Da Lat Food Guide 2026: What to Eat in Vietnam's Highland City

Da Lat’s cuisine reflects its cool highland climate and French colonial history. The city grows produce that is impossible to find in tropical Vietnamese cities — and this shapes an eating culture unlike anywhere else in the country.

Sinh To Bo (Avocado Smoothie)

The drink most associated with Da Lat. Fresh avocado blended with condensed milk, sugar, and ice. The result is thick, rich, and sweet. Da Lat grows its own avocados and the freshness of the fruit is directly tasted.

Available at virtually every smoothie and cafe stall in the city. ₫25,000–40,000 ($1–1.60).

Atiso Tea (Artichoke Tea)

Da Lat is Vietnam’s artichoke capital. The dried artichoke flowers make a mild, slightly bitter tea that is associated with the city and sold widely as a local product. Hot artichoke tea in a cool Da Lat evening is a specific pleasure.

₫10,000–20,000 ($0.40–0.80) per glass at market stalls.

Lau Banh Mi (Baguette Fondue)

A Da Lat original. Sliced French baguette dipped in a beef and tomato broth served in a fondue-style pot at the table. The French baguette tradition meets Vietnamese hotpot culture. Warming and filling for cool Da Lat evenings.

₫50,000–80,000 ($2–3.20) per serving.

Da Lat Strawberries

The highland climate allows strawberries to grow here — rare in Vietnam. They are smaller and more intensely flavoured than supermarket strawberries. Sold fresh at the market, dipped in salted plum powder, or as jam and dried products.

Fresh strawberries at the market: ₫50,000–100,000 ($2–4) per kilogram.

Banh Trang Nuong (Grilled Rice Paper)

Street food that appears across central Vietnam but is closely associated with Da Lat. Rice paper grilled over charcoal with egg, spring onion, dried shrimp, and sauce. Crispy and immediately satisfying. ₫15,000–30,000 ($0.60–1.20).

Banh Mi Da Lat

A lighter, crispier baguette than the HCMC style. The French colonial bakery heritage is directly present in the dough texture. Simply dressed with pate, butter, and pickles. ₫20,000–40,000 ($0.80–1.60).

Ruou Can (Communal Tube Wine)

A highland minority (K’Ho) tradition — fermented sticky rice wine drunk communally through long bamboo straws from a clay pot. Found at traditional restaurants and homestays in the highlands around Da Lat. ₫50,000–100,000 ($2–4) per session.

Ca Phe Chon (Weasel Coffee)

The expensive Da Lat specialty. Coffee beans eaten and passed by civet cats (in the wild version) or farmed civets, collected, cleaned, and roasted. The enzymatic process gives a specific flavour profile. Genuine wild-harvested weasel coffee: ₫150,000–300,000 ($6–12) per cup. Farmed versions are cheaper.

Note: the farmed civet coffee industry raises significant animal welfare concerns. Wild-harvested is more expensive but doesn’t involve caged civets.

Preserved Fruits and Jams

The Da Lat market sells locally produced strawberry jam, raspberry jam, artichoke preserves, and candied ginger — all made from Da Lat’s highland produce. Good gifts and genuinely local products.