15 Best Restaurants in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The old-world charm of the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel extends to its in-house restaurant, which serves Western and Asian cuisine in a stylish riverfront setting. Take a seat on the terrace to enjoy the sunset (and happy hour at the bar) and the attentive but discreet service. This is the priciest place in town, but the food, the staff, and the river views make it worthwhile. Reservations are recommended because sometimes the restaurant hosts bus tours.

Tasty bar food is available here day and night—think pizza, burgers, panini, salads, stir-fries, and pasta, served in a giant boat-shaped restaurant. Hosts Rory and Yoon preside over the café/bar, which has a genuinely welcoming atmosphere and fabulous views that stretch to Cambodia.

The newest restaurant on Can Tho's tourist strip is also the city's most stylish, with elegant and comfortable furniture and a coveted terrace with views of the river. The menu is divided between European and Asian and both sections offer plenty of variety (try the chicken braised in coconut). You can also drop by for a coffee or cake, which are baked on-site.

Cassia Cottage Resort's in-house restaurants have romantic settings: beside a pond filled with water lilies in a manicured tropical garden or right on the beach. This restaurant, which specializes in Vietnamese and international cuisine, uses fresh local produce, prepared with care and a bit of a French flourish. This is a great option for a special evening that won't break the bank.

The in-house restaurant at this friendly eco-lodge serves fresh local seafood, vegetarian dishes and lau (hotpots), which can be enjoyed with one of Phu Quoc's best views. Don't miss the house specialty, minted tempura shrimp, or book a beach barbecue for two. It's wise to book ahead before visiting, as the restaurant has only enough electricity for one refrigerator on-site, limiting the inventory of ingredients.

For authentic Northern Indian cuisine, including great tandoor and naan, stop by this little restaurant, with simple style and friendly staff. Portions are generous and the masala tea is very delicious, although service can be on the slow side.

This casual seafood restaurant is popular with locals but sees few tourists, so you may have trouble finding someone that speaks English. Once the young and enthusiastic staff help break the language barrier, you'll be rewarded with mountains of fresh and delicious seafood, which comes grilled, steamed, or fried.

Part of the highly acclaimed Nam Bo Boutique Hotel, this all-day café-restaurant serves a variety of traditional Mekong specialties and European staples in a casual French bistro--style setting. For local fare, try the lau (a hotpot served with rice noodles, lean pork, seafood, and a pile of vegetables) or, if you're feeling adventurous, the snake set (menu de serpent in French). The stylish, artsy interior is complemented by a superb riverfront setting and free Wi-Fi, making it a pleasant spot for a coffee break. Reservations are recommended at peak times, as large tour groups can arrive en masse.

An eccentric tourist restaurant catering to domestic travelers, Phuong Hoang can be quite the experience, whether you choose to dine in a thatched hut, the fake floating restaurant, or the dining area that's in a giant cement reproduction of a helicopter cabin (minus rotor and skids). The menu offers a range of traditional Vietnamese dishes and a host of local specialties, such as bat, snake, and field mouse. The staff has limited English, but the restaurant does have one English menu, which makes things easier. An abandoned-looking children's playground fronts the complex, but keep walking until you see the huts.

A plain and simple restaurant, associated with the Cuu Long Hotel across the road (which issues guests with tickets to the breakfast buffet), the riverside Phuong Thuy has a range of standard Vietnamese dishes, including hotpot, and a few Western choices. The main drawcards here are the English subtitles on the menu and the great river views, though service can be a bit slow. The staff don't mind if you grab a riverside seat for a few quiet drinks rather than ordering a meal.

In a superb riverside setting inside Can Tho's beautiful old market hall, Sao Hom's friendly staff serves a range of Vietnamese and Western favorites, including the local version of cha gio (spring rolls). The service and venue are as relaxed as the river flowing by. Just a short walk from Ninh Kieu pier, Sao Hom is a great place to pause before exploring the local market beyond.

There are several dining options in this multilevel shopping complex adjacent to the Vinpearl Can Tho Hotel. Level 4 is where most of the eateries are, as well as an indoor kids' play center. Choices include Thai BBQ Buffet, GoGi House (Korean), Kitchi-Kitchi (Japanese), Rainbow Yoghurt, and a Lotteria burger outlet. Level 5 is home to a CGV cinema complex and an arcade section. Level 1 has mostly shopping, as well as a Chinese restaurant called Crystal Jade Kitchen.

As you'd expect from a seaside town, Ha Tien has excellent seafood restaurants, most of which line the river. Vinh Map is a good place to tuck into fresh shrimp, squid, clams, sea snails, and oysters, which are usually sold by the kilo or half kilo. An English menu helps, but not as much as a bit of confidence and the ability to point at what you'd like to eat.

A popular stop for travelers seeking a break from Asian food, Winston's specializes in burgers, and all are made with Australian beef with all the fixings on homemade buns. Try the extra large "Big Freaking Burgers" if you dare, with such apt names as the Fat Bastard and the Terminator.