Places to eat in Mui Ne

If you’re taking a trip to Mui Ne, plan to eat a lot of deliciously fresh seafood. Sure, you can find this fare all along Vietnam’s coast, but in Mui Ne, it’s particularly good.

This small-town fishing village isn’t overgrown with chains and boisterous resorts yet; instead, you can walk right down to the docks and buy your own fresh-caught fish if you so choose. Of course, you will find tourist ridden restaurants, too, but venture a bit further for some nice culinary surprises.

Street Stalls and Markets

For budget travellers, Mui Ne has more options than you’ll need; pretty much any roadside stall or restaurant will serve full meals for less than USD2. However, if you want to turn your meal into an experience, head to Ham Tien Market.

While the actual marketplace itself doesn’t offer much in terms of full meals, you can find some light snacks and drinks if you’re just passing through. You can also stock up on fruit and veggies if you plan to cook your own meal.

Within a one-minute walk in pretty much any direction of the market, though, you’ll find some amazing and cheap eateries. Talk a walk around the area, choose a spot that looks busy, and order the fried pho with seafood. By now, you’ve probably had your fair share of pho, but ordering this dish fried adds an entirely different element. Even better, you can guarantee the seafood was caught that day. (Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Phan Thiet)

Vietnamese Food

Mouthwatering Vietnamese food doesn’t just come from market areas and streetside restaurants. For both a visually and delicious culinary experience, we absolutely recommend trying out Lacheln Restaurant, which serves barbecue and seafood, both Vietnamese style. This restaurant will run your tab a bit higher than some others, but it’ll by no means break the bank. You’ll get wonderful service here, along with meals cooked at a tableside grill. Order the prawns and lobster, or if you’re looking to push things a bit outside the box, try the crocodile. (89 Nguyen Dinh Chieu)

Western & International Food

With beachside hotels catering to international tourists, there’s obviously a good market for western food, too. You can find decent dishes from all over the world at resort restaurants, but our preferred spot is The Food Court Dong Vui. Walking up to this establishment doesn’t reassure the offering of international food, but trust us, it’s there.

You’ll know you’re in the right spot when you see tables, chairs, and lots of lights spilling outside the building and surrounding the area. Take a walk through; you’ll find stalls selling everything from paella to vegetarian meals, and even Greek or Mexican food. The best part is, it’s all good; you won’t find mediocre imitations of Indian or Thai food here - you’ll find the real deal.

Waiters wander in and around all the tables, taking drink and various food orders; we suggest planning on spending a full evening here to soak in the atmosphere and taste the various cuisine. (246 Nguyen Dinh Chieu)

Cafes and Coffee Houses

If you’re just looking for a light snack or a hit of caffeine, in true Vietnamese style, you’ll find a few cafes to suit your needs. Depending on what you’re looking for, we suggest trying out two spots.

The first is Joe’s Cafe. Anyone who’s been in Mui Ne for more than a day has heard about this western style cafe and bar. They offer coffee, beer, snacks, wifi, and live music, so what’s not to love? You will find Joe’s packed mostly with foreigners, but if you’re after a fun, relaxing evening or afternoon, it’s a good spot to try out. (86 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street)

For a sit down coffee experience, Katie’s Coffee House also delivers. Again, expect a decent sized western crowd, but also look forward to good coffee in a relaxing atmosphere. Prices are a bit high - closer to western standards - but the coffee and desserts are a nice welcome after days of seafood and noodles. Come here to take a break from the beach or ease your way into your mornings. (115 Nguyen Dinh Chieu)