5 phenomenal restaurants for a high-value Set Lunch in Saigon.

It’s no secret that Saigon has a plethora of fantastic lunch spots of all genres, but what you might not know is that these same spots each offer a set lunch at a fraction of what you would pay for dinner.

On an average weekday anyone can step out of their office with 300K in their wallet or less and eat an appetizer, a main dish and a dessert at an incredible value. It would be an understatement to say that Saigon’s food scene is booming, in every direction. From local food that has been prepared in the same way for various family generations, to fusion food to Mediterranean staples. In this article we have chosen to focus on three areas of the world represented in Saigon: Mediterranean, Japanese and Local Vietnamese. Set Lunches which would normally set you back at least 20-40 Euros in the western world, can be enjoyed in District 1’s business district for an easy 8-10 euros, whereas a local Vietnamese set lunch can be enjoyed for 2$.  This list focuses on, with one exception, business set lunch spots in District 1, the financial heartbeat of the city.

1. Tomatito, Spanish food with flair.

Appetizer + Main + dessert + drink  | 220 K ++

This Spanish tapas restaurant which originally hails from Shanghai made ripples in Saigon’s thriving food scene, and it continues to do so. Even with the departure of head chef Julio Gomez, the quality has held steadfast. It’s the ideal place for a business lunch to impress that client, future partner, or your boss. After our three visits to Tomatito for set lunch, here is our verdict on the best combination:

• Appetizer: “Caldereta de marisco”  (Traditional seafood soup, smoked paprika and Spanish white wine)
• Main: “Flamenquín Cordobés”  Pork loin, Manchego cheese, and Iberico ham fried roll, crispy potatoes and roast bell pepper sauce.
• Happy Ending: Changes daily.
• Drink: Tete white ale

Tomatito’s set menu link 🔗

🕞 11:00 – 15:00 | 📍 171 Calmette, Phường Nguyễn Thái Bình, Q1 🔗

Related: Check out our list of best vegetarian restaurants in Saigon

2. The Refinery – A Parisian lunch downtown

2 Courses (Starter + Main or Main + Dessert) | 230K

3 courses (Starter + Main + Dessert) | 270K

This classy french bistro is tucked away in a hem off of Hai Ba Trung, which once housed Saigon’s opium refinery. It’s designed to make you feel like you are in a cafe in Paris. Included with wicker chairs, glass top tables of course at least one group of French businessmen smoking a Marlboro with their coffee. After our various visits to The Refinery, here is our conclusion on the best combination of Appetizer + Main, ( we chose not get the dessert ): 

• Appetizer: French Onion Soup with Croûtons & Swiss Cheese
• Main: Clam & Sausage Stew With Chickpeas & Tomato Or Goat’s Cheese Fettuccine With Roasted Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, Spinach & Walnuts

Check their set lunch menu here: http://therefinerysaigon.com/menu/ 

🕞 11AM – 2PM (mon – fri) |📍74 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Q1 🔗

3. Stoker’s wood-fired grill – Classy Business Lunch

Starter + Main ( includes coffee or tea ) | 210K++

Stokers is part of a family of restaurants that opened up to great success a few years ago. Included in its portfolio is Racha Room, Phat Dumplings and one of our favorite burger joints, Relish and Son’s. Stoker’s is the steak and grill cousin of this fine F & B institution. It is also the ultimate business lunch location. With a combination of classy interior design, from the leather chairs to the navy blue wallpaper, it’s the place to bring and impress that customer you’ve been wanting to impress. The food here is very Mediterranean heavy, with an emphasis on grilled meats, and the set lunch changes weekly, so this is our report on the last set lunch we enjoyed in December 2019:

• Appetizer: Soup of the day ( cream of pumpkin ) + Roasted Cauliflower and yogurt flatbread
• Main: Duck Confit on a bed of mustard cabbage

Check their website or Facebook page for their weekly offerings.

🕞 11AM – 2:30PM (mon – fri) |📍74 Hai Bà Trưng, Bến Nghé, Q1 🔗

Related: Low on energy? Read our guide to Saigon’s best Specialty Coffee Shops.

4. Le Corto – A Business Lunch

Starter + Main + Dessert | 250K++

In essence Le Corto serves Haute cuisine for an affordable price served at noon for anyone working at an office in the financial area of D1. Streatery and Co. ended up going back to Le Corto three times for lunch and it was absolutely on point, every time!

Did we mention the dessert? We didn’t? well Le Corto also boasts our favorite dessert of all the spots on this list. The last time we had the sorbet with Macaron on a bed of fresh fruit.

🕞 11:30 – 14:30 | 📍5D Đường Nguyễn Siêu, Bến Nghé, Q1 🔗

5. SORAE  – A Japanese lunch institution.

Wide range of options | 170 – 450K++

This classy Japanese bar located on the rooftop of AB tower has a view and the biggest, baddest Bento box set lunch you ever had. Of all the places on our list, Sorae also bosts the biggest set lunch menu available, and the biggest range of options. From sushi bowls, Katsu Don, Sashimi set, Udon noodle set,  or the giant Bento Box which gives you everything. They all come with sides of vegetables, Miso soup, and a drink. Furthermore, Sorae’s ambiance lends itself to please everyone, it can serve as a perfect company lunch, a family outing or to impress that investor you’ve had your eyes on.

On the low end the Jidori Teriyaki comes in at 170K++. It features Grilled Chicken Teriyaki served with Rice, pickled veggies, Miso Soup and a salad.

On the extravagant end, the Sorae Bento Hoshi comes in at 395K++ for an incredible value. Included in this feast is: Sorae Style Sushi, Maki, ginger marinated and fried chicken with a side of pickled veggies and Miso Soup.

For their full set menu, click HERE.

🕞 11:30 – 14:00 |

📍AB Tower, 24th Floor, 76A Lê Lai, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Q1 🔗

++ Added Tax & service: 15%

6. Vietnamese Set Lunch in the “architects house” – Cuc Gach Cafe.

80k: Soup + rice + two sides

Coming in last, but not least is one of the highest values on our list. Our favorite Vietnamese lunch eatery offers a full set including Soup, Rice, three sides for a cool 90K. Furthermore, this lunch changes weekly, but follows the same format of soup + rice + side dishes.  At 3.50 USD this is, in our opinion, the best bang for your Dong that we have discovered.

🕞 11:00 – 13:30 (aprox) |📍 79 Phan Kế Bính, Đa Kao, Quận 1 🔗

Did we miss your favorite set lunch spot? Comment below or send us an email at info@103.56.162.99