El Toro occupies a deliberately small dining room on Xuân Thủy — a handful of booths lit in a classic noir palette, arranged so most seats have a direct line of sight to the open kitchen. The setup creates an unusual tension: genuinely cozy without sliding into casual, chef-forward without becoming theatrical.
Every dinner opens with complimentary pâté and freshly baked focaccia, which establishes the register for what follows. The kitchen leans into sourcing: Galician beef anchors the rib eye, langoustine and black cod anchor the seafood course, and coastal lamb turns up in tacos that have drawn attention for their play on bold-yet-delicate contrasts. A pumpkin soup with scallop, squid salad, mixed grilled vegetables, and an octopus-prawn-squid plate round out the range before steaks arrive. The Basque cheesecake has become a reliable closing note — mentioned by name across multiple reviews.
At 4.9 stars across 90 Google reviews, this sits at the top end of Thao Dien's dinner-only restaurant scene. The district has no shortage of steakhouses, but the set-menu format and the evident care from the kitchen distinguish this address from more volume-focused competitors. Chef Jaiden and the floor team — Nga among them — are singled out by name in several reviews, a consistent signal that the experience feels personal rather than transactional.
The room is compact by design: covers are limited, the booths are generously sized, and the pacing is unhurried. Dinner service runs Tuesday through Sunday, 5:30 to 10 PM, with Monday dark. The combination of a small room, serious sourcing, and a menu that moves between steak, seafood, and unexpected detours like lamb tacos makes this a reservation-required address for anyone treating a meal as an occasion.
The food was absolutely delicious, and the staff (especially Teddy) were incredibly attentive and friendly. I was really impressed by the restaurant’s fancy ambiance, which gave a very luxurious feel. Every dish was excellent, but the pumpkin soup was especially memorable. The only downside was that the ventilation could be better, as the smell of steak tended to linger on clothes after leaving the restaurant.
Recommended by friend and it is really good. Hospitality was top notch , attentive whenever our glasses were emptied and refill. Food was amazing as well. Ribeye was well cooked and goes well with the sauce. Will definitely come back again the next time.
This is my second time coming to El Toro and once again it was an amazing experience. Teddy and her staff were professional, friendly, and so welcoming. The food was delicious, ordered my ribeye medium rare and it was seasoned properly and juicy. I had the prawn and scallop bisque as an appetizer and it was so flavorful and the seafood was fresh. My friend had the coastal lamb tartar tacos and she enjoyed them as well. El Toro has a great vibe, and it’s always a great experience. I’ll definitely be back before I leave HCMC.
I like the food and service. The portion of the food is generous and taste is yummy 😋. Excellent staff service with attentive attitude. For example, the serviette of my friend dropped on the floor and he picked it up himself. The staff quickly replaced a new one without notification. I was surprised with the small details and attentive attitude. Applaud the services.
If you have been in Vietnam for a while, and are missing some Western flavors this is a fancy one but a great one to try. Our server spoke English which is a plus. The service was very on point and the food was well made and looked fantastic.
Open late: Doors stay open past 5 AM on at least one day — handy for after-work dinners.
Breakfast available: Opens by 5 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Saigon.
Reservations: Call +84 334 325 879 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
Best for: date night, special occasion dinner, anniversary, small group dinner.
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