Where to eat on Phu Quoc: seafood, night market & local dishes
Phu Quoc has 500-plus places to eat, from plastic-stool canteens where a rice-and-meat plate costs about $1.30 to clifftop restaurants over the sunset. Dinner for two averages $12–16, and for that money at the night market you can work through crab, oysters, grilled squid and a fresh mango shake.
Phu Quoc is more than a beach island. It makes the best fish sauce in Vietnam, grows the country's famous black pepper, and cooks things you won't find anywhere else: coconut noodles bún kèn, a raw-herring salad gỏi cá trích, and bún quậy, a soup you stir together yourself. Vietnamese foodis one of Asia's richest, and on this island it leans hard into the sea. This guide covers the restaurants and canteens worth your time, real 2026 prices in VND with a rough USD conversion, and concrete picks for every part of the island.
- Dinh Cau Night Market (Chợ Đêm Dinh Cậu): Seafood, grill, street food — 18:00–23:30 | Dinner for two: 300,000–400,000 VND (~$12–16)
- On the Rock (Mango Bay, Ông Lang): Terrace over the sea, fine dining — Bill: 300,000–600,000 VND/person (~$12–24)
- Crab House (26 Nguyễn Trãi): Crab with herbs and spices — Bill: 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–16)
- Xin Chao (66 Trần Hưng Đạo): Shrimp with salted egg — Bill: 300,000–500,000 VND (~$12–20)
- Ra Khoi (131bis 30/4 Street): Tamarind crab, lobster — Bill: 150,000–300,000 VND (~$6–12)
- Bup Restaurant (108 Trần Hưng Đạo): Menu by the day's catch — Bill: 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–16)
- Ham Ninh Village (Hàm Ninh): Steamed crab over the water — 200,000–350,000 VND/kg (~$8–14)
- Sunset Town (Food Street & gastropubs): Night market, Sun Bavaria Bistro — 20–40% pricier than the centre
- Grand World (VUI-FEST Night Bazaar): Modern night market, shows — Food courts, bars
- Clubhouse (Premier Residences): Tide to Table buffet, Khem Beach view — 1,300,000 VND (~$52) for two
- Deep Sea Restaurant (VinWonders Phu Quoc): Dinner inside an aquarium — Asian-European cuisine
What to try on Phu Quoc: the island's signature dishes
Vietnamese food on Phu Quoc isn't quite the mainland version. The island is ringed by sea, and it shows in every dish — fresh seafood here isn't a treat, it's everyday food. Add the local specialties — the fish sauce nước mắm, black pepper, sim-berry wine — and you get a food scene you won't find anywhere else in the country.
Gỏi cá trích — herring salad
Phu Quoc's calling card. Raw herring is sliced thin and tossed with fresh herbs, grated coconut, onion and crushed peanuts. You wrap it in rice paper or lettuce and dip it in a sweet-sour fish sauce. It sounds out-there, but it's one of those dishes people fly back for.
The secret to gỏi cá trích is freshness. The herring has to be caught that morning, or the flavour falls apart. That's why it's best in fishing villages like Hàm Ninh or Gành Dầu rather than tourist restaurants. A portion is from 50,000 VND (~$2).
Bún quậy — the soup you mix yourself
Quậymeans "to stir" in Vietnamese. They bring you fresh rice noodles, fish balls, shrimp, squid and the broth separately. The rest is on you: mix it, add sauce, herbs, pepper. It comes out a little different every time.
The best spots for bún quậy are the small canteens near the day market in Duong Dong. Look for a bún quậysign on the front. It's usually a breakfast dish — locals eat it in the morning, and after 10am the pickings thin out. One bowl is 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2).
Bún kèn — coconut noodles with fish
You won't find these noodles in Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh City — only on Phu Quoc. A thick coconut broth with flaked fish, turmeric, lemongrass and chilli, served over rice vermicelli. Rich, aromatic and warming.
Bún kènfollows an old islander recipe. The fish is fried until crisp, then flaked and simmered in coconut milk until the broth turns thick, almost like a cream soup. A portion is 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1.20–2) at a local canteen. Almost no tourist restaurants serve it — this one you hunt down in the "locals-only" joints.
Hàm Ninh crab (cua hấp)
The village of Hàm Ninhon Phu Quoc's east coast is the island's crab capital. Fresh crab is steamed with salt and pepper and served with a tamarind dip. The meat is sweet, tender and full of the sea.
A kilo runs 200,000–350,000 VND (~$8–14). You'll see crab at the night market too, but in Hàm Ninhit's cheaper and fresher — landed right at the pier. It's a 20–25 minute ride from Duong Dong; a Grab car takes about the same. Come at lunch — by evening the best crab is gone. The restaurants sit on stilts over the water, looking east across the strait.
Grilled seafood
Oysters with cheese, scallops with spring onion, squid with satay sauce, garlic shrimp — all over glowing coals. At the night market the grill stalls stand shoulder to shoulder, and you can order small: two or three of each kind.
Sea urchins are their own thing — cracked open in front of you and doused with lime juice. For many it's a revelation: creamy flesh, salty-sweet, unlike anything else. A portion (three or four) is from 60,000 VND (~$2.40).
Phở bò and the Vietnamese classics
Phở bò on Phu Quoc is made much like it is across Vietnam, with a local twist: the broth is a touch richer and the beef sliced thinner. A bowl is 40,000–60,000 VND (~$1.60–2.40). For the most honest broth, follow the Vietnamese workers who pile into a canteen first thing in the morning.
More classics: cơm tấm (broken rice with meat and veg) from 35,000 VND (~$1.40), bánh mì (a Vietnamese baguette with filling) from 20,000 VND (~$0.80), and spring rolls from 30,000 VND (~$1.20).
| Dish | What it is | Price (VND) | ~USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gỏi cá trích | Herring with coconut and peanuts in rice paper | 50,000–100,000 | ~$2–4 |
| Bún quậy | Noodles with fish balls — you mix it yourself | 30,000–50,000 | ~$1.20–2 |
| Bún kèn | Coconut-broth noodles with fish | 30,000–50,000 | ~$1.20–2 |
| Hàm Ninh crab | Steamed crab with salt and pepper | 200,000–350,000/kg | ~$8–14/kg |
| Grilled seafood | Cheese oysters, scallops, squid | 15,000–100,000 | ~$0.60–4 |
| Sea urchins | Cracked open for you, lime on top | from 60,000 (3–4 pcs) | from ~$2.40 |
| Phở bò | Classic beef noodle soup | 40,000–60,000 | ~$1.60–2.40 |
| Bánh mì | Vietnamese baguette with meat and veg | 20,000–30,000 | ~$0.80–1.20 |
Duong Dong Night Market — the island's food hub
The Phu Quoc night market is the place you go once "just to look" and end up returning to every evening. A hundred stalls with smoking grills, mounds of fresh seafood on ice, the smell of fried garlic and lemongrass — an atmosphere no paragraph can capture.
Where it is and how to get there
Its official name is the Dinh Cau Night Market (Chợ Đêm Dinh Cậu), also called the Duong Dong or Dinh Cau night market. Address: Võ Thị Sáustreet, Duong Dong town — the historic centre of Phu Quoc. On Google Maps, search "Phu Quoc Night Market."
From central Duong Dong it's a 5-minute walk. From Long Beach, 10–15 minutes by bike or Grab (15,000–30,000 VND / ~$0.60–1.20). From the south (Sunset Town, An Thoi), 20–30 minutes, best by scooter. Bike parking at the entrance is free.
Opening hours and when to come
The market runs daily from 18:00 to 23:30, holidays included. Peak time is 19:00–22:00. Want to pick a table without elbowing through the crowd? Arrive at 18:00 or after 22:00. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends and holidays.
What to eat and what to buy
The market splits into two zones. Zone 1 (near the entrance): ready-to-eat stalls, dried seafood, locally made nước mắm fish sauce, sim wine from myrtle berries, and Phu Quoc black pepper — the things people take home as souvenirs.
Zone 2 (further in): seafood restaurants, covered seating, grills with squid, oysters and crab. Here you pick your live seafood from a tank, and ten minutes later it lands on your table hot.
- Grilled cheese oysters — one of the market's most photogenic plates
- Grilled squid with satay sauce — a portion from 70,000 VND (~$2.80)
- Hàm Ninh crab — 10–15% pricier here than in the village, but no drive needed
- Gỏi cá trích salad — at the stalls closer to the entrance
- Coconut ice cream — the best dessert in the tropical heat
| Item | Price (VND) | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled snacks (portion) | 15,000–20,000 | ~$0.60–0.80 |
| Squid / octopus | 70,000–100,000 | ~$2.80–4 |
| Cheese oysters (6 pcs) | 80,000–120,000 | ~$3.20–4.80 |
| Hàm Ninh crab (kg) | 200,000–350,000 | ~$8–14 |
| Lobster (piece) | from 400,000 | from ~$16 |
| Sea urchins (3–4 pcs) | from 60,000 | from ~$2.40 |
| Shake / smoothie | 40,000–50,000 | ~$1.60–2 |
| Dinner for two (average) | 300,000–400,000 | ~$12–16 |
Other Phu Quoc markets
The day market (fish market) is on Trần Phú street in Duong Dong, open from morning till early afternoon. This is where locals shop: fruit from 12,000 VND/kg, bananas, mangosteens, rambutans, durian from 50,000 VND/kg. Seafood is fresher and cheaper than anywhere else. If your rental has a kitchen, stock up here.
The VUI-FEST Night Bazaarat Grand World is a modern night market in the island's north — cleaner, prettier and more "civilized." Food courts, shows, live music. A good alternative if the chaos of the old market isn't your thing, though it has less soul.
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Message the managerThe best restaurants on Phu Quoc: our picks
Phu Quoc's restaurants fall into three camps: seafood (the backbone), resort fine dining, and international kitchens. These are the ones worth the trip.
On the Rock (Mango Bay)
A restaurant worth crossing the island for. The terrace is built right onto the rocks over the sea — you dine above the water. Vietnamese, European and Japanese dishes. Book ahead, especially for dinner: in high season (November–March) there are no free tables. Average bill 300,000–600,000 VND (~$12–24) per person. It's on the northwest coast, near Ong Lang beach.
Crab House
If you want crab but aren't up for the drive to Hàm Ninh village, this is the best alternative in Duong Dong. Fresh crab with local spices and herbs — pepper, garlic, lemongrass. Relaxed and unfussy, just good food. Average bill 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–16). Beyond crab, try the mussels in coconut milk.
Xin Chao Restaurant
Seafood straight from the fishermen, landed that morning. Order the shrimp with salted egg — a signature you won't find in other restaurants. Dinner lands around 300,000–500,000 VND (~$12–20).
Bup Restaurant
Many rate it the best seafood restaurant on the island. The owner buys the fish himself at the market every morning and checks the quality by hand. The menu shifts with the catch. Average bill 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–16).
Ra Khoi
One of the most popular spots with tourists and locals alike — always a good sign. Tamarind crab and lobster in garlic butter are the signatures. Prices are moderate, 150,000–300,000 VND (~$6–12). Outdoor tables, easy atmosphere.
Restaurant 93
Tables on the beach, feet in the sand, sunset over the sea — and sensible prices on the freshest seafood. The best mix of atmosphere and flavour on Long Beach. Average bill 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–16).
Gop Gio
Near the night market, by the Duong Dong port. Fish straight off the boat — the trawlers unload 200 metres away. Cooked the traditional Vietnamese ways: steamed, grilled, in clay pots. Average bill 150,000–350,000 VND (~$6–14).
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Bill (VND) | ~USD | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On the Rock | Vietnamese, European | 300,000–600,000 | ~$12–24 | Romantic dinner |
| Crab House | Seafood, crab | 200,000–400,000 | ~$8–16 | Crab lovers |
| Xin Chao | Seafood | 300,000–500,000 | ~$12–20 | Freshest fish |
| Ra Khoi | Local, seafood | 150,000–300,000 | ~$6–12 | Value for money |
| Restaurant 93 | Seafood | 200,000–400,000 | ~$8–16 | Sunset dinner |
| Gop Gio | Seafood | 150,000–350,000 | ~$6–14 | Fish from the port |
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Telegram managerWhere to eat by area on Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc isn't one town but a whole island with distinct areas — and the food in each differs in price, style and mood.
Duong Dong (centre)
The island's main food hub. Here you'll find the night market, the daytime fish market on Trần Phú street, dozens of local canteens, and the Phu Quoc Centre food court with Persian, Korean, French and Vietnamese stalls — open almost around the clock.
For budget eating, look for the canteens with Vietnamese-only signs, plastic tables and low stools. Rice with meat from 35,000 VND (~$1.40), phởsoup from 40,000 VND (~$1.60). Don't be put off by the setting: the plainer the place, the better the food.
Long Beach
The main tourist beach strip, with restaurants for every budget. Rory's Beach Bar — Australian fusion with loungers on the sand and a sunset view. May Restaurant & Bar — the rare Filipino kitchen, barbecue and seafood on the shore. Safari Bar & Restaurant — sports on the screens and European food.
Long Beach prices run about 20–30% above Duong Dong. You pay extra for the setting.
Ong Lang
A quiet area for those who want to skip the bustle. Sokura Restaurant — Vietnamese food and barbecue right on a wild beach. On the Rockis in this area too — the island's best restaurant. Ong Lang has plenty of boutique-hotel restaurants: resort prices, but the quality holds up.
Sunset Town and Grand World
Two newer tourist zones in the south. Sunset Town has gastropubs facing the Kiss Bridge, the Food Street night market for street eats, and Sun Bavaria Bistro — a beachfront restaurant pairing dinner with a show.
Grand World has the modern VUI-FEST Night Bazaar (a cleaner alternative to the classic night market, with shows and food courts). Prices run 20–40% above Duong Dong.
North (Bãi Dài, Gành Dầu)
Chez Carole — French-Vietnamese food on Dai Beach, an expat favourite. Nhat Lan Restaurant— seafood and barbecue on the shore. It's quiet up here, uncrowded and cheaper than the tourist zones.
Ordering food with Grab and paying on Phu Quoc
If you'd rather eat in — after a long beach day or a late arrival — Phu Quoc has food delivery. Both Grab (GrabFood) and ShopeeFood operate on the island, mostly around Duong Dong and Long Beach. Menus are in English in the app, and you can filter by cuisine, rating and delivery time.
To use them you need a working data connection — a local SIM or an eSIMyou set up before landing — plus the app. Pay by a card linked in-app or with cash on delivery; small local restaurants often prefer cash. Delivery fees run roughly 15,000–40,000 VND (~$0.60–1.60) depending on distance, and coverage thins out in the far north and south, where you're better off going in person.
A note on visas, since dinner plans depend on how long you can stay: entry rules go by your passport's nationality. Many nationalities get an e-visa (up to 90 days) via the official evisa.gov.vn, and Phu Quoc has a separate visa-exemption scheme for arrivals flying straight to the island. Check the current terms for your passport before you book.
All-you-can-eat restaurants and buffets
Phu Quoc has a format that suits big appetites — the all-you-can-eat seafood and BBQ buffet. You pay a fixed price and eat as much as you like: shrimp, crab, oysters, meat, grill, sushi, dessert. Free-flow drinks are often included, or you can add them for 50,000–100,000 VND.
A buffet usually runs 399,000–699,000 VND (~$16–28) per person, with a 2-hour time limit.
Clubhouse (Premier Residences Phu Quoc)— the Tide to Table buffet, one of the island's best. It won Best Culinary Experience in Vietnam at the Haute Grandeur Global Awards. The Taste of Phu Quoc set menu is 1,300,000 VND (~$52) for two. The view over Khem Beach is one of the finest on the island.
The Pepper Tree (La Veranda Resort) — tasting sets of Vietnamese fine dining. Spring rolls, seafood, house desserts. A romantic setting with a sea view.
Unusual restaurants on Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc isn't only grilled seafood. A few places surprise you with their format and stick in memory.
Giraffe Restaurant (Vinpearl Safari) — lunch with a view of giraffes. Behind the glass, giraffes, zebras and antelopes roam while you eat. Kids are transfixed. Safari park entry is 750,000 VND (~$30) for adults and 560,000 VND (~$22) for children; the ticket includes a food voucher (200,000 VND for adults, 100,000 VND for kids).
Deep Sea Restaurant (VinWonders Phu Quoc) — the first restaurant inside an aquarium in Vietnam, on the ground floor of the Sea Shell aquarium in VinWonders. Huge panoramic glass onto the sea life, blue lighting, live violin from 12:00 to 14:00. Asian-European cuisine: phở bò in a stone bowl, hot-stone steaks, BBQ sets.
The Peak — a restaurant with a panoramic view of the island, one of the most photographed on Phu Quoc. Fine dining, cocktails, sunsets. The pick for a special occasion.
Itaca Resto-Lounge— a Spanish restaurant with tapas and Vietnamese dishes. The half-sunken room, lit by lamps shaped like Vietnamese conical hats, is one of the island's most Instagrammable. Average bill 200,000–350,000 VND (~$8–14).
Edible souvenirs from Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is one of the few islands where people take home food, not fridge magnets. Three things worth buying.
Fish sauce nước mắm Phú Quốc— the island is considered the home of Vietnam's best fish sauce. Anchovies ferment in wooden barrels for 12 to 24 months. A 500 ml bottle is from 40,000 VND (~$1.60) at the market. Several fish-sauce factories offer free visits. Note: liquids over 100 ml go in checked luggage, not your carry-on.
Black pepper (tiêu Phú Quốc) — the local pepper is more aromatic and sharper than imported. 100 grams from 30,000 VND (~$1.20). The pepper farms are open to visitors.
Sim wine (rượu sim) — a drink made from sim (rose myrtle) berries that grow only on Phu Quoc. Dark red, slightly sweet, a touch tannic. A bottle is from 50,000 VND (~$2) at the night market.
Food prices on Phu Quoc in 2026
Phu Quoc isn't the cheapest spot in Vietnam (it's an island, after all), but you couldn't call it expensive either. Prices run maybe 10–20% above Nha Trang, but below the tourist zones of Bali or Phuket. For reference, ~25,000 VND is about $1, so mental maths is quick: divide the VND price by 25,000.
| Venue type | Price (VND) | ~USD |
|---|---|---|
| Street food (bánh mì, skewers) | 20,000–50,000 | ~$0.80–2 |
| Local canteen | 30,000–60,000 | ~$1.20–2.40 |
| Tourist café | 60,000–150,000 | ~$2.40–6 |
| Mid-range restaurant | 200,000–400,000 | ~$8–16 |
| Fine dining | from 500,000 | from ~$20 |
| All-you-can-eat buffet | 399,000–699,000 | ~$16–28 |
| Night market (dinner for two) | 300,000–400,000 | ~$12–16 |
| Coffee | 25,000–50,000 | ~$1–2 |
| Local beer (bottle) | 15,000–25,000 | ~$0.60–1 |
Daily food budget
- Budget (canteens + market): 150,000–250,000 VND (~$6–10)
- Mid-range (tourist cafés + market): 300,000–500,000 VND (~$12–20)
- Comfort (restaurants): 500,000–1,000,000 VND (~$20–40)
Vegetarian food and other cuisines
It's not seafood or nothing. Phu Quoc has kitchens for every taste — from Indian to Japanese.
Khanh Ly and Loving Hut — vegetarian cafés near the night market in Duong Dong. Tofu, vegetables, vegan dishes. Portions are cheap, from 40,000 VND (~$1.60). For a veggie version, ask for it chay (meat-free).
Naked Table — Indian and Tamil cooking at the Phu Food Center. Curry, naan, tandoori — all the real thing. Moderate prices, from 80,000 VND (~$3.20).
BaBaBa — a Japanese restaurant. Sushi, rolls, hot dishes. Average bill 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–16).
Buddy Ice Cream — a legendary café running since 2005, near the night market. New Zealand ice cream, smoothies, burgers. A great snack stop with kids.
Tips: how to eat well and safely on Phu Quoc
Common mistakes travellers make
- Ordering seafood without asking the price. At the night market a lobster can be 400,000 or 1,500,000 VND. Always ask "Bao nhiêu?" (how much?) before ordering
- Eating only at your hotel restaurant. Three to five times pricier and less authentic. Get out of the hotel for at least one evening
- Being scared of street food. On Phu Quoc it's safe if the place is busy with locals. An empty stall is a red flag
- Skipping the local dishes. Coming to Phu Quoc and eating only pizza means missing half of what the island is about
- Overeating on day one. Adjusting + unfamiliar food + heat = stomach trouble. Go easy the first couple of days
How to spot a good place
- See where the Vietnamese eat. A full canteen packed with locals is a good sign
- At seafood restaurants, check the seafood is alive (in tanks or on ice)
- Read Google Maps reviews — for Phu Quoc they're more current than TripAdvisor. Reddit's r/VietnamTravel is handy for fresh 2025–2026 tips too
Hygiene
Don't drink tap water — bottled only. Ice in restaurants is usually fine (made from filtered water), but if in doubt, ask for none. Wash market fruit well.
Tipping
Not expected at simple cafés or the market. At restaurants, 5–10% of the bill. Some restaurants add a 5–10% service charge — check the receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best food on Phu Quoc?
For atmosphere, the Duong Dong Night Market. For seafood, Crab House, Bup Restaurant or Hàm Ninh village. For a romantic dinner, On the Rock. For budget eats, the local canteens in central Duong Dong.
How much is dinner at the night market?
Dinner for two with seafood runs 300,000–400,000 VND (~$12–16). Add lobster and it can climb higher — from 500,000 VND. Grilled snacks start at 15,000 VND a portion.
Can you get food delivery on Phu Quoc?
Yes. Grab (GrabFood) and ShopeeFood both deliver, mostly around Duong Dong and Long Beach. You need a working SIM or eSIM and the app; pay by linked card or cash on delivery. Coverage thins in the far north and south.
What time does the night market open?
The Duong Dong Night Market runs daily from 18:00 to 23:30. Come around 18:00 for fewer crowds and a better pick. Peak time is 19:00–22:00.
Where can I eat lobster on Phu Quoc?
At the night market (from 400,000 VND/piece) or at seafood restaurants: Xin Chao, Ra Khoi, Restaurant 93. It's cheaper at the daytime fish market, but there you cook it yourself.
Are there all-you-can-eat buffets on Phu Quoc?
Yes. Seafood BBQ buffets start around 399,000 VND (~$16) per person. The Clubhouse at Premier Residences is one of the best on the island.
Is street food safe on Phu Quoc?
Yes, and you should try it. Street food is part of Vietnamese culture. The rule: pick stalls with a line of locals. Go easy the first couple of days to let your stomach adjust.
Where to eat in Sunset Town?
Sunset Town has the Food Street night market, gastropubs facing the Kiss of the Sea show, and Sun Bavaria Bistro. Next door at Grand World is the VUI-FEST Night Bazaar and food courts.
What should I definitely try on Phu Quoc?
Three dishes you only find here: gỏi cá trích (raw herring salad), bún kèn (coconut fish noodles) and bún quậy (a soup you mix yourself). Plus Hàm Ninh crab and grilled seafood from the night market.
Prices current as of March 2026. Prices and terms can change — check Google Maps before visiting a specific restaurant. Conversions use ~25,000 VND = $1.