Mekong Merchant was more than a decade ahead of the cafe and restaurant boom that is now sweeping Saigon’s District 2. It’s the archetypal expat hangout and it may well be more popular than ever - despite the competition.
After more than a decade, Mekong Merchant is part of the D2 landscape and the food and vibe are holding up well against the competition. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch is a mix of pastas, salads, pizzas and burgers - classic cafe fare. At night the mood switches and a menu of tapas with a handful of other mains is served.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Mekong Merchant, Saigon
Australian chef Jay Taylor runs the show and has given the place a timely lift. The dining area is set back off the street and has a relaxed, vintage vibe with lots of stone and timber.
Mekong Merchant was an early project of lawyer Anna Craven and her partner Lawson Johnston. They also own The Deck, a popular upscale eatery on the river, also in District 2 just over 1km away.
District 2 is 15 - 20 minutes from downtown Saigon by taxi -depending on traffic. It’s the longstanding main expat area of Saigon.
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