Boasting a seriously devoted clientele made up of digital nomads, random tourists, and local residents, the eatery was actually established in part by a Montreal native. This Canadian expat basically wanted to introduce genuine North American diner-style comfort grub to Central Vietnam. And thank god they did. Currently, at the time of writing, they operate a trio of branches: a single outpost down in Hoi An and two distinct venues right here in Da Nang.
At its core, this joint bills itself as a Canadian and American diner with a ridiculously heavy emphasis on smash burgers. For those unacquainted with this specific culinary method… well, you’re missing out. A legitimate smash burger requires forcefully pressing the beef patty directly onto a scorching hot griddle. Like, really smashing it. This technique heavily amplifies the Maillard reaction. The result? A patty boasting an intensely juicy core surrounded by California-style, caramelized, and crispy edges that are downright addictive.
Getting There
Should your travels take you to Da Nang, you have two options to choose from. The first is situated right in the heart of the city on Tran Phu Street. The alternative is located on An Thuong 2, positioned over on the beach side. This An Thuong neighborhood is widely recognized by anyone who lives here as the lively expat hub—or vibrant “Western Quarter” of Da Nang. Just a brief stroll from the renowned sandy shores of My Khe Beach, this bustling district is absolutely packed with global, international restaurants, animated bars, and an abundance of digital nomads staring at laptops.
Conversely, if you happen to be staying in Hoi An, you can swing by their one and only location situated right on An Bang Beach. After finishing your meal, you can soak in the famously relaxed atmosphere of this coastal spot and relish the refreshing ocean breeze. Every single branch boasts its own strategic and convenient location, perfectly catering to completely different parts of the region depending on your vibe for the day.
The photographs I’ve included showcase the Bikini Bottom Express branch positioned on Da Nang’s Tran Phu Street. It’s situated right next to the iconic pink church, formally known as the Da Nang Cathedral. Interestingly enough—and this blew my mind a little—this candy-pink, Gothic-style cathedral actually owns the very building housing this Bikini Bottom!
Consuming a hearty, modern smash burger within a 100-year-old property officially belonging to such a magnificent religious site is a distinctly Da Nang experience. It just adds an intriguing, fascinating layer of architectural history to your dining excursion. Constructed during the French colonial period in 1923 by a priest named Louis Vallet, the cathedral is affectionately dubbed the “Rooster Church” (Con Ga) by locals. This quirky nickname originates from the unique weathercock resting atop its towering 70-meter bell tower.
Escaping the heat is effortless here. In a tropical coastal city where the midday temperatures routinely soar to uncomfortable levels, discovering a restaurant boasting good air conditioning feels like a massive relief. It establishes the ultimate, perfect refuge when you’re dripping sweat. The incredibly clean and comfortable interior is cooled by a combination of AC units and fans.
Patrons can choose from three distinct floors of seating: the first floor, the third floor, and the rooftop. Serving as the culinary hub, the second floor houses the kitchen. They actually employ a handy dumbwaiter to efficiently shuttle piping hot food up and down the building—which is pretty fun to watch. Restrooms are conveniently located on both the first and third floors. For those who enjoy taking in the vibrant street life, I highly recommend snagging a table on the third floor’s small balcony area. It is an ideal vantage point to just zone out, people-watch, and absorb the bustling energy of Tran Phu Street below.
Every single staff member I’ve interacted with has exhibited immense friendliness. For instance, I engaged in a nice conversation with one of them today who was really excited to be practicing her English with me. Experiencing this kind of genuine Vietnamese hospitality just ensures that the entire dining experience is even more welcoming and memorable.
During my very first visit to the diner, I ordered the Texmex Bam Bowlritto (110.000 VND) alongside the Crispy Pickles (69.000 VND). Both selections were great. Acting as the ultimate appetizer, the Crispy Pickles delivered the perfect ratio of savory, golden-fried breading to a tangy, vinegary crunch. The texture was spot on. Meanwhile, if you aren’t really in the mood for a heavy sandwich, the Texmex Bam Bowlritto serves as a deeply satisfying and colorful alternative. It was completely packed with bold spices and incredibly fresh ingredients.
For my second visit, I nearly ordered the Texmex bowl again. I was tempted. But I wanted to force myself to try something new instead. Since so many cafes in Vietnam heavily sweeten their drinks with thick liquid sugar or condensed milk, finding pure, natural juices is a fantastic option when you need a break from the sugar rush. Bikini Bottom has a great selection of cold-pressed juices without any added sugar whatsoever. I selected the Guava, Pineapple, and Lemongrass juice (40.000 VND). The bright tropical sweetness of the fruit was perfectly balanced by the subtle, earthy hint of lemongrass.
For my food, I chose an item from their Signature selection: The Sizzler (150.000 VND).
I was genuinely surprised when The Sizzler came out. Mostly due to just how much this dish has going on. It acts as an ultimate all-day breakfast platter, aggressively loaded with hash potatoes, fresh spinach, a sausage patty, sliced beef, two fried eggs, and two thick slices of sourdough bread. It’s very good. And super filling. The rich, runny yolk of the fried eggs soaked beautifully right into the artisanal sourdough bread. Combined with the savory meats and those crispy hash potatoes… man. This meal is an absolute powerhouse guaranteed to cure any appetite.
On my third visit, I decided to go back to the basics. After all, I had heard so many good things about their hamburgers over the years, which is exactly what Bikini Bottom Express is known for. Before digging into the rich main course, I cleansed my palate with an incredibly refreshing, citrusy beverage: the Pineapple, Orange, and Honey cold-pressed juice (40.000 VND).
They offer a vast selection of smash burgers. I ended up ordering their namesake creation, the Bikini Bottom Burger (89.000 VND). This item is a massive double cheeseburger loaded with pickles, sauteed onions, and Dijonnaise (a brilliant blend of Dijon mustard mixed with mayonnaise). Uniting the sandwich into one indulgent, mouthwatering bite was the combination of the melted cheese and the zesty, creamy kick of the Dijonnaise. Plus, the dual patties were smashed to absolute perfection on the grill. They remained wonderfully juicy in the center while yielding those coveted, crispy crust edges I talked about earlier.
To round out the meal, I added the fries combo for another 29.000 VND. Offered in a generous portion, the fries were served piping hot and were perfectly salted. Considering this is a really nice sit-down restaurant with blasting air conditioning, these are pretty good prices for Western food in the city.
Moving forward, I’ll definitely continue eating here after enjoying three excellent visits so far. I’m slightly obsessed. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be trying out their other locations just to mix it up. Because I frequently ride my motorbike down to Hoi An to enjoy the beautiful, scenic coastal road that connects the two cities, I’ll surely visit their An Bang Beach location sometime soon. Experiencing their menu with a side of ocean views sounds perfect.
Definitely check this place out if you want some well-cooked Western food at fair prices.