, you name it.
Cafe Central
115 Nguyen Hue Boulevard (Sunwah Tower)
District 1, HCMC
Elle Cafe
Near Bitexco Financial Tower? Elle Cafe is a nice little oasis when you need an escape from the office. Elle Cafe is fun spot to grab a coffee, drink, or snack with colleagues.
Set in a white tent, under the shade of the Bitexco Financial Tower, is Elle - a modern, upscale, white interior meets magenta lamps, European style cafe. There's just enough flowers, plants, and trees around to give Elle Cafe that peaceful, yet clean and minimalistic vibe.
I generally don't eat breakfast, but ended up grabbing a bite here after a meeting nearby. I had a ham and scrambled egg on baguette sandwich. Simple, tasty, and just what I needed. I'll also add that the french fries were probably one of the top I've had in HCMC (crisp and - like Burger King Style but plus plus!)
Elle Cafe
Behind Bitexco Financial Tower (2 Hai Trieu Street)
On the side of Ngo Duc Ke Street
District 1, HCMC
Good Eats
I stumbled upon Good Eats while researching healthy food options in HCMC. Intrigued by their menu, which advertised "No MSG", fresh, and organic ingredients, I thought I would give it a shot.
Located in Thao Dien (District 2), Good Eats is an outdoor casual dining establishment beside the Nutrifort Fitness Gym, a US$1-million fitness center, founded by Vietnamese-American Nicole Hankins, a fitness trainer and nutritionist from the US.
The Good Eats menu (link) incorporates a strong breakfast selection, sandwiches/wraps, meat/seafood/pasta courses of both Western and Asian influence. along with an array of smoothies and fruit juice mixes.
My favorite dish is the salmon teriyaki with shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, and wild rice. I have to admit that Good Eats (in D2) is a little too far away for me to visit often, but if you're nearby, it's a nice stop for a casual, tasty, and healthy bite.
Good Eats
34 Nguyen Dang Giai
Thao Dien Ward, District 2, HCMC
Zan Z Bar
One of the few places in HCMC that can feed my hunger for that American-like "Western meets Asian Fusion" food and international cuisine feel.
Zan Z Bar has everything. Yummy "happy hour" type appetizers. Good drinks. Salads, burgers, steaks, seafood, you name it. Awesome presentation and full-sized portions for a fun dining experience.
Zan Z Bar
[New Location, formerly Dong Du Street]
District 1, HCMC
Givral
Givral is the eye-catching, modern, and stylish bakery/cafe at the corner beside the new Vincom A.
Entering Givral means leaving the charming Dong Khoi behind, and finding yourself amidst sleek creamy European decor, a slightly tacky rectangular-tiled glass ceiling, and post-impressionist paintings. Their choice of background music? Not so French... Somewhere along the lines of Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On" and Britney Spears.
A French-style bakery and cafe, Givral is a part of Saigon's history. Founded in the early 1950s by Frenchman Alain Portier, Givral was one of the first of its kind. During the war, this Givral location was a meeting place for international journalists and other renowned artists.
As for the food? Enjoyable - I had the Givral special coffee, a blended coffee drink, and the peppered rice with "American" beef short rib dish. My rice had more pepper than I would have liked (whole green peppercorns) and I've definitely had more tender meat elsewhere, but nevertheless, beautiful presentation and good sized lunch portion (with a Givral "g" imprinted on the rice) which I scarfed down. Next time, I'll be back to try their dazzling array of desserts and cakes.
Givral169 Dong Khoi Street - Vincom Center A
District 1, HCMC