The River Oriental

It was classy and sophisticated. The food were delicious and practically priced. The staff are courteous and well trained.

I really liked the restaurant! This is our second time coming here for lunch; everything is delicious and fresh. The service is top-notch! So far, this is the best service we've seen in Vietnam. 😍 The staff is very polite and friendly. Vietnamese coffee is our favorite. 🤤

A hidden gem just downstairs. I visited for lunch, and it was truly great value , the set included a salad, soup, dessert, coffee, and a main dish. Most importantly, everything was absolutely delicious. I ordered the Shrimp Tomato Cream Tagliatelle, and the pasta sauce was rich and full of flavor. The salad, soup, and dessert were all carefully prepared and very tasty as well. If I had to mention one small point, the coffee didn’t seem to be 100% Arabica. The staff were very polite and pleasant, and it’s definitely a restaurant I would love to visit again.

A tucked away fine-dining spot that quietly delivers some of the best fusion dishes we’ve had in Saigon. The highlight is the food. The menu spans Vietnamese, Japanese, Italian, and more fusions. The Japanese Beef Hamburg Steak stood out immediately. Extremely juicy, evenly cooked throughout, with a proper crust and no dry-outside/raw-inside issue. Seared Salmon with Lemon Sauce was soft and well-balanced, with the citrus lifting the naturally mild fish. For pasta, the Carbonara Fettuccine felt authentically done. Pepper comes first, followed by cheese saltiness, and the sauce tastes egg-based rather than heavy cream. Dessert-wise, the Fruit French Toast arrives sizzling, dusted with sugar and paired with vanilla ice cream for a satisfying hot–cold contrast. Other dishes worth ordering include the Three Kinds Assorted Seafood Sashimi, Japanese Oyster Sashimi Ponzu with Yuzu Foam, and Dalat Vegetable Cocotte (11 kinds). We were also welcomed with a complimentary assorted mushroom starter, which was a nice service touch. Staff were polite and attentive throughout. Mains took about 20 minutes to arrive, but given the quality and price point, that felt reasonable. I would SKIP the tiramisu however, for the garnish was basic, and the alcohol note overpowered the subtler flavors. River Oriental is slightly hidden, located within a condominium rather than directly along the main road. The storefront isn’t immediately obvious, though a blue sign helps guide you in [SEE PICTURE #25]. It feels secluded, more like discovering a private dining space than walking into a typical street-facing restaurant. Seating includes bar counter spots, indoor tables, and outdoor seating (note: outside has no roof or rain cover). Inside, the atmosphere is thoughtfully designed, rustic brickwork near the bar transitions into darker wooden tables, wine bottle shelf walls, thick beige curtains, and distinctive chandeliers that feel elegant without going over the top. It leans romantic and intimate, especially in the evening, where the warm light flows through the curtains and windows too.

I came here for the first time and had a great experience. The restaurant space is very spacious and child-friendly. We had the lunch menu, which included a variety of appetizers, main courses, and desserts. The prices were reasonable, and the portions were generous. I will definitely come back to try more items from the à la carte menu.