Sapa is a picturesque mountain town in the Lao Cai province of northeastern Vietnam. Trekkers and tourists flock to the region for the impressive mountains, terraced rice paddies, and picture-perfect hotels that are perfect for a vacation (and great Instagram photos.)
While Sapa earns 10s across the board for views, the food scene is blasé in comparison. Pizza! Burgers! Pasta! seem to grace every menu board ahead of the Vietnamese standards of pho, com (rice), and spring rolls. And many “hot spots” have fish tanks showing off what could be your meal. Why fish so popular in a mountain town nearly 500km away from the coast line is perplexing.
It was my foodie duty to suss out some tasty eats in Sapa Center. And I did it!
Here are 3 delectable spots for eats in Sapa Center, Vietnam that make for tasty and memorable meals without breaking the bank.
1. Thong Dong Vegan Cafe
Thong Dong Vegan Café is a quaint restaurant tucked away up a staircase near the central cathedral. Is has a rustic, homey charm with a well stocked bookcase and little brown papers adorning the walls with messages from patrons past. The menu boasts locally sourced vegan-fare with no added sugar, msg, or *insert other trigger health words here.* But for very reasonable prices that are much cheaper than what you’ll find at nearby restaurants.
It was so affordable, healthy, and delicious that we ended up going three times, and it has some of our favorite eats in Sapa.
The colorful rice with mushrooms, tofu, peanuts, and all types of vegetables is a must-try (60,000 VND/$2.44usd) and I adored the noodle soup that was loaded with veggies and rice noodles (60,000 VND). Don’t pass up on the pumpkin spaghetti, which is creamy and decadent with a soft sweetness (130,000K), and the pumpkin soup is equally delicious and the perfect starter (40,000VND). For breakfast, the coffee and turmeric smoothie bowl are delightful.
2. Ganesh Indian Restaurant Sapa
It was a cold, foggy evening, and we were walking around aimlessly looking for dinner. We strolled past Ganesh, and the idea of a warm, hearty curry lured us to take the risk on getting Indian food in Sapa. It probably won’t be good…
Lo and behold, it was stellar! We started with a hearty lentil soup that had a soft heat that helped bring the blood back into my frigid hands. Jeremy got a dal makhani, and I got a veggie vindaloo curry—both were wildly delicious with surprisingly well developed flavors. Naan and paratha tied the whole meal together perfectly.
I would have never guessed I’d nosh down on Indian eats in Sapa center. But oh man am I glad I did!
3. Em Ở Đây Bakery
Em Ở Đây is a quaint bakery in Sapa center dishing up incredible baked treats. We were lured in by the carrot cake, which was a pure delight for the taste buds. It was chocked full of warm spices with loads of shredded carrot and just enough pineapple to add moistness without being overbearing. The cake was beautifully soft and not too sweet. In fact, it was so good that we ordered a second piece before finishing the first.
In fact… it was so good that we went back the next day. We got a freshly baked croissant, a piece of apple cake, and another slice of carrot cake. The owner, Huong, was happy to see us back, and we struck up conversation. Turns out she was born in Halong Bay, but relocated to Sapa to pursue her dreams of being a baker. She opened up Em Ở Đây in 2022, and has been whipping up delectable treats ever since.
We tried to give her a nice tip, but she insisted we put it in a little jar that said “Cake funds for local children.” She explained that once a month she bakes special cakes for children in local villages. Huong whipped out her phone to show us pictures of hundreds of little kids happily getting their sweet fix.
Em Ở Đây had some of my favorite eats in Sapa center, and is a can’t miss!
