Banana Leaf Thao Dien logo
The Story

About This Place

Banana Leaf sits on Nguyễn Đăng Giai with one of the more expansive menus in Thao Dien's Indian dining scene — a 60-plus-page book spanning North and South Indian classics, Malaysian dishes, and Chinese options. The kitchen is run by an Indian chef, which regulars single out as a meaningful distinction from other spots in the neighborhood.

South Indian breakfast plates are the morning draw: masala dosa, ghee dosa, rava dosa, medu vadai, idly, and rava uppma are available daily from 7am, making it one of the few places in the area to serve proper South Indian tiffin at any hour. Lunch and dinner lean into curries — palak paneer, paneer butter masala, dhall makhani, mutton rogan josh, and prawn pepper masala cover the familiar range — while the biryani earns specific praise in reviews. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian tracks run parallel across nearly every section, a practical advantage for mixed groups with differing dietary preferences.

The room is modest and clean with a second floor that handles larger parties. Service is a recurring positive in the feedback — attentive and willing to adjust dishes to preference. Fresh preparation is the other note diners return to: the kitchen cooks to order rather than reheating.

For the expat and Indian community in the district, Banana Leaf functions as a dependable regular stop rather than a special-occasion destination. Pricing sits slightly above casual, in line with the Thao Dien address, but portions are described as generous. The 7am opening and seven-day schedule make it one of the more accessible all-day options on the Indian-food circuit in the neighborhood, including for Sunday family brunch.

masala dosabiryaniveg thalipalak paneerfresh daily preparation
casualcleanfamily-friendlylow-keymulti-level

Reviews

4.0(93)
Katrina Kirkpatrick
Katrina Kirkpatrick
3mo ago

My Indian friend invited me here. She and her husband have tried at least six different Indian restaurants in the city, and they said they come back to this place most frequently. My friend explained that although the waitstaff are Vietnamese, the chef is from India. They have upgraded their menu; it is a book of more than 60 pages. They feature North Indian, South Indian, Malaysian and Chinese cuisine, with veg or non-veg options. It appears to be quite small, but the second floor they have at least one other room with more seating available. The decor is quite simple; pleasant instrumental music is played softly. Because Indian food is meant to be eaten with your fingers rather than utensils (although they do provide eating utensils), they have two handwashing basins tucked into the corner (one on the ground floor just outside the kitchen and one on the second floor outside the toilet). Very limited motorbike parking. There were quite a number of delivery orders, but few customers who dined in; the Vietnamese waitstaff had private phone calls which they put on speakerphone or video calls with their friends in Vietnamese, which was rather noisy and distracting. 😕 I give it four stars based on the recommendation of my Indian friends.

Emma Andersson
Emma Andersson
4mo ago

Quite Boring and basic indian food in a venue that also feels Boring and basic. Nothing wrong with the food just nothing special. Veggies felt fresh and it seemed clean. Lots of vegetarian options.

Thao Dinh
Thao Dinh
6mo ago

The naans were a little dry. In overall, everything is great

Khanh Tran
Khanh Tran
9mo ago

I randomly picked this place for my lunch, didn’t expect much because I’m really into Indian food but it turned out I pretty much like this place. The first surprise is that it serves not only Indian food but Malaysian, Chinese and others (can’t recall when writing this review). So, it kinda suits for a group of friends looking for something new in Thao Dien. It always provides with 2 options: vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Food: I ordered a set in the picture (never had it before). The bread and the sources worked really well with each other and I enjoyed the set. This set would be for two adults but the waiter told me it is for one 🤪, so quite a lot left over. The price was very reasonable in the area and compare the quality of the food they served

Mohsin Siddiqui
Mohsin Siddiqui
11mo ago

Had an amazing dining experience at Banana Leaf! The food quality and quantity were both excellent — every dish was flavorful and satisfying. What truly stood out was the exceptional service. A special thanks to Ms. Asisah, whose warmth, attentiveness, and customer-centric approach made the visit even more memorable. She truly went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for delicious food paired with top-notch hospitality!

gallery

Photos

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Food

A plate of Indian mixed dishes

A plate of Indian mixed dishes

Meal

Meal

Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings

A variety of Indian vegetarian dishes including rice, roti (flatbread), and several types of curry

A variety of Indian vegetarian dishes including rice, roti (flatbread), and several types of curry

Red Curry

Red Curry

Vibe

The image shows an interior view of a dining area in Thao Dien, Saigon with tables set for two and colorful decor including red napkins on the table.

The image shows an interior view of a dining area in Thao Dien, Saigon with tables set for two and colorful decor including red napkins on the table.

This image shows an interior view of a colorful restaurant or cafe located in Thao Dien, Saigon. The space features vibrant yellow and purple walls wi

This image shows an interior view of a colorful restaurant or cafe located in Thao Dien, Saigon. The space features vibrant yellow and purple walls wi

The image shows an interior view of a dining area in Thao Dien, Saigon with modern decor featuring blue and red seating arrangements.

The image shows an interior view of a dining area in Thao Dien, Saigon with modern decor featuring blue and red seating arrangements.

Other

Banana Leaf Thao Dien photo 2 in Thao Dien
Banana Leaf Thao Dien photo 3 in Thao Dien
Banana Leaf Thao Dien photo 4 in Thao Dien
Banana Leaf Thao Dien photo 5 in Thao Dien
Banana Leaf Thao Dien photo 6 in Thao Dien
Banana Leaf Thao Dien photo 9 in Thao Dien
Banana Leaf Thao Dien photo 10 in Thao Dien
A close-up of a dessert menu featuring various sweet treats such as ice cream and pastries topped with seeds.

A close-up of a dessert menu featuring various sweet treats such as ice cream and pastries topped with seeds.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Where is Banana Leaf Thao Dien located in Thao Dien?
Banana Leaf Thao Dien is located at 29 Nguyễn Đăng Giai, An Khánh, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam. It is situated in the Thao Dien neighborhood of District 2 (Thu Duc City), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
What is Banana Leaf Thao Dien known for?
Banana Leaf Thao Dien is a indian restaurant in Thao Dien known for masala dosa, biryani, veg thali, palak paneer, fresh daily preparation. It has a 4.0 rating based on 93 reviews.
What are the opening hours of Banana Leaf Thao Dien?
Banana Leaf Thao Dien is typically open 7 am–10 pm (Monday). Hours may vary by day, so checking the latest hours before visiting is recommended.
Does Banana Leaf Thao Dien accept reservations?
Yes, you can contact Banana Leaf Thao Dien to make a reservation by calling +84 935 817 310. It is recommended to book in advance, especially for weekend dining.
How expensive is Banana Leaf Thao Dien?
Banana Leaf Thao Dien is considered moderately priced for the Thao Dien area. It is a popular indian restaurant suitable for family brunch, group dinner, vegetarian-friendly meals.
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