As the capital of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho has a variety of fruits, vegetables, fish, and seafood that combine to make the special cuisines in the South of Vietnam. When you’re in the Mekong Delta, you surely want to try some delicious southern specialties. We give you a selective list of the best restaurants in Can Tho city and an abundant list of food that you’ll find the best of what you would like to enjoy. So what to eat in Can Tho? The following is a list of specialty food that you shouldn’t miss in Can Tho.

What to eat in Can Tho

1. Banh Xeo – Vietnamese traditional pancake

Banh Xeo is popular street food in Vietnam. It is a rice flour pancake that brings a light batter and ample fillings together for a tasty, crispy lunch or dinner. In the Mekong delta, Banh Xeo is large and made with more veggies, mung beans, fine duck meat, pork, bean sprout, and crispy shrimp. It is more than happy to enjoy it in Can Tho.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Yummy crispy Vietnamese pancake
  • Price: 40.000 VND
  • The best restaurant in Can Tho to eat Banh Xeo: 7 Toi restaurant
  • Add: 45 Hoang Quoc Viet, An Binh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Vietnam

2. Nem Nuong Thanh Van – Grilled Meat Rolls

Speaking of Can Tho’s cuisine, Nem nuong Thanh Van is surely a name not to miss in Can Tho. First, people carefully select the best fresh pork chops. After cleaning, the pork chops are ground and some local spices are also added. Then the mixture is made into a ball, stuck on a bamboo stick, and grilled on charcoal ovens. Roll your own rice paper rolls using the ingredients provided – grilled pork sausage, rice paper, green banana, star fruit, cucumber, pickles, and fresh herbs – then dip into the secret peanut sauce. Simple, fantastic, and yummy!

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Nem nuong Thanh Van – Grilled meat ball
  • Price: 50.000 VND
  • Where to eat in Can Tho: Nem Nuong Thanh Van restaurant
  • Add: 17 Hoa Binh, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Vietnam

3. Banh Cong – Small fried shrimp pancake

One of the best Can Tho’s culinary claims to fame is banh cong, a savory mung-bean ‘muffin’ studded with a fresh shrimp. Three generations of skilled women grate, mix, and fry this local specialty. Wrap some in the lettuce or wasabi leaf, herbs, pickles, and dip it in the family secret fish sauce. Banh Cong is a savory muffin made from a mixture of local rice flour, mung beans, little shrimp and minced pork, spring onions, and something secret which is deep-fried to give a crispy cupcake texture. Believe me, try this delicacy in Can Tho and you will never think about coming back home. Can Tho people often eat the cake as a snack in the afternoon or in the evening.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Banh Cong – Vietnamese shrimp cupcake
  • Price: 11.000 VND
  • Where to eat in Can Tho: Banh Cong Co Ut restaurant
  • Google maps: 86/38 Ly Tu Trong, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

4. Hu Tieu Nam Vang – Rice noodle soup

Hu Tieu Nam Vang is the most magnificent Cambodian-Chinese-Vietnamese fusion. The dish is light, beautifully flavorful and topped with a variety of meats such as pawns, pork slices, noodles, quail eggs and garnish in a bowl with the chopsticks. Can Tho version of Hu Tieu Nam Vang turns the ever-popular dish that you’ll even want to serve to the most difficult of friends!

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Hu tieu – Rice noodle soup
  • Price: 40.000 VND
  • Where to eat in Can Tho: Hu Tieu Nam Vang Ngoc Ngan restaurant
  • Add: 50 Nguyen Khuyen, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Viet Nam

5. Bun Goi Da (Khmer noodle soup)

Bun Goi Da soup is a specialty food of Khmer people. This dish is made from boiled white rice vermicelli, shrimp, grilled meat roll, herbs with ground soy sauce, roasted peanuts and broth. The harmony of sweet and sour broth will make you eat it more than once and remember forever.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
What to eat in Can Tho – Bun goi da soup
  • Price: 40.000 VND
  • Where to eat in Can Tho: Hu Tieu Nam Vang Ngoc Ngan restaurant
  • Add: 50 Nguyen Khuyen, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Viet Nam

6. Pho (Beef noodle soup)

Pho is one of the greatest soups in the world. Pho originated in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam. It is a Vietnamese soup consisting of a flavorful broth with your choice of meat, rice noodles, topped with simple fresh herbs and vegetables. Going to Vietnam without eating Pho would make your visit incomplete. Indeed, it is not only a delicious bowl of soup, but Pho also provides an interesting lens into the Vietnamese culture.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Pho – Beef noodle soup
  • Price: 45.000 VND
  • The best place to eat in Can Tho: Pho Nga restaurant
  • Add: 103 Nguyen Viet Hong, An Lac, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Vietnam

7. Banh Mi – Vietnamese baguette

Banh Mi is more than just a sandwich. It’s a meaty tale of Vietnamese history, culture, and philosophy. A traditional Vietnamese baguette is put together, consisting of a baguette-like bread packed with pork, pickles, and herbs alongside a spread of Pâté or margarine and savory soy sauce. In Vietnam, you can enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Banh Mi – Vietnamese baguette
  • Price: 20.000 VND
  • The best place to eat in Can Tho: Banh Mi 3 Co restaurant
  • Add: 2 – 4 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Tan An ward, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city

8. Banh Hoi (Hammock-shaped Fine rice vermicelli)

This is a well-known specialty in Can Tho city. The hammock shaped fine rice vermicelli is handcrafted from pure rice flour to cooked rice vermicelli beautifully made by skillful craftsman in the traditional way. Fine rice vermicelli is eaten with BBQ fork, leafy vegetables, herbs, and unique fish sauce.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Fine rice vermicelli – Banh hoi mat vong
  • Price: 100.000 VND
  • The best place to eat in Can Tho: Ut Dzach fine rice vermicelli house.
  • Add: Nhon Phu hamlet, Nhon Ai commune, Phong Dien district, Can Tho city

9. Oc Nuong Tieu – Grilled snails with pepper

Grilled snails with pepper is a rural local dish in Can Tho, with easy ingredients to find, and simple process. However, to cook the dish very well and especially is mainly people’s secret in each restaurant.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Grilled snails with pepper

10. Tropical fruits

The Mekong Delta is famous for lush tropical fruit gardens. You can enjoy a lot of fresh fruits and feel peaceful space. Summer is the ideal time to explore tropical fruits such as mangos, star apples, durians, mangosteens, dragon fruits, pomelos, guavas,etc. From street corners to bicycle vendors, you will see pyramids of colorful fruits everywhere.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Tropical fruits in Mekong

Best restaurants in Can Tho

1. Sao Hom restaurant

Located in Can Tho market, Sao Hom is a great place to enjoy the local food and often the firstly mentioned by locals if you ask for a recommendation. The restaurant overlooks the night market on one side and the river on the other side. The staffs are friendly and attentive. They speak English fluently The restaurant offers guests Asian and Vietnamese cuisines. Its specialty is cocktails and fish in a clay pot.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Sao Hom restaurant – Best restaurants in Can Tho

2. Lua Nep restaurant

Set under a soaring series of thatched roofs that could be a modernist take on a traditional tribal house, this is the most sophisticated Vietnamese dining experience in Can Tho, facing the Mekong River. Dishes focus on local foods with fresh meat, fish, and seafood.
What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Lua Nep restaurant

3. L’Escale restaurant

Known for offering many cuisines under one roof, this restaurant located on the top of Nam Bo Boutique hotel. It offers a wide range of French and Vietnamese cuisine with a view of the Mekong river. This mellow-lit venue offers tantalizing river views, creating a romantic atmosphere as you dine. It may be a little bit expensive but everything is worth it.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
L’escale restaurant

4. Lighthouse Cafe – Restaurant

Discover Euro – Asian cuisines in a neo-classical milieu. An interesting experience is for all of your senses.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
The Lighthouse Cafe Restaurant

5. Phuong Nam restaurant

Phuong Nam restaurant serves Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine as well as Western cuisine, served in large portions for extremely cheap prices. If someone is looking for the amazing quality of local food at a budget, this is the best choice. It’s also vegetarian-friendly. A taste of the local delicacies makes your trip to Can Tho, Vietnam memorable.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Phuong Nam restaurant

6. Spices restaurant

The elegant restaurant overlooks Can Tho River, with both indoor and outdoor Seating. The restaurant offers to dine featuring International and Vietnamese favorites all day. It can serve a maximum of 100 guests indoors, and about 70 guests outdoors.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Spices restaurant

7. Nem Nuong Thanh Van restaurant

This is the best local BBQ meatball restaurant in Can Tho city. Make your own rolls using the ingredients provided – pork sausage, salty rice paper, green banana, carambola (star fruit), cucumber, and fresh herbs. Then dip it into the secret peanut sauce. Simple, fantastic, and yummy!
What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Nem Nuong Thanh Van restaurant

8. 7 Toi restaurant

This is the best ever Banh Xeo restaurant in Can Tho. Duck Banh Xeo with prawns is the best choice for you to enjoy. The price is very cheap and worth trying.
What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
7 Toi restaurant

9. Banh Cong Co Ut restaurant

Banh Cong Co Ut restaurant is very famous for its excellent cuisine. Banh Cong is a kind of savory mung-bean ‘muffin’ studded with whole fresh shrimp. Three family generations of skilled women grate, mix, and fry this local favorite. Wrap some pieces in the fresh lettuce and herbs and dunk in the secret fish sauce. One is not enough. Just order more and enjoy

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Banh Cong Co Ut restaurant

10. Mekong 1965

Mekong 1965 is a family-run business serving delicious home-cooked Southern Vietnamese specialties. This small restaurant is authentic attracting many guests to come to enjoy. It has been running since 1965, with recipes handed down through the family generations. The staffs are also extremely friendly. The prices are really cheap.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho Mekong 1965 restaurant

11. Gony Spa & Cafe Lounge

GONY Spa & Cafe Lounge is a combination of a spa, lounge, café, and restaurant. It is a beautiful decoration, with comfortable seats. The menu is full of Vietnamese specialties and also Western food. Everything comes at affordable prices.
What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Gony Spa Cafe Lounge restaurant

12. Can Tho night market

It was a cute little market but the hidden gem was the food carts. Fascinating collection of food stalls, clothing, and much more. Walk around then grab a beer on the riverside. Watch out ALWAYS for scooters!

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Can Tho night market

Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Can Tho

1. Bach Thao Restaurant

Bach Thao restaurant is a vegan-friendly restaurant in Can Tho. It serves a good range of traditional Vietnamese dishes like noodle soups (with mock meat) as well as hot pots, spring rolls. They have various dishes for about 20.000 – 25.000 VND, which is quite cheap. You also get a glass of cold tea with each order.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Bach Thao restaurant

2. Oanh restaurant

Com Chay Oanh eatery is visited by locals who are either vegan, vegetarian, or taken up temporary vegetarianism for Buddhist faith. The food is also incredibly cheap.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Oanh vegetarian restaurant

3. Cuong restaurant

On a street with plenty of eating options, this is one of the better and larger vegetarian eateries in the city. The vegetable, rice, and mock-meat dishes are nicely prepared. Order from the English menu or point at what you like at the buffet.

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Cuong vegetarian restaurant

4. Thien Duyen restaurant

A small vegetarian/vegan Vietnamese restaurant with a few dishes and a small buffet of prepared/fake meats from which you can choose

What to eat in Can Tho - Best restaurants in Can Tho
Thien Duyen vegetarian restaurant
References
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