Nestled in the vibrant heart of the Lower East Side at 172 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, Saigon Social stands as a heartfelt tribute to the rich culinary traditions of Vietnam. This establishment is more than just a place to dine; it is a cultural bridge that connects the bustling energy of New York City with the soulful, comforting flavors of Vietnamese home cooking. From the moment you step through the doors, the atmosphere invites you to slow down and appreciate the intricate balance of herbs, spices, and textures that define this beloved cuisine. The restaurant has quickly become a neighborhood staple, drawing in locals and visitors alike who are seeking an authentic experience that feels both personal and deeply rooted in tradition.
The philosophy behind Saigon Social is built upon the concept of community and the joy of sharing a meal. The kitchen team focuses on honoring time-tested recipes while embracing the high-quality ingredients available in the local New York market. By blending traditional techniques with a modern sensibility, the restaurant creates a dining experience that is accessible yet sophisticated. Whether you are a long-time fan of Vietnamese food or a curious newcomer, the menu offers a welcoming gateway into the diverse regional influences that shape the country's gastronomic landscape. It is a space where the warmth of hospitality meets the precision of culinary craft, ensuring that every guest feels like part of the extended family.
What Makes Saigon Social Unique
Authentic Culinary Heritage: The menu is a curated reflection of Vietnamese culinary history, focusing on dishes that prioritize fresh, aromatic herbs and balanced flavor profiles. Each plate is designed to evoke the spirit of street food culture while maintaining a refined presentation suitable for a sit-down dining environment.
Community-Centric Atmosphere: Located in the historic Orchard Street corridor, the restaurant serves as a gathering point for the neighborhood. The interior design and service style are intentionally crafted to foster conversation and connection, making it an ideal spot for everything from casual weeknight dinners to celebratory weekend gatherings.
Commitment to Quality Ingredients: By sourcing seasonal produce and high-quality proteins, the kitchen ensures that every bowl and platter maintains a high standard of freshness. This dedication to the raw components of the meal allows the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through, staying true to the core tenets of Vietnamese cooking.
A Modern Interpretation of Tradition: Saigon Social successfully navigates the balance between nostalgia and innovation. While the recipes are deeply respectful of their origins, the execution is tailored to the contemporary palate of New York City, resulting in a dining experience that feels both timeless and relevant.
A Culinary Destination in the Lower East Side
The presence of Saigon Social on Orchard Street adds a distinct layer to the culinary tapestry of the Lower East Side. As the neighborhood continues to evolve, this restaurant remains a steadfast anchor for those who value authenticity and genuine hospitality. The focus remains on the simple pleasure of a well-prepared meal, served in an environment that encourages guests to linger and enjoy the company of others. By maintaining a clear vision and a passion for the craft, the team behind the restaurant continues to share their love for Vietnamese culture with the broader New York community.
Whether you are wandering through the streets of Manhattan looking for a memorable meal or you are a resident of the area seeking a reliable favorite, Saigon Social offers a welcoming refuge. The combination of its prime location, thoughtful menu, and inviting ambiance makes it a standout destination. We invite you to visit 172 Orchard St to experience the flavors and the spirit that make this establishment a truly special part of the New York City dining scene. Every visit is an opportunity to explore the depth of Vietnamese cuisine and to appreciate the care that goes into every dish served.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible seating
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Service options
Outdoor seating
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy
Crowd
Groups
Tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs
Parking
Free street parking
Menus
Mains
Bun Cha Ha Noi$26.00
Garlic Noodles$28.00
Crispy Sticky Rice With Pork Belly$26.00
Vegetable Curry$20.00
Bun Bo Hue$23.00
Bun Rieu$23.00
Curried Chicken$26.00
Shaken Beef$38.00
Whole Fried Fish$38.00
Beef Pho$23.00
Oxtail Fried Rice$26.00
Saigon Social Express (12 Pm - 4 Pm)
Banh Mi Thit Nuong | Lemongrass Grilled Pork$11.00
Banh Mi Ga Nuong | Lemongrass Grilled Chicken$11.00
Beef Pho$20.00
Bun Thit Nuong | Grilled Pork Vermicelli Bowl$18.00
Banh Mi Dac Biet| Cold Cut$11.00
Bun Ga Nuong | Grilled Chicken Vermicelli Bowl$18.00
Banh Mi | Sandwiches (Weekend Brunch Only)
Grilled Mushrooms | Banh Mi Nam Chay$14.00
Classic Cold Cuts | Banh Mi Thit Nguoi$14.00
Saigon French Dip$21.00
Lemongrass Pork Belly | Banh Mi Thit Nuong$14.00
Starters
Papaya Salad$18.00
Lemongrass Ribs$20.00
Peashoots$18.00
Spicy Pig Ear Salad$16.00
Spicy Dumplings$15.00
Garlic Lime Leaf Wings$18.00
Photos
Reviews Saigon Social
Ryan Narby
23-04-2026
Oh my God…
It’s hard to express how I feel eating and drinking at this restaurant. The … More
Ryan Narby
23-04-2026
Oh my God…
It’s hard to express how I feel eating and drinking at this restaurant. The hardest part about eating at Saigon Social is writing the review. It makes me angry to the point of outrage to eat here alone with my family. I should be shouting to be heard in a place this good. The people of the lower east side ought to be ashamed of themselves.
First off, 1. The best cocktail over ever had. Okay, listen to me, the Huẽ Vesper is straight up the best cocktail I’ve ever had. Okay? Are you listening to me? The best cocktail I’ve ever had. I’ve had a lot of goddamn cocktails and this is definitively the best one I’ve ever had. I’ve had just about everything there is to try in Seattle. We went to Chavelas in Brooklynn and they had a phenomenal cocktail called the Don Pepino. It had Cucumber and cilantro and it was fascinating us. As a family, we had something like 6 or 7 of them.
This one is way better. I’m actually getting triggered thinking about all the ingredients I now need to buy to drink it. Its basically a Vietnamese twist on a Vesper martini. But I don’t like that description; it makes it sound contrived, like a drink they wanted on the menu “but it’s a Vietnamese place so we have to add in these flavors”. No, it’s so smooth that when I order a vesper martini in the future, I’m going to be thinking “damn, this tastes like some kind of white Huẽ vesper”.
Now I realize I just spent two paragraphs on a cocktail so how is the food? All of the food is amazing. We had the Bánh Xéo, Spicy Dumplings, Whole Fried Fish, Garlic Noodles, and Bun Cha Ha Noi. Everything here is amazing. I trust the team to make the best of everything. I would go into depth but I’m running out of gas here.
I spent a week in New York City and ate at a dozen or more thoroughly researched restaurants. This was definitely the best food and oh by the way the whole staff here is so welcoming and inviting. I can’t believe I almost forgot to mention that.
If I’m ever back in NYC, this is the entirety of my must-visit list.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Elaine Wang Yu
23-04-2026
Saigon Social strikes that perfect balance between tradition and creativity. The chef takes classic Vietnamese dishes and adds her own thoughtful flair, elevating familiar flavors without losing their soul. Every bite is bold, layered, and … More
Bingna Z
23-04-2026
Very customer-friendly.
Cozy and comfy with Vietnamese music on air.
The food is good as pictures shown. More
Drew Ku
23-04-2026
If you’re looking for a spot that perfectly captures the energy of the Lower East Side while serving up some of the most comforting, elevated Vietnamese soul food in the city, Saigon Social is the place iykyk. … More
Meredith Goossen
23-04-2026
Our second time eating here and it has undoubtedly gotten better. Must order: Saigon salad, steamed rice cakes, shrimp spring rolls. We shared the fried porgy and it was so, so delicious. My husband also had the chicken wings (three large … More
Violette Ospol
23-04-2026
Fried crab rolls I liked the most. We wrapped rolls in the lettuce leaf and added some dressing on top. It was delicious. Fried rice was good but not special. Beef PHO was ok. I didn’t like hair on the beef’s skin 🙄 In general we liked atmosphere and dining in Saigon Social … More
Javier Kohen
23-04-2026
Great flavors, I especially loved the meat in the bún chả hà nội, it had an excellent char and went perfectly with the Vietnamese broth. The fried fish was good, but too salty for me. More
Sahr N
23-04-2026
Enjoyed a great family style dinner. Saigon Social provided a welcoming & unique space with some delicious plates. More
Allison De La Rosa
23-04-2026
I went last night for a date night with my boyfriend, and it exceeded all our expectations. We sat at the bar, and despite how busy it was, the staff worked together seamlessly. The food was absolutely incredible—the best Vietnamese cuisine … More
Jaime Chien
23-04-2026
Have been here several times over the course of the last 12 months. It's a quaint and cozy place with a menu that has seasonal changes. What I appreciate is the Vietnamese strength brought out in all the ingredients and the intention … More
may do
23-04-2026
This was my first time at Saigon Social and I’ll TRY to keep it short and sweet: it was an un-pho-gettable experience. From the ambiance and cadence of the night to the food, beverages, and genuinely attentive care, it was one for the … More
Tyler Browne
23-04-2026
I went to Saigon Social for a date and it was a truly great experience. I loved the bright cabbage salad and we had the bone-marrow with chimichurri for appetizers. Super fresh and tasty. The beef noodle soup was one of the best I ever had … More
George “Geological” Lin
23-04-2026
Amazing food with vegetarian options. Having recently visited Vietnam, Saigon Social definitely have authentic Vietnamese flavors which has been difficult to find in the city (besides bunmi). Servers were attentive and were helpful in … More
Mustafa Ceceli
23-04-2026
Amazing Vietnamese cuisine experience with well selected ingredients. Super delicious and spicy. If you are hot chilly addict , that’s your place. don’t forget to order “round for kitchen” for the friendly staff. More
Kevin Powell
23-04-2026
The service was kind, patience and helpful. Decor was chic and comfortable. My drink- the lychee Paloma- was so, so yummy with the right amount of sweetness and carbonation. The grilled fish with accompanying dipping sauces was absolutely delicious and surpassed my expectations. Would absolutely return and recommend this spot! More
Elisa Martins
23-04-2026
The service is great and I felt really welcomed inside. The food was good! I just felt the pho wasn't great in my opinion because it lacked the vegetables, hoison sauce and lemon I like to put inside. I understand the restaurant wants a … More
A Shen
23-04-2026
Saigon Social is always a great, welcoming experience for updated modern takes on Vietnamese fare. … More
Steven Leung
23-04-2026
My Lower East Side go to spot for Vietnamese comfort food. The garlic noodles are their staple dish and a must try. I was lucky to have it with soft shell crab while in season. The other apps like bone marrow, ribs with chili lime sauce, … More
Ali Bakhsh
23-04-2026
The pho here is to be admired; clear yet packed with unctuous, meaty, flavor with well-balanced spices. The only thing that beat the flavors of the pho was the kindness of the staff (massive shoutout to Drew). The folks working here are so … More
Adam Tyler
23-04-2026
This is such a good restaurant!! The food is so tasty and flavorful. They also have happy hour and restaurant week deals. Highlight of the meal was the spicy dumplings. Really friendly, kind, and attentive service More
Reviews Saigon Social