Nha Trang is Vietnam’s most popular beach resort. The coastal city is the capital of the Khanh Hoa Province and boasts long sweeping beaches, coral reefs surrounding neighbouring islands, countless bars and restaurants along with some of the most well-preserved Cham Towers in Vietnam. Here are our Nha Trang favourites after a three week stay.
Lanterns 34/6 Nguyen Thien Thuat
My favourite Chicken Curry in Vietnam – at Lanterns Restaurant
By far our favourite Vietnamese restaurant in Nha Trang, Lanterns offers great traditional and fusion Vietnamese food at a reasonable price. From crab and sweetcorn soup to Chicken and vegetables served in a coconut to Chicken Curry with coconut milk, not one dish disappointed. Lanterns also offers cooking classes, helps to feed the disadvantaged and has links to a local orphanage. A must visit in Nha Trang. Also, 20% off your total bill if you dine between 2 and 4pm.
Oh! Sushi Bar Japanese Restaurant 17C Hung Vuong
Stunning Maki and Nigiri Sushi at Oh!Sushi Restaurant
Some of the best Sushi my partner and I have had, anywhere. We dined here on three occasions and thoroughly enjoyed each visit. The restaurant offers a comprehensive menu with the usual Maki, Nigiri, Rolls, Sashimi, Bento Boxes and Miso Soup. Their salmon, tuna, eel, squid and octopus Sushi were all fresh, well-prepared and delicious. With great service, reasonably priced drinks and the best priced sushi you will probably ever find, arrive hungry and leave truly satisfied.
An assortment of fish, avocado and unagi (eel) rolls filled with omelette, cucumber, crab stick and seaweed at Oh!Sushi Bar
Omar’s Indian Restaurant 96A/8 Nguyen Thien Thuat
Butter Chicken at Omars Indian Restaurant
We chose the ‘meal deal’ for two at Omar’s: onion bhaji and vegetarian samosa, any chicken dish (we chose butter chicken and Omar’s special chicken), two garlic naan, two basmati rice, papadams with mango chutney and raita, a Saigon green beer and a Vietnamese rum. Although the butter chicken wasn’t as good as at Ganesh, the service and thus overall dining experience was far better. At just 300,000 VND for a dinner for two with drinks, this restaurant offers excellent value-for-money.
Ganesh Indian Restaurant 82 Nguyen Thien Thuat
Mango and Butter Chicken Curries at Ganesh Indian Restaurant
Ganesh has a great reputation in Vietnam with restaurants located in Hoi An, Mui Ne, Saigon, Phu Quoc and this one in Nha Trang. Although the restaurant was busy when we arrived at 7pm, service was slow and the waiters and waitresses seemed disinterested in their customers. We watched them play around in the restaurant, whilst we tried to catch their eye just to order a drink. The food was very good, but the dining experience was poor leaving us very disappointed. It must be said that Ganesh’s butter chicken is an absolute must.
Veranda 66D Tran Phu
Scallop Starter (as part of the set menu) at Veranda Restaurant
Situated on the main strip opposite the beach, Veranda serves Vietnamese fusion food at a reasonable price. With attentive waiting staff and an interesting choice of 9 three-course set menus including an alcoholic beverage, it is a popular choice for tourists. Soups were hearty and the local fish with wasabi mash made a delicious combination. We returned again to try another of the set menus, which was equally as good.
Louisiane Brewhouse 29D Tran Phu
Owned by the same company that run the infamous Sailing Club next door, Louisiane brewhouse is a large bar and restaurant with a boutique brewery. Designed around an outdoor courtyard with swimming pool, it offers a relaxed atmosphere in sophisticated surroundings. The food although rather pricey, was thoroughly enjoyable; the chicken with lemongrass and ginger was full of the aromatic flavours and my rice soup contained great depth, with chicken, coriander, sweetcorn and a touch of galangal. Louisiane is famed for brewing a variety of house beers – something you must try if you visit. We enjoyed our dinner in such wonderful surroundings.
Yen’s Vietnamese Restaurant 3/2A Tran Quang Khai
Delicious Mi Hoanh Thanh (BBQ pork and Wonton Noodle Soup) from Yen’s at Ha Van Hotel
Yen’s restaurant creates the food that is served at the neighbouring Ha Van Hotel. Although we didn’t dine in the restaurant, choosing instead the rooftop bar at the Ha Van Hotel, we did enjoy the Pho, a curry and some noodle soups. I did try a chicken burger on one other occasion, but I would definitely recommend the Pho and suggest trying other more Vietnamese dishes at Yens.
Da Fernando 96 Nguyen Thien Thuat
A simple Italian restaurant, Da Fernando is located in the heart of the bar and restaurant backpacker area of Nha Trang. If you want a simple pasta dish, or a well-made pizza, this is the place. We wouldn’t rave about it, but with a desire for fresh salad (we ordered a green salad and a tomato and mozzarella salad) and a big pizza; it delivered just what we had wanted. Service is friendly without being overbearing.
BBQ Grill Garden Nguyen Thien Thuat
We visited this outdoor restaurant on a Saturday night and found that they served a buffet BBQ. With a traditional Vietnamese street charcoal BBQ placed in the centre of our table, we were free to choose from the buffet a selection of vegetables, meats, seafood, frogs legs, fish and prepared skewers to be taken back and cooked at our table. The buffet also included salads, potatoes, fresh fruits, ice creams and other deserts. As something a little different, we enjoyed our meal at the BBQ Garden Grill. BBQ Buffet served on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
Spot Restaurant Hung Vuong (next door to Oh! Sushi Bar)
Home made Crispy Chicken Burger, chunky chips and salad at Spot
Spot serves a selection of western and Vietnamese food, along with a few Thai and Indian dishes. This place is more for a quick snack such as a chicken burger with salad and chips than for fine dining, but it was our favourite place for chicken Pho ( at 30,000 you can’t complain). We ate here on four occasions, tending to stick with burgers, pasta, and Pho – nothing was exceptional, but food was always served looking good and tasting fresh. Drinks are cheap, as is the food, but don’t expect service with a smile.