A cozy restaurant painted a bright yellow, designed in a charming blend of European and Asian styles, located in a quiet area near the Hue Imperial City. This is the ideal place to enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner, with dishes that delicately combine Vietnamese and French cuisine. The flavors here are inspired by the love story of the restaurant’s owners — a cheerful French husband and his gentle Hue-born wife — giving every dish a sense of cultural harmony.
1. Where is Les Jardins de La Carambole?
- Address: 32 Dang Tran Con, Thuan Hoa Ward, Hue City, Vietnam.
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Serving all day, from light breakfasts to elegant dinners.
- Cuisine Style: A fusion of European and Asian cuisine, focusing on French dishes and traditional Hue specialties. The menu caters to a wide range of tastes, from beef stew in red wine to Hue-style grilled pork with vermicelli.
- Prices:
- Salads: from 145,000 VND per plate
- Potato dishes: from 65,000 VND per dish
- Set menus: from 275,000 VND per set
The restaurant on Google Maps:
2. Initial Impression, Space, and Architecture of the Restaurant
2.1. First Impression Upon Entering
From afar, Les Jardins de La Carambole stands out with its bright lemon-yellow exterior, accented by creamy white details and dark blue-painted windows. Its classic Indochinese architecture feels both familiar and elegant, making the building seem to glow under the Hue sunshine. Above the dome, the words “Les Jardins de La Carambole” are delicately carved, offering an elegant welcome.
The entrance features a small stone staircase leading through a lush green garden, where several bonsai trees are skillfully trimmed. Stepping through the wooden door, the cool and quiet air immediately puts you at ease — as if you’ve just left the city’s hustle and bustle and entered a peaceful corner of the ancient capital.
2.2. Interior Space & Architecture
The interior is thoughtfully arranged, with just the right amount of space between tables so guests can converse comfortably while still enjoying their privacy. Soft yellow lighting reflected off the glossy brown wooden floor creates an atmosphere of intimacy and relaxation, like dining in a well-preserved old French house — warm yet elegant.
Along the walls, dark green window frames open to a small garden, where the midday light and gentle breeze carry in the scent of flowers. On each table, a crisp white tablecloth is accented with a red and black runner, a few small flowers are neatly placed in a clear glass vase, and the napkins are precisely folded. Every detail is simple yet carefully prepared, reflecting the owner’s thoughtfulness and refined aesthetic taste.
3. Must-Try Dishes
The cuisine at Les Jardins de La Carambole is a refined fusion of Vietnamese and French styles — beautifully presented, with harmonious and delicate flavors.
Seafood Banana Flower Salad
This signature appetizer embodies authentic Vietnamese flavor. Thinly sliced banana blossoms are mixed with shrimp, squid, onions, and herbs, then topped with crispy fried shallots and garnished with red chili slices carved into the shape of flowers. The salad is served in a small bamboo basket with crispy shrimp crackers — both rustic and enticing.
Shaken Beef and French Beefsteak
These two beef dishes perfectly capture the restaurant’s fusion spirit.
- Shaken Beef features cubed beef quickly stir-fried with onions and a rich Vietnamese-style sauce, served with fresh salad and crispy fries.
- French Beefsteak follows Western tradition — a thick cut of beef tenderloin, pan-fried to a golden brown, and served with tomato sauce, mayonnaise, and golden fries.
One dish is bold and flavorful, the other refined and elegant — both ideal for a romantic dinner.
Grilled Lemongrass and Chili Skewers
This dish truly represents the “Hue style” — spicy, aromatic, and full-bodied. The meat is grilled to a golden brown after being marinated with minced lemongrass and fresh chili. It’s served with white rice and fresh vegetables, decorated with flowers carved from carrots and cucumbers — simple yet artistic, reminiscent of royal Hue cuisine.
Modern Pan-Fried Fish
The fish (usually salmon or sea bass) is pan-fried to a golden brown and served with a cherry tomato and black olive sauce. Smooth mashed potatoes are skillfully shaped to be visually appealing and perfectly complement the rich, buttery flavor.
This dish is a perfect blend of European culinary technique and the restaurant’s sophisticated presentation style.
Popular Dishes
- European Dishes: Lyon Beef, Pan-Fried Norwegian Salmon, Beef Stew in Red Wine
- Vietnamese Dishes: Hell Rice, Grilled Pork Vermicelli, Grilled Pork Rolls
- Dessert: Fried Banana Cake with Passion Fruit Sauce
4. Gallery
Below is a gallery showcasing beautiful photos of the restaurant. All images are sourced from the official Facebook page of Les Jardins de La Carambole Restaurant. They highlight the restaurant’s elegant architecture, refined ambiance, delicious food and drinks, and inviting dining spaces.
5. Highlights and Suggestions
Highlights
The restaurant is often busy with customers — mostly international tourists — yet it never feels noisy. The thoughtful arrangement of tables and chairs ensures each guest enjoys a comfortable sense of privacy.
The waitstaff, dressed in traditional red ao dai, are gentle, polite, and attentive. Every table is meticulously set, with knives, forks, and chopsticks neatly placed — reflecting the restaurant’s flexible yet professional service style.
There is also a separate area for small gatherings and several window-side tables overlooking the corridor. In the evenings, the restaurant is often arranged with long banquet tables for celebrations, featuring pure white tablecloths and striking black-and-red runners, creating a space that feels both elegant and cozy.
After enjoying a meal at Les Jardins de La Carambole Restaurant, if you want to try other flavors, please check out high-end restaurants in Hue.
Suggestions
If you’re exploring Hue, don’t forget to stop by Les Jardins de La Carambole after visiting the Imperial City — it’s just a short walk from the main gate. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing lunch in a refined atmosphere, ideal for recharging before an afternoon stroll around the city.
Tip: Reserve a table in advance, and if you visit around noon or in the evening on sunny days, choose a seat on the balcony. It’s a wonderful place to watch the city and enjoy the gentle Hue breeze.
If you’re unsure what to order, in addition to the Hue-style dishes mentioned above, try one of the available set menus. Each set is thoughtfully curated to capture the full spirit and flavor of the restaurant’s culinary style.
Les Jardins de La Carambole is more than just a restaurant – it is a symphony of culture, cuisine, and emotion in the heart of the ancient capital of Hue. From the bright yellow walls and the gentle sound of piano music filling the space to the aroma of lemongrass and chili and the shimmering glasses of red wine under the lights, everything comes together to create an unforgettable experience.
If you’re looking for a place to dine in a peaceful, timeless setting — where you can enjoy both authentic Hue cuisine and carefully prepared European dishes — then Les Jardins de La Carambole is the perfect gathering place in the ancient capital, where flavors and memories blend seamlessly in every moment.
For more options, explore other eating spots in Hue City.