The Royal Nest - Phu My Hung

Tucked away down an alley, this compact shop with indoor and outdoor seating is a local favourite. The menu focuses on a single dish: bánh canh cua, a vivid orange crab rice noodle soup – in a smaller bowl for one or clay pot for sharing. With a zesty green chilli-lime sauce on the side, the silky broth is generously filled with fish cakes, crab leg meat and egg ribbons. The fried dough and tender pork trotter make for flavourful additions.

Phở Lệ has been serving authentic Southern Vietnamese phở for over 70 years. Despite its age, the bustling stall remains popular among locals for its bold flavours and generous portions. The mixed beef noodles feature raw and cooked beef, brisket, beef balls and tendon and a rich bone broth.

This joint on a busy street serves a range of seafood cooked in countless ways. Whelks, tiger prawns, lobster, octopus, crab… the choice is yours. The authentic outdoor vibe more than makes up for the lack of air conditioning.

After walking down a narrow street, diners are invariably enchanted by the pretty lights that set the scene in the tranquil bamboo garden. The interior is equally atmospheric. Championing a cuisine without boundaries, the young chef curates a tasting menu of 7 or 9 courses that tells a story. She uses mostly local ingredients in her ingenious creations and changes the menu every four months to keep it fresh. Ask about the wine pairing option.

This Colonial-style house with a vibrant decor, bistro-style furniture and soft lighting serves up a modern take on Mediterranean fare. Pick from a range of charcoal-grilled, wood-fired and oven-baked dishes and eat at the copper counter, which has six seats facing the open kitchen. Top choices include wild Hokkaido scallops and smoked marrow cappelletti, aged barbary duck breast and tasty golden berry with burnt sourdough mousse. Cocktails can be ordered from the bar upstairs.

This venue may not offer much in terms of ambience, but can’t be beaten for tasty beef noodles at affordable prices. Besides the usual raw beef, or medium-rare brisket, their springy and flavoursome beef balls are also a must. If you can’t make up your mind, order the house special with everything in the bowl. Meat lovers can also add extra cuts of beef to the pho. A bowl piled high with meat is thoroughly satisfying.

Spread over three floors, this medium-sized seafood restaurant is clean and well organised, with air-conditioning on the second floor. Shellfish takes centre stage, with plenty of fresh options on offer. The cooking is straightforward but effective, especially the garlic-butter sautéed and salt-grilled dishes, which allow the natural flavours to shine. Most items are priced on the menu, while premium seafood from the tanks is available at market price. Do remember to bring cash.