Review

Le Dalat invites diners on an evocative journey into Vietnam’s culinary and cultural heritage. With a deep reverence for the elegance of 1930s Saigon — when the city was considered the “Paris of the Orient” — the restaurant channels this storied era through timeless décor and a refined yet subtly whimsical ambience. Every detail feels considered, transporting guests to an age of sophistication and charm. The food reflects Vietnamese cuisine’s philosophy — a balance of textures, fragrant herbs and graceful presentation. Begin with the appetiser platter, a harmonious selection of fresh shrimp rolls, savoury brochettes of meat wrapped in wild betel leaves and other house favourites. Try the signature goi ca, a delicate raw fish salad layered with fresh lemon juice, herbs and paper-thin onion slices, offering bright and refreshing bites. The crab meat summer rolls are light yet indulgent, lifted by the natural sweetness of the crustacean. For something more robust, the marinated Kurobuta pork chop, grilled over sizzling Mekong River rock, arrives tender with a gently infused with smokiness. End the meal with a silky serving of flan — a crème caramel custard infused with burnt orange peel — striking a lovely balance of richness and lightness. Drinks span Vietnamese classics, from herbal infusions to local beers, as well as a well-curated wine list. Warm, attentive service completes the experience, making Le Dalat an enduring dining destination where history, flavour and hospitality converge.