When it comes to food, Da Nang has quite an international gastronomic scene. Admittedly, I found myself marking out more foreign cuisine restaurants compared to Vietnamese eateries. You really have a lot of choices for food in Da Nang.
Here are restaurants in Da Nang that I tried and enjoyed. Some of them are very popular, while others are hidden gems. Look out for those unassuming alleys, sometimes you will find good stuff there.
Donald Trung Da Nang
I know I know, the name’s a bit funny but this was recommended by a local friend and the place is actually very popular among the locals compared to tourists.
Donald Trung is the place to make your own wraps and rolls. There have a free flow supply of greens that you help yourself to. The signature here is the boiled/grilled meat (pork or beef). It goes by portion per pax. So does not matter if you are dining alone.
You will get served rice papers and meat. Then you make your own wraps and sauce with the ingredients and veggies available.
If you are like me, who often over orders, get yourself a bowl of noodles or sticky rice as well. They also have a great selection of drinks, which are cheap! This whole meal + a juice cost just over $5 during my last visit, I was bloated.
I love the staff here. They don’t speak much English, but instead of shying away, they proactively helped me when they see me doing the sauce mixture or wrappings wrongly.
You’re going to learn some knowledge about how to make/eat Vietnamese wraps if you aren’t familiar. They could really have easily ignored me amidst the crowd.
That said, it gets busy during lunch time, so you want to come before 12pm, or after 1pm. This is sort of the kind of food people like to sit and have ample time to enjoy. So by 1pm, office crowd is gone, I think because it’s “too rush” to start eating then.
The restaurant is actually quite big, but the outdoor area is usually too hot in the afternoon, so everyone goes into just the aircon area.
You can pay by card here.
Nhà Hàng Nhà Bếp Chợ Hàn
This is one of the restaurants in the city center that is very popular among Koreans. And there are a few of such places within the same vicinity.
Prices here are more expensive than eating in local places, but not ridiculous like a tourist attraction. For the more premium price, you are basically getting a beautiful and comfortable space, along with good service.
The place is big so I did not have to wait despite the busy lunch crowd. And although there are many customers, they are well staffed and service is fast.
The restaurant also provide tea and wet napkins. It is clean and has a nice atmosphere even during peak time. The place was almost full, with people going in and out, but it didn’t feel super chaotic or messy.
I tried the seafood noodles and it was a satisfying meal. The prawns and clam meat were plump. I like that the seafood were substantial both in terms of quantity and quality.
Coffee is good here and cheap as they have a cafe that operates separately. There is seating space outside for just having coffee.
This is a place that I would return with a group but unlikely to go back alone. Most of the dishes are better shared; they even have family combos. With the variety and ambience, it is best enjoyed with company.
if you are coming in a group, I recommend making a reservation in advance.
They take card payment but with 5% fee.
Burger House (햄버거)
I took note of this restaurant since it was near where I stayed and a friend recommended it too. With the raving reviews, I was expecting a good burger, but was still very pleasantly surprised at the quality.
Now the storefront doesn’t even look super appealing or western. It looked exactly like an Asian place serving burgers. But this is where you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Oh, and when I visited, it wasn’t crowded. But all the customers coming in and out were individual westerners, who looked like they are regular expats. So that’s a very good sign.
I tried the Blue Cheese Burger and highly recommend it. The bun was warm and crispy, the patty was juicy, and the blue cheese wasn’t overpowering. It was the right amount.
I also had the avocado smoothie, which I think is on the cheaper price point, and it was thick and substantial. My friend recommends the Double Cheese Burger and he also enjoys the thick chips/fries which is served with roasted garlic and special dip (I think it’s mayo mixed with something)
Pricing wise is fair. Typical of what you would see for western food in Vietnam.
They do accept card payment.
Mlem Pudding
Hidden in a small, tight alleyway, you will find Mlem Pudding. A tiny store selling all sorts of delicious looking desserts. I think their most popular ones are the puddings and toasts. But they also have cookie bombs, cakes and drinks.
The whole place and food has a very Korean/Japanese style vibe. It is small but vibrant. The biggest bonus is the cute, fat Corgi that likes to lay around the cafe.
I had a real dilemma deciding what to get because they all looked super tasty. Not just the type of dish but also the different flavor options.
Ultimately I went with the Salted Egg toast. The bread crust was crispy but the interior was soft. The salted egg “sauce” gives the flavor but not overwhelming; I consider it to be on the lighter side of taste.
Do note that the salted egg option can be a bit of a wait (they warned me about it), which I didn’t mind. It means the dish is prepared fresh. And it’s a comfortable place to sit since it’s not too busy.
Prices here are also cheap in my opinion. Many non-local dishes usually command a higher pricing, but at Mlem’s you are paying like the price of a cup of cafe coffee. And these desserts will cost much more in many other countries.
I definitely hoped to be back to try the puddings.
They do not take card payment.
Umm Banh Mi
This is one of the popular Banh Mi cafes in Da Nang, so you are looking at a comfortable, air conditioned space while enjoying your crispy, tasty Banh Mi.
In fact they even opened up a second spot that is pretty near the first in the same district. I went to the original one at Le Quang Dao and was not disappointed.
They have quite extensive options from the traditional ones to filling like beef with cheese and even vegetarian options. I’ve heard the tofu one is good as well.
The grilled pork was delicious, as the pork is well marinated and not dry at all. Whole bread was served warm and crispy. I also got a traditional Vietnamese coffee with milk that paired nicely.
There can be a bit of wait time even if the cafe is not super crowded. So I think they are definitely making something fresh, and I’m not complaining. It’s a nice place to sit for awhile.
It is actually well suited for working on your laptop. Seats are of decent height, some even cushy and there are several power sockets around. But the place can get busy, so you want to be respectful based on the situation.
For more laptop friendly coffeeshop options, check out my experiences with all the interesting Da Nang cafes around town.
They do take card payment.
Rainbowl Poke
This poke place is actually in a restaurant that consists of 2 other food businesses – “Vietnom” that serves Vietnamese dishes and “A Quiet Place” that is a juice bar.
You can order anything from all 3 places at the same time. It is within the same ordering app.
The restaurant is beautifully decorated with different elements. It felt to me like a fusion of cultures and vibes.
The special thing about this establishment is that they hire the deaf. Most of the staff speak sign language, and I also observed customers who did as well.
Now, the social cause is only a bonus, it’s not why I recommend the restaurant. The food is great! I really enjoyed the Double Rainbowl Poke Bowl (Tuna & Salmon). It was very flavorful, and you can choose from three different bowl sizes.
In addition, the extensive menu covering three restaurants means you can cater to different preferences when visiting in a group. I also got the Lotus Logan Che and the Pineapple Turmeric Kombucha, both were nice.
Service here is top notch, the staff is always smiley and attentive. It is also very convenient as well, you can order and call for the staff/bill on the web app.
They accept card payment as well.
Quán Cô Hồng
This is quite a popular restaurant known for serving local food in Da Nang. The tagline on the storefront “Đặc Sản Đà Nẵng” essentially means local food of Da Nang.
Let’s start by managing expectations, because I think the service and cleanliness here can be improved. Service is not unprofessional, it’s just abit disorganised when I visited during the busy hours.
While the place has a nice, cultural vibe, cleanliness is similar to that of a typical street side restaurant. So you might see cockroaches around the back, I’m not particularly bothered by it but I know others might be.
So if the above are very important for you, then maybe this place isn’t for you.
However, the food I had was tasty and flavorful. I liked that I could get different local and regional specialities here.
Wraps are always a favourite of mine, so I got the pork belly with rice paper, and for the corresponding mains, I got sort the Chao Cho (Nam O thick noodle soup) which included mashed fish. I have never heard or seen this dish before – fish isn’t something I typically associate with Vietnamese food, so I was more cautious and just went with the basic.
The pork belly was soft and tender. You make you own wrap with a basketful of veggies. The rice paper given was the hard one that you need to soak in water beforehand. It is a bit of a hassle but if you see it as a DIY experience then its all in good fun.
The mashed fish noodle dish was surprisingly tasty, and I think they cooked the broth with anchovies as I spotted bits of dried fish in it. While the fish is not bony as typical big fishes, you should still be cautious, especially if a kid is having it. Overall, looks simple but very satisfying dish.
My recommendations is if you’re doing fish for the wraps (yes, they have that and I think it’s the specialty), then get a pork noodle dish. If you’re doing pork for the warps like I do, then get a fish noodle dish.
P.S I’ve heard that they would charge extra service fee for the wet tissue and the grilled rice paper that’s served at the start. So you can skip those if you don’t really need them. Although if you’re having the wraps, good to have tissues on hand.
They do accept card payment here.
Jeremy’s Kitchen
This is quite a well known spot among expats for comfort food. I’m talking common English/American breakfast plates and dishes, as well as pastries like cakes and donuts.
They also happen to be located in the main An Thurong zone which is popular for tourists and nomads, so it is an easy stop. However, it is also a common option for many of us to order it via food delivery apps like Grab.
Their cakes are somewhat expensive but the portion is big and the chocolate they use are of certain quality. Doesn’t just taste like cheap chocolate, which is common in this part of Asia. I tried the Devil’s cake and it certainly satisfied my sweet craving.
For savory options, the Spicy Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit is really good value. The chicken was crispy and tender even when I ordered it as delivery. The sauce that came with it was tasty and pairs well with the chicken (although I wouldn’t consider it spicy for the Asian palette).
Bánh Mì Cô Tiên
Located at the end of a long alley, this place might not be as easy to find but is getting increasingly popular. It’s a small, comfortable store serving some tasty Bahn Mi.
Their signature best sellers are the more special options of beef with cheese, and pan fried chicken. I had to give the first one a go.
While it might not look anything special visually, the beef and cheese one is stuffed with stringy cheese that is guaranteed to pull for quite a length whenever you take a bite.
There is a generous amount of beef which comes with a nice hint of peppery taste. The texture is more on the tangy side so it can be slightly difficult to break them into small bites. Nevertheless, every mouthful comes with stuffings alongside a soft yet still crispy bread.
It gets busier around lunch time but service is rather fast. There is also a second level for seating so walk in to ask even if you see the ground floor is full.
They do not take card payment.
2 Ladies Kitchen
Another delicious Bahn Mi spot to try, and it’s in the main An Thuong district that’s filled with spas, cafes and restaurants, so you will certainly visit, if not stay, in the area.
While they offer other food items as well, they are probably most known for their Banh Mi. You have the classic of grilled pork, chicken, beef, but also vegeterian options like tofu, tofu skin and even vegetable steak.
I went for the slightly more special one caramelized pork and egg. The bread is probably the crispiest I have tried out of all the Banh Mi places.
I like that the sandwich was served very warm, thus feeling really fresh. The pork pieces were more chunky ones that feels substantial, although a bit tougher compared to typical grilled pork, and the sesame seeds added an extra fragrant flavor.
The restaurant also serves up a complimentary drink to customers. I’m not talking about water or light tea that some cafes or spas provide. It’s tasty stuff that can easily be a menu option. The drink varies but I had passionfruit (maybe mixed with butterfly pea) juice.
2 Ladies Kitchen also hires people with disabilities (mute and deaf), giving them equal opportunities to work. So that’s a bonus! While they mention it might be less convenient to order, it didn’t actually felt so. You just write your order on a piece of paper instead and submit that.
For nomads, I have seen people working from here. It’s not as popular of a work spot as surrounding cafes, but this place is well suited for it. Quiet, big tables and several power sockets. So if you want to hang for a bit, that’s possible too.
Thìa Gỗ Restaurant Da Nang
For some awesome Vietnamese noodle dishes, this is a great haunt that is visited by both expats/tourists and locals. They actually serve a bunch of Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls, Banh Xeo and more, but noodles are certainly a staple here.
Although it’s “hidden” in one of those more residential streets, the place gets pretty busy during dinner hours so you might have to wait for a bit if you visiting then. So they have really built quite a reputation themselves.
Portions are big and the prices are very fair. Despite being quite full at the time, I still enjoyed the Bún thịt xào, particularly the flavor and tenderness of the beef. Tip: The salted lemon soda is great for stroking your appetite.
Easily a place that gets repeat visitors so give it shot. It’s not too far from the main An Thurong zone and is near the bustling Nguyễn Văn Thoại road.
They do take card payment with 3% fee.
Nhà Bếp Xưa Restaurant
This is a popular restaurant one street away from the beachfront. They serve traditional Vietnamese classics like Mi Quang, Bun Cha, Bun Bo Hue and more. But I personally think their special dishes are those in the claypots.
They will certainly recommend many of the Vietnamese signatures but if you have already tried those, I recommend going for the others like braised snakehead fish, pork stews etc. I had one of their bestsellers – the poached pork meat, and it was awesome.
They got everything right there, from the taste to the texture, and the sauce. The only downside is that the portion is slightly small. So if you are a midsize eater, one serving might not be sufficient.
Prices are ok for the touristic area, but if you get 2 main dishes per pax, it tilts towards the more expensive end for Vietnamese food.
The small portion wasn’t a big deal to me because I wanted to try another Banh Mi place in the area. And to my surprise, the restaurant actually gives a 10% discount voucher to that place. So here’s my recommendation or what I did – I had one serving here and then went for a Round 2 at the Banh Mi place (read below for my review of that spot).
There was a queue during weekend lunch time, I waited about 10-15 mins even being just 1 pax. So I suggest avoiding peak meal times especially if you’re are a big group.
Overall, a restaurant I would return if I want a light meal. Or a main dish + a side/soup could be good as well. They have many offerings that I would still like to try.
The restaurant do take card payment.
Nha Viet Banh Mi & Coffee
This is the Banh Mi place I mentioned in the section about Nha Bep Xua Restaurant. It’s just right around the corner from the restaurant.
The dish that caught my attention here is the Bo Ne (Sizzling Beef with Bread). I’m not sure this is a fair comparison to regular Banh Mi since the eating experience is very different. You are basically served a crispy baguette separately from a hotplate of beef steak and fried egg.
And you assemble or eat it whatever way you want. It’s special, thus why I came for it. But it was almost a bit of a mess to eat since the baguette crust kinda flies everywhere. If you ever had a Banh Mi before, you’ll know. So imagine trying to do the cutting and stuffing as well.
The beef was tender and tasty, but if I were to compare this with a Banh Mi, I would say I prefer others on this list. Nha Viet do serve regular Banh Mi options which has earned many praises as well.
What I did enjoy a lot was their orange, lemongrass, peach tea which is marked as a best seller. It’s on the sweeter side but refreshing.
The restaurant/cafe has an aircon space at the back, which is good for sitting and working as well.
They do take card payment.
PER Korean Food
This is quite a popular Korean food restaurant judging from the people I see during meal times. To be honest, the food here isn’t Korean standard but tasty enough. And it’s super value for money.
There have 2 restaurants, the one in the city center is bigger but they are expanding the one in the Son Tra district (probably done at the time of your reading).
I think the jajangmyeon set with sweet and sour pork or pork cutlet is super bang for buck, and can feed 2 pax if you’re not a big eater. When I order that alone, I skip a meal after.
The sweet & sour pork is the best seller (presumably because that’s the typical combo in Korea). But their crispy pork tastes better so I would recommend that. For reference, it comes with 2 pieces of meat.
I also tried their different tteokbokki dishes. The sauce is more towards the watery side, but they give a bowlful of it. So those dishes are good for dipping with other stuff, like dumplings or potato chips.
Overall, great place for food and value. Both branches take card payment.
Cơm Tấm Ốp Lết 1940
If you are looking to try some nice Vietnamese Com Tam (broken rice) alongside nice grilled meat, this is definitely one restaurant to check out.
It’s in a convent location in the city centre, and prices are super affordable, many locals come here to eat as well.
The restaurant is beautiful with a village vibe, makes you feel like you have traveled back in time. And it’s air conditioned, so it’s comfortable.
I was bit tempted to try the beef, but it seems pretty obvious that the pork is their signature so I had to go with that. There’s a few different “cuts” options even for pork, cutlet, curved ribs, pork belly etc. I went for the classic pork cutlet with two toppings (mea omelet and pork skin).
The cutlet was tasty and not too dry, definitely left me wanting more. Luckily, I ordered an additional plate of Char Siu pork that helped satisfy that craving. The 2 toppings I think are classic items that comes with Com Tam. They are pretty interesting to try.
The restaurant does not take card payment.
Bikini Bottom Express
This American style restaurant is a great place to satisfy any of your western food cravings. They have an extensive menu from burgers to steaks, milkshakes to brownies, so it’s an easy go-to option.
The brand started in 2018 and now have three branches, two in Da Nang and one in Hoi An. The two in Da Nang are both in very convenient spots (one in the main An Thurong zone, and the other in the city center).
I do prefer the burgers in Burger House but the smashed burgers here are also nothing to scoff at. I know people who will like them. The buns are on the soft, fluffy side with the patties are juicy although it’s smashed. I would prefer the meat to be more flavorful but this is one burger that’s very easy to devour.
The fries are double fried, which I consider a midway between your typical string cut and the rustic fries. Speaking of that, they have a range of options from truffle fries to different types of poutine. So if you are into the potato craze, there’s a real dilemma here.
I consider prices here to be slightly lower than other burger houses, so its a bonus. And the coffee here is surprisingly cheap (aka local prices). Both the coffee and smoothies I tried are thick and strong.
Also if you visit the city center branch, they have a window table and a rooftop area that give you a nice view of the pink cathedral right beside it.
Where To Eat In Da Nang
Da Nang’s food scene is pretty diverse and exciting. Whether you’re into traditional Vietnamese fare or craving a juicy burger, there are good options in the city. These were just a few of my foodie adventures, and there’s so many other places I would have liked to check out.
