Hello friends!
Recently, I explored Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in Vietnam, also known as Saigon. The city is charming, with narrow alleys providing glimpses into life in Vietnam or leading to surprisingly aesthetic (and spacious) cafes and restaurants. Of course, my priority was to eat as much vegan and gluten-free Vietnamese food as possible – in less than 48 hours!
Honestly, the short amount of time was not the problem but choosing which vegan and gluten-free restaurant to visit was the problem – there are seriously so, so many vegan and gluten free cafes and restaurants in literally every district in HCMC.
So you don’t have to debate between options, I’ve created this vegan and gluten-free guide to cafes and restaurants in HCMC – with most options in District 3 and 1. Enjoy!
Vegan and Gluten-free Cafes and Restaurants in HCMC, Vietnam:
Ahn Coffee Roastery
Local cafe that provides plant-based mylk alternatives
📍8-10 pm at 200 Pasteur, Phường 6, Quận 3
Cafe Oshima’s
Local cafe that provides plant-based mylk alternatives
📍 8-10 pm at 2/37 Đ. Cao Thắng, Ward 5, Quận 3
Dabao Concept (Dongdo)
Provides coffee, tea, and vibes but not plant-based mylk alternatives
📍 7-10 pm at 151C Hai Bà Trưng, Phường 6, Quận 3
Rawberry
Proudly vegan, gluten-free, and even sugar-free but located in the expat area so requires a Grab (or a lot of walking)
📍 9-8 pm at 52 Đường Đỗ Quang, Thảo Điền, Quận 2
Vi Que Kitchen is more expensive than the usual but worth the price as the portions are filling and the flavours delectable – especially the piper lolot!
📍9-10.30 pm at 110 Đ. Sương Nguyệt Anh, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1
Pho Chay Nhu specialises in pho and noodles in general (almost all on offer are gluten-free and rice based noodles but do double check). My fave dish was the bánh bèo (steamed rice cakes) as it was a new experience and I loved every bite!
📍6-8 pm at 54 Trương Quyền, Phường 6, Quận 3
Kashew Cheese can be found on Google Maps as Kashew Deli, Kashew Cheese Pasteur, Kashew Cheese Garden Villa, and more so really, just choose what’s closest. This franchise specialises in vegan cheese so think of delicious dishes like panini’s and pasta oozing with vegan cheese – or for those that are gluten-free: fluffy gluten-free bagels with equally fluffy vegan cheese. Another reason to visit one of the branches would be because coffee here can be served with vegan condensed milk!
📍Timing depends on the branch chosen
Bánh Mì JÒN is nearby two other options (Hondori and Bami) because vegan bahn mi abounds in HCMC. However, gluten-free options that are simultaneously vegan are still tricky to find; so that means, my husband devoured an entire baguette and I tried the filling – his choice of sardine is highly recommended as it’s a unique dish that’s rare in the vegan food scene but should be more common (well, the way JÒN prepares vegan sardine, at least).
📍7-8 pm at 308 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 5, Quận 3
Honourable Mentions:
Hum Vegetarian
This branch is setting high standards for exterior design and although I did not visit during this trip, Hum was my go to back in 2018
📍10-10 pm at 34 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3
Shamballa Vegetarian
My (foodie) relative that frequents HCMC praised this vegetarian restaurant but unfortunately it was not nearby our Air BnB
📍 Timing depends on the branch chosen
The Joi Factory Cafe
My husband and I dined here and are happy to share that Rawberry’s desserts can be found here among other yummy local items
📍 6.30-10 pm at Hẻm 212/2B Đ. Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Quận 1
Chay Garden
I just love tasting local dishes while traveling and the menu at Chay looks as local as it can get so if you visit on my behalf, share what it’s like in the comments below
📍 10-10 pm at 52 Võ Văn Tần, Phường 6, Quận 3
“You call this type of eating an choi... recreational eating.”
Anthony Bourdain on banh beo
Raisa Reviews 