Food was great, so we will go back. But really annoying aftertaste. We were charged 20% service fee since we had a big group, and were happy to pay that. Then the server brought a hand-held card reader to the table and offered us the "opportunity" to pay an additional suggested tip. A server will look at you and make you feel stingy if you tap "no tip" when you've already agreed to 20% read more

Food 10/10 Price 7/10 Consistency 10/10 Saigon Cafe has delicious food! I usually order takeout, but I've dined in before as well. My new favorite dish is the Com Suon Dac Biet. Everything is incredibly flavorful! The entree comes with a scoop of rice, a fried egg, shrimp, and a pork chop, all served over a bed of lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. I love the pairing of the savory proteins with the freshness of the vegetables. The only minor downside is that because the protein is served hot, the lettuce at the bottom can get a little soggy...but that's it! The dipping sauce is also amazing and ties everything together. read more

Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Saigon Cafe is a quaint little Vietnamese restaurant in the Central West End that I've been to twice now, and the thing that hits you first.. every single time... is the staff. They are genuinely warm. Smiley, accommodating, almost joyful in a way that catches you off guard. Like, they're so cheerful it almost reads as a movie-trope diner waitress, except there's nothing performative about it. No manipulation, no over-the-top energy; just real, good-natured hospitality. It sets the tone for the whole meal. I had the spare ribs, which are the headline. Large, excellent, easily a main meal on their own. I paired them with steamed broccoli and carrots and walked out feeling like I'd actually had a healthy dinner -- which is its own small miracle, for most restaurants. For my money, those ribs are the best I've had in St. Louis. I'd go back for that dish alone and sample around it. My wife also got the spare ribs pho. That's how good they are. The crispy spring rolls are excellent, right on par with the broader St. Louis Vietnamese scene, which, for the uninitiated, is genuinely strong. St. Louis was one of the major resettlement cities for Vietnamese refugees after the war, and the result is a city full of very good Vietnamese restaurants. That's both a compliment to Saigon Cafe and the reason it's not quite a 5-star for me. We went with three vegetarian/gluten-free friends, and one of the great gifts of any Vietnamese restaurant is that you can bring a group with all kinds of dietary restrictions and everyone walks away happy. Saigon Cafe handled it beautifully, everyone enjoyed their dishes. Maybe not anyone's new favorite Vietnamese spot, but solidly good across the board. 4.3 stars What would push it to five stars? A few signature dishes that genuinely separate it from the rest of the (very strong) St. Louis Vietnamese pack. The spare ribs are already there for me. A couple more like that and we're talking destination dining. If Saigon Cafe were a character, it would be Aunt May (Spider-Man). Not the headline hero, not the place anyone writes a movie about, but the one who quietly takes care of you, feeds you well, and is genuinely glad you came by. The warmth isn't a bit. The food isn't trying to impress anyone. You leave feeling looked after, which is a rarer thing in a restaurant than it should be. The dining room is generally on the quieter side and the bar is very small, so it's more of a relaxed dinner spot than a scene. The big practical win: you can stay in the Central West End and skip the trip down to South Grand. Convenient, charming, and reliably good, that's a hard combination to beat in your own neighborhood. read more

See all

This was my second time here, and I honestly left feeling angry. The service was not just bad -- it was practically nonexistent. We were seated, and someone dropped off two glasses of water... and then disappeared. We sat there for 10-15 minutes completely ignored, while multiple staff walked by without even acknowledging us. Eventually, someone came over and bluntly asked if we were ready to order -- no greeting, no apology, nothing. Yes, the food came out quickly. But after that? We were abandoned again. No one checked on us. No one asked how the food was. No one offered drinks, refills, or dessert. No one came by at all. After we finished eating, we sat there for another 10+ minutes, just waiting. Again, completely ignored -- until someone finally showed up with a payment machine, as if we were just there to pay and leave. At this point, it didn't even feel like dining -- it felt like we were invisible. As a customer, this is completely unacceptable. Basic service -- even the bare minimum -- was missing. I don't expect perfection, but I do expect to be acknowledged as a human being in a restaurant. The food might be decent, but with service like this, I honestly don't feel comfortable coming back. read more

My biggest takeaway at Saigon Café was the chocolate espresso martini and the spare ribs, both were by far my favorite. It's honestly a great spot to grab lunch or dinner with friends, and many of the dishes are perfect for sharing. The service was super nice, and the food came out pretty quickly. The vibe is casual and great for family or friends. Parking can be a little difficult, but if you're lucky you can usually find street parking I was always recommended to come so I'm glad I finally went! read more

Saigon Cafe - A5 Spare Ribs A6 Chicken Wings E1 Steak Cubes B3 Bun Pork & Pork Patty - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

Absolutely love the food here. Lots of flavors. Vietnamese is my favorite. Service is fast, food is fresh & hot. Its a smaller restaurant & its busy at lunch time w all the personnel from the university/hospital nearby. Only complaint is the prices. $23 for a lunch entree. Appetizers are $10+. Entree ordered was the beef vermicelli (B1). Asked for soft spring rolls vs the crispy rolls read more

See all

Have you ever seen food pics and instantly started salivating over the thought of how good it would taste? Well, my thoughts came to fruition as I finally had lunch here and it did not disappoint. After seeing this restaurant come across my Yelp feed, I saw some food pics and immediately knew I had to check it out. I came in around noon and while I was expecting it to be packed, there were plenty of open spots. I was sat immediately and given water and menus. I already knew what I wanted, so the server was quick to take my order. To start, I got Cha Gio Chay (crispy spring rolls), and for my entree, I got Bo Luc Lac (steak cubes). My spring rolls came first and were as I had hoped. It was the sauce that surprised me the most. The sauce that accompanied it was Nuoc Mam. There wasn't a description for it, but I do know I enjoyed it and would dip everything I eat in it if I could. I'm not sure if it's their version of "sweet and sour," but there's nothing sour about it. I'd describe it as light with hints of sweetness but not overpowering. My entree came next and was what I had been looking forward to since I first saw the picture of the dish. After I started cutting the meat, which might I add was extremely tender and cooked medium rareish but not too rare, I noticed I had the same sauce for my meat that I did for the rolls. I put it over my rice and mixed it in with the meat, and it was next level! This place knocked it out of the park with their efficient and outstanding service, their great tasting dishes, and for having healthy options. I can't wait to come back. read more

See all

The ratingis mainly due to service. I want to go back and see if my experience changes. This restaurant has so much to offer from unique cocktails like the ceremonial matcha cocktail (ask for simple syrup) and filling appetizers like Goi Cuon Va Hoi (Salmon Rolls). I dream of those rolls. The salmon was seasoned and cooked to perfection. They also offer large bowls of Pho with all the ingredients being fresh and robust in flavor. The only issue was that I needed to read the ingredients more carefully as I have allergies and had to send my order back once before the restaurant was able to accommodate me. Another star on the menu was the side of green beans. The black bean sauce tossed with the crispy green beans makes a dynamic duo! Save room for dessert too as they have so many to choose. Though small single portions the flavors are delicious. I did have the Pasteis de Nata (egg tart) and Taro bun. Both came out a little well done so I took them home to enjoy later. So the service... I came on a Saturday night were our server was hosting a larger party in the back area well we were right next to the entrance (there is a step up). The staff had to help out each other to make sure we were taken care of but we felt rude constantly asking other staff members questions and for items for our table. I will be back for a different experience for sure. For accessibility there are 2 doors to enter that are not automatic so you may need assistance. The first seating area has a larger step up so be cautious of that. Luckily the main dining area is wheelchair accessible. Space is tight and dinner lighting is dim so be mindful if going alone. read more

See all

I don't frequent this part of Central West End, but I was pleased to know that a delicious Vietnamese restaurant is located in this busy area. On the outside, the restaurant looks tiny, but I was surprised by the amount of tables the could fit inside. Service was very quick and food came out incredibly fast. I ordered the vermicelli with tofu, and the vegetarian egg rolls were fantastic! The sauce with the vermicelli was a perfect balance of sweet and fishy. Prices are not cheap, but with the amount of food you get, it felt like an overall good value. I definitely will come back again to try one of their specials! read more

See all

Food was phenomenal, I was very impressed by the flavor in every item pictured. I got the Bun Cha Hanoi and paired it with their yummy peanut sauce. Service was attentive and speedy, even after we paid for our meal we were still served water often. For the ambiance I will say it can get a bit cramped and VERY warm inside. read more

Saigon Cafe - Bun Cha Hanoi - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

This place is so good, I'm focusing my apartment hunt in the CWE...seriously! First, the service was stellar. It was lunchtime and fairly busy, but the server was omnipresent and always there when you needed her. My only annoyance was when I asked for the check, she said she can take my card at the table. She didn't want to show me the bill first! WTF is with that? I never hand over a credit card until I know what I'm buying. That said, when I told her I needed to see the bill first, she brought it over. OK, the food.... Perhaps the best Vietnamese food I've ever eaten anywhere. I lived in Chicago for 20 years, and NONE of their Vietnamese food was even close to this. Franky Pho Grand was my favorite St. Louis Vietnamese place in St. Louis. Saigon Cafe is definitely the best. Sorry PG! Love you guys! I lived in Chicago for 20 years, and they don't even have a Vietnamese restaurant of this quality! No lie! Ok, I ordered the B3 or Vermicelli bowl (Bun Chai Hanoi) with pork meatballs and skewers of pork. They were incredibly tasty without any kind of filler. Perfectly tender and juicy, and flavorful. The Vermicelli was plentiful and the skewers of pork were exquisitely marinated and grilled to perfection. Honestly I didn't order an appetizer and was regretting it, until halfway through my meal. I couldn't finish it! Really! I'm not a small guy, and I was full. The bowl was topped with two incredibly tasty egg rolls. They were very crispy, and some of the best egg rolls I've had anywhere, in any city. Very crispy, and they were filled with fresh, quality ingredients. This is the place to be! Absolutely the best I've had anywhere. read more

Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

I absolutely love Pho, but I didn't get any this time. This time I got a vermicelli dish and it was 10/10. The lemon grass beef aka Bun Bao Xao is savory, tender and perfect. If you like the freshness of herbs and veggies with juicy, tender meat. Get it! I imagine any protein dish would be phenomenal. Side note: this is my first time here. I don't even live in MO. The kind gentleman recommended the Chocolate Espresso Martini. &$!@, it was 10/10! Top 5 best espresso martinis I've ever had. I was weak and ordered beef pho broth and it was worth it! Can't wait for my next trip to STL, I'll be back! No food pictured bc I gobbled it up! Ambiance: + + + The chill hop music is a *chefs kiss* read more

Ordered food to go on a Friday for lunch at nearby BJH. My order taker answered all my questions and brought the food out to my car. Restaurant has a decent set up to order inside for to go or to dine in, nice and bright inside with cool views of the CWE. The spring rolls looked great the sauce was a little sweet for me, but everyone else loved it. The pho was meaty and good. The shaken beef had great flavor not as tender as some other restaurants we have been to. I thought it was on the high end of pricing, so I expected top notch quality, it was good, but not the greatest. I would try again, maybe a different dish and I would dine in. read more

See all

This is my go to place for great Vietnamese food in central west end. It never disappoints. Curries, noodle dishes, Pho, etc read more

Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

Perfect patio, INCREDIBLE service, and some dang good eats. Saigon has been on the hit list for ages, finally, my craving has been satiated. Before I get to food I must share how superb the service was. We walked in and before we were greeted with words we were greeted with smiles. 3 workers raced to greet us and get us seated. They were polite, enthusiastic, and gave some great recs. I believe christina(hope im spelling that correctly) was our server. Absolutely phenomenal, soft spoken but convicted. Gave us quick service and helped us pace/decide on our meal! The patio is awesome for people watching. It is peaceful, and the world moves a bit slower inside that fence. Calamari, lemon grass chicken, salmon rolls. Get it all. The lemongrass chicken was a favorite. The sauce was slightly sweet, but not overpowering and super light. The mint lemon sauce on the calamari was perfect. I'd love to go back today, tomorrow, and for the rest of history read more

See all

This was a great experience. I had been wanting to visit after having a Mixed By Eddie cocktail at an event and loved it! I purchased a bottle at the event and was sad when it was gone. I read that Saigon Cafe served his cocktails that he was their mixologist. Finally made it in Thursday evening. One of the staff welcomed us in and we advised we were there for cocktails so he got is settled in. The bar is fairly small and so pretty, the whole place was very nice. I was a little envious of the diners close to the window wall that was open to the beautiful night. We had already eaten dinner, so we sat at the bar and reviewed the cocktail menu. Jimmy was behind the bar and he was fabulous! He talked to us and the couple next to us the whole time and had a vast knowledge of the cocktails and ingredients. I ended up with one cocktail and decide to order the Shrimp dumplings to give some food a try, too. The drink was so good, a Cherry Rocher Old Fashioned that Jimmy assured me wouldn't be whisky forward and it was perfect! Loved the short glass and large, square ice cube. I love pork Pot Stickers but hadn't had a shrimp dumpling before. I will now order them again when I return to give more drinks and dinner a try. They were just the right amount of dough to filling, nicely fried but still the dough texture. I am a sauce person, and the accompanying sauce was perfect for the dumplings. Great spot with street parking, a pretty interior, great appetizer, superb drink, and Jimmy was the star behind the bar. Also took home another bottle Made By Eddie. read more

See all

The food is always so incredible here. They also have really cool cocktails that we didn't get, but it is on our list to try next time. The service was great. It was very fast and the staff was very friendly. Overall, there were great vibes. As soon as you walked in, you could smell Christmas candles in the entryway and then once you got inside the restaurant there was Christmas decor everywhere. It is street parking so if you're going on a weekend night, just prepare for that. It is so worth it though. read more

See all

One of the best Pho's in the St. Louis area. It's one of my go to's whenever I am feeling under the weather. Service was excellent as always! read more

Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

My friends and I love coming here! The drinks are amazing, the food, and the service! Everyone is so nice here and it feels so welcoming inside. If you haven't been you need to come see for yourself! read more

I'm honestly not sure why this place is so popular. I gave it another try and was really looking forward to the salmon, but it came out undercooked. The spring rolls are still the best thing on the menu, but the entrées overall are underwhelming read more

Absolutely loved this place! After a 3-day volleyball tournament without having any Asian food, this was exactly what we needed. The food is super authentic, prices are great, and everything is spotless. The staff was amazing, and the owner went above and beyond to help us out--so grateful. Can't wait to come back! read more

Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Welcoming! Which is appreciated after having to fight with the parking on Euclid. I was greeted with a smile and seated promptly. Lunch specials were tempting so I opted for the fresh spring roll with grilled salmon....knocked my socks off. Two large rice paper wrapped rolls filled with fresh vegetables & delicious grilled salmon portion. The accompanying sauce was a great touch but not necessary because the roll itself packed a mean flavor punch. Moving on....the Pho was top tier. Opted for the vegetable version which is served in a chicken broth. Fresh, hot, flavorful & plentiful. Good Pho is hard to find around town these days; Saigon did NOT disappoint. ~Christy approved. read more

See all

I wanted to come here to get pho for a while. Finally we made it on the Lantern Festival. The place is packed and most tables are booked. We were lucky to get a small table without waiting. The price seems a little high compared to with a few other Vietnamese restaurants. We ordered noodles and fried rice. Portions were generous. I actually really like it so did my friends. I like it more than Pho Grand. My friend got a big bowl of noodles and had so much beef! Great place! read more

See all

I have been to Saigon Cafe twice so far. Each time the staff has been very hospitable and kind. The ambiance is always so nice and calm. This time was a special occasion, The CWE Whiskey Walk. I don't know if it's on the menu but the Cherry Rocher Old Fashion should be! Very very well done. CHEERS! read more

Saigon Cafe has consistently good food ( love the spring rolls and the pho!) and wonderful service! A Central West End Staple!

Amazing egg rolls in town. Nice and clean restaurant with good customer service. They have a bar with Asian drinks and coffee with bakery. read more

Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

The food is delicious and the service was excellent! The smell of the food in the restaurant was definitely appetizing!

Food was outstanding, but the prices have gotten a little out of control. Didn't like wilted vegetables for the pho and $9.50 for two cha gio is insane. Pho was some of the best and lemongrass chicken was outstanding. Service was solid and the restaurant clean and nice decor read more

See all

My friends and I got there about 40 minutes before closing and everyone was so kind. I can't express how amazing the pho tai was. The broth was so perfect that I didn't add anything to it until after a few bites in. It was busy and pretty spacious. It was also very clean. I'll be visiting again! read more

Saigon Cafe - Pho Tai - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

The Crispy Eggrolls were five stars of complete awesomeness! In fact, I've only had better at one other Vietnamese restaurant 1,319 miles away. The Bun Chicken was also five stars. Unfortunately the pho and other noodle soups were sort of so-so. The server was super friendly... but rather slow to check on us. The candle light ambiance was great for sort of a semi-formal evening with friends. read more

See all

Was craving Vietnamese and this place has been on my list for over two years so finally checked it out. Located in a small corner of CWE, as soon as you walk in the ambiance is vibey. Dark mood lighting and a nice bar at the entrance. It's a smaller space but we only waited for five mins on a Saturday night. Got a nice table with some flowers and sauces on the table. I tried the B1 (BUN BO XAO CHA GIO) which is beef stir fry on vermicelli noodles with a fried spring roll. It was INCREDIBLE! That spring roll was so crunchy and flavorful. Big portions too. I also tried their crispy orange croissant bun for dessert, which had a wonderful orange glaze and flaky texture. Came out to $53 (plus tip) for a dinner for two. For the portion sizes it felt appropriate. Overall, great place and would come again! read more

See all

3.5* Ordered takeout the other night based on a family member's recommendation. Prices were reasonable and service was fast. Ordered shrimp/noodle/vegetable dish plus a fresh veggie roll. Both were just fine, although the shrimp dish could have used more seasoning and had too many noodles relative to the veggies and protein. read more

Came here with my wife for dinner. We were greeted and seated immediately. Our server was very pleasant and helpful with selecting items. This was my wife's first time here, but i've been here before and gotten Vietnamese coffee here and FELL IN LOVE. We ordered chicken wings, my main dish was seafood fried rice, and my wife got the lemongrass chicken. My seafood fried rice was just ok. My wife loved her lemongrass chicken. The chicken wings were delicious, just overpriced; $14 for 4 wingettes. Will still come back and try other food. read more

This was a horrible disappointment. We had come by last Wednesday after finding out the place opens at 4 PM, we figured we would come back by for dinner. The place is supposed to close by 9, and we arrived at 8:10, and I believe that the waitress didn't want to wait on us but basically turned us away. When we asked about seating indoors because of the heat, she said they the kitchen closes at 8:15, but that we could order takeout? Seriously? It didn't make any sense so we left. Too bad because I would have liked to have tried Vietnamese food. read more

This is a top tier date night spot! The restaurant is cute and they have the perfect lamps to take premier pictures. The service is great. The staff never stop moving but make sure to be attentive. Every dish and drink comes out picturesque. The food is amazing and we got to sit by the bar and watch Mixed By Eddie make the drinks which look like potion making! He goes all out on your drinks. He let us try his Margarita and we were hooked. I came by a week later to get a bottle of the margarita for a gift and one for myself and he went all out on the packaging. read more

See all

Stumbled upon this place by accident, I saw the Sushi place next door and thought that I was entering the restaurant by the front door, instead of the patio and there I was, sitting at the table for Little Saigon Cafe! I looked at the menu and realized I was in the wrong place, but I decided to give it a try anyway! Well, I'm glad that I did, it was delicious food, the atmosphere was really nice, as I had a window seat overlooking the patio and the sidewalk and the server was super nice also! I ordered a cup of beef broth and it was very tasty! It's really hard to believe that a silly thing as just beef broth could be so yummy! I then ordered the grilled shrimp and egg rolls and they were served on a bed of noodles and with a small salad! The food was amazing and the shrimp and spring rolls were perfect and delicious! I highly recommend you "stumble" upon this place as you'll be glad you did! I will definitely return next time I'm in the area! read more

Saigon Cafe - This meal was amazing! Shrimp was grilled to perfection and the egg rolls were amazing, along with the salad and the dressing was delicious! - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

I have been to Saigon Cafe a handful of times now and simply have not found the word to describe it until now- it's pho-nomenal! Saigon Cafe is located in the heart of the Central West End and has been family-owned and operated for over 20 years. They specialize in Vietnamese cuisine, from hand-rolled spring rolls to flavorful pho to irresistible vermicelli noodle dishes. During my latest visit, I started with the Goi Cuon Nem Nuong (pork soft spring rolls) and Goi Cuon (shrimp soft spring rolls). Even if your preference is a traditional crispy spring roll, you should give these a try- in addition to the main protein, each roll is filled with vermicelli noodles, shredded vegetables and fresh herbs giving it the perfect combination of freshness and texture. For my main dish I ordered an all time favorite of mine, the Bun Cha Hanoi (pork vermicelli noodle dish). Featuring vermicelli noodles, greens, marinated grilled pork, pork meatballs, and crispy meat spring rolls, it never disappoints with its vibrant flavors and generous portion size. Saigon Cafe offers more than just great food; it features excellent service, indoor and outdoor seating, live music on weekends, and a cocktail menu featuring several house specialties. These qualities make it an easy go-to when I'm looking for a great dining experience. read more

Saigon Cafe - Bun Cha Hanoi - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

First time trying this place and I will definitely be returning! Every dish we tried had great flavor especially the chicken wings :) read more

See all

If there's anything I care more about than the quality of the food, it's good customer service. The fact that the Saigon Cafe team takes the time to read its reviews and tries to respectfully address all concerns speaks tenfold about the kind of establishment it is. I revisited the eatery recently and had an even better experience than my first one. Service was attentive and friendly, food was fantastic (really grateful for their vegetarian options, although I did find a piece of chicken in my lemongrass tofu), and they had good live music. I finally got to try their drinks, and I cannot gush enough about their macademia iteration of the Old Fashioned. I've never been an Old Fashioned person, but this drink was so complex and delicious with all the proper nods to the cuisine. Even the smokiness alone was art. If you're going to order one drink (or three), make this the drink you get. I also tried their Guava cocktail and it was solid, but the Old Fashioned truly blew my mind. Grateful to have such a well-run establishment nearby and will definitely be back in the future. read more

Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

Bartender was a very helpful bartender. I will be back very soon. He makes great cocktails