Accessed via an unmarked stairwell climbing to the rooftop of an ordinary Pasteur Street building, Secret Garden Restaurant opens onto a leafy, lantern-lit open-air terrace serving straightforward home-style Vietnamese dishes at fair prices. The novelty of the hidden entrance combined with genuinely good, unfussy food has made it a long-standing favorite among both travelers and locals looking to escape the street-level heat and noise.
| Price | $$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Reservations | recommended |
| Address | 158 Pasteur Street (rooftop, 5th floor), District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
Signature dishes
- Grilled lemongrass pork
- Green papaya salad
- Caramelized clay-pot fish
Good to know
- Known for
- Rustic Vietnamese home cooking on an open-air rooftop garden terrace
Weather through the year in Vietnam
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Vietnam.
Location
158 Pasteur Street (rooftop, 5th floor), District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
10.7742, 106.6995 View on map
Highlights
- Hidden rooftop garden accessed via an unmarked stairwell
- Affordable, well-executed home-style Vietnamese dishes
- Lantern-lit open-air terrace seating
- Popular with both locals and travelers
Tips for visiting
- Look for the small sign near the stairwell entrance at street level; it's easy to walk past
- Reserve ahead for dinner as terrace seating is limited
- Bring cash as card acceptance can be inconsistent
When to visit
Evening, when the terrace is lit with lanterns.
Accessibility
Requires climbing several flights of stairs; no elevator access.
Frequently asked questions
Is Secret Garden Restaurant hard to find?
Yes, the entrance is an easily missed stairwell; look for a small sign near 158 Pasteur Street.
Is it outdoor seating?
Yes, the rooftop terrace is open-air, so it's weather-dependent.