Business dining in Vietnam has its nuance. The quality of an establishment can fluctuate based on details one might overlook. In my tenure with la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the globe’s most prolific culinary society, I’ve been privileged to garner insights few have experienced. Over the years, while analyzing meals in various settings and forging relationships with culinary maestros, I’ve understood the intricacies of business dining throughout the world. Exceptional food and hospitality have the power to forge bonds, while a mediocre experience can hinder connections.

For those aiming to make an impression, consider my curated suggestions. The outcome will likely exceed your expectations.

CantYna 
208 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Đien, D2 /+84779600222
This refined Italian restaurant in Thao Dien, helmed by Chef Alessandro Romoli, offers an extensive wine list, a private dining area, and a negozio di gastronomia (deli) selling cheese, meat, and other imported products. The restaurant’s name, CantYna, ingeniously blends the Italian term for “cellar” (cantina), highlighting its emphasis on wine and imported ingredients, with the Vietnamese word for Italy.

At the entrance of the restaurant, there is a subterranean temperature – controlled wine cellar that showcases the restaurant’s impressive wine selection. Not to be outdone, the restaurant also has a refined cocktail program. The restaurant’s menu features top-class ingredients imported from Italy, including fresh pasta, cheeses, and meats. This, combined with Chef Romoli’s culinary expertise, results in dishes that are both authentic and innovative. CantYna is a perfect choice for special occasions, as it offers a unique and memorable dining experience with exceptional food, wine, service, and ambiance.

The River Oriental Saigon
23 Tran Bach Dang, Thu Thiem, District 2 /+84911077244. Facebook: theriveroriental
This new dining concept in Ho Chi Minh City pays homage to Funatsuru, the original Kyoto restaurant that flourished for over a century. Founded in 1870, Funatsuru became The River Oriental in Kyoto in 2000. The River Oriental Saigon is owned and operated by the same company, and it continues the tradition of excellence, with Chef Katsuhiro Ichimoto presenting unfussy Western fare with Vietnamese and Japanese twists. The restaurant has three distinct indoor areas, vast outdoor seating, and a private room for up to 10 guests, making it ideal for business dinners or special occasions.

Lune Restaurant and Bar
17/14 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe, Dist.1 +842877772022 / adrienguenzi.com
Owned by French chef de cuisine Adrien Guenzi, Lune Restaurant and Bar is a new destination that offers a sophisticated dining experience. Guenzi draws inspiration from his hometown of Lyon (the gastronomic capital of France), as well as from his travels and encounters around the world, to create dishes that are both visually stunning and flavorful. The restaurant’s name Lune, which means “moon” in French, reflects Guenzi’s vision of creating a space where people can enjoy creative food and drinks in an elegant and refined atmosphere. Lune Restaurant and Bar is an ideal destination for business dining, special occasions, or simply a romantic evening out.

The restaurant offers a set lunch menu from Monday to Friday, with two courses for VND 250,000++ and three courses for VND 350,000++. The set lunch menu is a great option for those looking for a delicious meal in a sophisticated setting.

Pho Thin by Sol
37 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien, Dist. 2 / +84896693737 / Facebook: phothinbysolthaodien
An unassuming restaurant serving Hanoi’s renowned beef pho with high-quality beef from Sol Bucherant, a premium beef importer and supplier. The Thao Dien location offers a variety of seating options, including an outdoor garden, an indoor area with banquettes, and an 8-seater boardroom table, making it ideal for business lunches. With reasonable prices and excellent service, Pho Thin by Sol is a great value for money.

Cabanon Palace
Cordial Grand Hotel, 21th floor, 27-29 Loseby, Street, Son Tra / +84796653020 / cabanonpalace.com
A rooftop restaurant on the 21st floor of the Cordial Grand Hotel in Da Nang, Vietnam, is an oxymoron in the best possible way. Its name evokes a rustic cottage, but the restaurant itself is anything but. With its stunning 360-degree views of the city and the Han River, and its refined cuisine from Marseille and Corsica, Cabanon Palace is a truly unique and memorable dining experience.

Led by Chef Hélio Guenoun, Cabanon Palace’s menu features a wide variety of dishes, including freshly imported French oysters, spiny lobster with squid ink pasta, and chocolate cake made with his mother’s recipe. The restaurant’s dedicated staff is passionate about providing guests with a personalized dining experience, and its grand and luxurious interior, combined with its stunning views, creates a sophisticated and inviting ambiance. Cabanon Palace also offers a variety of private dining options, making it a great choice for business dining.

City High Dining
Opposite 27/9, Ng. Gia Tu, Hai Chau 1 +84898999420 / cityhighdining.com
Helmed by Chef Luan Nguyen, City High Dining is a fine dining restaurant that offers a rapidly changing tasting menu and inventive pairing options at a very reasonable price. For a more private dining experience, opt for the second floor. The restaurant is located in a small alley in the heart of Da Nang’s Hai Chau District, and its inspiration comes from both the vibrant local food culture and global culinary influences. The goal is to provide unique dining that blends the creativity and artistry of fine dining with the cozy and exclusive atmosphere of the restaurant.

City High Dining is driven by the belief that exceptional cuisine should be accessible to everyone, and it takes pride in delivering this promise with an affordable pricing structure. The restaurant also offers a secret lunch on Saturday and Sunday that will last until the end of this year, with 2 courses at 299,000++/ pax and 3 courses at 359,000++/pax.

Nén Danang
16 My Da Tay 2, Khue My, Ngu Hanh Son +84847148866 / restaurantnen.com

Known for its innovative and consciously Vietnamese cuisine, Nén Restaurant has returned to Da Nang after a two-year hiatus, bringing with it a new sake bar, Nen.Riki. Chef Summer Le’s tasting menu is a culinary journey that is both delicious and thought-provoking, making it ideal for impressing clients or colleagues. The restaurant’s attentive and knowledgeable staff, private room, and convenient location make it an excellent choice for business dining in Da Nang.

Déglacer
18 Ng. 268 Ngoc Thuy, Long Bien +84975239095 / F: deglacer.hn

A modern French bistro surrounded by a green garden and homegrown herbs, has opened in the up-and-coming Long Bien neighborhood of Hanoi. Chef Hieu Ha, who has worked with renowned chefs throughout his career, offers a simple yet delightful menu that reintroduces traditional French techniques and flavors. The restaurant has a full à la carte menu of classic French dishes, such as escargots, duck confit, and steak frites. It also offers two set lunches at a fixed price, which include two starters, one main course, and one dessert. The set lunches are priced at 320,000++/pax or 380,000++/pax.

La Bēte Steakhouse & Cigar Lounge
Ng. 431 Au Co, Nhat Tan, Tay Ho +84 385 088 655 / labete.vn

This restaurant’s name, which is a play on the Vietnamese words bit tet, reflects its focus on dry-aged beef. Every main dish is carefully dry-aged to bring out perfection, whether it be Hereford beef from the UK, Angus beef from the US, Japanese Hamachi fish, or local wild boar belly. The restaurant is open for dinner and features two private rooms and a main dining area with discreet spacing between tables.

Azabu
84 Tran Nhan Tong, Nguyen Du, Hai Ba Trung +84 24 3822 3535
website: hotelduparchanoi.com/restaurants/azabu/

A Japanese restaurant on the second floor of the historic Hôtel du Parc Hanoï, offers a variety of Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, and teppanyaki, as well as a wide selection of Japanese sake and whiskey. It also has four private rooms, making it a great choice for business dining. Named after one of the most important business districts in Tokyo, Japan, AZABU’s cuisine combines traditional Japanese flavors with modern elements and is perfectly suited for a company excursion anytime.

The restaurant’s has a multitude of options including daily lunch sets starting at 220,000++/ pax, a weekend semi-buffet every second weekend of the month starting at 390,000++/pax and three multi-course menus that offer a dining experience that showcases the best of Japanese cuisine. The attentive service and private rooms make AZABU a perfect place to impress clients or colleagues.

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