The Story

About This Place

El Toro occupies a deliberately small dining room on Xuân Thủy — a handful of booths lit in a classic noir palette, arranged so most seats have a direct line of sight to the open kitchen. The setup creates an unusual tension: genuinely cozy without sliding into casual, chef-forward without becoming theatrical.

Every dinner opens with complimentary pâté and freshly baked focaccia, which establishes the register for what follows. The kitchen leans into sourcing: Galician beef anchors the rib eye, langoustine and black cod anchor the seafood course, and coastal lamb turns up in tacos that have drawn attention for their play on bold-yet-delicate contrasts. A pumpkin soup with scallop, squid salad, mixed grilled vegetables, and an octopus-prawn-squid plate round out the range before steaks arrive. The Basque cheesecake has become a reliable closing note — mentioned by name across multiple reviews.

At 4.9 stars across 90 Google reviews, this sits at the top end of Thao Dien's dinner-only restaurant scene. The district has no shortage of steakhouses, but the set-menu format and the evident care from the kitchen distinguish this address from more volume-focused competitors. Chef Jaiden and the floor team — Nga among them — are singled out by name in several reviews, a consistent signal that the experience feels personal rather than transactional.

The room is compact by design: covers are limited, the booths are generously sized, and the pacing is unhurried. Dinner service runs Tuesday through Sunday, 5:30 to 10 PM, with Monday dark. The combination of a small room, serious sourcing, and a menu that moves between steak, seafood, and unexpected detours like lamb tacos makes this a reservation-required address for anyone treating a meal as an occasion.

galician rib eyehouse pâté with focacciabasque cheesecakeoctopus-prawn-squid platepumpkin soup with scallop
intimatenoiropen-kitchenrefinedcozy

Reviews

4.8(116)
Phan Son
Phan Son
5mo ago

Amazing restaurant. The front staff are amazing and greet us perfectly. Chef Jaiden make the best steak, and also pumkin soup with scallop and grill prawn, also squid salad. Everythings make perfect TGIF.

Adam Barclay
Adam Barclay
6mo ago

Stunning, classy and classic noir vibed dining room with views of the open kitchen. Big, brash sitting booths oozing class. Staff are attentive (but not too much, this is big considering other SE Asian dining experiences), warm and helpful. There is an air of pride which was well received. Food is excellent. We were determined to try the Galician and ended up going for a rib eye - not all cuts were available when we dined but it’s the days before NYE, on a Sunday night, so definitely forgiven. It was delicious, not like other beef I’ve had. A few pieces definitely showed signs of extensive aging, with strong blue cheese funk. Others were more mild but very different from Wagyu or Angus - I would compare it more to a mild lamb flavor. Very good and very interesting. Sides were strong; crispy focaccia entree with a very light pate was delightful. Prices have gone up from what we saw on Google but we walked away with a very reasonable bill for the quality of food and service. I’d get here as quickly as you can before this place blows up and quite possibly, the prices with them. This is a 5-star dining room, really beautiful. Thank you El Toro!

Jason Ma
Jason Ma
6mo ago

We had an amazing dinner/experience at El Toro. The food was mindfully crafted and tasted incredibly. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting. Jaiden, Nga and all the staff were beyond friendly and accommodating. We will definitely come back and highly recommend everyone giving this amazing restaurant a try.

Chloe Banks
Chloe Banks
7mo ago

Amazing set menu deal, with free pate + foccacia as an appetiser. The owner and staff were wonderful, so welcoming and made us feel comfortable. We had a very small error with a missing side, but we believe this was just a teething problem. Order the basque cheesecake! Will be going again very soon.

Huyen Anh Trinh
Huyen Anh Trinh
7mo ago

From the moment we walked in, everything about this restaurant was perfect. The food was truly great, with each dish boasting wonderfully fresh flavors. We started with the delightful pate accompanied by their homemade bread, which was an excellent beginning to our meal. We also thoroughly enjoyed the mixed grilled vegetables. the "Octopus-Prawn-Squid" dish, as described on their special menu, and it truly sent out the full, vibrant flavor that the description promised—a truly unique and delicious experience! We also thoroughly enjoyed the mixed grilled vegetables. We especially enjoyed the Op Ribs ANB, which was cooked to perfection and flavorful. What truly set this place apart was the exceptional service. The staff was very attentive, making sure every detail of our meal was taken care of. We were even looked after directly by the General Manager, Rafael, whose personal attention and professionalism made us feel valued and ensured our evening was seamless. A highlight of our visit was when the Chef came to our table. They personally explained details about the steak, served it to us, and then checked in with us in such a warm and friendly manner, which really elevated the entire dining experience. The environment was also lovely. The combination of the nice lighting, pleasant music, and comfortable temperature created a wonderful and relaxing ambiance. I highly recommend El Toro to anyone looking for amazing food, top-tier service, and a beautiful atmosphere. The personal touches from both the GM and the Chef made it truly special. Even the cashier had a very friendly and warm vibe, and was so kind as to help us take photos in front of the restaurant, adding a wonderful personal touch to the end of our evening. We will definitely be returning!

Visit Tips

Visiting El Toro - Home for Steaks & Wines

  • Open late: Doors stay open past 5 AM on at least one day — handy for after-work dinners.

  • Breakfast available: Opens by 5 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Thao Dien.

  • Reservations: Call +84 334 325 879 to book — recommended for weekend dining.

  • Best for: date night, special occasion dinner, anniversary, small group dinner.

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Photos

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked

What's the best dish at El Toro - Home for Steaks & Wines?
The Galician rib eye is the standout, with reviewers specifically seeking it out. The Basque cheesecake is repeatedly named as the dessert to order.
Does El Toro - Home for Steaks & Wines take reservations?
Given the compact dining room and limited covers, El Toro is described as a reservation-required address for occasion dining.
Is El Toro - Home for Steaks & Wines good for a date night?
The 'classic noir vibed dining room' with 'generous booths' and an intimate atmosphere — reviewers describe it as 'cozy and inviting' with 'unhurried' pacing — suits a special evening.
Is El Toro - Home for Steaks & Wines open for lunch?
El Toro is dinner-only, running Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30 to 10 PM. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
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