A steaming bowl of savoury meatballs served with crispy baguette — a comforting breakfast that warms you up in Đà Lạt’s chilly morning air. VNS Photo Văn Châu

ĐÀ LẠT — Bánh mì xíu mại (baguette with pork meatballs), bánh tráng nướng (grilled rice crepe), hot soy milk, artichoke tea, fresh salads, and bubbling beef hotpot — these are not just dishes, but the heartbeats of Đà Lạt’s misty mornings and chilly nights.

Each dish in this highland city tells a story: one of simplicity, warmth, and the quiet beauty of everyday life.

In the early morning chill, when the mist still floats over pine-covered hills and the city awakens under a silver veil of dew, Đà Lạt reveals its soul not only through its scenery but also through its food.

Known as Việt Nam’s “City of Eternal Spring", it offers a culinary journey that warms both hands and the heart.

Morning warmth from a bowl of soup

For many travellers, the day begins with the savoury smell rising from a small roadside stall.

There, locals sit close together on tiny stools, holding bowls of steaming bánh canh cá lóc (thick noodles with snakehead fish) or phở bò (beef noodle soup). Each bowl costs around VNĐ40,000–50,000 (US$1.5–2) — a small price for a bowl of comfort.

Near the central market, an elderly woman named Trần Thị Lệ has been selling bánh mì xíu mại — Đà Lạt’s signature meatball baguette — for over three decades.

The crunchy baguette, dipped in hot, fragrant pork meatballs and broth, topped with green onions, costs about VNĐ25,000 ($1).

“When it’s cold, people don’t need fancy dishes. They just need something hot and hearty,” she says with a warm smile as steam curls into the morning air.

Vegetables, flowers on the plate

The city’s fertile volcanic soil gives rise to an abundance of vegetables and flowers, forming the heart of Đà Lạt’s cuisine.

From crisp lettuce and artichokes to sweet strawberries and purple cabbages, everything tastes fresher and brighter here.

At the night market, visitors can enjoy grilled corn brushed with spring onion oil for about VNĐ15,000 ($0.6) or sweet potatoes baked until caramelised for VNĐ20,000 ($0.8).

Cups of hot soy milk — perhaps Đà Lạt’s most beloved street drink — cost only VNĐ10,000 ($0.4), yet bring a sense of warmth that seeps deeper than any heater could.

Families huddle together, sharing laughter under layers of jackets and scarves.

“Đà Lạt’s ingredients are what make the food special. The air is clean, the soil is rich, and everything grows slowly, naturally. Even a simple salad can tell the story of this land,” explains Chef Phan Quang at a local farm-to-table restaurant.

Steamed snails stuffed with lemongrass and minced pork -- a perfect harmony of spice and umami, best enjoyed on misty evenings. VNS Photo Văn Châu

From rustic meals to refined dining

Over the past few years, Đà Lạt’s dining scene has evolved beyond its humble roots. Alongside the classic eateries, new restaurants have emerged — places that blend local produce with contemporary flair.

One such place is Biang Bistro, tucked away on a quiet hillside. Its menu celebrates local ingredients — from rainbow trout raised in the mountain streams to artichoke-infused sauces and wines made from ripe mulberries.

A full meal here costs around VNĐ250,000–350,000 ($10–14) per person, yet feels like a luxurious escape into the mist.

Another gem is An Café, a rustic wooden café surrounded by trees and the scent of roasted coffee beans. Here, coffee is brewed slowly using beans grown in nearby Lâm Hà district.

A cup costs about VNĐ45,000 ($1.8). “We don’t rush,” says the barista, handing over a cup. “The cold weather teaches people to take their time, even with a drink.”

Nighttime flavours under the mist

As darkness falls and the temperature dips to around 15 degrees Celsius, the city transforms into a cozy food haven.

Smoke from charcoal grills curls up into the mist as vendors sell bánh tráng nướng — a thin rice crepe that is grilled covered with eggs, dried shrimp, sausage, and cheese.

Each serving, priced at VNĐ25,000–30,000 ($1–1.2), crackles with flavour and comfort.

Tourists call it “Vietnamese pizza”, but locals simply know it as the taste of home.

On a small street near Xuân Hương Lake, groups of young people gather around portable stoves to enjoy lẩu bò (beef hotpot), which typically costs VNĐ250,000–300,000 ($10–12) for two to three people.

The sound of bubbling broth mixes with laughter as steam fogs their glasses.

Each bite of tender beef, dipped in spicy chili sauce, brings warmth that only Đà Lạt’s cold nights can amplify.

“The best meals here aren’t about fine dining,” says 27-year-old traveller Nguyễn Minh Anh from Hà Nội. “It’s about sharing food with people, watching the fog drift, and feeling the city breathe.”

A hearty bowl of Đà Lạt-style beef noodle soup, rich with herbs and local vegetables, offers both flavour and warmth in every spoonful. Photo vietgiaitri.com

Local specialties to try

Beyond the familiar street dishes, Đà Lạt offers a world of local flavours waiting to be discovered. The city is famous for its artichoke tea, made from flower buds grown in the surrounding hills, known for its gentle aroma and cleansing taste.

A hot cup costs about VNĐ20,000 ($0.8), while packaged tea sold in the market makes for a perfect souvenir.

Sweet-toothed visitors will enjoy avocado ice cream, a creamy treat that has become a symbol of Đà Lạt’s cool afternoons, sold for around VNĐ30,000 ($1.2).

The city’s strawberry jam and mulberry wine also embody its highland charm — both crafted from local fruit farms that welcome visitors during harvest season.

At night, sipping a small glass of Đà Lạt wine, priced around VNĐ150,000–200,000 ($6–8) per bottle, feels like toasting to the city’s soft fog and quiet rhythm.

If you go

Đà Lạt lies about 300 kilometres northeast of HCM City and can be reached by plane from Hà Nội or HCM City in roughly one hour.

For those who prefer a slower pace, overnight buses or private cars take six to eight hours, winding through mountain passes lined with pine trees.

The best time to visit is from November to April, when the weather is cool, the skies are clear, and the air carries the scent of blooming flowers.

Food lovers should start their morning at Bánh Mì Xíu Mại Hoàng Diệu or Phở Thưng near the central market, where locals gather before sunrise.

Midday coffee at An Café or Mê Linh Coffee Garden offers both relaxation and a sweeping view of green hills. In the evening, Đà Lạt Night Market is the city’s beating heart — a lively maze of smoke, laughter, and sizzling food.

For something more indulgent, try Lẩu Gà Lá É Tao Ngộ, where the chicken hotpot infused with wild herbs delivers both flavour and warmth.

Whatever you choose, bring a jacket, a curious appetite, and enough time to let the mist — and the meals — work their quiet magic. VNS