Discover El Toro: An Exclusive Retreat for Bespoke Dining & Genuine Connection
Welcome to El Toro: Home for Steaks & Wine
Love a succulent steak with a good glass of wine? So do we.
But El Toro is more than just a steakhouse – this new restaurant in Thao Dien does things differently, and we’re here to let you foodies in on the secret.
At El Toro, it’s not about being seen – it’s about being held. The lighting is low. Jazz hums in the background. Chefs and waitstaff move in near-silent harmony, making sure everything appears before you even ask. With just nine tables, complimentary appetisers, and curated side dishes, it’s a dining experience that invites you to slow down, savour, and connect.
A Night at El Toro: The Author’s Review
It’s like finding a Hidden Wine Bar and Speakeasy Restaurant in Thao Dien
In a sea of restaurants and street food vendors on Xuan Thuy Street, El Toro is easy to miss at first glance – and that’s entirely the point. Tucked discreetly among the buzz of Thao Dien’s nightlife, it stands quiet and understated, wrapped in mystery. The exterior is painted in dark emerald green, with warm lighting glowing above the words “Home for Steaks & Wine.” – a gentle nod to the exclusive experience that awaits.
Discover El Toro – a hidden gem, and one of the most soulful, exclusive new restaurants in Thao Dien.
Inside El Toro: A room designed for slow dinners and long conversations — elegant, intimate, and full of quiet character.
Our Story: Thoughtful Dining at Thao Dien’s New Hidden Gem
We were greeted with roasted whipped feta, fire kissed buffalo wings, and gooey baked brie with figs. With olives, warm bread, and crackers, the table felt like a spread made for friends, not customers.
Then came pumpkin and sweet potato soup with a prawn, smokey and fragrant. Steaks followed – strip loin and oyster blade – perfectly sliced for sharing, paired with scrumptious sides like crispy roast potatoes and rosemary grilled portobello in creamy garlic-herb sauce.
“I want people to feel like they’re being hosted in someone’s home — comfortable, relaxed, taken care of, but still surprised.”
“It’s not about upselling. If the experience is good, they’ll come back. That’s the real win.”
We ended on a silky panna cotta – a quiet, refined finish to a deeply satisfying meal.
El Toro’s wine list also has a story to tell. With over 200 bottles on display and 142 featured on their wine list – curated with a close friend and French wine expert from ATC Wines. An ode to collaboration and El Toro’s refreshing philosophy. Some bottles sit within arm’s reach, not just as décor, but as conversation starters. It’s a warm, collaborative touch that adds to El Toro’s speakeasy-style charm.
That evening, I dined with members of the Vietnam Is Awesome community – many of us meeting for the first time. Yet within minutes, we were connecting over wine pairings, food, and stories, swept into the experience as if we were long-time friends. That, to me, is the real magic of El Toro.
The Food: El Toro Restaurant in Thao Dien
At El Toro, the dining experience follows a “Trust the Chef” philosophy – a similar approach to Omakase dining. The menu is fluid, changing with the seasons and the chef’s creative flair, always honouring the freshest ingredients and highest quality cuts of meat. Like the origami bull at the heart of the restaurant, every element is crafted with precision and intention.
The experience opens with complimentary appetizers – artistically presented and thoughtfully delivered to share. The main menu is focused and refined. You choose your main course, and from there, the chef takes care of the rest. Sides are selected to complement what you’ve ordered, so you can sit back, let the conversation flow, and simply enjoy what unfolds.
“Each cut deserves its own method. We don’t want everything to taste the same.”
El Toro doesn’t follow typical steakhouse trends like dry aging. Instead, it honours the natural flavour and texture of each cut. Techniques like reverse searing, sous-vide, brining, and slow cooking are thoughtfully combined depending on the cut, with some finished over wood chips for added depth. It’s a slower, more meticulous process, but the result is well worth it: a curated, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Dishes are placed in the centre of the table, inviting conversation and connection. It’s about quiet mastery, delicious shared meals that spark conversation, and a fresh philosophy redefining the restaurant scene in Thao Dien.
A look into El Toro’s menu — melt-in-your-mouth steak, beautifully cooked fish, and light, summary soups that surprise and satisfy.
The Philosophy & Design
Get to know El Toro…Thao Dien’s New Bespoke Restaurant
El Toro isn’t just a place to eat – it’s a place to connect. You walk upstairs and find yourself in what feels like a chic, minimalist art gallery, surrounded by a curved wine wall and a striking origami bull sculpture at the entrance – intricate and commanding. Then comes the second set of doors: a speakeasy-style dining room with just nine round tables, all inviting conversation.
Leather seating, red velvet tablecloths, emerald green linen napkins, mixed metals, and dark wooden boards come together to create a comforting, creative, and refined — yet never pretentious – atmosphere.
Founder and self-taught chef Hoang Nghiem isn’t interested in being front and centre. “I don’t want to be the face of it. It’s not about me – it’s about our guests, the space, the food, the experience.”
After years in hospitality, Nghiem felt heartbroken by the industry. How many restaurants prioritise scale over soul? In response, he envisioned El Toro – a boutique dining space built on intention, collaboration, and genuine connection.
The design reflects this philosophy. Everything, from the lighting and sound proofed walls to the silent service philosophy, music, wine, and table layout, is designed to invite conversation. It’s not loud. It’s not trying to impress. It’s thoughtful, warm, and quietly confident.
Silent Service & Staff Philosophy
If you’re looking for a restaurant in Thao Dien with truly good service, then we’re so happy to introduce you to El Toro.
From the moment you walk in, everything is calm, thoughtful, and quietly refined. Even the kitchen has its own rhythm – during service, a soft green light signals “silent service.” No shouting, no stress, just a smooth, focused flow that sets the tone.
“There’s no hierarchy here,” says founder Hoang Nghiem. “We build the menu together. Everyone has a voice.”
(Image: Behind the scenes with Chef Huy, carefully preparing one of El Toro’s signature steaks — a quiet moment of focus and finesse.)
The waitstaff glide in and out like a breeze — present when you need them, invisible when you don’t. It’s a kind of sensitivity you don’t often see, even in the most polished restaurants.
Because at El Toro, it’s not about showing off. It’s about taking care of people, creating space for connection, and offering a rare kind of hospitality that stays with you long after the meal ends.
This isn’t just elevated dining. It’s personal. It’s poetic. It’s a philosophy.
(Image: Wine service at El Toro feels personal — each bottle offered like a story waiting to be shared.)
One Last Bite: A Hidden Gem in Thao Dien’s Restaurant Scene
So there you have it – a top foodie pick if you’re looking for a restaurant in Thao Dien (or Saigon) that’s different. Quiet, intimate, and seriously delicious.
El Toro is a stunning bespoke international restaurant that turns dining into a personal experience – with succulent steaks, globally inspired dishes, and thoughtful hospitality. From the shifting “Trust the Chef” menu to the curated wine list and complimentary bites, it’s so much more than your average steakhouse.
With just nine tables, soft jazz, noise-cancelling design, and near-silent service, the space invites you to slow down and savour the moment. Whether you’re planning a quiet date, catching up with friends, or just want a new kind of dining experience – El Toro reminds you what true hospitality feels like.
Editorial Feature by Lauren Tracy (April 2025)
Explore More of Saigon While You’re Here
Whether you’re spending 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City or just exploring Thao Dien for the evening, El Toro fits beautifully into any itinerary. This quiet corner of the city offers a refreshing contrast to the buzz of central Saigon — perfect for slowing down after a day of sightseeing, rooftop hopping, or discovering the best of Ho Chi Minh City nightlife. For more guides, tours and travel tips check out our full guide on exploring Ho Chi Minh City.
