Vung Tau, a coastal city in southern Vietnam, is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene. When visiting this beautiful city, one of the most essential aspects of planning your trip is deciding where to eat. With a plethora of dining options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best restaurants, cafes, and street food stalls that serve authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine.
Get ultimate traveler plannerOverview of Vung Tau’s Culinary Scene
Vung Tau’s culinary scene is a fusion of traditional Vietnamese flavors, fresh seafood, and modern twists on classic dishes. From mouth-watering street food to upscale restaurants, the city offers a diverse range of dining experiences that cater to different tastes and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner, a quick bite, or a culinary adventure, Vung Tau has something to offer.
What to Expect in this Guide
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through Vung Tau’s best eateries, hidden gems, and local favorites. We’ll cover a range of options, from seafood restaurants to cafes, bakeries, and street food stalls, to help you make informed decisions about where to eat during your visit. Whether you’re a foodie, a traveler, or simply looking for a great meal, this guide is designed to help you navigate Vung Tau’s culinary landscape and discover the best places to eat in this beautiful coastal city.
Where to Eat in Vung Tau: A Foodie’s Paradise
Vung Tau, a coastal city in southern Vietnam, is a popular weekend getaway from Ho Chi Minh City. While it’s known for its beautiful beaches and outdoor activities, Vung Tau is also a foodie’s paradise, offering a diverse range of delicious and affordable dining options. From fresh seafood to traditional Vietnamese cuisine, and from street food to high-end restaurants, Vung Tau has something for every taste and budget.
Seafood Heaven
Vung Tau is renowned for its fresh seafood, and you can find a wide variety of seafood dishes at affordable prices. Here are some must-try seafood spots:
- Bach Dang Seafood Restaurant: Located on the waterfront, this restaurant serves an array of fresh seafood dishes, including fish, squid, shrimp, and crab. Try their signature dish, grilled squid with salt and chili.
- Nghinh Phong Seafood Restaurant: This popular restaurant offers a wide range of seafood dishes, including steamed fish, seafood hot pot, and seafood BBQ.
- Cua Lap Seafood Market: This bustling market offers a variety of fresh seafood, including fish, squid, shrimp, and crab. You can choose your seafood and have it cooked on the spot.
Traditional Vietnamese Cuisine
Vung Tau is also home to many restaurants serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Here are some must-try spots:
- Com Tam Moc: This popular restaurant serves delicious broken rice dishes, including grilled pork, chicken, and fish.
- Banh Khot Co Vuong: This small eatery specializes in banh khot, crispy rice flour pancakes served with fresh shrimp, pork, and vegetables.
- Pho 24: This popular pho restaurant serves delicious and affordable beef noodle soup, a Vietnamese staple.
Street Food Heaven
Vung Tau’s street food scene is vibrant and affordable, offering a wide range of delicious and authentic Vietnamese dishes. Here are some must-try street food spots: (See Also: Where To Eat In Shinjuku)
- Banh Mi Xiu: This popular street food stall serves delicious banh mi, Vietnamese sandwiches, with a variety of fillings, including grilled pork, chicken, and tofu.
- Xeo Cake: This street food stall specializes in xeo cake, crispy rice flour pancakes served with fresh shrimp, pork, and vegetables.
- Fresh Fruit Smoothies: You can find many street food stalls serving fresh fruit smoothies, including mango, banana, and dragon fruit.
High-End Dining
If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, Vung Tau has several high-end restaurants to choose from:
- The Hill Restaurant: Located in the luxurious Pullman Vung Tau Hotel, this restaurant serves modern Vietnamese cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood and local ingredients.
- Lighthouse Restaurant: This rooftop restaurant offers stunning views of the city and serves a range of international dishes, including steak, seafood, and pasta.
- The Beach House Restaurant: Located in the Anoasis Beach Resort, this restaurant serves fresh seafood and international dishes in a beachfront setting.
Food Markets
Vung Tau has several food markets that offer a wide range of fresh produce, meats, and seafood. Here are some must-visit markets:
- Cua Lap Market: This bustling market offers a wide range of fresh seafood, including fish, squid, shrimp, and crab.
- Vung Tau Market: This market offers a variety of fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, and meats.
- Night Market: This night market offers a range of street food stalls, including banh mi, xeo cake, and fresh fruit smoothies.
Tips and Recommendations
Here are some tips and recommendations for eating in Vung Tau:
- Try the local specialties: Vung Tau is famous for its seafood, so be sure to try some fresh seafood dishes during your visit.
- Eat at local markets: Vung Tau’s markets offer a wide range of fresh produce and street food at affordable prices.
- Be adventurous: Try some new and exotic dishes, such as grilled squid or fried insects.
- Learn some Vietnamese phrases: Learning some basic Vietnamese phrases, such as “xin chào” (hello) and “cảm ơn” (thank you), can go a long way in enhancing your dining experience.
Conclusion
Vung Tau is a foodie’s paradise, offering a diverse range of delicious and affordable dining options. From fresh seafood to traditional Vietnamese cuisine, and from street food to high-end restaurants, Vung Tau has something for every taste and budget. Whether you’re looking for a quick and affordable meal or a more upscale dining experience, Vung Tau is sure to satisfy your culinary cravings.
In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the best places to eat in Vung Tau, including seafood restaurants, traditional Vietnamese eateries, street food stalls, and high-end restaurants. We’ve also provided some tips and recommendations for eating in Vung Tau, including trying local specialties, eating at local markets, being adventurous, and learning some Vietnamese phrases.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Vung Tau, be sure to bring your appetite and try some of the delicious dishes this coastal city has to offer. With its rich culinary heritage and affordable prices, Vung Tau is a foodie’s dream come true. (See Also: Where To Eat In Ottawa)
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bach Dang Seafood Restaurant | Seafood | VND 200,000 – VND 500,000 |
| Com Tam Moc | Traditional Vietnamese | VND 50,000 – VND 100,000 |
| Pho 24 | Pho | VND 30,000 – VND 50,000 |
| The Hill Restaurant | Modern Vietnamese | VND 500,000 – VND 1,000,000 |
Note: Prices are approximate and may vary depending on the location and time of day.
We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide to eating in Vung Tau. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for some delicious and affordable meals, Vung Tau is sure to satisfy your culinary cravings.
Happy eating!
Frequently Asked Questions: Where To Eat In Vung Tau
What are the must-try local dishes in Vung Tau?
Vung Tau is famous for its fresh seafood, and you should definitely try the local specialties such as grilled squid, steamed crab, and fish sauce-based dishes. Other popular options include banh khot (mini savory pancakes), banh xeo (crispy rice flour pancake), and com tam (broken rice).
Are there any restaurants in Vung Tau that serve international cuisine?
Yes, Vung Tau has a range of restaurants serving international cuisine, including Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Western-style food. You can find these restaurants mainly in the city center and along the coastal roads. Some popular options include The Hill Restaurant, Lighthouse Restaurant, and Tommy’s Sports Bar. (See Also: Where To Eat In The Hunter Valley)
Can I find vegetarian or vegan options in Vung Tau?
While Vung Tau is known for its seafood, you can still find some vegetarian and vegan options in the city. Look for restaurants that serve Buddhist or Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine, such as Com ChayVien Thanh or Viet An. Some cafes and bakeries also offer vegan options, like tofu sandwiches or plant-based milk.
Are the street food stalls in Vung Tau safe to eat at?
Street food in Vung Tau is generally safe to eat, but make sure to choose stalls that are busy and have a high turnover of customers. Avoid stalls with poor hygiene or those that leave food out for too long. Also, make sure to eat at stalls that cook food fresh on the spot, and avoid raw or undercooked ingredients.
Can I use credit cards at restaurants in Vung Tau?
While some high-end restaurants and hotels in Vung Tau may accept credit cards, it’s still a cash-based economy. It’s best to have some local currency, Vietnamese dong, with you when eating out. You can also use ATMs to withdraw cash if needed. Some restaurants may accept online payment methods like ZaloPay or MoMo, but it’s not widely available.
