Da Nang is a coastal city, which is why it’s a popular destination for a beach holiday. It was also once a French colonial port, giving it a bit of colorful history as well. For culture buffs, Da Nang is home to the Marble Mountains, the My Son Temple Ruins, and Vietnam’s longest bridge, the Dragon Bridge. The latter is a particularly famous attraction with its multicolored lights, as well as the dragon’s fire- and water-breathing effects, which are quite a spectacle.
Da Nang is also an excellent destination for foodies. It has an impressive collection of streetside stalls and food markets, beachfront establishments, luxurious restaurants, and local “legends” that have been around for decades. If you want to have a gastronomic adventure for yourself, get one of Traveloka’s Da Nang travel combos for affordable tickets and accommodations. The money you save can go to your food allowance so you can try some (or all!) of the dining destinations in this quick list.
The Rachel Restaurant & Bar
Want to see the Dragon Bridge in all of its glory? Reserve a table at The Rachel Restaurant & Bar. This waterfront establishment is relatively new (it opened only in 2011), but it has become a favorite food haunt of locals, tourists, and expats. The menu is quite extensive, with selections from North American, European, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines and beverages like Vietnamese coffee, various imported beers, and wines. For some live music performances, visit during the weekends.
Banh Xeo Ba Duong
Banh Xeo Ba Duong in Hoang Dieu Street is easily missable. Once you sample their banh xeo and nem lui, however, you won’t forget the small alleyway where it’s located. The crispy-juicy combination of the bean sprouts and meat is definitely going to be in your mind long after you leave. The restaurant is also open until 11 o’clock in the evening so you can visit for your late-night cravings.
Mi Quang Ba Ma
If love mi quang and its rich, flavorful broth, the best place to get it in Da Nang is Mi Quang Ba Ma. It’s a little more expensive compared to other restaurants that serve mi quang, but the slight price difference is definitely worth it. You’ll be treated to a bowl of noodles with a bone broth flavored with black pepper, fish sauce, garlic, and shallots, heaped with meat toppings of your choice beef, chicken, pork, and even quirkier ones like eel. The mi quang is then finished off with a topping of banana flowers, basil, coriander, peanuts, and sesame rice crackers.
Bich Banh Canh
Looking for some value-for-money banh canh? Head on over to Da Nang’s My An District where you can find Bich Banh Canh. The banh canh here features a sophisticated beefy broth, matching perfectly with the al dente noodles. You’ll also get served fresh banh quay bread to dip into the soup. Just remember, however, that Bich Banh Canh is only open for about 5 hours (usually from 3 in the afternoon until 8 in the evening). Once they run out of banh canh and other foods to serve, you have to come back the next day.
Bun Cha Ca 109
Bun Cha Ca 109 is a family-run eatery that’s been serving authentic bun cha ca in Da Nang for almost five decades now. Located in Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Bun Cha Ca 109 serves bowl after bowl of bun cha ca overflowing with grilled fish cakes, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, green onions, and mint leaves. The soup is more complex than pho, definitely, but Bun Cha Ca 109 makes sure that the mix of flavors isn’t overwhelming.
La Maison 1888
La Maison 1888 in Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is helmed by Michelin-starred check, Pierre Gagnaire. It’s the first restaurant in Vietnam to hold such an honor, and La Maison 1888 lives up to this with the best French fine-dining experience you’ll have in the country. Their five-course and seven-course dinners are simply luxurious, featuring sea bass carpaccio, roasted veal tenderloin, and suckling pig with bigarade sauce. There’s also a sommelier to ensure that each dish has a perfect wine pairing. For dessert, the Pierre Gagnaire Grand Dessert is truly an indulgent treat with both French and Asian ingredients.
Bep Hen
For some legitimate homestyle Vietnamese food, visit Bep Hen. With a name that literally translates to “lucky kitchen,” Bep Hen will surely make you feel lucky with its dozens of flavorful dishes. Whether you’re a fan of casual, sit-down dinners or luxurious food, the options you have at Bep Hen will definitely satisfy your palate.
Song Han River Floating Restaurant
For a romantic dinner cruise, there’s no better option in Da Nang than in Song Han River Floating Restaurant. It has an extensive seafood menu, along with a lot of Eastern and Western selections. The imperial-style boat leaves the dock for a dinner cruise twice. The first cruise is at 6:00 PM and ends at 7:30 PM, while the second cruise begins at 8:00 PM and ends at 9:30 PM.
Com Ga A Hai
Are you a fan of com ga or chicken rice? One of the best places to get this flavorful dish is Com Ga A Hai. It’s a rice stand located in Hai Chau, and their specialty is chicken rice. The chicken is roasted then fried in a wok, resulting in a flavorful meat and skin with a light crispiness. The annatto rice is similarly lip-smackingly delicious. Com Ga A Hai is open until midnight throughout the week. Whether you love com ga for lunch, dinner, or a late-night filling meal, you’ll have somewhere to go for your com ga fix.
There are certainly more restaurants, food stalls, even entire neighborhoods where you can have an awesome foodie adventure in Da Nang. These nine establishments are only the beginning. Bon appetit!