El Gaucho Hai Phong: A Guide to This Argentine Steakhouse

For travelers looking for a premium steak dining experience in Hai Phong, El Gaucho Hai Phong offers an introduction to Argentine-style steaks and international cuisine. From carefully prepared cuts of beef to sides, sauces, and drinks, the restaurant provides a distinctive option for steak lovers. This guide from Joytime Vietnam Travel covers what to order, what to expect, and useful tips for planning a meal at this steakhouse.

1. El Gaucho Hai Phong: Location, Menu, and Prices 

El Gaucho Hai Phong - Source: VnGuide 

1.1. Where Is El Gaucho Hai Phong Located?

El Gaucho Hai Phong is located at 5D Tran Hung Dao, Hong Bang, Hai Phong, close to Hai Phong Opera House and other attractions in the city's historic center. The restaurant occupies a street-front building with several floors, making it convenient for both individual diners and groups.

• Location: 5D Tran Hung Dao, Hong Bang, Hai Phong
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
• Last kitchen order: Around 10:00 PM
• Best time to visit: Lunch or dinner, depending on your itinerary

1.2. What Type of Cuisine Does El Gaucho Serve?

El Gaucho is an Argentinian steakhouse with a menu built around grilled premium beef. Its food combines steakhouse traditions with Argentine-inspired dishes such as beef empanadas, chimichurri, chorizo, and other grilled specialties.

The restaurant's beef selection is broader than Argentine beef alone. Current menu materials list USDA Prime steaks, Australian Black Angus, Australian Wagyu, and Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, depending on the cut and selection available. Alongside steaks, diners can choose from starters, seafood, salads, vegetables, potatoes, pasta, sauces, desserts, and an extensive drinks menu. This makes it possible to build a full meal rather than ordering steak alone.

1.3. How Much Does a Meal at El Gaucho Hai Phong Cost?

El Gaucho Hai Phong is positioned in the premium dining segment. Dining at the restaurant typically costs over VND 1 million per person, while individual dishes on the official menu range from several hundred thousand to several million dong, depending on the ingredients and portion size. For example, the menu lists starters such as beef empanada at VND 350,000, beef carpaccio at VND 590,000, and Wagyu beef carpaccio at VND 890,000. Side dishes such as French fries start at around VND 190,000, while more premium options cost more.

>>> Read more: Top 10+ Food Tour Hai Phong Restaurant for the Best Culinary Experience

2. What to Order at El Gaucho Hai Phong

2.1. Premium Argentine Steaks

Premium Argentine Steaks - Source: Pinterest 

Steak is naturally the main attraction at El Gaucho. The menu includes several beef categories and cuts, allowing diners to choose according to tenderness, marbling, flavor, and budget. The restaurant's selection includes USDA Prime, Australian Black Angus, Australian Wagyu, and Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu. These different options mean that the dining experience is not limited to one style or origin of beef.

For a first visit, consider choosing a familiar cut such as rib eye or filet and selecting the weight according to how much you want to eat. If you are dining with others, sharing a larger cut can also allow everyone to compare the flavor and texture of different meats.

2.2. Signature Beef Cuts

Signature Beef Cuts - Source: Ezcloud 

Different steak cuts provide noticeably different eating experiences. Filet is known for its tenderness and relatively low fat content, making it a suitable choice if you prefer a soft texture. Rib eye generally has more marbling and a richer beef flavor. For diners interested in premium marbling, Australian Wagyu and Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu offer a more luxurious option.

The menu also includes larger cuts and combinations such as filet selections, allowing groups to choose different portions depending on appetite. The exact cuts and availability can change, so checking the current menu is recommended before ordering.

2.3. Starters and Appetizers

Starters and Appetizers - Source: Food and Wine 

Starting with an appetizer can make the meal feel more complete, especially if you are dining with several people. The menu includes beef empanada, chorizo, salchicha, provoleta, beef carpaccio, and Wagyu beef carpaccio. Provoleta, a grilled provolone cheese dish, can be a useful choice if you want something different from another meat-based starter. For groups, sharing a couple of starters before the steaks lets everyone try more of the menu without ordering a full meal for each person. 

2.4. Side Dishes and Sauces

Side Dishes and Sauces - Source: Pinterest 

Steaks can be paired with a range of sides, including French fries, truffle fries, sweet potato fries, potato gratin, baked potato, mashed potatoes, spinach, sautéed mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, and salads. Sauces are another way to adjust the flavor of a steak. If you prefer to taste the beef more directly, a simpler accompaniment may be enough. Richer sauces can add another layer of flavor to leaner cuts such as filet.

2.5. Desserts and Drinks

Desserts and Drinks - Source: Pinterest 

A steak dinner at El Gaucho can also include wine, cocktails, or a dessert after the main course. The restaurant has a full bar, while its wider menu includes a selection of drinks to accompany the meal. Wine can be particularly suitable for a steak-focused dinner, although the right choice depends on your preferred style and the cut you order. If you are unsure, ask the staff for a pairing recommendation based on your steak.

3. The Dining Experience at El Gaucho Hai Phong

The Dining Experience - Source: Pinterest 

3.1. A Premium Steakhouse Atmosphere

El Gaucho Hai Phong is designed more like an upscale steakhouse than a casual grill restaurant. The official location description highlights its red-brick façade, high arched windows, and multi-floor interior, while the restaurant also has a bar area and outdoor smoking space.

The setting can work for both daytime business meals and evening dinners. Its central location near Hai Phong's Opera House also makes it possible to combine a meal with sightseeing around the city center.

3.2. Choosing the Right Steak Doneness

If you aren’t still familiar with steak terminology, the doneness you choose can make a significant difference to the final texture. Common choices include rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, and well done. Medium rare generally leaves the center warmer and redder, while medium produces a more cooked center with less redness. 

El Gaucho's own cooking guidance for its beef products gives approximately 50-55°C for rare, 55-60°C for medium rare, and 60-65°C for medium. If this is your first time ordering premium steak, you can ask the staff to explain the differences before choosing.

3.3. Argentine-Style Steak Dining

The Argentine influence is particularly visible in dishes such as beef empanadas, chorizo, provoleta, and chimichurri, while the restaurant's steak selection draws from several international beef sources. Chimichurri is a particularly useful accompaniment if you want a fresh, herb-based contrast to grilled beef. Rather than covering the steak with a heavy sauce, it can add acidity and herbs to each bite. This combination of grilled beef, simple sides, sauces, and wine creates the steakhouse experience that El Gaucho is known for.

3.4. A Good Choice for Dates and Special Occasions

The restaurant's multi-floor layout and more intimate setting make it suitable for occasions where diners want a longer, sit-down meal rather than a quick casual dinner. For a date, a shared starter, one or two steaks, sides, and drinks can create a more relaxed meal. For birthdays or other celebrations, contacting the restaurant in advance is useful so the team can advise on seating and arrangements. 

>>> Read more: What to Do in Hai Phong: The Ultimate 2026 Travel Guide 

4. Useful Tips for Visiting El Gaucho Hai Phong

Useful Tips for Visiting El Gaucho Hai Phong - Source: Pinterest 

4.1. Check the Menu and Prices Before Your Visit

El Gaucho is a premium restaurant, and the price of a meal can increase considerably depending on the steak grade, portion size, wine, and additional dishes. The restaurant states that menu items may vary depending on the location, while prices are subject to applicable VAT and service charges under the stated conditions. Checking the latest Hai Phong menu before visiting can therefore help you plan your budget more accurately.

4.2. Consider Making a Reservation

Reservations are worth considering, particularly for dinner, larger groups, or special occasions. The official Hai Phong location provides a reservation contact and phone number, making it possible to check availability before arriving. A reservation can also be useful if you have a preferred seating arrangement or need space for a group. For travelers building a wider Hai Phong itinerary around dining and sightseeing, Hai Phong tours can provide more ideas for exploring the city beyond the restaurant. 

4.3. Choose a Steak Cut Based on Your Preference

When choosing a steak, don’t simply go for the most expensive option. Instead, consider the texture and flavor you prefer. Filet is a tender and relatively lean choice, while rib eye has more marbling and a richer beef flavor. 

Wagyu is worth considering if you enjoy pronounced marbling, while larger cuts can be a practical option for sharing with another diner or a group. If you are unsure which cut to choose, let the staff know whether you prefer tenderness, a richer flavor, or more marbling, and they can suggest an option that suits your taste. 

4.4. Ask the Staff About Recommended Pairings

A steak is only part of the meal. The choice of side, sauce, starter, and drink can change the overall experience. Ask the staff which sauce works well with your chosen cut and whether a particular side is recommended for sharing. If you plan to order wine, you can also ask for a pairing suggestion based on the steak you choose. 

5. El Gaucho Hai Phong FAQs

5.1. Does El Gaucho Hai Phong Have Vegetarian Options?

Yes. Although steak is the focus of the restaurant, the menu includes several dishes that do not center on meat, including salads, asparagus, broccoli, potatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and other vegetable-based sides. However, El Gaucho is primarily a steakhouse, so travelers looking for a restaurant with a large dedicated vegetarian menu may find the selection more limited than at a vegetarian restaurant.

If you have specific dietary requirements or allergies, inform the staff before ordering. The restaurant specifically asks guests to notify staff about food allergies and dietary requirements.

5.2. Is El Gaucho Hai Phong Suitable for Business Dinners?

Yes. The restaurant is well suited to business lunches and private celebrations. Its central location, multi-floor layout, and full-service dining format also make it suitable for longer meals with colleagues or business partners. For a business dinner, making a reservation in advance is recommended, especially if you need a particular table or are visiting with several guests.

5.3. Does El Gaucho Hai Phong Have Private or Group Dining Options?

The Hai Phong location has several floors and is described by El Gaucho as suitable for private celebrations. The restaurant also provides a reservation contact for the location. For a large group or a private event, it is best to contact the restaurant directly before visiting to confirm the available space, seating arrangement, and any event requirements. This is particularly important because the availability of specific private arrangements can change.

A meal at El Gaucho Hai Phong is centered on premium beef, but the experience goes beyond choosing a steak. The range of cuts, starters, sides, sauces, and drinks gives diners plenty of room to shape the meal around their own preferences, whether they are planning a relaxed dinner, a business meal, or a special occasion. Its location in central Hai Phong also makes it easy to include a steak dinner as part of a wider day exploring the city.

For more ideas on where to eat, what to see, and how to plan your time in Hai Phong, visit Joytime: Vietnam Travel and discover more practical travel guides for your trip.