THOC Ho Chi Minh Pub Review 2026: Authentic Local Craft Beer

Thóc Grill & Craft Beer

Discovering an Authentic Local Pub

I stumbled upon Thóc during the day and immediately sensed it would have a great vibe at night. It wasn't about finding the trendiest spot, but rather a humble, genuine place that truly felt local. While I appreciate a good hotspot, sometimes when you're traveling, a more understated, authentic experience is exactly what you crave.

THOC: A Local Pub in Ho Chi Minh's District 1

While waiting, I quickly scanned some Google reviews. The general consensus seemed to be to temper expectations for the food, but I was there for the local experience anyway.

What struck me immediately was the crowd: not a single tourist in sight, just Vietnamese locals. The atmosphere was lively and bustling, genuinely good without being overly "trendy." It felt like a true hidden gem.

Given its location, I was surprised there weren't more reviews from international visitors, especially since it's directly across from 22 Spa, a popular spot for many tourists. It seems most people just head back after their spa treatment, missing out on this authentic local haunt!

📍89 Đề Thám, Phường Cô Giang, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

🕗 3:00 PM ~ 1:00 AM

Craft Beer Selection

The fact that they had craft beer on tap was a huge plus! Although... my first glass was about half beer, half foam. I probably should have asked for a refill, but I knew I'd be moving to another spot later, and honestly, my drinking capacity isn't exactly legendary, so I let it slide.

Still, the beer was delicious. I found myself regretting not asking for more beer and less foam!

While enjoying my brew, I realized my stomach was rumbling, but the food was taking its time. The menu did state a 20-30 minute wait for grilled items, and of course, both dishes I ordered were from the grill section.

Menu, Appetizers, and Overall Vibe

Finally, the first dish arrived! The presentation wasn't exactly Michelin-star level, but the meat itself was plump and flavorful. My only minor critique was that the seasoning felt a little lacking, especially when comparing it to some incredible grilled prawns I'd had on a seafood street previously.

Compared to that, this was a bit disappointing.

However, a dip in the accompanying sauce totally transformed it, adding that much-needed punch of flavor.

Then came the second dish – a grilled meat I absolutely love. The basic seasoning was decent, and judging by the color, it seemed to be the same delicious sauce served with the first dish.

The craft beer was so good, I decided to order another glass before moving on. This time, it was poured perfectly, with just the right amount of foam.

Despite the mixed Google reviews, and perhaps because I was quite hungry, I found the food to be surprisingly good – definitely tasty! It felt more like excellent bar snacks than a full meal, with everything having that perfectly savory kick.

And,

I take back my earlier comment about the seasoning being "lacking" on the first dish. (To be precise, it wasn't shrimp, but another type of grilled seafood). The seasoning itself was fantastic; it just hadn't fully penetrated the flesh.

It seemed this dish was meant to be eaten with the shell on, which I typically don't do. After peeling, the flavor was indeed a bit mild.

The grilled seafood I had on the seafood street before was prepared with the shells already removed and then seasoned.

I discovered how good the seasoning was after struggling with chopsticks to remove the shell and eventually just using my mouth. After continually peeling them, I decided I couldn't waste that delicious sauce, so I ate the last few with the shell on. The texture was a little unfamiliar, but not bad at all!

At the table next to us, a group was going all out, drinking beer straight from the box, placing empty bottles back inside. It's a common sight in Vietnam, where beer is incredibly affordable, especially for larger groups.

For all this deliciousness, the total bill came out to 470,000 Vietnamese Dong, which is roughly ~$16. A fantastic deal for a truly local experience!