La Fontaine French Bistrot - French restaurant in Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

La Villa and La Fontaine are managed by the same Chef. La Fontaine is a cheaper one. I did not have a chance to visit La Villa. So I cannot compare these two restaurants. Anyway I had a chance to visit here. Once you enter here, you will realize how much the chefs poured his efforts for this restaurant itself. Look all the ornaments, dish, forks, knives and etc. Actually I have not visited many Bistros. So my opinion may not be accurate. All the menus we ordered was fine. But I could not feel the specialty. I can understand the raw materials are fine things. Scallops, Escargo, steaks, beef tartare, and the desserts all of them were fine.

A French-style bistro with a very charming design. There’s even an outdoor area with a small waterfall feature, true to its name, La Fontaine. The restaurant is located on the second floor of an office building. When I visited, it was quite quiet, but the staff were still very sweet and attentive. Since we brought our own wine, I did notice that some of the wine service could be improved — particularly during the decanting process (décantation du vin), where the handling and technique were not entirely precise. For a restaurant at this level, perhaps more training in proper wine service (service du vin) and decanting etiquette (gestes de décantation) would enhance the overall experience. That said, the staff were otherwise warm and accommodating. As for the food, the flavors were generally good. However, the foie gras had a slight odor, which could be due to refrigeration or perhaps the preparation method not fully eliminating the natural smell — with foie gras, even a small lack of precision can affect the aroma. The fruit jam served alongside it was quite nice. The escargots were well done and not fishy at all. The steak, on the other hand, was decent but not particularly memorable. The desserts were the highlight for me. I had the chocolate profiteroles with vanilla ice cream — absolutely delicious. The choux pastry retained its crispness, the chocolate was rich, and the dessert was indulgent without being overly sweet.

My husband and I were visiting HCM and as it was Valentine Day and approaching the TET CNY we were hard pressed as to which restaurant will be opened for dinner! ChatGBT recommended this restaurant and to our delight we were treated to a scrumptious menu of 5Star standards worthy of mention here ! Greetings like Bonsoire on entering this charming bistro is like being transported to Paris. French decor was part of the experience. Vietnamese Maitre D and service team was all smiles and welcoming too, even at the onset of a new year. Food was excellent in taste ( from one who cooks Beef Bourguignon and Coq Au Vin in my home kitchen ) presentation and menu organization (down to the interval of a Vodka Sorbet) making my valentine memorable in HCM ! The Black Angus beef w Foie Gras & truffle mash is worthy of a mention too ! Definitely will visit when next in here.

My wife and I recently discovered La Fontaine — honestly, shame on us for not finding it sooner. We’re big fans of French bistros and have tried many around HCMC, but after visiting La Fontaine twice in one month, it has quickly become one of our go-to spots, with many more visits planned. Beyond the food, the service is exceptional. Quality, well-trained, attentive service is still surprisingly rare in Vietnam. We dine out almost every weekend and regularly try new places, and most service experiences tend to be mediocre at best. The team at La Fontaine genuinely makes an effort to make guests feel welcome, creating a relaxed and comfortable dining experience, and that alone makes us want to return. The food and portion sizes are just as impressive. On our first visit, I ordered the braised lamb shank with couscous and was genuinely blown away — the lamb was perfectly tender, and the couscous was light and fluffy. My wife chose the classic duck confit, which was equally outstanding. On our second visit, I opted for the flank steak with sautéed potatoes, while my wife happily returned to the lamb shank. We also shared the chicken liver salad as an appetizer, and all three dishes delivered in both flavor and generosity. We left completely full and extremely satisfied. I genuinely wish we had discovered La Fontaine sooner. Prices are very reasonable considering the generous portions and the level of service. In an area like Thao Dien, which can sometimes feel pricey and a bit pretentious, La Fontaine is refreshingly unpretentious while still delivering excellent food and exceptional hospitality.

Great French bistro in HCMC. We had unique cocktails and delicious food, including amazing foie gras, French onion soup, and grilled prawns. I wished we had room for dessert since the selection looked really appealing. Staff were lovely and provided excellent service. Restaurant decor made me feel like I was in Paris again.