Citronella Restaurant Cafe — Restaurant in Hội An

We walked down past the river and saw that this place was quite lively with local people so decided to give it a try.

I ordered the rose dumplings and the hoi an chicken rice and my partner ordered garlic bread and spaghetti carbonara.

The drinks came out almost immediately with frosted glasses which was good.

The dumplings, chicken rice and garlic bread all came out at the same time, very quickly. The rose dumplings were like like under boiled pasta sheets with a piece of chicken in the middle covered in crispy onions with a sweet dip. The chicken rice was quite literally yellow rice, shredded chicken placed on top with some leaves and that was it. Not a single ounce of flavour or seasoning in any of these foods apart from the dipping sauce being sweet. We were so hungry we ate the dumplings and half the chicken rice with a pot of soy sauce they had on the table for some sort of flavour. We finished our drinks and the garlic bread which wasn’t great but not actually bad and still waited for the carbonara. After around 35 minutes of sitting down we asked for the bill and told them we no longer wanted the carbonara, yet they brought the bill with it still on there and we stated that beyond the bad food we had, we weren’t paying for food we hadn’t eaten.

This was a small mistake and we paid for what we had eaten and then the carbonara arrived and we just told them that we were sorry but it was too late and we were leaving.

The wait staff looked very confused amongst themselves and there was a clear lack of experience amongst them, which isn’t their fault but the food was absolutely awful. I have never left a review in my life this is the first one ever, that’s how shocking I found it to be. I really hope the restaurant can do better for future tourists and travellers as we have experienced some exceptional food in and around da nang and hoi an.

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Citronella Vietnamese Café is an absolute delight for anyone craving authentic Vietnamese flavors. Tucked away in a cozy corner of the city, this charming café instantly transports you to the heart of Vietnam with its warm ambiance and aromatic dishes.

The menu offers a fantastic variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes, and everything I tried was exceptional. The Pho is an absolute must-try—rich, flavorful broth with tender slices of beef and fresh herbs that add a perfect balance. The spring rolls were crisp and light, served with a tangy dipping sauce that complemented them perfectly.

What really stands out at Citronella is the freshness of the ingredients. You can taste the quality in every bite, from the tender grilled meats in their Bún Thịt Nướng to the vibrant vegetables in their Gỏi Cuốn. The flavors are bold yet balanced, staying true to the authentic taste of Vietnam.

The service was equally impressive. The staff is friendly and attentive, always ready to offer recommendations or explain the dishes to those unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, making it a perfect spot for a casual meal or a quiet dinner with friends.

Overall, Citronella Vietnamese Café is a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered. Whether you're a fan of Vietnamese food or looking to try it for the first time, this café will not disappoint. I'll definitely be returning to explore more of their...

Ate here twice. Has an entry on 2 streets. One on the google map and the other from the river side. Has fans for most tables. Pizza was good, they were happy to allow me pick and choose toppings. Beef mango salad was OK, beef was a little chewy but still good as it was thin slices. The Citronella spring rolls are delightful (prawn filled). The fresh spring rolls were lettuce and pork, not the best I have had in Vietnam. The Chicken lemon grass and chilli (mild) was tasty. Compliments to the chef. Reasonable prices. Polite staff. Takes credit card. Căm on...