Hoi An Restaurant Saigon City
Address: 11 Le Thanh Ton Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
 

This restaurant specializes in the intricate cuisine of the eponymous central coast town, which was influenced by progressive waves of settlers (Chinese and French). A delicious specialty is plump, buttery shrimp grilled in a banana leaf and dipped in a sauce of lime juice and salt. The cao lau is also superb: thin slices of pork, shrimp, and crumbled morsels of crunchy sesame cake tumbled on top of wide rice noodles, served with an aromatic bowl of marrow-bone broth.

Quan An Ngon "Good Food" Restaurant
Address: 138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
 

The owner of this popular restaurant scoured the streets for the best dishes he could find, then offered the sellers a gig at his new restaurant at a regular wage. Thus Quan An Ngon was born in 2001. Now 20 or more former street vendors stand in the restaurant's open-air dining area preparing specialties such as spring rolls, bun cha (char-grilled meat and peanuts over rice noodles) and bun bo hue (spicy soup with seafood and pork). The communal tables are packed with locals—always an auspicious sign.

La Camargue
Address: 191 Hai Ba Trung street., Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
 

Set in leafy gardens with climbing vines, bougainvillea and fountains, Le Maison de L’Apothiquaire, which is housed in a beautiful white colonial-style mansion complete with tropical gardens and pool, is the perfect urban spa and retreat for those seeking a relaxing break from sightseeing and shopping. Decor of velvet curtains, gargoyles and claw-foot bathtubs reflect the traditional Spa ambience.

La Habana
Address: 6 Cao Ba Quat St, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
This lively Latin-themed restaurant and bar is a friendly District 1 gem: Think Sunday paella brunches; Cuban cigars for less than $8; pitchers of well-made mojitos; and 40-plus tapas on the menu, from classics like Serrano ham and melon to meatballs in a chile-tomato Cubano sauce. At night, shy types retreat to the open-air patio out back; everyone else puts on their salsa shoes. There are free dance lessons on Tuesdays, live music on Fridays, and a welcoming vibe daily. Any place with sombreros on the walls can't take itself too seriously...

Le Beaudeax
Address: 72d2 street, Binh Thanh district, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Tourists don't seem to know about this lovely two-story restaurant a ten-minute taxi ride from District 1's Lam Son Square. The city's affluent foodies leaf through the latest editions of Paris Match in the stylish ground-floor lounge and then climb the sweeping staircase for superbly plated, unapologetically French entrées like scallops "St. Jacques" casserole and duck confit with sautéed potatoes. Less traditional options include seared sliced beef with an endive and ginger salad or a foie gras terrine with fig chutney. The tables are piled with hedges of fresh roses, while Chinese porcelain and vintage travel posters decorate the walls....

Mandarin Restaurant
Address: 4 Nguyen Thiep street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City City, Vietnam
 

Tucked away on a side street just a block from the Opera House and Lam Son Square, this 80-seat restaurant serves a mix of locals, expats, and tipped-off travelers. The cozy dining room—tile floors, wood wainscoting—is attractive, and success hasn't spoiled the experience: The southern Vietnamese fare remains fresh and affordable. Don't miss the grilled-beef salad with mango, or chicken sautéed with chile and lemongrass. The waitstaff is sometimes stymied by the narrow, three-story layout—second-floor seating will ensure the best service. Reservations are recommended for dinner, which is more of a local affair than lunch.

Temple Club
Address: 29-31 Ton That Thiep street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
 

Tucked away on a downtown shopping street in an outwardly unimpressive building, the Temple Club actually occupies a former Chinese temple. The place has a languorous 1930s ambience, with a classic old wooden bar. Everything here is for sale, from the antique throw rugs and Buddhist tapestries to the retro designer furniture. The menu is Vietnamese, with dishes such as shrimp in tamarind sauce and fried monkfish. Finish your meal by stopping in downstairs at Fanny's. The wonderful ice cream flavors include local favorites like durian as well as the usual suspects, such as chocolate and vanilla.