One of Vietnam's leading vegetarian restaurants in a pretty setting, serving a majority of plant-based dishes with a focus on wellness and balance. While the mission statement could easily drift toward plain ‘health food’ in less judicious hands, the bold flavours and intricate plating make Chay Garden a destination for any diner, vegetarian or otherwise.
The vibe:
Opened in 2018, the villa has three distinct dining environments. The main entrance, featuring lounge seating, is ideal for kicking back. The formal dining room, often booked out for Buddhist holidays, and the covered garden patio are the star attractions.
Here, tropical plants and earthy, biophilic decor seem to have an almost symbiotic relationship with what's on the plate. Stylish rather than stylised, the whole thing is wrapped in fairy lights that create genuine enchantment and peaceful contemplation. Massive old-school propeller fans occasionally send napkins flying, adding the most gentle, charming unpredictability.
The food: Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine sourced from traditional monastic cooking traditions, with thoughtful Thai flourishes throughout, and the odd fusion touch thrown in for good measure.
Vegetables arrive twice daily from organic farms in Củ Chi, ensuring peak freshness. The kitchen excels at layered preparations. The signature eggplant-banana clay pot achieves a perfect sweet-savoury balance through careful coconut milk 'cracking', while six varieties of Đà Lạt mushrooms create remarkable umami depth in the seasonal mixed mushroom hotpot—a cleansing, restorative experience that feels like absolution after a night of indulgence.
Trust the adjective entirely in the menu section titled 'delicious tofu dishes'; the larb of tofu shows off the kitchen’s deft hand with Thai seasoning, while fried rice that arrives inside a grilled pineapple reveals the kitchen's flair for theatrical presentation
Set menus work best for groups seeking a balanced spread who don't want to be rendered inert by the paradox of choice.
The drinks: No alcohol is served. Fresh fruit smoothies complement traditional Vietnamese herbal teas. The Chay Garden signature iced tea, featuring jasmine and grilled brown rice, is gorgeous.
The mocktail menu further showcases the restaurant's philosophy of healing and balance. Hồi phục (rejuvenation) combines orange, carrot, and beetroot, while chữa lành (healing) blends apple, pineapple, spinach, and red radish for the same price.
Time Out tip: A second location in Thảo Điền offers a premium vegetarian buffet vibe.