CASA MARIA - Restaurant in Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

Casa Maria occupies a quiet stretch of Ngô Quang Huy, one of Thao Dien's more residential lanes, and pulls together two things that rarely share a room in this neighborhood: a serious Spanish kitchen and a space that functions as much as a gallery as a restaurant. The art cafe designation is not incidental — the interior leans into it, with the kind of considered wall presence that makes the room feel curated rather than merely decorated.

The kitchen runs Spanish, which sets it apart in a district where the dining options lean heavily toward Vietnamese staples, Japanese omakase counters, and Western brunch spots without a clear national identity. Opening at 9:30 on weekdays and 10 on weekends, it covers the full arc from morning meals through to late evening — closing at 10:30 on Fridays and Saturdays — which gives it flexibility that many Thao Dien spots lack.

A 4.8 rating across 105 Google reviews places it among the better-regarded venues on that side of the Saigon River, suggesting the kitchen delivers consistency rather than occasional brilliance. The crowd it draws tends to reflect the neighborhood: expats, creative professionals, and residents who treat the area as a long-term home rather than a short visit.

For those working through a slow morning or looking for somewhere to settle into for an afternoon, the art cafe character makes it more comfortable for extended stays than a straight restaurant would be. Monday closures mean planning around a six-day week, but the extended evening hours on weekends make it a viable option for late dinner when most comparable spots have already shuttered.