Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, is one of the most buzzing cities in South East Asia with a wide range of entertainment from historical museums, art gallery to high-end supermalls, from local street food stalls to fancy restaurants, that satisfy the pickiest eater. It is an open market provide eaters with international cuisines, especially when you are looking for a French one, here is a list of top 10 French restaurants famous among locals and expats.

 

1. Le Bordeaux - Binh Thanh District

 

This restaurant is located in Van Thanh area, which is around 20 minutes drive from the city center (District 1). Opened the mid-90s, Le Bordeaux is still among Vietnamese and expats top choices when it comes to French dishes. The most ordered dishes here are duck breast and pan-fried ducking with raspberries, or the roasted rack of lamb served with garlic cream. A three-courses meal at Le Bordeaux can get to $50.

 

2. THE REFINERY SAIGON - District 1

 

This restaurant located in the very heart of Saigon, with an attentive decoration of traditional French bistro style, enhancing the elegance and intimate ambiance. With a predominantly French menu paired with decently priced wine selections, including 17 Old and new world wines, a range of cocktails, this is a nice place to spend an evening or just hang out for a drink or a light snack. While the food never seems to get rave reviews, it gets quite busy for lunch and dinner. The price range varies between $40 to $200.

 

3. LE JARDIN FRENCH BISTRO - District 1

 

If you are looking for French dining in a budget, L’essentiel is the right place for you. At L’essentiel, its diners are provided with a perfect piece of peace and quiet away from the vibrant markets and honking scooters of the streets. Don’t expect any flash, but a visit to Le Jardin French Bistro makes a perfect fare with delicious meals and the ignite of an authentic French accent.

 

4. LA VILLA FRENCH RESTAURANT - District 2

 

La Villa French Restaurant is a perfect place for France lovers whoever wants to dip into authentic and delicious French fare. A divine menu is divine, a trolley of imported cheese and extensive French imported wine categories have made this place an amazing choice to spend an evening. Just when you think it can’t get any better, you’ll discover their post-feast Cuban cigars. If you want to feel the French hospitality, come and get to know their French chefs, who will come out of his kitchen to get to know diners and make sure they’re satisfied.

 

5. 48 BISTRO - District 1

 

Over glasses of delicious red wine, you can enjoy culinary experiments, which are surprisingly cheap for gourmet food. Everything you pay for are a perfectly quiet evening with the tranquility of soft lighting and vintage designs while enjoying the deliciously cooked meals at an unexpected price. At 48 Bistro, you will be served with high-class French and Vietnamese cuisine, as the owner-chef is the former chef at New World Hotel, a five-star hotel in Saigon. The French bistro is where gastronomers can enjoy tasty and inexpensive French foods.

 

6. 3G Trois Gourmands - District 2

 

3G Trois Gourmands has opened for around 15 years, and still impress locals and expats for its finest meals and Another venue that has been open for a while, 3G Trois Gourmands has been impressing affluent locals and expats since its opening in 2004. The restaurant is a two-story colonial villa located in District 2. It stuns its customers with French-ist minimalist decor, while there are indoor and outdoor dining sections that have plenty of tables overlooking the garden and swimming pool. The spotlight of the menu are lamb fillets, lobster with butter sauce, and duck breast with orange sauce, so make sure to spoil your significant other.

7. Cocotte - District 1

 

Cocotte is a classic French bistro tucked away in an alleyway (“hem”) that’s is a few steps away from Ben Thanh Market. It is newly opened in 2017 but good enough to impress locals eaters and foreign ones. The decor is simple but no less charming and tranquil like any other restaurants. If your French capacity is good, try to amaze the staff by order from the menu board with daily specials. At Cocotte, you can fill your stomach with deliciously cooked meals at around $10-15 per person. Highly recommended dishes such as the onion soup, duck confit, saucisses in lentil sauce, and the crème brûlée.