Nha Trang Restaurants - Best places to eat

Nha Trang is a paradise for foodies and seafood lovers. In our Nha Trang foodie guide, we’ll dive into must-try dishes, local dining spots, and insider tips for eating like a local.

Who doesn’t want to eat delicious Vietnamese food right in front of a beautiful beach with prices you won’t believe if you come from western world!

Get ready for mouthwatering Bún Cá (fish noodle soup), Nem Nướng (grilled pork sausage), and more, plus where to find them at the best prices in one of my favorite Vietnamese city.

How to Get There

Nha Trang is accessible by air, road or train. The nearest airport is Cam Ranh International (CXR), about 30 km south, with direct flights from Hanoi, HCMC and several Asian cities. 

From Cam Ranh, grab taxi or shuttle buses take 30 to 45 minutes to Nha Trang center. If arriving by train or bus, you’ll pull into the city center, and many attractions and restaurants are walkable from the station area. 

Getting around town is easy with grab bike/car but if I were you I would just rent a small motorbike which did not cost me more than 150k VND (~ 6 USD).

Top Highlights & Hidden Gems

Fresh Sea Food Right on the Beach in Nha Trang

• Tons of seafood variety: Nha Trang’s cool water and fishing heritage mean seafood is top-notch. Along the beach promenade (Trần Phú Street) you’ll find many seafood restaurants where you can select live shellfish or fish - expect to pay a bit extra (around 200-300k VND for a kilo of shrimp).

  My favorite is Bánh Căn Cua (crab noodle soup) and Bún Cá Nha Trang (fish noodle soup) - try Bánh Canh Cua at 115 Mai Xuân Thưởng as suggested by locals. Don’t miss trying Nem Nướng Ninh Hòa - addictive grilled pork skewers sold by street vendors.

  

  Nha Hang La Nha Is One of the Most Reviewed Restaurant of Nha Trang on Google!

• Street Food Markets: By night, head to the Great Street Food Night Market on Nguyễn Thiện Thuật near the Cathedral. It’s a one-stop hub for local eats: Bún Thịt Nướng (grilled pork noodle), Bánh Xèo (crepes) and sweets.

  Another must-see is the old Dam Market area; there are mini stalls and Cafes serving local specialties (e.g., Pho, Quẩy sausage) from morning till afternoon.

  

  Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls Are a Must Try

• Cafes and Desserts: Central Nha Trang has charming coffee shops. For a local vibe, try Jungle Coffee (an open-air Cafe off the main drag) or La Fenêtre (in a French colonial villa).

  For dessert, hunt down an Egg Coffee or Salt Coffee (whipped salted cream on coffee), both made famous in northern Vietnam but often found here. Snow ice cream (bingsu-style) and tropical fruit smoothies are popular too.

• Unique Dishes: Among Thai Nguyễn thrill-list, Bánh Mì Út Thương (15 Võ Thị Sáu St.) is famous for crispy-crusted banh mi.

  At corner shops, try Chuối Nướng (grilled banana) or Xôi (sticky rice) topped with savory ingredients for a cheap, late-night snack.

  And don’t miss Bò nướng hay bún bò ở Quán Ốc, little noodle places frequented by locals.

  

  Nha Trang Beach Right After Sunset

• Hidden Spots: Secret spots include a little stall at Nguyễn Thiện Thuật where the Cafe owner also serves homemade chè (sweet soup desserts). Some fishermen’s floating islands (Paradise in Mid-Beach) have their own seafood shacks.

Timing and tips

• Opening Hours & Prices: Vietnamese meals in Nha Trang are very affordable. Expect 20k-50k VND dishes (bowls of noodles, rice plates) at street stalls. Western or beachfront restaurants are pricier. Shellfish and lobster can be 300k+ per kg. The Great Street Food Night Market opens ~6:30pm and closes by 10pm.

  Many local joints open 7am-9pm; some specialize (like breakfast-only pho stands). Always check hours on Google or with hotel staff.

• Best Time to Eat: Nha Trang’s tropical climate is warm - morning and late afternoon are pleasant for sitting on the beach with a beer. For street food, the evenings around 7-9pm are best (places like Bo Ke promenade light up then). If you’re after Pho or Bánh Căn, mornings (7-11am) are ideal. It rains most in Sept-Nov, so plan indoor meals (or bún bề bề - shrimp porridge) then.

• Local Etiquette: It’s common to sit on plastic stools at street stands. Some places have separate menus for locals vs tourists, but food is usually similar - pay attention to portion and freshness. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated. Speaking a few Vietnamese phrases (e.g. Cho tôi… for “I’ll have…”) makes ordering fun.

  

  Vietnamese Seafood Soup

• Nearby Amenities: Nha Trang is a tourist hub, so every corner has coffee shops, bakeries and mini-marts. Public restrooms are at restaurants or petrol stations. Tap water isn’t safe to drink; use bottled water (very cheap). Wi-Fi is ubiquitous in cafes and hotels if you need to look up menu items or directions.

FAQs

• Are street food vendors in Nha Trang clean?
  Generally yes, especially the busy ones locals frequent. Look for high turnover stalls. If you have a sensitive stomach, start with cooked, boiled or freshly fried foods rather than raw vegetables.

• What are must-try dishes in Nha Trang?
  Definitely Bánh Căn (crab noodle cake), Bún Cá (tangy fish noodle soup), and Nem Nướng Ninh Hòa (grilled pork sausage). Also try the sticky rice (Xôi) toppings, fresh seafood platter, and even Italian or Russian spots in town - Nha Trang has international pockets.

• Is tap water safe?
  No, stick to bottled water or purified ice. Nha Trang’s hot sun makes dehydration a risk, so always have water handy (costs ~5k VND per bottle).

• Can I haggle at restaurants or markets?
  At street markets (like Dam Market or the night market), you can sometimes negotiate souvenirs or street snacks, but for restaurants menus usually have fixed prices. If ordering taxis or bargained seafood, agree on the price in advance.

• Do Nha Trang restaurants serve Halal?
  Halal is rare. You’ll mostly find pork, seafood and beef dishes. Vegetarian options are common (tofu, veggie rice). If you need Halal, call ahead or seek out dedicated vendors (few and far between).

• Is seafood expensive there?
  Compared to land-based Vietnamese cities, seafood costs more, but Nha Trang prices are still lower than in the Western countries like Italy or USA. Expect 100-300k VND for a big plate of grilled lobster or crab. Splurge on seafood once or twice; other meals are very cheap (rice/noodle dishes under 50k VND).