No matter where we travel, we all care a lot about food, don’t we!! Especially when traveling to cold places like Da Lat, food becomes even more important to everyone. So today, Cuồng will guide you on delicious and affordable dining options in Da Lat, so you can easily choose a dish that suits your taste and enjoy it at a very reasonable price. So why wait any longer, let’s go with Cuồng to find the best places and delicious dishes of the misty city of Da Lat.
1. The best time to travel to Da Lat
Based on Cuồng’s experience of traveling to Da Lat, Cuồng feels that Da Lat is different from other seasonal tourist destinations as it is a place you can visit all year round. The reason is that each season, Da Lat adorns itself with its own beauty, so you can freely choose the most suitable time to travel to Da Lat.
Traveling to Da Lat from November to the end of June
From November to the end of June is the dry season of Da Lat and this period can be considered the most beautiful time to travel to Da Lat. The weather during this time is always sunny, there are plenty of fruits to enjoy and take beautiful photos. However, each month or season in Da Lat has its own beauty, so Cuong will point out the beauties of each season in Da Lat for everyone to choose.
Travel to Da Lat from the end of October to the end of November
According to Cuong, this time is often called “early winter,” and Cuong himself finds Da Lat very beautiful at this time. This is when the weather in Da Lat transitions from autumn to winter. With the cool weather and the mist starting to cover the streets in the early morning and evening, this is truly the season of ripe persimmons, wild sunflowers beginning to turn yellow on every corner, and the time when white mustard flowers start to bloom. However, Cuong advises all the single folks not to visit during this time as it’s when couples stroll hand in hand taking pictures all over Da Lat. So, if you’re feeling lonely, it’s better to choose a different travel destination during this period to avoid heartache.
Travel to Da Lat from mid-November to mid-January
This is the time when Da Lat officially enters winter. At this time, the weather is quite cold, especially around the days near Christmas. During this season in Da Lat, there are occasional night rains and fog, so remember to keep warm with jackets, gloves, scarves, and it’s best to bring thick, waterproof jackets. This time is also loved by many for the beauty of the “Da Lat sunset”. The characteristic of this season is the cold weather, fog, and the white snow-like flower fields. At this time, Da Lat and Sapa are not much different because of the equally chilling cold.
Travel to Da Lat from March to the end of June
This is when Da Lat enters summer, the sun can be very intense at noon but the good thing about Da Lat is that even though it can be hot during the day, in the evening you still need to wear warm clothes when going out.
After visiting 4 times and experiencing all 4 seasons of traveling to Da Lat, Cuong hopes that you will choose the right time to travel to Da Lat for yourself, friends, or family.
2. What are the best means of transportation for traveling to Da Lat
In Cuong’s opinion, the best means of transportation for traveling to Da Lat are by plane and car only, while motorbikes are only suitable for those who love traveling from the South, Central Highlands, or South Central regions because it is not too far. For those in other areas, due to the long distance, you should think carefully before choosing to travel by motorbike. Since Cuong has traveled a lot, he will share the experience that you should bring some spare clothes, rain gear, and protective gear. For protective gear and helmets, it is best to choose the highest quality because the road to Da Lat is quite dangerous and do not travel at night due to thick fog. If you are not careful, you may encounter problems on the road. Therefore, Cuong suggests that those in the northern provinces with a long distance to travel should choose to fly for a fast and time-saving trip to Da Lat. As for those in the South, a car is the best choice, convenient and cost-effective, or you can ride a motorbike as Cuong mentioned above, but remember to be careful.
3. What means of transportation should you choose to travel within the city of Da Lat?
Renting a motorbike: According to Cuong, this is the most flexible and cost-effective means of transportation, especially suitable for young people and small groups. You should rent a motorbike to move around for savings because it only costs about 100k VND per day to have a motorbike to explore Da Lat. You should also choose to rent a motorbike at your hotel so that you can easily rent it by the hour to travel to nearby Da Lat tourist attractions with rental prices ranging from 10k to 50k VND for 1 to 6 hours.
Taxi in Da Lat: In Da Lat, taxi prices are quite cheap because taxis in Da Lat do not have air conditioning and the fare is only about 8k – 10k for each type. However, like in other provinces, choosing this means of transportation will also require a bit of money because it is quite expensive wherever you go. Nevertheless, it is very convenient and safe. One point to note is that when taking a taxi, you should choose reputable companies with a meter. Also, when you travel to Da Lat, remember to bring all your personal documents because if you want to rent any vehicle, you will need to provide your ID card or make a cash deposit.
Grap in Da Lat: There is a point that Cuong feels comfortable when traveling to Da Lat is that just like everywhere else, Da Lat also has Grap. If you have a clear destination, you should choose this means of transportation to know the prices to get to the tourist spots in Da Lat to avoid the situation of some taxis taking you in circles to get more money from you.
4. What to eat in Da Lat that is delicious and cheap?
4.1 Delicious dishes for lunch and dinner in Da Lat
The cool climate along with visiting many places will make your craving for delicious food in Da Lat at night awaken very strongly, right? Here are some suggestions for lunch and dinner from Cuong to you so you can choose a place to eat delicious and cheap food.
When in Da Lat, Cuong must admit that eating grilled dishes or hotpot and enjoying a few glasses of beer is the most blissful thing in life and a perfect choice that cannot be missed. Let’s take a look at some grilled dishes and hotpot places that Cuong finds really delicious below.
4.1.1 Tuy Tuu Lau Hotpot (No. 09 Thủ Khoa Huân Street, Ward 1, Da Lat, next to An cafe): If you want to enjoy delicious wine and like a spacious cozy atmosphere with affordable prices, then come to Tuy Tuu Lau and you can check it out on foody to understand why it is considered the best hotpot restaurant with the friendliest staff in Da Lat. Currently, the restaurant also offers family rice, on promotion, so the shocking price is only 55k/person with a menu of 7 dishes. Furthermore, the restaurant is open from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM and offers delivery, so even if you are too lazy to go out, rest assured that Tuy Tuu Lau will deliver food right to your place.
4.1.2 Grilled meat in bamboo tube rice at Khét BBQ: After making the effort to reach the plateau, try to eat all the typical mountain dishes. Let’s imagine together, in the cool weather of the misty city, sitting by the charcoal stove and enjoying the grilled meat in bamboo tube and bamboo rice, there is nothing better, right? Cuồng’s initial impression of the grilled meat in bamboo tube at Khét BBQ is that the deer meat or wild boar meat still retains the faint sweet aroma of bamboo tube. The accompanying bamboo rice here is not only highly appreciated by many for its authentic bamboo rice making method, but Cuồng also feels the same. Cuồng can feel the bamboo rice being truly “bamboo” through the light fragrance of bamboo shoots, chewy and especially the burnt bamboo shoots on the outside but inside the rice is just crispy enough. In addition to the distinctive grilled dishes, the restaurant also offers many cheap dishes and combos for a restaurant near the Da Lat market.
4.1.3 Grilled meat with bamboo rice in Da Lat at Kim Gia restaurant: When it comes to delicious dishes in Da Lat, we cannot forget the grilled chicken with bamboo rice. People are jokingly saying, “Go to Kim Gia and try our grilled chicken.” Cuong doesn’t think that joke just came out of nowhere, so if you ever visit Da Lat, make sure to stop by Kim Gia Restaurant. Here, you can tear apart the sweet and fragrant grilled chicken with bamboo rice by yourself and enjoy a cup of spicy wine, warm and satisfying in the cold weather. It’s truly delightful. And if you haven’t had enough, making a hot pot of beef in the chilly weather of the misty city at Kim Gia is incomparable. So when suggesting what to eat in Da Lat, Cuong cannot overlook this signature dish.
4.1.4 Horse meat of the Northwest people – H’Mong Quan: Horse meat and thắng cố are two extremely famous specialties of the Northwest region. And H’Mong Quan has brought the traditional food of the H’Mong people from hundreds of years into Da Lat. In the cool weather of the foggy city of Da Lat, it feels like the Northwest mountains in winter, sitting next to the thắng cố pot with smoke rising and the aroma spreading, there’s nothing like it. Horse meat has long been known as a protein-rich food, good for muscles, and something else that Cuong doesn’t know. If you’re curious, you can ask Uncle Google for more information. And just like other hot dishes, porridge is very good for the body when in the cold land of Da Lat. A bowl of hot porridge will warm your heart and drive away hunger on late night strolls through the city.
4.1.5 Nhà hàng & cafe phòng trà Memory Đà Lạt: Located at: 24/7 Hùng Vương, Da Lat City, Lam Dong with prices ranging from 35k– 250k, you can enjoy delicious food while listening to Trinh’s music, which is a great deal. Acoustic Cafe Memory is a complex including: villa, restaurant, cafe, tea room, and more. Here, you will experience a nostalgic space of old Da Lat, gentle and elegant, with dishes that are clean, delicious, and reasonably priced. Especially dishes like stone pot noodles, catfish hotpot, strawberry salad, beef in wine sauce, artichoke soup… just try once and you will never forget. The presentation of the dishes here is beautiful, meticulous, showing the cook’s dedication. The tender and tasty beef, refreshing artichoke soup, flavorful seafood noodles… Besides, you can enjoy delicious drinks priced from 35k to 50k only. With an open and cozy space, you can gather with family, loved ones, and friends here. The place also hosts parties for large groups, and with such a romantic atmosphere, every gathering will bring people closer, enjoying happy moments together.
4.1.6 Lẩu gà lá é Tao Ngộ: The address of the restaurant is at 5 3 tháng 4 street and the restaurant only serves the famous lẩu gà lá é dish, which in my opinion deserves a quality rating of 9 out of 10. Lẩu gà lá é is one of the typical dishes of the land named Phú Yên. This dish is a combination of the essence of the land and sky flavors. First is the perfect combination of delicious and chewy chicken pieces, and the crispy sweetness of mushrooms. Added to that is the refreshing taste of lá é leaves and a bit of sour and spicy flavors from ingredients like chili, lime, lemongrass, sesame seeds… Truly, this is a wonderful dish, isn’t it? Not only Phú Yên has delicious lẩu gà lá é, but nowadays, Đà Lạt also has many places selling this dish quite deliciously, and one of them is the lẩu gà lá é Tao Ngộ restaurant.
4.1.7 Atiso Beef Hotpot – Quan Xua Da Lat: Because artichoke flowers are considered quite expensive in Da Lat, it’s rare to find them on menus, especially in hotpot dishes. However, at Quan Xua Da Lat, for just 249k, you can enjoy a pot of tender and sweet beef hotpot with artichoke flowers. Not only known for their beef hotpot, Quan Xua is also a popular spot for hotpot lovers in Da Lat, so Cuong believes you won’t regret coming here.
4.1.8 Lẩu bò Ba Toa Quán Gỗ – Số 1/29 Hoàng Diệu: Quán lẩu bò Ba Toa has been extremely famous for a long time, so there is no need for further introduction. Besides beef hotpot, they also serve dishes like beef tenderloin, steamed tripe…
4.2 What’s good for breakfast in Da Lat?
In the list of delicious dishes in Da Lat for breakfast, we cannot forget about pho, beef noodle soup, and especially the hot and fresh xiu mai bread. And to answer the question of what to eat in Da Lat in the morning, it’s really difficult. However, Cuong would like to introduce the top 3 delicious breakfast dishes in Da Lat below for everyone to choose on their own.
4.2.1 Tiệm bánh mì xíu mại Hoàng Diệu: When talking about delicious food in Da Lat, we cannot forget about xíu mại bread. Hoàng Diệu sugar cane bread, a choice that will not disappoint any diner. The xíu mại bread shop Hoàng Diệu is quite delicious and very crowded, so the dishes run out quickly in the morning, so remember to wake up early to go eat, otherwise you might miss out. For only 12k/bowl with xíu mại, pork skin, sausage, and delicious broth, when eaten with hot bread, there’s nothing more to say, right?
4.2.2 Quán bún bò Huế Công – 1/1B Phù Đổng Thiên Vương: The bun bo Hue dish here is quite delicious, priced from 25k to 35k per bowl. The owner of the restaurant is a genuine Hue native, so the dish has the authentic flavor of bun bo Hue.
4.2.3 Phở Đà Lạt: In the cool morning weather of Da Lat, having a hot bowl of beef pho is unbeatable. Almost every major street in Da Lat has at least one pho restaurant, so you don’t need to spend too much time searching.
4.3 Snacks and Late-Night Eats
Da Lat is truly a snacker’s paradise. Listing the top delicious snacks in Da Lat would result in a list of over 50 different items, so Cuong will stop at a modest number of 14, and these are the typical dishes that Cuong believes everyone should try at least once in their lifetime in the city of Da Lat travel.
4.3.1 Bánh ướt lòng gà: Bánh ướt lòng gà is a unique and delicious dish in Da Lat, usually sold in the evening. This dish may not be unfamiliar to many people, but the flavor here is mixed in a very special way, from the choice of chicken, pig’s heart to the dipping sauce. With an affordable price of only 17k, you can enjoy a bowl full of the soft and fragrant taste of fresh rice paper combined with the rich and creamy flavor of chicken heart and the perfectly balanced dipping sauce, making this dish incredibly delicious and unique.
4.3.2 Grilled Pork Sausage in Da Lat: One of the must-try delicious dishes in Da Lat for snack lovers is grilled pork sausage. This is one of those dishes that can be enjoyed as a snack or as a main course. It is a very famous dish in the romantic city of Da Lat and is loved by many, not only by the locals but also by tourists from both inside and outside the country. The grilled pork sausage in Da Lat has a unique taste and the dipping sauce is much better than in other places. If you ever visit Da Lat, you cannot miss out on this delicious and unique dish!
4.3.3 Chè – Kem trái cây: With the advantage of having a plentiful supply of fresh and delicious fruits, Cuong feels that Da Lat has a very strong position in creating unique and delicious dishes from fruits such as fruit ice cream. Thanks to the abundant supply of fruits such as strawberries, avocados from Da Lat to delicious tropical fruits used to make fruit ice cream, they are guaranteed to be the freshest and most delicious. Ten to fifteen types of fruits cut into pieces around a cold ice cream ball with smoke rising in a bowl, all absorbing the rich taste of condensed coconut milk, a hint of shredded coconut bringing an irresistible feeling when you enjoy it. Here, Cuong would like to suggest some delicious dessert places like Quán chè Như Ý, Chè thái Bà Triệu and Chè hé.
4.3.4 Stuffed snails with meat 33 – 4D Hai Ba Trung: Stuffed snails with meat is a distinctive feature of the cuisine of the land of thousands of flowers, a delicious dish that cannot be missed, and the famous stuffed snails with meat 33 restaurant is well-known in the travel community of Da Lat tourism, probably in the top 10 delicious eateries in Da Lat, so make sure to visit.
4.3.5 Yogurt Cheese – Pink Peach Egg: In Da Lat, yogurt cheese is a delicious and familiar dessert. It is sold in most ice cream shops and various restaurants, and according to Cuong, this dish is very suitable for girls who love beauty to choose when traveling to Da Lat. In addition, yogurt cheese with pink peach egg is a great combination if you haven’t tried it yet.
4.3.6 Grilled rice paper: Grilled rice paper in Da Lat is one of the most delicious dishes in Da Lat. If you visit Da Lat and don’t try the grilled rice paper, you are missing out on a great experience. This dish is one of the top specialties of Da Lat. Grilled rice paper in Da Lat is also known as Da Lat pizza. Almost every tourist who tries this dish in Da Lat can’t stop praising it. Nowadays, this grilled rice paper dish is sold in many other provinces, but the taste is not the same as when you eat it in Da Lat.
4.3.7 Bánh xèo bánh bèo: Along the journey to admire the scenery, you will always come across a few small eateries serving bánh bèo in Da Lat. These eateries are simple but always crowded with customers enjoying their meals. In addition to the bowl of bánh bèo, there are also plate servings, gathering in the market, tourist spots, tired from sightseeing, hungry, you can sit down and have a few plates, a few bowls, fill your stomach, then hit the road again for more exploration.
Bánh xèo is also one of the must-try snacks when visiting the foggy city. Bánh xèo in Da Lat is small in size, filled with pork belly, small shrimp, and just ripe bean sprouts. When cooked, it has a turmeric yellow color that looks very appealing and enticing, with a crispy and flavorful crust and a rich fatty taste. Bánh xèo is usually eaten with fresh vegetables, sweet and sour fish sauce mixed with carrots, shredded papaya, and fresh chili. When eating, you will feel the crispy texture of the cake, the salty taste of the shrimp, and the rich fatty taste of the pork belly. I believe that enjoying this dish fresh out of the oven will make you feel warmer even when far from home.
4.3.8 Bánh cuốn ống: Round, long, and fragrant with the scent of pandan, this dish is like a ticket back to childhood with candy, just like that. The round tubes are filled with soft cakes, waiting a few minutes to have these rolled cakes all over the streets to enjoy, isn’t it wonderful? Bánh cuốn ống consists of a mixture of glutinous rice, shredded coconut, mung beans, and a little sugar sandwiched in a thin layer of cake. The cakes taken out of the steamer are smoky, with the fragrant smell of pandan leaves blending with the scent of coconut and mung beans, making it delicious and crispy. As Cuồng knows, you can enjoy this cake in the evening at the Dalat night market.
4.3.9 Strawberry shake and strawberry ice cream: Strawberries in Da Lat are available almost all year round, this is also a specialty fruit in Da Lat and the dishes made from this fruit are extremely diverse and rich. Therefore, there are countless dishes made from strawberries: strawberry jam, dried strawberries, strawberry jam for drinks, strawberry syrup,… especially strawberry ice cream, a popular snack. This is a great experience for you when traveling to Da Lat. With strawberry ice cream, you don’t necessarily have to go to fancy restaurants or cafes, you can just go to any cafe or visit places specializing in “Da Lat Ice Cream + Fruits”: Kem Việt Hưng, Kem Thanh Thảo, Kem Nari… Not to mention the strawberry shake. Clean, cut in half or leave whole, add salt, sugar, spices,… shake well, the taste of the sauce mixed with strawberries and you have a cup of strawberry shake in your hand, enjoying it while strolling the night streets.
5. Specialties to buy as gifts when traveling to Da Lat
When you come to Da Lat, you will not only admire the beautiful natural scenery here but also have the opportunity to buy items that are unique to the city of Da Lat as gifts. Here Cuồng will share with you some items that you can buy as gifts.
Da Lat is likened to a miniature paradise of preserves. Visiting Da Lat market, tourists will surely be overwhelmed by a small-scale business with various types of preserves, in different colors and flavors. Da Lat preserves are fragrant, delicious, easy to preserve, and are often chosen by many tourists as gifts after their trip to Da Lat. With over 30 types of preserves and various processing methods: From strawberries, there are dried strawberries, peppermint strawberry candy, etc. From plums, there are dried plums, plum with sour plum powder, dried plum preserves,… If you are still unsure about what to buy as a gift when visiting Da Lat, then you should visit the first floor of Da Lat market, the streets of Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Mai Anh Dao, or the Trại Hầm area on Hung Vuong street, or simply visit L’ang Farm to choose some delicious preserves and bring a bit of Da Lat back to the city.
If you have traveled to Da Lat, surely any traveler would not miss the opportunity to visit the strawberry gardens, hand-picking beautiful, round strawberries, experiencing the feeling of becoming a real gardener. Da Lat strawberries attract tourists with their delicious, sweet, and beautiful appearance. Admiring each ripe strawberry in the cold weather, you will only want to bring all of Da Lat back to the city to fully enjoy this fresh air. Da Lat strawberries are not as big and red as strawberries grown in temperate countries, but they have a pale red color and a sweet and sour taste. The delicious taste is not only satisfying but also has a beautifying effect, making strawberries a popular gift among many women. You can easily find strawberries in the strawberry gardens during your trip to Da Lat, or wake up early one morning, breathe in the cool air of Da Lat, and visit the market to choose and buy fresh strawberries.
If normally wine is a product fermented from fruits like grapes, strawberries, then Dalat wine is special with the ingredient being mulberries, a characteristic fruit of Dalat. Appearing since 1999, Dalat wine has become a popular drink and a gift not to be missed when visiting Dalat. What makes Dalat wine special that tourists choose when wondering what to buy as a gift when traveling to Dalat? It is because of the delicious taste, richness, and health benefits from the special mulberry ingredient. It is not the type of mulberry commonly seen where people use the leaves to feed silkworms, but a type with few leaves, many fruits, dark purple fruits twisted like small grape clusters. Because this type of fruit only appears in regions with cold climates like Dalat, it has brought an impressive touch to Dalat wine. If tourists can get a quality product to bring back as a gift, they can go directly to the “Dalat Winery” to buy from the factory.
What could be more refreshing than a cool glass of fruit juice in the midst of a hot summer day? If you have a friend traveling to Da Lat or if you yourself are on a trip to this dreamy land, don’t miss the chance to buy some delicious fruit juices to take home. When it comes to what to buy in Da Lat as gifts, you won’t hesitate when you see the variety of pure fruit juices available for you to choose from: passion fruit, grape, orange. With its advantage of a cool climate, the fruits here are fresher and tastier than in other regions. Therefore, the fruit juices have a richer and more delicious flavor. Being a suitable cooling drink for the summer and also good for health, this will surely be at the top of the list of gifts to bring back from Da Lat for many travelers.
Artichoke tea is considered a miracle for human health. Artichokes in Da Lat are grown in 2 suburban areas of Da Lat, where there are enough climate conditions and soil nutrients to bring the best artichoke plants. Because of the benefits of this plant, many tourists on their trip to Da Lat choose to bring it as a gift. By combining visits to famous tourist spots in Da Lat, tourists can easily find and buy artichoke products: dried flowers for making tea that detoxifies the body and enhances beauty from within, fresh artichoke flowers can be brought back and used to create delicious dishes.
Hopefully, through Cuong’s detailed guide, you have gained a lot of experience for your trip to Da Lat to discover many delicious dishes and specialties to bring back as gifts. Please continue to like, share, and subscribe to receive more videos and travel experience reviews from Cuong. Thank you all.