Food & Restaurants in Hanoi

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a city that stands out for its diverse and appetizing food. Hanoi cuisine is a fusion of influences from China, France, and other Southeast Asian cuisines. In this article we will share with you ultimate guide to the best restaurants, street food stalls, and unique dining experiences in Hanoi.

Vietnamese cuisine has improved a lot in quality and range since the mid-1990s. The most famous ones are “pho ga” (chicken noodle soup) and “pho bo” (beef noodle soup). Modern day Hanoi boasts hundreds if not thousands of eateries serving various types of meat including chicken, beef or sea foods.

Every street in Hanoi is filled with numerous little kiosks made up of tables with plastic chairs which serve as street restaurants. These eateries provide an excellent way of experiencing the local food and culture. Food quality varies significantly as does freshness and hygiene. A bowl of noodle soup costs between 30k and 40k dong while market food kiosks sell fruit servings, sausages, doughnuts at 10k to 20k dong apiece. Look after your change – some sellers seem to forget about it sometimes – or learn some Vietnamese since vendors frequently speak poor English or don’t speak it at all.

Hanoi can be visited all year round but October through February would be the best time for lovers of gastronomy. The weather conditions are moderate during this period and there are lots of food fairs going on throughout the city.

The History of Hanoi Cuisine

However, before we delve into must-have dishes and top-rated restaurants in Hanoi let’s have a brief look at the history of Hanoi cuisine. Simplicity and flavor balancing are key features of it and emphasis is put on fresh herbs and vegetables. Vietnam’s colonization by China and France has also influenced its culinary practices.

On the other hand, one of the most characteristic dishes in Hanoi cuisine is called pho which consists of chicken or beef broth, rice noodles and herbs. It was first made in northern Vietnam during the early 20th century but it became a standard dish for Vietnamese people later on. Another popular dish is bun cha where grilled pork is served with rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce. In case you are foodie visiting Hanoi both these dishes like pho as well as bun cha should be tried out

Tips for Dining in Hanoi

When you eat in Hanoi, bear these in mind:

As a number of the employees in a restaurant may not know English, it is advisable to learn some simple Vietnamese expressions.
You should dress appropriately because of the high temperature and humidity.
It is better to have a GPS or map so as not to get lost because there are places where restaurants are situated inside small lanes or hidden corners.
Respect local behavior and values.

But if you want to go on your own Hanoi street food tour, then the following points will be useful:

Another indicator that can help one find good food is when finding stalls that are crowded with locals.
Try new dishes even if you do not know their names.
Keep small amounts of money as many vendors do not give change for larger bills.
Be cautious about cleanliness since dirty looking and fly infested stalls deserve avoiding.

Must-Try Dishes in Hanoi

There are also other dishes to try apart from pho and bun cha in Hanoi. Personally, I love banh mi which is a Vietnamese baguette filled with different meats, vegetables and sauces. Banh mi is the best snack for anyone on the move or an easy lunch option.

Another dish that cannot be overlooked is cha ca, which is grilled fish served with rice noodles, herbs and peanuts. Cha ca can be found in almost every restaurant in Hanoi as it is a local specialty. For those who do not want meat items, xoi would be an ideal choice of food as it consists of mung beans, fried shallots and soy sauce among many other things over sticky rice (xoi).

Best Restaurants in Hanoi for Authentic Cuisine

In Hanoi, there are a lot of good quality restaurants for offering tasty and true to form food. However, my favorite restaurants in this city include:

Bun Cha Huong Lien: The restaurant got worldwide attention when Barack Obama visited it in 2016. It is one of the best places to taste bun cha in the city with grilled pork and crispy spring rolls as toppings.
Cha Ca La Vong: This restaurant has been serving cha ca for over a century now and is considered the oldest restaurant in Hanoi. It serves fish cooked on a skillet with rice noodles, peanuts, and greens.
Quan An Ngon: This restaurant is perfect for those who want to get acquainted with Vietnamese cuisine within its diversity. Actually, this eatery has an impressive menu that includes anything from pho through banh mi to seafood dishes.

Top Street Food Spots in Hanoi

To experience Hanoi cuisine through its street food is one of the best methods of doing it. Here are some top street food spots to check out:

Pho Thin: For over four decades, this street food stall has catered pho, a popular Vietnamese delicacy.
Banh Mi 25: Grilled pork and pate for a variety of fillings makes this small street food stall home to the best banh mi in town.
Quan Goc Da: Bun cha with grilled pork and crispy spring rolls is the highlight of this street food stall.

Unique Dining Experiences in Hanoi

Here are a few of such alternatives for those who desire different dining experiences in Hanoi:

Hanoi Social Club: This coffee shop and eatery is an excellent option for those seeking an intimate setting plus live music. The menu consists of both Vietnamese and international dishes.
Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine Restaurant: It is situated on the 8th floor of a building, which offers breath-taking views of Hoan Kiem Lake. The food menu carries various Vietnamese meals with modern twist.
Bia Hoi Junction: This garden beer joint is ideal for people looking to have an informal dinner. The menu has several options for street food as well as beer.

Budget Restaurants in Hanoi

Bun Cha, 1 Hang Manh, 67 Duong Thanh (Old Quarter near Hang Da Market), +84 16 9777 6666. 08:00-19:00. Some consider this to be one of the finest instances of bun cha in Hanoi, and thus Vietnam (apparently in the south, bun cha is specifically advertised as Hanoi-style). For approximately 80,000 dong, you will receive a bowl full of char-grilled pig rissoles and a big dish of double-fried pork rice paper rolls. In addition, this dish comes with a fantastic dipping sauce (often consisting of fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and peppers), an enormous plate of greens and herbs, more rice noodles than you can manage, and a bottle of local beer. Few tourists are present, so you can rest assured that the experience will be genuine. Excellent food, but unpleasant service.

Cafe 69, 69 Ma May St (Opposite Friendly Hotel). Good restaurant serving Western cuisine in the center of the Old Quarter, although some visitors have found it to be overpriced and of subpar quality.

The Cartau Triomphe, 18 Au Trieu, Hoan Kiem (Au Trieu is the street to the right of St. Joseph’s Cathedral; however, The Cart is entered through the back door, so proceed down the alley and turn left), +84 4 3928 7715. 08:00-17:00. Try one of their pies or pasties. Sixty thousand dong for a sandwich.

The Cart Nghi Tam, 8B, Lane 1 Au Co, Nghi Tam Village, Tay Ho (Follow the road between the rear entrances of the Sheraton and Intercontinental until it curves to the right. The Cart Nghi Tam is located just around the corner. 07:00-19:00. Excellent for an early breakfast or a coffee to go. In Hanoi, their bacon baguette with back bacon is a rarity. Try the beef and potato pie or the cheese, onion, and potato pie for vegetarians. A lunch costs 60,000 dong, while a Punto Italia latte costs 45,000.

Com Binh Dan (Hang Bo, several side streets in Old Quarter). 11:00-14:00. Affordable, home-cooked Vietnamese cuisine. 15,000-30,000 dong.

Com Chay Au Lac, 277 Ngo Van Chuong (Take Le Duan S, past train tracks, turn into alley after #114). Daily, 07:00-20:30. In an ambient alley a bit off the usual path, you’ll find a vegetarian restaurant of the type you’ll find everywhere in Vietnam except in Hanoi. 30,000 dong.

Com Chay Nang Tam Vegetarian Restaurant, 79A Pho Tran Hung Dao (A few streets S of the lake). Lunch and dinner. This wonderful restaurant is a good option for vegetarians, and its extensive menu of unique cuisine, which includes mock meat meals, will please both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The restaurant is cozy, has a pleasant atmosphere, and is reasonably priced. The short trek out of the old town is well worth it. 50,000+ dong.

Dac Kim, 67 Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem, +84 16 9777 6666. 08:00-19:00.Slices of barbecued pork in a broth with vermicelli and several veggies. They also provide spring rolls.

Hebe Cafe, 33 Luong Van Can St (Inside Hanoi Youth Hotel, near Hoan Kiem Lake, in the centre of Old Quarter). Cheap local and Western food. Breakfasts, USD1; pizza, USD2; hot pot, USD8.

Huy Café & Pizza Inn, 32 Dinh Liet St. Large Italian dinner combo (garlic bread, soup/salad, pizza/pasta, drink). 65,000 dong.

Joma Bakery Café (Joma), 22 Ly Quoc Su, & 54 To Ngoc Van (Near the cathedral, and west lake). 07:00-21:00. Certified organic and fair-trade coffee A variety of freshly prepared sandwiches, various savory items, and sweets. Excellent alternatives for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 20,000-80,000 dong.

Kem Tràng Tiền, 54 Phố Tràng Tiền. On a hot day, a popular ice cream destination. Given that the establishment is a drive-thru/drive-in ice cream parlor, be wary of motorcycles when entering. Highly recommended are the cóm and u xanh flavors. Ice cream bars cost between 5,000 and 8,000 dong. Cones are a tad more pricey.

Minh Thuy’s Family Restaurant, 2A Duong Thanh, +84 4 3200 7893.Lovely Old Quarter expat favorite with affordable Western comfort food, traditional Vietnamese, and superb vegetables (rare in meat-loving Hanoi). The executive chef was a finalist in the Vietnamese Masterchef competition. Prices are fairly reasonable: pho costs 45,000 dong ($2), about the same as at a reputable street stall; a large beer is 15,000 dong (70 cents); a large mango milkshake costs 45,000 dong ($2); the famous Hanoi dish cha ca costs 120k ($5.40) and is as wonderful as you’ll find at specialty restaurants. Western entrees start at 60,000 ($2.70) and emphasize robust German cuisine. The restaurant is located upstairs; the ground floor is currently being renovated.

Papa Joe’s Coffee, 112 Cau Go, +84 4 926 2544. 08:00-23:00. Despite the name, this is a restaurant that serves vegetarian pasta, soup, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. The pizza leaves much to be desired. Drinks and sweets. A modest balcony provides a view of the bustling traffic area and the Hoan Kiem Lake below. 45,000-65,000 dong.

Pho (On the corner of Nha Chung and Chan Cam). All of the soups and sides include beef (bo), so this isn’t for vegetarians. Large bowl of pho, 12,000 dong; Coke or beer, 3,000 dong.

Pho Tu Lun (Au Trieu), 10 Ly Quoc Su. Many pho varieties. 15,000-30,000 dong.

Quan An Ngon (Delicious), 18 Phan Boi Chau St. Reasonable pricing for an extensive selection of cuisines from all throughout Vietnam. With little seating and numerous clients, a wait is inevitable. Customers do not have to wait long, as they have a sizable seating space. Both lunch and dinner are served.

Quan Bia Minh (Minh’s), 7A Dinh Liet (100m N of the lake), +84 4 3934 5323. 07:30-23:30. Popular restaurant with a wonderful casual rooftop patio. Minh is fluent in English and ensures that her staff is attentive. Western, vegetarian, and Vietnamese cuisine. Reasonable in cost
Sen (Lotus), 10 Lane 431, Au Co Rd, Tay Ho District (Next to the water park).Buffet-style eatery. They offer a variety of cuisines from various locations of the country. Noodles, rice cakes, and rice vermicelli are available at separate stations. Both lunch and dinner are served.

Mid-range Restaurants in Hanoi

Cam Chan Quan, 108 K1 Giang Vo St & Ciputra Entrance, +84 12 3259 7696. The restaurant has two locations. The receptionist at the gate to Ciputra Estate knows English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. A convenient stop for those desiring Asian cuisine upon arrival or before departure, as they are located halfway between the city and the airport. They provide Asian cuisine with a Singaporean twist. Free Wi-Fi. Clean restrooms. Their noodles are not the standard pho, but rather more Singaporean. Noodles, 65,000 dong.

Cha Ca La Vong, 14 Cha Ca St & 107 Nguyen Truong To St. This business is so well-known that the street is named after it. There is only one item on the (exclusively Vietnamese) menu, fried fish in grease, but it has been served for five generations. The traditional shrimp paste is no longer required. If you are an avid fan of fish and shrimp, you may enjoy this encounter. According to the locals, it is a rip-off despite its authenticity. For the same amount, you could enjoy three meals at a quality sidewalk cafe. 170,000 dong, 1,000 dong charge per napkin.

Ciao Cafe, 2 Hang Bai St. Cozy location for coffee and pastry. Not filled with cigarette smoke, unlike the majority of Hanoi cafes.

Huong Ly (Ly Thuong Kiet, close to the Melia Hotel). This restaurant and bar on the ground and top floors of a building are exceptional. On the third story is a clothing store. Exceptional cuisine, delivering everything from traditional noodles to salmon steak, skillfully prepared and presented. Friendly staff. 55,000-120,000 Vietnamese Dong for a main dish.

Huyen Houng Restaurant, 20 Bao Khanh, +84 4 828 8430. Choose from an extensive selection of seafood dishes (many of which are swimming in tanks) and other Vietnamese specialties. The pleasant service matches the delicious cuisine. 80,000-120,000 dong.

Kaiser Kaffee Restaurant, 34A Ba Trieu. Interesting small restaurant with outstanding Vietnamese and Western cuisine.

Little Hanoi, 21 Pho Hang Gai, +84 4 928 5333. Elegant cafe serving primarily Westerners in a restaurant with beautiful lighting.

Luala Cafe, 61 Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, +84 4 3936 9899. The Luala Store, a luxury fashion concept store in the retail district, houses a cafe and restaurant. The restaurant serves a variety of gourmet dishes, beverages, and sweets.

Mediteraneo (Nha Tho St, between La Salsa and Paris Deli). Authentic Italian cuisine, possibly the best in Hanoi. Prices are high and servings are modest.

Moka Café (Nha Tho St close to the cathedral). An excellent variety of Western and Vietnamese cuisines provided in a coffee shop setting.

Paradieso Restaurant, 7 Nguyen Sieu (Old Quarter), +84 4 39974861.Small, cozy restaurant serving both Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Excellent quality and reasonable rates. You may eat classic Vietnamese cuisine such as cha ca, bun cha, pho, and nem (spring rolls), as well as excellent crepes. All items are of excellent quality and have a lovely design.

Paris Deli (Nha Tho St across from Moka Cafe). Offers delectable European cuisine for those with big appetites.

Pepperoni’s (Near the Hang Gai end of Nha Chung). A member of a small worldwide pizza restaurant chain. Locally operated, they provide regular specials like as free desserts, all-you-can-eat buffets, and loyalty programs in which collecting tokens with each takeout purchase earns you a free pizza. There are pizzas, burgers, ice cream, and apple crumble on the menu. Pizzas, 65,000+ dong.

La Salsa (On Nha Tho St near the church in Old Town, across from Moka Cafe). French food and expat hang-out.

Tamarind Café, Ma May 80 (Old Quarter),+84 4 926 0580. Possesses a menu filled with imaginative vegetarian cuisine, an abundance of fresh fruit juices, and a pleasant, fashionable atmosphere. If you’re hungry, you shouldn’t come here because the amounts are little and it’s a bit overpriced.

Tan My Design Cafe, 61 Hang Gai, +84 4 3938 1451. One of the top fashion boutiques in Hanoi, where you can also enjoy delicious Asian and Western cuisine.

Splurge Restaurants in Hanoi

Don’s Bistro, 16/27 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho, +84 4 3719 2460, fax: +84 4 3719 5998, e-mail: donchef@donviet.vn. 08:00-23:00. Multiple-concept eatery offers traditional and inventive foreign food, including Vietnamese specialties, in both indoor and outdoor settings. There are two restaurants at Don’s: one with a cigar lounge, wine cellar, and rotating art gallery, and a rooftop Skyline Oyster Bar with live oysters and weekly live music. The first level serves pho, cocktails, coffee, freshly baked products, wood-fired pizzas, and shisha.

Green Tangerine, 48 Hang Be (A few steps from Hang Be St), +84 4 825-1286. Excellent French restaurant offering both à la carte and prix-fixe menus of sumptuous French cuisine. Popular with foreigners.

La Restaurant & Bar, 25 Ly Quoc Su (Near St Joseph’s Cathedral in the Old Quarter), +84 4 928 8933, +84 9 1322 1971. This air-conditioned, sophisticated restaurant serves a variety of delectable Western and Vietnamese meals. Although the choices of vegetarian options is fairly limited, the food is outstanding, if somewhat pricey by Hanoi standards. After weeks of eating on the streets, “La” will unquestionably satisfy cravings for high-quality meals. 300,000 dong for food and beverages.

Ly Club, 4 Le Phung Hieu, Hoan Kiem,+84 4 39363069, e-mail:info@lyclub.vn. 11:00-23:00. In a French colonial mansion, dine on Vietnamese and European food of the highest caliber. Although on the pricier side for Hanoi, the atmosphere and meal quality make up for it.

Pane e Vino Italian Restaurant and Wine Shop, 3 Nguyen Khac Can & 98 Hang Trong (100 m from Hoan Kiem Lake), +84 4 3826 9080, +84 4 3928 6329. Fully air-con. Serves a variety of authentic regional Italian meals. A comprehensive wine list includes selections from Veneto, Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily, and Piedmont. Provide courteous service. After a full day of strolling and shopping, this is a nice location to unwind and recover. Visit the manager for a conversation and complimentary digestivo.

Pots ‘n Pans Restaurant, 57 Bui Thi Xuan St, Hai Ba Trung District (Follow Ba Trieu St S from Hoan Kiem Lake 5 min), +84 4 3944 0204, fax: +84 4 3944 6599, e-mail: info@potsnpans.vn. 11:30-late. Vietnamese cuisine with an international flavor. The restaurant and lounge bar is staffed by former street children from Hanoi’s KOTO Training Programme, who are now emerging stars of Vietnamese cuisine. Daily happy hour is from 17:00 until 19:00.

Press Club, 59 A Ly Thai To St, +84 4 3972 0888, fax: +84 4 3934 0899, e-mail: hongngoc@hanoi-pressclub.com. Fine dining featuring Western food and an extensive wine list. There is a 70-seat restaurant, a private wine room for 12 guests, and a cozy private room for four. A blend of traditional and modern elements with a classically educated chef.