Solo dining was once seen as something for the lonely. “Poor soul,” some might have thought. Many were simply too shy to try it. Thankfully, that perception is beginning to change, driven by rising single-person households, remote work and convenience.
Yet one “influencer” was a pioneer long before. He would leave the world behind, lost in thought as he sat in the corner of Botín, the world’s oldest restaurant in Madrid, enjoying a plate of suckling pig with potatoes. One minute sipping his wine, the next writing away. Not only did he eat here, it is said he would sit and write for hours on end.
The famous American author Ernest Hemingway paved the way for us to romanticize dining, or simply living.
So why can’t one dine solo and devour delicious food while savoring every bite? Our famed Inspectors, who often dine alone on the road, would certainly agree.
Here are solo-diner-friendly spots in Ho Chi Minh City where you’ll feel right at home.
CieL is situated in the Thao Dien area of Ho Chi Minh City. © Eigh-T Architects/CieL, CieL
CieL One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2025
At CieL, tucked inside a sleek modern villa in Thao Dien, the vibe is more “dinner at a stylish friend’s house” than formal fine dining. It’s also a great pick for solo diners. Our Inspectors suggest grabbing a seat at the ground-floor counter, where you can watch the open kitchen in action while the tropical garden outside sets the scene. Upstairs leans Nordic-cool, but the cooking tells a different story: French technique meets Vietnamese soul in an ever-evolving tasting menu. Don’t skip the fish maw dish, a quietly brilliant East-meets-West dish. Thoughtful service and smart wine pairings seal the deal.
Address: 50 6/3 Street, Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 90 360 05 05.
Phở Lệ (District 5), a Bib Gourmand establishment in The MICHELIN Guide Vietnam 2025 edition. © The MICHELIN Guide
Phở Lệ (District 5) Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2025
Phở Lệ has been dishing out Southern-style pho for more than 70 years, and the place is still buzzing. Locals flock here for bold flavors and bowls piled high with beef. Order the mixed beef pho, loaded with raw and cooked beef, brisket, beef balls and tendon, all swimming in a deeply savory bone broth. Flying solo? No problem. Squeeze onto a stool, shoulder to shoulder with regulars, and dive straight in.
Address: 413-415 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 90 813 01 00.
Ănăn Saigon by Chef Peter Cuong Franklin. © Ănăn Saigon
Ănăn Saigon One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2025
After stints in Hong Kong, Chicago and Bangkok, chef-owner Peter Cuong Franklin returned home to open this lively market-side restaurant. Here, he applies modern techniques to classic Vietnamese street food, turning familiar flavors into something quietly thrilling. From the indulgent foie gras spring roll to Ha Noi turmeric fish and Wagyu mini bánh mì, each dish balances bold flavors with refined textures. The establishment is popular amongst travelers, so you won’t find yourself dining alone.
Address: 89 Ton That Dam Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 90 479 29 20.
The concrete counter faces the open kitchen, offering solo diners a front-row seat to the young team at work. © Duy Phan/ The Monkey Gallery, 2Dots Design/The Monkey Gallery Dining
The Monkey Gallery Dining Selected, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2025
Three founders, all born in the Year of the Monkey, created this relaxed dining “gallery” where minimalist, Japanese-influenced design keeps the spotlight firmly on the food. The concrete counter faces the open kitchen, making it a great perch for solo diners who want to watch the young team at work as they apply modern European techniques. The menu unfolds over four courses, with several dishes to choose from at each stage. Pair it with something from the inventive list of cocktails and mocktails.
Address: 3F, 91 Mac Thi Buoi Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 793 991 992.
The eight-seat Chef’s Table offers an intimate experience with a more personalized menu inspired by Vietnamese culture and nature. © Claudia Nguyen/An’s Siagon, An’s Siagon
An’s Saigon Selected, MICHELIN Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang 2025
Nestled in a stately 20th-century villa, An’s Saigon sits a little out of the way, so you’ll need a cab to get there. The restaurant is divided into three zones: the garden and the lounge serve breakfast, lunch and a dinner tasting menu, while the L-shaped, eight-seat Chef’s Table offers an intimate experience with a more personalized menu inspired by Vietnamese culture and nature. Artful plating and creative twists add a new spin to familiar flavors. If you’re looking for a more immersive and refined dining experience, where each dish unfolds a story, the dinner tasting menu is the perfect choice.
Address: 5A Tong Huu Dinh Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Tel. +84 90 135 13 31.
Header image: An’s Saigon’s setup makes it perfect for solo dining. © An’s Saigon
Written by
Liam Smith
Liam is a writer based in Hanoi with an interest in the city’s history and its connection to food. Outside of writing, much of his free time goes to books, cinema, and music.
Dining and Cooking