River View Restaurant and Coffee occupies a top-floor perch above Thảo Điền, with a terrace outlook over the Saigon River that makes it immediately distinct from every other dining option in the neighborhood. The climb up the stairs is the one recurring complaint — and it comes up rarely. The food is the reason people return, sometimes dozens of times: the chicken shawarma has a loyal following among expats who describe it as consistent, free of gristle, and served with a sharp garlic sauce and house-made pickles that elevate it beyond the usual sandwich-shop standard. Hummus arrives alongside warm Arabic bread baked on site, and the tabbouleh is clean and herbaceous rather than the waterlogged versions common across Saigon. Lamb dishes draw praise for marinade and technique. Portions are large enough that takeaway boxes are a routine part of the meal. The kitchen also produces koshari — the Egyptian street staple of rice, lentils, and crispy onions — as an occasional special, and regulars have asked to be texted when it appears on the menu, which speaks to a level of attentiveness from staff that shows up across most reviews. All food served is halal-certified, which fills a genuine gap in Thảo Điền's otherwise heavily Western and Vietnamese dining scene. The price point is described as reasonable for the area, meaning a full table spread with bread, salads, a main, and Egyptian mint tea lands well below what comparable international-cuisine restaurants nearby charge. The crowd is a mix of Middle Eastern expats, Muslim travelers passing through Ho Chi Minh City, and curious locals — a combination that gives the room an unhurried, welcoming atmosphere most evenings.
This is my favorite restaurant in Thao Dien. I have eaten the Chicken Shawarma here at least 30 times! The chicken shawarma hummus and tabbouleh salad are also my favorites. Oh and I love the garlic sauce and pickles too! Consistent quality always brings me back. I’m really picky about chicken and I never find any tendon or other chewy parts in the Chicken Shawarma. The prices are really reasonable too, especially for the location.
Very good Egyptian/ Middle East Restaurant in Saigon. You’ll find flavors that are hard to find in Vietnam. The best of this restaurant is the river view in the last floor. However you’ll need to climb a lot of stairs.
It’s like I’m in the pyramid. The food is great. The lamb is to die for.
Absolutely fabulous! Yesterday lunch was my third visit. The food is delicious and have plenty of vegetarian options as well. But what stands out most is the service of the staff. After eating a dish called koshari in Luxor, Egypt last year December, I was excited to find this Egyptian restaurant in Thao Dien. I asked if this dish is on the menu, it wasn’t, as alternative she mentioned she will text me when koshari is available as a once in a while special. And indeed, two days ago I got a message from the team. Well done. Great service. And the dish? Almost as good as in Luxor. All three visits have nice, good food, great service and for sure I like to come back.
I know nearly nothing about Egyptian food, so don't take this review too seriously. The food is extremely good (in my humble opinion). The hummus goes really well with the pita bread and naan bread. The beef and chicken, though a little dry, marinated and cooked just right so it blend nicely with all the condiments. Overall it's a very easy to eat meal, which heavily leans toward the richness and fatiness of the food instead of just simple sweet/salty/spicy/sour taste. My only complain, is that the food take ages to arrived. My first dish took approximately 50 mins, so i guess you can't rush perfection. Also, i can hear cursing coming from the back of the house, so not a very pleasant thing to hear. In conclusion, if the service time is a little bit faster, it would be perfect.
Reservations: Call +84 708 588 205 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
Best for: halal dining, group dinner, family lunch, weekend lunch.
Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.
Grilled Meat Platter
Grilled Foil-Wrapped Meat
A plated dish consisting of a mound of macaroni and cheese topped with red sauce, crispy fried onions, and possibly some herbs or spices, served on to
Meat and Vegetable Wrap
A black tray containing six golden-brown sesame seed-topped patties on a bed of green lettuce.
Beef and Tomato Rice
This image shows an interior view of a restaurant or cafe located in Thao Dien, Saigon. The space features modern decor with yellow and red accents on
The image shows an interior view of a restaurant or cafe located in Thao Dien, Saigon. The space features modern decor with yellow and red accents on
The image shows an interior of a restaurant or cafe featuring wooden tables and chairs arranged for dining. The walls are decorated with colorful Egyp
A menu for a venue in Thao Dien, Saigon, listing smoothies and mix smoothies with prices. Includes items like Chocolate Blender, Cookie Blender, Avoca
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