As one of the highlights of Flavors Vietnam 2023, The Vietnam Restaurant & Bar Awards is the biggest and grandest celebration of Vietnam's food and beverage (F&B) industry.
At this year's awards ceremony, F&B insiders and enthusiasts gather to toast the 10 individuals and establishments who've made remarkable contributions to the industry, as voted by the public and the grand jury.
Let's give a big applause to the winners of the Vietnam Restaurant and Bar Awards 2023.
Young Leader of the Year: Phan Lê Anh Tú
For the first time, Flavors Vietnam expanded its list of categories to shine a spotlight on outstanding young leaders. And the winner of the Young Leader of the Year award has been given to Phan Lê Anh Tú - Chef / Co-founder at Ngoặm. Anh Tu and his young team have been impressing many diners with their innovative menu, appealing restaurant interior design, and colorful visuals on its social media.
Anh Tú has led Ngoặm from an online burger business in 2020 to one of the most worth-visiting dining destinations in Hanoi, winning the heart of not only the food-loving community but also our Grand Jury.
Other nominees:
Vanny Lương - Founder @An's
Biện Ngọc Vũ - Co-founder @Enigma/ASMR
Mimi Trương - Co-founder @Elgin
F&B Campaign of the Year: Pizza 4P’s
The trophy of the F&B Campaign of the Year award went to Pizza 4P's for its Sustainability Campaign. Since day 1, Pizza 4P's has been striving to achieve the vision to “Make the World Smile for Peace” with the environment in mind.
In the past year, Pizza 4P's went the extra mile with its global effort to go zero waste. The brand has just opened two zero-waste concept restaurants: One is in Cambodia, and the other is Pizza 4P’s Hikari Binh Duong - the first zero-waste concept restaurant in Vietnam.
With this move, Pizza 4P's aims to inspire more businesses, partners, and customers to protect our environment.
Other nominees:
Park Hyatt Saigon Passion Week
Customer-centric management approach of Haidilao
Brand to Watch - Hotel F&B Sector: Regent Phu Quoc
A new "flavor" added to this year's awards event, this category is dedicated to hotel and resort chains, which focus on not only the quality of accommodation but also luxury in-house F&B services.
Regent Phu Quoc, a luxury beachfront resort, will take you on an exciting culinary journey with a diverse range of dining options, from traditional Vietnamese Fare to experimental and immersive Haute cuisine.
Other nominees:
Sofitel Saigon
Capella Hanoi
JW Marriott Hanoi
Design of the Year: CLAY Saigon
Aesthetically appealing space design is now part of what makes the perfect dining experience for customers.
Crowned Design of the Year, CLAY Saigon - a riverside Mediterranean-inspired cocktail bar - exudes a tropical vibe with lots of warm tones, natural materials like ceramics, wood, and rattan, and lush greenery of palm and coconut trees. CLAY Saigon is an intimate setting for a blissful staycation with tasty food and cocktails.
Other nominees:
Enigma
Rang Rang
Bartender of the Year: Vàng Hiếu Trung - DOT Bar
This is a well-deserved win for Vang Hieu Trung, especially for his triumph at DIAGEO’S World Class Vietnam 2022.
"If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together." For Hieu Trung, this trophy is a tribute to the whole DOT Bar team's dedication and efforts over the past year. He also expressed his sincerest thanks to his family and fiancée for always being so supportive throughout his career journey and till today's memorable milestone.
Other nominees:
Kata Simon - Ministry of Men
Nguyễn Hữu Phú - Hybrid Saigon
Nguyễn Tuấn Anh - Use Bar Hanoi
Biện Ngọc Vũ - Enigma
Chef of the Year: Thuận Trần
Thuan Tran is the culinary artisan in the kitchen of Esta - a fine-dining restaurant in District 1, HCMC describing itself as "a celebration of Vietnam's terroir, plants and seasons, through dishes cooked with fire."
Talking to Vietcetera after his win, chef Francis Thuan Tran had only one word: "outburst". There was an outburst of emotions when "finally my efforts, passion, and dedication to the culinary industry has been paid off." Chef Thuan Tran was nominated for the award before, but now he finally has the trophy in hand.
This award will be an inspiration for him to develop professionally and train new talented generations of chefs to continue the mission of elevating Vietnam's cuisine.
Other nominees:
Peter Cuong Franklin - Anan
Julien Perraudin - Quince
Hoàng Tùng - TUNG Dining, Å by TUNG
Sam Trần - Gia Restaurant, le Goût de Gia
Quang Dũng - Chapter Grill & Dining
George Bloomfield - Khói Restaurant
Bar of the Year - People’s Choice: Leo’s - Cocktails & Co
Sitting by Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi, Leo's Cocktails & Co. offers a cozy intimate setting with warm lighting and a great vibe for customers to chill out while enjoying their fresh hand-crafted drinks. A local favorite, as it asserts and is proven by the award.
Other nominees:
On The Rock Cocktail Bar
Hybrid Saigon
DOT Bar
Gallery Bespoke Cocktail Bar
Bar of the Year - Grand Jury’s Choice: Enigma
An innovative cocktail menu, quality bartender service, and a harmony of light, music, and fragrance that's what Enigma brings to diners looking for a priceless night at the bar.
Located in the heart of the HCMC, Enigma has always been an ideal destination for young people to unwind and savor playful cocktails.
Other nominees:
MAD Wine Bar
Nê Cocktail & Bar
Ministry of Men
The Halflington
Restaurant of the Year - People’s Choice: Ngoặm
"Burgers & bistro foods reimagined @ the heart of Hà Nội" - This brief bio has captured perfectly the spirit of Ngoặm. Known as a "rising star" in Hanoi's restaurant scene, Ngoặm not only serves contemporary Western dishes with a unique local twist but also gives a nod to Vietnamese culture with its space design and brand's visual identity.
As sounding playful as its name Ngoặm (meaning “a big bite” in Vietnamese), the restaurant’s menu is just full of whimsy with wittily named dishes like Jav (Japan and Vietnam) burger, Piggy Blinders and Phonenix sando, keeping diners curious about what surprises await them.
Other nominees:
Senté - The Flavor of Lotus
Da Vittorio Saigon
Nous Dine
Nuboko Sushi & Teppanyaki
Restaurant of the Year - Grand Jury’s Choice: Ngoặm
It was a big, triumphant night for Ngoặm! This award is evidence of the restaurant's efforts of constantly innovating and of the creative minds behind its successful branding. Thriving in both cuisine and arts, Ngoặm has left an indelible mark on Vietnam's F&B map.
Other nominees:
Quince
Restaurant Esta
Anan
Le Comptoir Da Nang
Special thanks to all sponsors of Flavors Vietnam 2023: Mastercard, Tanqueray, Johnnie Walker, Ly Gia Vien, Andros Asia, Lacàph, Oda , Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Duvel Moortgat, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Kamereo Vietnam, Penfolds, San Pellegrino, Acqua Panna, KPMG.
Thank you The Global City for providing the venue for the Vietnam Restaurant & Bar Awards 2023.
Designed and developed by the world’s leading architectural firm - Foster + Partners, the Global City is the first residential township in Vietnam. With a total area of 117 hectares, The Global City offers a modern water music area leading in Southeast Asia and the largest Sales Gallery cum Lifestyle hub in Vietnam. This new urban township promises to become the new “downtown” of Ho Chi Minh City - a vibrant destination for bustling activities like the Water Music Festival, Luxury Countdown Party, Elle Fashion Show, and other lifestyle, sports, and F&B events to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
Translated by Bich Tram