Dalat Food Guide: Banh Trang Nuong, Hotpot & Coffee
Dalat food is highland comfort food: crispy grilled rice paper (bánh tráng nướng), tiny clay-pot pancakes (bánh căn), meatball bánh mì (bánh mì xíu mại), chicken hotpot with é leaves, hot soy milk at the night market and strong Dalat coffee. Most street dishes cost about 20,000–60,000 VND (US$0.80–2.40), and the best eating is around Dalat Market and the night market.
Status (checked October 2026): Since 1 July 2025 Dalat is no longer a separate city: it is now five wards (including Xuan Huong–Da Lat and Lang Biang–Da Lat) of the enlarged Lam Dong province, but the food scene, markets and street names are unchanged. October is still in the rainy season, so expect afternoon showers and plan night-market visits after the rain.
Key takeaways:
- Must-try dishes: bánh tráng nướng, bánh căn, bánh mì xíu mại, lẩu gà lá é (chicken hotpot with é leaves) and nem nướng (grilled pork rolls).
- Street food typically costs about 20,000–60,000 VND per dish; a hotpot for 3–4 people is about 200,000–400,000 VND.
- The cool climate makes hot food, soy milk and coffee the stars, especially in the evening.
- Dalat grows strawberries, artichokes, avocados and coffee – take home artichoke tea, dried fruit and coffee beans.
- The night market around Dalat Market opens from late afternoon until late evening.
Dalat Food at a Glance
| Signature dishes | Bánh tráng nướng, bánh căn, bánh mì xíu mại, lẩu gà lá é, nem nướng, kem bơ (avocado ice cream) |
|---|---|
| Street food price | About 20,000–60,000 VND (US$0.80–2.40) per dish |
| Hotpot price | About 200,000–400,000 VND (US$8–16) per pot for 3–4 people |
| Hot drinks | Soy milk about 10,000–15,000 VND; Vietnamese coffee from about 15,000–25,000 VND at local cafés |
| Best food areas | Dalat Market and night market, Hoa Binh area, Hai Ba Trung and Phan Dinh Phung streets |
| Breakfast | Bánh mì xíu mại, bánh căn, phở or bún bò from about 6:00 |
| Evening | Night market from late afternoon: grilled rice paper, grilled skewers, sweet potatoes, soy milk |
| Local produce | Strawberries, artichokes, avocados, persimmons, highland coffee and vegetables |
| Souvenirs | Artichoke tea, dried persimmons, strawberry jam, mulberry wine, coffee beans |
| Payment | Cash (VND) at stalls; QR bank transfer common; cards in restaurants and hotels |
What Food Is Dalat Famous For?
Dalat is famous for warming, snackable street food made for its cool climate on the Lang Biang plateau at about 1,500 m, plus fresh produce that grows nowhere else in Vietnam on the same scale. These are the dishes we recommend every visitor tries at least once.
1. Bánh Tráng Nướng (Grilled Rice Paper)
Often called “Dalat pizza”, bánh tráng nướng is a sheet of rice paper grilled over charcoal and topped with quail egg, spring onion, dried shrimp or minced pork, sausage and chilli sauce, then folded or eaten flat. It costs about 20,000–35,000 VND and is best straight off the grill at the night market or on the small streets around Dalat Market in the evening. Ask for “không cay” if you do not want chilli.
2. Bánh Căn (Clay-Pot Mini Pancakes)
Bánh căn are small rice-flour pancakes cooked in clay moulds over charcoal, usually with a quail egg on top, and dipped in fish sauce with pickled green mango or in a bowl of xíu mại meatball broth. A plate of 10–12 costs about 25,000–40,000 VND. They are eaten for breakfast and in the evening, and you will find stalls all over the centre.
3. Bánh Mì Xíu Mại (Meatball Bánh Mì)
Dalat’s favourite breakfast is a crusty baguette served with a small bowl of pork meatballs in tomato broth; you tear the bread and dip it. A set costs about 25,000–40,000 VND. Hoang Dieu street is known for long-running stalls such as Xíu Mại Cô Sương at 47 Hoang Dieu (map), which opens early and often sells out by mid-morning.
4. Lẩu Gà Lá É (Chicken Hotpot with É Leaves)
This hotpot of free-range chicken simmered with é leaves (a peppery, basil-like herb from the Central Highlands), bamboo shoots and chilli is Dalat’s signature dinner on a cold night. A pot for 3–4 people costs about 200,000–400,000 VND. The Tao Ngộ chain is the best-known name (map); go early on weekends because it fills up.
5. Nem Nướng (Grilled Pork Rolls)
Grilled pork sausage wrapped at the table in rice paper with fresh herbs, green banana, star fruit and crispy rice-paper sticks, then dipped in a thick peanut-pork sauce. A portion costs about 40,000–70,000 VND. It is a social dish – order one portion per person and roll as you go.
6. Bánh Ướt Lòng Gà (Steamed Rice Rolls with Chicken)
Thin steamed rice sheets served with shredded chicken, chicken organs and herbs, with a light fish-sauce dressing. It is a gentle, popular breakfast or lunch at about 35,000–50,000 VND.
7. Lẩu Bò and Other Hotpots
Because evenings are cool all year, hotpot is everywhere: beef hotpot (lẩu bò), mushroom hotpot and vegetable hotpot made with Dalat’s own greens. Budget about 200,000–400,000 VND per pot to share.
8. Kem Bơ (Avocado Ice Cream)
Dalat avocados are blended into a thick smoothie and topped with coconut ice cream – sweet, rich and cheap at about 20,000–35,000 VND. Thanh Thảo in the centre is a long-standing name (map).
9. Grilled Snacks: Sweet Potatoes, Corn and Skewers
At night you will smell charcoal everywhere: grilled sweet potatoes, corn, sticky rice and meat skewers cost about 10,000–30,000 VND each and are perfect hand-warmers.
10. Fresh Strawberries and Highland Fruit
Dalat is Vietnam’s strawberry capital and also grows persimmons, passion fruit and avocados. You can buy fruit at Dalat Market or pick your own at farms around the city; prices vary by season, so ask before you pick.
What Should I Drink in Dalat?
Hot soy milk, Dalat coffee and artichoke tea are the three drinks that define the city. Dalat and the surrounding Lam Dong highlands grow both robusta and arabica coffee, and the city has hundreds of hillside cafés with valley views.
1. Hot Soy Milk (Sữa Đậu Nành)
Steaming soy milk sold from big pots at the night market and on street corners costs about 10,000–15,000 VND. Pair it with a bánh tráng nướng or a sweet pastry.
2. Dalat Coffee
Try a phin-filtered cà phê sữa (coffee with condensed milk) or a lighter arabica brewed by specialty cafés. Traditional cafés such as Cà Phê Tùng in the Hoa Binh area have served coffee since the 1950s (map); expect about 15,000–25,000 VND at local cafés and 40,000–80,000 VND at view cafés.
3. Artichoke Tea and Other Local Drinks
Artichoke (atisô) tea is a mild herbal drink made from Dalat-grown artichokes and is sold everywhere as dried tea bags or packs. Mulberry and strawberry wines and fruit syrups are popular souvenirs.
How Much Does Food Cost in Dalat?
Dalat is one of the cheapest food cities in Vietnam: a day of street food can cost under 300,000 VND (about US$12) per person. Prices below are typical ranges in 2026.
| Item | Typical price (VND) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Bánh tráng nướng | 20,000–35,000 | $0.80–1.40 |
| Bánh căn (one plate) | 25,000–40,000 | $1.00–1.60 |
| Bánh mì xíu mại set | 25,000–40,000 | $1.00–1.60 |
| Nem nướng portion | 40,000–70,000 | $1.60–2.80 |
| Chicken hotpot (3–4 people) | 200,000–400,000 | $8–16 |
| Hot soy milk | 10,000–15,000 | $0.40–0.60 |
| Vietnamese coffee (local café) | 15,000–25,000 | $0.60–1.00 |
| Coffee at a view café | 40,000–80,000 | $1.60–3.20 |
| Avocado ice cream | 20,000–35,000 | $0.80–1.40 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | 150,000–350,000 per person | $6–14 |
Exchange rate used: about 25,000–26,000 VND = US$1; check the current rate before you travel.
Where Is the Best Street Food in Dalat?
The densest street food is at Dalat Market and its night market, a short walk from Xuan Huong Lake. Other good areas are listed below.
| Area | Best for | When to go |
|---|---|---|
| Dalat Market & night market (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, stairs by the market) | Grilled rice paper, skewers, soy milk, sweet potatoes, souvenirs | From late afternoon until about 22:00–23:00 |
| Hoa Binh area (around the old cinema) | Traditional cafés, bánh căn, quick meals | All day |
| Hoang Dieu street | Bánh mì xíu mại breakfast | 6:00–10:00 |
| Hai Ba Trung street | Local eateries, snails, hotpot | Evening |
| Phan Dinh Phung street | Older eateries, xíu mại, noodle soups | Morning and lunch |
| Tuyen Lam Lake resorts | Quiet resort dining | Dinner |
Is Street Food in Dalat Safe to Eat?
Yes, Dalat street food is generally safe if you follow the usual rules. Choose busy stalls where food is cooked to order, drink bottled water or hot drinks, avoid raw vegetables if your stomach is sensitive, and carry small notes – many vendors cannot change 500,000 VND bills. Prices at the night market are sometimes higher for tourists, so ask the price before ordering or choose stalls with posted prices.
Vegetarian, Halal and Allergy Notes for Dalat
Dalat is one of the easiest places in Vietnam for vegetarians because of its vegetables, mushrooms and many Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (look for the words “chay” or “cơm chay”); mushroom and vegetable hotpots are widely available. Halal food is very limited, so Muslim travellers should plan meals in advance or ask us to arrange suitable options. Fish sauce, shrimp paste, peanuts and MSG are common – carry a written note in Vietnamese if you have allergies.
Dalat Food Tours and Cooking Experiences
An evening food walk around the market and night market is the easiest way to taste 6–8 dishes safely in two to three hours, with a local guide explaining how to eat each one. Coffee-farm visits outside the city combine tasting with highland scenery, and strawberry or vegetable farm visits are popular with families. We can add a food walk or coffee-farm stop to any Dalat itinerary.
Local Expert Tips for Eating in Dalat
These tips come from years of arranging Dalat tours for international travellers.
- Eat bánh mì xíu mại early (7:00–9:00); the best stalls sell out by mid-morning.
- Save the night market for after 18:00, when the grills are hot, and bring a light jacket – evenings can drop to around 13–16°C.
- Ask the price before ordering at the night market and pay in cash or QR.
- Book hotpot restaurants or arrive before 18:30 on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Buy artichoke tea, dried persimmons and coffee at Dalat Market and compare prices between stalls.
- Strawberries are sweetest in the dry season (roughly December to April); wash fruit before eating.
- For view cafés, go in the morning when mist sits in the valleys; afternoons in the rainy season are often wet.
- Vegetarians: say “tôi ăn chay” (I am vegetarian) and ask for no fish sauce (“không nước mắm”).
Plan Your Dalat Trip
Combine your food stops with Dalat’s sights: walk around Xuan Huong Lake before the night market, have coffee near the Dalat Railway Station, and see the pink Domaine de Marie Church. Outside the centre, ride the cable car to Truc Lam Zen Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake, cool off at Datanla Waterfall, climb Langbiang Mountain, stroll the Valley of Love and visit Bao Dai Palace. For practical planning read our Dalat transportation guide, where to stay in Dalat and Dalat travel tips. Travelling on? See the Nha Trang food guide and Saigon food guide.
Plan your trip with our Dalat travel guide and Dalat tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dalat Food
1. What is the most famous food in Dalat?
Bánh tráng nướng (grilled rice paper) is Dalat’s most famous street food, followed by bánh căn, bánh mì xíu mại and chicken hotpot with é leaves.
2. How much does street food cost in Dalat?
Most street dishes in Dalat cost about 20,000–60,000 VND (US$0.80–2.40), and a day of street food can cost under 300,000 VND per person.
3. What should I eat for breakfast in Dalat?
The classic Dalat breakfast is bánh mì xíu mại – baguette dipped in pork meatball broth – or a plate of bánh căn, both about 25,000–40,000 VND.
4. When is the Dalat night market open?
The Dalat night market around Dalat Market runs from late afternoon until about 22:00–23:00 every day, busiest from 18:00 and at weekends.
5. What is lẩu gà lá é in Dalat?
Lẩu gà lá é is Dalat’s chicken hotpot cooked with peppery é leaves; a pot for 3–4 people costs about 200,000–400,000 VND.
6. Is Dalat street food safe for tourists?
Dalat street food is generally safe if you choose busy stalls, eat food cooked to order and drink bottled water or hot drinks.
7. What drinks is Dalat known for?
Dalat is known for hot soy milk at the night market, highland coffee and artichoke tea; soy milk costs about 10,000–15,000 VND.
8. Is Dalat good for vegetarians?
Yes, Dalat is one of Vietnam’s best cities for vegetarians thanks to its vegetables, mushrooms and many “chay” (vegetarian) restaurants.
9. Can I find halal food in Dalat?
Halal food in Dalat is very limited, so Muslim travellers should plan meals in advance; our team can arrange suitable options on a Dalat tour.
10. What food souvenirs should I buy in Dalat?
Popular Dalat food souvenirs are artichoke tea, dried persimmons, strawberry jam, mulberry wine and locally grown coffee beans.
11. When is strawberry season in Dalat?
Strawberries grow in Dalat almost all year, but they are usually sweetest in the dry season from about December to April.
12. Where can I try bánh mì xíu mại in Dalat?
Hoang Dieu and Phan Dinh Phung streets have long-running xíu mại stalls in Dalat, such as Xíu Mại Cô Sương at 47 Hoang Dieu.
13. How much is a coffee in Dalat?
A Vietnamese coffee in Dalat costs about 15,000–25,000 VND at local cafés and about 40,000–80,000 VND at popular view cafés.
14. Do Dalat food stalls accept cards?
Most Dalat street stalls accept only cash or Vietnamese QR bank transfers, so carry small VND notes; restaurants and hotels usually take cards.
15. Is there a food tour in Dalat?
Yes, an evening Dalat food walk around the market and night market typically lasts 2–3 hours and covers 6–8 local dishes.
16. What is avocado ice cream in Dalat?
Kem bơ is a Dalat dessert of blended avocado topped with coconut ice cream, costing about 20,000–35,000 VND.
17. Is Dalat food spicy?
Dalat food is mostly mild; chilli is added separately, so say “không cay” if you want no chilli in grilled rice paper or hotpot.
18. What is the best time to eat street food in Dalat?
Dalat street food is best in the early morning for breakfast dishes and after 18:00 at the night market, when the charcoal grills are running.
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