What Food To Try in Dalat and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Dalat for 2024.
National currency: Dong, symbol — ₫ (international currency code VND).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Dalat cafes and restaurants
$3
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $1.55
$11.1
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $8.86
$3.3
Combo Meal
Starting from $2.83
What to Try in Dalat
Must-try Dishes
Banh Mi - Vietnamese Sandwich - A crusty baguette filled with marinated meats, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs. Locals often grab this for breakfast or a quick lunch from street vendors, enjoying it on the go.Hu Tieu - Rice Noodle Soup - A savory broth-based dish with rice noodles, vegetables, and a variety of proteins like pork or seafood. It's a popular choice for lunch, especially in the bustling markets where it’s served piping hot.
Bo Kho - Beef Stew - Tender beef simmered with carrots and spices, served alongside baguette or noodles. This hearty dish is a favorite for dinner, best enjoyed with family while reminiscing about the day.
Xoi - Sticky Rice - Steam-glutinous rice topped with mung beans and served with various toppings like shredded chicken or pork. A staple for breakfast, locals often love to grab a savory portion at street food stalls.
Canh chua - Sour Soup - A tangy soup with fish, pineapple, and tomatoes, garnished with fresh herbs. Typically consumed at lunch or dinner, this dish is therapeutic after a long day, evoking comfort for many Dalat families.
Grilled Eggplant - Ca Tim Nướng - Smoky, tender eggplant served with fish sauce and garnished with scallions. This delightful mixture of flavors is enjoyed as a flavor-forward appetizer or a side dish during lunch.
Da Lat Strawberry Salad - Goi Dâu Tây - A lively salad featuring fresh strawberries, greens, and a zesty dressing. Best enjoyed during the strawberry season (December to February), locals savor it at local markets or cozy eateries.
By the way, if you want to enjoy a cozy meal, consider visiting local eateries during the evening to enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Desserts & Drinks
Cà phê sữa đá - Iced milk coffee (sweet coffee) - Strong Vietnamese coffee brewed with a drip filter, then mixed with sweetened condensed milk and poured over ice. Locals enjoy it throughout the day, especially in the afternoon, often adding a dash of cocoa on top for extra flavor.Nước ép dâu - Strawberry juice (fresh berry drink) - Freshly squeezed juice made from strawberries grown in the cool climate of Dalat, blended swiftly for a burst of flavor. Perfect on a hot day in market stalls, it’s often accompanied by crispy fried dough sticks for a snack.
Bia Đà Lạt - Dalat beer (local lager) - A smooth, light lager made using pure spring water from the surrounding hills of Dalat. It’s particularly popular in the early evening at local gatherings, where it’s served chilled with a fresh seafood platter (great for beginners - you won’t get a strange aftertaste).
Bánh ngọt - Sweet cakes (pastry dessert) - Fluffy, layered pastries often filled with custard or fruit jam that just melt in your mouth. Found in bakeries around town, they are frequently enjoyed during special family gatherings for tea time (try not to eat in one bite!).
Xôi chè - Sticky rice dessert (sweet sticky rice) - Steamed sticky rice mixed with coconut milk and topped with fresh fruits or sweetened beans. Often prepared during festivals like Tet, this dessert is a warm, inviting treat that brings back lovely childhood memories of family celebrations (perfect for sharing!).
Food and Groceries in Dalat
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $0.51 |
| Oranges | $1.77 |
| Apples | $1.55 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.44 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.44 |
| Imported Beer | $0.89 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $3.54 |
Various Groceries
| Chicken | $2.88 |
| Cigarettes | $0.89 |
| Rice | $0.92 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
While office workers rush home at 5 PM, they often stop at bustling street stalls or cozy eateries to grab a bite, a common sight in Dalat's lively streets. Rather than a quick take-out, it's all about settling in—a meal on the go here feels a bit out of place. The locals savor their time, often gathering with family or friends. It’s a social event, even if it's just a simple bowl of pho.
Meal times are pretty punctual around here. Breakfast usually kicks off around 7 AM, with options like pho or banh mi lining the streets. Just the other day, I paid 30,000 VND for a hearty bowl of steaming noodles that set me up for the day. Lunch tends to pulse around noon, and dinner typically starts around 6 PM. Expect to see flocks of people wandering the markets and restaurants by 8 PM, especially on weekends when the atmosphere is electric with chitchat and laughter.
The dining options are plentiful in the city. The area near the market is a hotspot, filled with vendors and small restaurants serving everything from savory crepes to grilled meats. In the trendier spots, like the lakeside eateries, the prices can soar—menu prices shift between 50,000 VND and 100,000 VND for similar dishes depending on location. However, plunk down in a local eatery, and you could easily score an excellent meal for less than 40,000 VND!
Oh, and before I forget, payment customs can be a bit different here. Cash is king—very few places accept cards unless they’re higher-end. You’ll want to keep some small bills handy, particularly since some smaller stalls won't have change for large notes. As for tipping, it's not a big norm here. If you feel you've received exceptional service, leaving a few thousand VND would be appreciated, but it’s generally not expected.
One authentic local eating habit I've observed is the practice of sharing dishes, especially at dinner. It’s common to order a variety and fill the center of the table with a smorgasbord of flavors you can sample and mix—a delightful way to experience the meal together. A common mistake tourists make is thinking they need to finish everything on their plate. It's perfectly acceptable to leave a bit; in fact, it shows your host that you’ve had enough!
If you plan to dine at popular spots, consider making a reservation, especially during holiday seasons when locals flood into the city in search of good food. As the festive time approaches, prices in certain areas start inching up, especially for specialties, but it’s always worth the splurge for a great meal.
Emerging trends like fusion dishes are starting to pop up, hinting at the evolving palate of younger locals. They are making strides in mixing traditional flavors with contemporary twists. As Dalat’s dining scene continues to adapt and grow, it will be exciting to see how these changes reflect the spirit of this wonderful city.
Meal times are pretty punctual around here. Breakfast usually kicks off around 7 AM, with options like pho or banh mi lining the streets. Just the other day, I paid 30,000 VND for a hearty bowl of steaming noodles that set me up for the day. Lunch tends to pulse around noon, and dinner typically starts around 6 PM. Expect to see flocks of people wandering the markets and restaurants by 8 PM, especially on weekends when the atmosphere is electric with chitchat and laughter.
The dining options are plentiful in the city. The area near the market is a hotspot, filled with vendors and small restaurants serving everything from savory crepes to grilled meats. In the trendier spots, like the lakeside eateries, the prices can soar—menu prices shift between 50,000 VND and 100,000 VND for similar dishes depending on location. However, plunk down in a local eatery, and you could easily score an excellent meal for less than 40,000 VND!
Oh, and before I forget, payment customs can be a bit different here. Cash is king—very few places accept cards unless they’re higher-end. You’ll want to keep some small bills handy, particularly since some smaller stalls won't have change for large notes. As for tipping, it's not a big norm here. If you feel you've received exceptional service, leaving a few thousand VND would be appreciated, but it’s generally not expected.
One authentic local eating habit I've observed is the practice of sharing dishes, especially at dinner. It’s common to order a variety and fill the center of the table with a smorgasbord of flavors you can sample and mix—a delightful way to experience the meal together. A common mistake tourists make is thinking they need to finish everything on their plate. It's perfectly acceptable to leave a bit; in fact, it shows your host that you’ve had enough!
If you plan to dine at popular spots, consider making a reservation, especially during holiday seasons when locals flood into the city in search of good food. As the festive time approaches, prices in certain areas start inching up, especially for specialties, but it’s always worth the splurge for a great meal.
Emerging trends like fusion dishes are starting to pop up, hinting at the evolving palate of younger locals. They are making strides in mixing traditional flavors with contemporary twists. As Dalat’s dining scene continues to adapt and grow, it will be exciting to see how these changes reflect the spirit of this wonderful city.