Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Coming from Singapore, I had to come to Heart Of Darkness to try their menu at its original source. Craft Beers at its best!!!

Personally I enjoyed the craft beers in Heart of Darkness Singapore. I learned only of Heart of Darkness Saigon when a few of my beers ran out and the Singapore staff shared that they ran out and waiting for Saigon to deliver the beers.

Here in Saigon, the beers are consistent with the ones in Singapore and of course the ones in Singapore are the same because they are imported from Saigon. Even their limited edition range is shared in both countries. Had the opportunity to try the Ghost Stout here in Saigon where I got a take away bottle.

The usual personal favourite like the Excited Magpie Irish Stout tastes exactly the same in both countries. Same goes with the multi award winner - Dream Alone Pale Ale and the Futile Purpose Cucumber Pilsner.

The huge difference here in Saigon is that the food menu is extensive and quality is a lot better than in Singapore. Some dishes are the same but quality and quantity of each items is vastly different.

In both countries, I ordered the sharing platter and the quality of the pulled pork was similar. The Ribs were a lot more tender and juicy here in Saigon. The taste here is a bit more refined where as in Singapore, the same type ribs were found lacking in taste, texture, size and visual. The menu include a full range of different salads which was missing unless I totally overlooked them from the menu in Singapore.

Salads were huge, fresh and crisp - good fresh ingredients were definitely used and prepared with. Had the Greek Salad and Caesars

Another plus is that they actually got nice condiments to go with the platter. I noted a hot sauce was also “Heart of Darkness” labeled. Spicy unique and goes extremely well with the ribs and pulled pork.

Here in Saigon, I had the opportunity to try its tacos amongst the “extended menu” and it’s a beautiful surprise! Great with beers!!

The pricing in Saigon is pleasantly fair with beers prices nearly half of that in Singapore which is understandably so, due to the various taxes to alcohol.

Ambience at Heart of Darkness Saigon was great, good crowds and place was clean. An outdoor sitting area and also indoors with tables and areas by the bar.

Its staff at Heart of Darkness Saigon were attentive and efficient. They are conversant in English which is perfect. This attribute can be same if the same for the staff in Singapore! Great people and knowledgeable in the types of beers in its menu.

Will visit again in...

Heart of Darkness is a renowned craft brewery and taproom located in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Established in 2016, it has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking quality craft beers in a vibrant atmosphere.

Situated in the heart of the city, the brewery offers a modern yet cozy environment. The interior features industrial design elements complemented by warm lighting, creating an inviting space for patrons. Both indoor and outdoor seating options are available, accommodating various preferences.

Heart of Darkness boasts an impressive lineup of craft beers, with a diverse range of styles to suit different palates. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, their selection showcases both creativity and quality. Seasonal and limited-edition brews are also frequently introduced, providing regular visitors with new flavors to explore.

To complement their beer offerings, the brewery provides a thoughtfully curated food menu. Dishes range from classic pub fare to more sophisticated options, all designed to pair well with their beer selection. The fusion of local and international flavors adds a unique twist to the dining experience.

The staff at Heart of Darkness are known for their friendliness and knowledge. They are attentive to customer needs and are adept at recommending beers based on individual preferences, enhancing the overall experience.

The brewery regularly hosts events such as live music performances, trivia nights, and beer tasting sessions. These events foster a sense of community and make it a lively spot to visit throughout the week.

Heart of Darkness in District 1 offers a comprehensive craft beer experience in Ho Chi Minh City. With its diverse beer selection, delectable food pairings, inviting ambiance, and engaging events, it stands out as a must-visit destination for both beer enthusiasts and casual...

Honestly, visiting H.O.D's Saigon taproom was a bit of a disappointment after having been to their Da Nang taproom, which is superior in my opinion.

The (lead?) bartender who served me in Saigon seemed impersonal and smug. I did like the way he poured my first pint, so I specifically asked him to pour my next one and he passed that task to a female bartender who was busy finishing pouring another customer's pint. This male bartender, in no way, looked too busy to pour my pint. He couldn't be bothered to serve a customer that asks him I guess. Anyway.

The other Saigon staff that I tried to interact with spoke almost no English, which surprised me in Vietnam's biggest city. They just provided me with embarrassed grins.

Atmosphere-wise, the Saigon taproom is not very well lit and quite dingy. So, if you like that big city old fashioned pub atmosphere, this taproom is for you.

The Danang H.O.D. taproom is another world. The staff are genuinely cheerful, friendly and attentive. The bar is on the ground floor of the Wink Hotel and has an open air terrace layout. I've been there at least 4 times and plan to keep visiting it..

One curious difference is that the Saigon taproom added an 18,500 vnd service charge, but the Da Nang taproom did not. The 2 visits were only about 1 month apart. I hope the excellent Da Nang waitstaff have been getting the same kind of extra compensation for their hard and professional work as the Saigon staff have. Maybe Heart of Darkness management could explain this discrepancy between the two bills? The Da Nang taproom's bill is marked "Wink" for...