Cafe Viet
Vietnamese cooking in a Mekong border town, done properly, and closed by six so plan lunch not dinner.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–18:00
- Price
- $$$$
- Mid-range
- Learn the Spice Scale
- Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.
Taste more of Udon Thani
Street-food tours, market visits and Thai cooking classes near Cafe Viet.
Food toursStreet-food tours in Udon Thani
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesCookingThai cooking classes in Udon Thani
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesMarketsMarket tours in Udon Thani
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
Nong Khai sits across the river from Laos, and the Vietnamese influence in this part of Thailand runs deep. This place leans into it: pho, banh mi, Vietnamese coffee, all at mid-range prices that won't make you wince. It's the kind of café that fills up with locals as much as travellers waiting on a border run, and that's usually the sign you want.
The setting is casual and nothing to write home about, which is fine, because the draw is the food. Go for a late breakfast or an early lunch. Midday tends to be the busiest stretch, so if you'd rather not queue or wait on a table, shift your timing an hour either side.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Cafe Viet, round out your day in Udon Thani with contrasting stops nearby.
Nai Mueang, Mueang Nong Khai District, Nong Khai 43000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore restaurants & food nearby
All within 6 min walk of Cafe Viet.
Macky's Riverside Kitchen
A riverside kitchen in Nong Khai serving meals daily from breakfast through evening in a relaxed setting.
Daeng Namnuang Nong Khai
Come for the naem nuang, the DIY pork-and-herb rolls that built this riverside institution's name.
F & P Sausage and more
A specialty sausage eatery in Nong Khai serving evening meals on weekdays and morning sessions on Saturdays.
The Mexican Nong Khai
A well-regarded Mexican restaurant in Nong Khai serving up flavourful fare at mid-range prices.
Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
Follow the Crowds
The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.
Ice Is Safe
Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.
Use Grab for Delivery
The Grab app works for food delivery across Thailand, letting you order from street stalls and restaurants alike. It's invaluable on rainy days or when you want to eat in your hotel.
Cafe Viet: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cafe Viet worth visiting?
Cafe Viet holds a 4.7★ rating from 4,261 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Udon Thani.
What are the opening hours of Cafe Viet?
Cafe Viet is typically open 08:00-18:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
How expensive is Cafe Viet?
Cafe Viet is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Udon Thani.
When is the best time to visit Cafe Viet?
The best months to visit Udon Thani are December – February (Red Lotus Sea blooms Dec–Feb), with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January (lotus season weekends) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (peak heat).
Where is Cafe Viet located?
Cafe Viet is at Nai Mueang, Mueang Nong Khai District, Nong Khai 43000, Thailand, in Udon Thani. Getting around Udon Thani: Songthaews on numbered city routes (฿10–15); Grab and metered taxis in the city.
Also popular in Udon Thani
Central Udon
Air-conditioned refuge in the middle of Udon Thani, with a supermarket, a cinema and a few hours of comfort.
Wat Pho Chai Phra Aram Luang
A working Nong Khai temple built around a gold Buddha that locals genuinely come to pray to, not photograph.
Nong Prajak Park
Giant inflatable ducks on a city lake, and half of Udon Thani out jogging around it at dusk.
Tha Sadet Market
A covered riverside strip of stalls where the Mekong view does as much work as the shopping.
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