Outstanding dinner at Nanaimo Oyster Bar. Local oysters, bbq beef, a salad and garlicy edamame. Best part they serve the world class Mua craft sake made in Vietnam. I will definitely go back!
Seafood restaurant
Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar - Seafood restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City
+24
The Story
About This Place
Nanaimo occupies a spot down Alley 28 off Thảo Điền, past the kind of entrance that filters out casual walk-ins—Grab drivers drop guests at the lane mouth and signs lead the rest of the way. The interior centers on a live lobster tank, an unusual feature for the neighborhood and one that sets a tone the rest of the room follows through on. The menu is built around fresh oysters and crustacean rolls, with Canada oysters drawing the most consistent praise: thick, meaty, and firm enough to convert diners who arrived skeptical. The three cheese oyster preparation is a recurring order alongside the lobster and crab rolls, which come toasted and hold up well against the comparisons guests arrive with.
The drinks list has some character. Mua craft sake, brewed in Vietnam, appears across multiple reviews as a pairing that fits a raw-bar menu better than the usual choices, and the sparkling water with Vietnamese lime has its own following. BBQ beef and garlic edamame round out the options for tables that include non-seafood eaters; the steak is available but reviews consistently suggest the kitchen's strengths lie in what comes from the water.
The venue opens at 3 PM and closes at 10 PM daily, settling into a rhythm that draws expats and visitors looking for a focused seafood dinner without hotel-restaurant formality or price. Owners and staff are noted as attentive and genuinely present—a detail that shows up independently across enough reviews to carry weight. Price-to-quality lands noticeably below equivalent seafood spots elsewhere in the city, which helps explain both the 4.7 average and the frequency with which reviewers mention planning a return.
canada oysterslobster rollsthree cheese oystersmua craft sakecrab rolls
intimaterelaxedevening-onlyalley-setunhurried
Menu Highlights
What to order at Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar
Lobster Sashimi & Congee
1.6M VND
Shrimp head cooked in congee, body made into sashimi
Lobster with Salt, Abalone Meat
1.6M VND
Fresh lobster, delicious abalone salt.
Lobster HongKong Style
1.6M VND
Fresh Lobsters, Fragrant Hong Kong Garlic.
Lobsters Ginger & Scallion Stirfry
1.6M VND
Fresh Lobsters, Spring Onions, Spicy Ginger.
Ribeye Steak
455k VND
Canadian Beef Striploin (300g) served with Chimmichi sauce or L'Entrecote sauce
Full menu below · prices in VND.
Reviews
4.7(247)
Best Lobster Roll in town. Great atmosphere, delicious dishes. The Oyster is fantastic!!! Must try!
Not a fan of oysters but i have to say these oysters were the best i have ever had, especially the Canada oysters. Very meaty and firm. I cannot recommend this enough. The pawn rolls were also very tasty and worth ordering. We also ordered the steak but it tasted very chewy (medium) and not that great. Better just go here for oysters. Services were great and tentative. Great place to go on a date night!
The food was excellent, and the restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere. The lobster tank was beautifully decorated, giving guests a fancy experience of enjoying their meal while watching live lobsters right in front of them. I’d love to recommend this place to everyone
Grab vehicle ran out of batteries right in front of the Oyster Bar, great place to get struck . Oysters were excellent, only had a few dozen & got some to takeaway. Price is amazing, staff , owners & other patrons were very friendly.
Visit Tips
Visiting Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar
- ✓
Open late: Doors stay open past 3 AM on at least one day — handy for after-work dinners.
- ✓
Breakfast available: Opens by 3 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Saigon.
- ✓
Menu starts from: 52k VND, based on 43 priced items on the public menu.
- ✓
Reservations: Call +84 913 689 116 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
- ✓
Best for: date night, after-work dinner, small group seafood, first-time oysters.
- ✓
Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.
gallery
31Photos
Food
Steak and Fries
Seafood Sandwich
Oyster Plate
Vibe
Outdoor seating area with wooden chairs and tables under large white umbrellas, surrounded by lush tropical plants and trees. The ground is covered wi
The image shows a seafood display at an establishment in Thao Dien, Saigon with various types of oysters and mussels on ice, accompanied by condiments
The image depicts an interior view of a modern bar or restaurant setting in Thao Dien, Saigon. The space features contemporary design elements such as
Other
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
- What is the best dish at Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar?
- Canada oysters draw the most consistent praise—reviewers describe them as 'very meaty and firm.' The lobster roll and three cheese oyster preparation are also frequent repeat orders.
- Is Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar good for a date night?
- Multiple reviews mention it independently as a date spot, citing the 'charming and cozy' ambiance and attentive service. The live lobster tank adds a focal point that reviewers call a 'fancy experience.'
- Is Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar open for breakfast or lunch?
- No. The venue opens at 3 PM and closes at 10 PM daily, making it a dinner-only destination.
- What drinks does Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar serve?
- Mua craft sake, brewed in Vietnam, appears across multiple reviews as a standout pairing. Sparkling water with Vietnamese lime also has its own following, described by one reviewer as 'the perfect drink.'
- How is the value at Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar?
- Reviewers consistently note the price-to-quality ratio as strong, with one calling it 'very good' compared to equivalent seafood elsewhere in Ho Chi Minh City.
Also nearby
More like Nanaimo Bistro & Oyster Bar
Other Seafood restaurant in Saigon you might like
location