AKUNA Restaurant

A creative blend of Vietnamese and Australian cuisine, this Michelin-starred spot delivers the full fine dining experience—polished service, thoughtful design, and beautifully executed dishes, all within a hotel setting. Everything feels meticulously planned, but what makes this place stand out is its playful touch. There’s a sense of humor woven into the details, from quirky decor (the bathroom area has dive bar vibes) to the first dish, Sammy Boy—a fun nod to the classic Sunny Boy (if I caught the reference right). It brought genuine joy and set a lighthearted tone for the meal. Food-wise, the execution was top-notch, though I found the Vietnamese influence a bit underwhelming compared to the stronger Australian and Japanese notes. That’s more of a personal expectation as a traveler wanting a deeper dive into local flavors. The open kitchen was a great touch, and the staff handled the attention gracefully—major compliments to the team for staying composed under constant watch. Overall, a memorable experience with personality and precision.

This is the first dinner that we’ve had in Michelin ⭐ restaurant in Vietnam. The ambience is amazing with front row view of the Saigon river and stellar hospitality to match. The dishes are a crafty combination of local Vietnamese ingredients and the chef’s Australian roots. The dishes are skewed towards a salty and acidic taste profile coming from fish sauce and vinegar. There is however not a single dish that stands out as the star of the night. The beverage program is a level above and the sommelier is able to recommend wine pairing based on your palate preference that complements the food.

From the excellent service staff to the immaculately plated food, it was an experience for the senses. Taste wise, there were more hits than misses, but generally they are above average. It is also commendable that locally sourced ingredients were incorporated into the dishes. Akuna may be priced higher than many restaurants but it was worth every dollar. Given the number of courses served for dinner, it was actually a fair price! They even gave us a box of delicious marshmallows for supper. If you need a meal for special occasions, I highly recommend this.

Akuna restaurant is spot on. Sam the chef has really made things taste great and creative. He uses local products along with his Aussie background to come up with his menu. We have been to quite a few restaurants in Vietnam and this is the best place thus far during our two weeks vacation.

Overall great experience! Service was perfect! All dishes had something special in terms of flavor, yet I didn’t like some minor ingredients of them in the beginning of the menu but that is personal preference I guess. Food was very nice. Presentation close to perfection. A lot of courses including some special treats (eg bread with different cremes). I felt like quality of food increases over the course of the menu, yet already starting at good level. Service had a good mix between professional yet funny from time to time. Some of the service staff could however improve its English since it wasn’t always easy to understand. As Marriott Bonvoy member I received 10% discount. They were very transparent on the prices so it was always said what any special wine, cheese would cost extra with the exact amount. So no surprises. I ended up paying more than 7m VND for 6 courses, aperitif, 4 glasses of wine, extra cheese and a bottle of wine.

Fusion fine dining with top notch service. Table placement and service was very personalized, giving you and your loved ones personal space to interact. Food presentation, ingredients befits one who is accorded a Michelin star. There were easily 4-5 layers of flavor in every dish, not accounting for variations of textures (which is their forte in my opinion). Passed my julienne test. Of all the menu, I enjoyed Confit Pork Jowl the most followed by sea cucumber (that's inspired by Buddha Jump Over The Wall). When it came to our main dish, we were asked to pick a fork style which we found hilarious, proofing that Akuna knows how to have fun together with their customers. The mousedeer (protected species in many countries) are actually bred in enclosures, so hold your horses PETA. Admittedly not all's perfect; my wife and I did not unanimously love all dishes. Don't get me wrong, they are all nice but some were just not for me (not a fan of uni for example). Our desserts - tiered crown melon - were rather difficult to eat with spoons as they get stuck on the plate. And I felt that Akuna should aim to be known as a master of something and not just Jack of all trades. I want to commend the service crew who attended to us as we visited for a special occasion (wedding anniversary). We received a surprise cake, a special card from the chef & crews, and some more goodies on the way out. The place is pretty young (slightly over a year) but has already achieved a lot. Try and experience yourself, I approve.

Wonderful fun experience. The chef likes to keep it funky with the music and food. Service from staff goes above and beyond even what I expected for Michelin. Food was great overall. Perhaps a few dishes didn’t suit me but the other 80% were phenomenal . Oh and the bread was incredible. Hahaha

I recently went to try AKUNA Restaurant during my business trip, and it truly exceeded my expectations. This establishment embodies sophistication and attention to detail, providing an exceptional fine dining experience. The food is meticulously crafted, with each dish offering a blend of complex flavors that showcase a high level of culinary skill. In addition to the exquisite food, I found that the staff and the manager are wonderful people. They really know how to host you, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. Their warm hospitality and professional service added to the overall ambiance of the restaurant. While the taste and presentation might not cater to everyone, they are perfect for those who appreciate the nuances of gourmet cuisine. The effort and dedication put into every aspect of the meal are evident and commendable. Congratulations to the chef and the team for their well-deserved recognition. AKUNA Restaurant is a gem for discerning diners looking for an extraordinary gastronomic adventure.