Sa Mộc Restaurant & Cafe Bar — Restaurant in Ta Van Commune

My partner and I had the pleasure of staying at this cafe’s homestay for 4 nights and I can confidently say I’ve never been so sad to leave a place for the people (and animals), atmosphere, and food.

FOOD everything is very solid BUT their traditional Vietnamese sets are amazing!!! My partner and I tried 3 sets and particularly loved the Dzay and vegetarian option. The sets offer a variety of protein + veggie dishes that are incredibly flavorful and like home cooking. Probably some of the best dishes we’ve had while traveling a month around the country.

SERVICE the cafe is run by extremely kind and hospitable locals. They are attentive and accommodating even when they get quite busy. We visited when the cafe was fairly new so there were a few things they were working on, like cleaning up the tables once customers finish eating. But these are just little things and I can tell they are actively working on improving their services.

Nico runs the homestay services on site and if you ever get a chance to stay at one of their bungalows, do it. The bungalows are comfortable and spacious. Nico is very attentive and hospitable in providing your needs for a comfortable stay. We loved our stay here and can’t wait to come back.

ATMOSPHERE The cafe has done a great job at creating a relaxing vibe with all the beautiful landscaping, woodwork, and artwork they put so much care into. Butterflies and birds accompany you, as well as their resident cats and dogs, which you can tell are very happy and well taken care of. They’re extremely friendly and adorable. The cafe offers several seating around the site, and even includes an art gallery featuring local artists for customers to browse and shop at. I can’t wait to come back and see how the garden has flourished. It’s so...

I stayed at La Maison bungalows within Sa Moc Quan’s premises. At the time they were still developing La Maison and not fully marketing it.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here and giving it 5-stars overall. However, there were a few issues that need to be addressed. The business is still relatively new so I trust that management (who were very hospitable) will continue working on these.

Pros atmosphere and music good viet coffee cats and dogs are very friendly and were honestly a highlight clean bungalow and hot water good wifi throughout the premises delicious dishes from local tribes’ cuisine offers local workshops, trekking and motorbike tours woodworking done on site was very interesting to see

Cons the kitchen staff need more oversight one of our dinner dishes was forgotten so we ended up cancelling it we ordered a set on another night and again, one of the dishes was forgotten. Luckily we knew what to expect and asked for it. If we hadn’t known what entrees came in the set meal we would have missed out swarms of rain moths spawned during a rainy night and several literally died in our food. I think this is part of the Sa Pa experience but I recommend installing bug nets around the tables so customers aren’t just left to deal with it.

Again, our stay was lovely and management were very caring and hospitable. The cons are feedback that I trust will...

Sa Moc restaurant is an eclectic mix of everything! Tung, the owner, has put together a truly wonderful space totally inspired from his own natural artistic style. I enjoyed three visits, two coffees and one dinner but it was an hour or more of conversation with Tung that really got me excited about what he has created. While listening to Lou Reeds Transformer LP in his adjoining art gallery space I learned that Tung had put together the whole space using his own photography in still pictures, displaying his wood turned vases, creating a Japanese inspired garden, showing antique silverware and artefacts plus a hanging display separating or blocking other art imaging the walls one sees when entering the various spaces in the Hue Imperial Palace. And all that, before you even enter his restaurant space!! Which is a delight in itself with stone pathways, naturally inspired wooden furniture, beautiful plants and shrubs, perfectly placed sculptures and vases, hanging ornaments and more. Tung promised me a special meal and he certainly delivered. His chef presented me with a slow cooked pork dish - the Pork just melted in my mouth, with the accompanying sauce of, I think, a reduction of mostly eggplant perfectly spiced and aromatic served simply with a bowl of steamed rice. His restaurant is serene and peaceful - a must visit when...