Hanoi is a city that offers a culinary adventure at every corner. From bustling street food stalls to elegant fine dining establishments, the diversity of the food scene here is remarkable. Here’s our guide to discovering the best restaurants in Hanoi:
Hanoi is famed for its street food culture. Must-try dishes include:
- Pho: The iconic Vietnamese noodle soup, typically served with beef or chicken, fresh herbs, and a flavorful broth. Popular spots include Pho Gia Truyen and Pho Thin.
- Banh Mi: Vietnamese baguette sandwiches filled with various meats, pâté, vegetables, and sauces. Some of the best places to try Banh Mi are Banh Mi 25 and Banh Mi Pho Hue.
- Bun Cha: Grilled pork served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a dipping sauce. This dish gained international fame when President Obama dined at Bun Cha Huong Lien.
- Cha Ca: Grilled fish seasoned with turmeric and dill, served with noodles and a variety of herbs. Cha Ca La Vong is the most famous place to try this dish.
For those seeking a more refined dining experience, Hanoi offers several top-tier restaurants:
- La Verticale: This restaurant offers French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine crafted by renowned chef Didier Corlou. Located in a charming colonial villa, La Verticale provides a sophisticated dining atmosphere.
- Red Bean Restaurant: Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, Red Bean offers contemporary Vietnamese dishes with a modern twist. The ambiance and service here are top-notch, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
- Home Hanoi Restaurant: Set in a beautifully restored colonial villa, Home Hanoi serves traditional Vietnamese cuisine with a focus on quality and presentation. It’s perfect for a special night out.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options
Hanoi caters to all dietary preferences, including excellent vegan and vegetarian options:
Uu Dam Chay: A serene setting offering a variety of plant-based dishes, from fresh salads to hearty mains. This restaurant is known for its peaceful ambiance and beautifully presented food.
The Hanoi Social Club: This cozy café offers a vegetarian-friendly menu that includes a mix of Western and Vietnamese dishes. It’s a great spot for a relaxed meal or a coffee break.
Local Favorites
Experience dining like a local at these popular spots:
1911
1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 3933 4801
Cuisine: International / Vietnamese
Capacity: 200 persons (Indoor & outdoor)
Service time: Lunch 1100 – 1400; Dinner 1800 – 2200
Au Lac House
13 Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 39333 533
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Capacity: 150 persons (Indoor & outdoor)
Service time: 1000 – 2200
Bun Cha Hanoi
67 Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 38287060
Cuisine: Traditional Specialty Grilled Meat Restaurant.
Capacity: 75 persons
Service time: Lunch 1100 – 1400
Cha Ca La Vong 107 Nguyen Truong To street
Tel: (84 4) 38239875
Cuisine: Traditional Specialty Fish Restaurant.
Capacity: 130 persons
Service time: Lunch 1100 – 1400; Dinner 1700 – 2130
Club De L’ Oriental :
22 Tong Dan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 3826 8801
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Capacity: 160 persons
Service time: Lunch 1100 – 1400; Dinner 1800 – 2300
Green Tangerine
48 Hang Be Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 3825 1286
Cuisine: French / Vietnamese
Capacity: 90 persons
Service time: 1100 – 2300
La Badiane
10 Nam Ngu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 39 42 45 09
Cuisine: French/Asian Fusion
Capacity: 70 persons
Service time: 1130- 1400 & 1800– 2200
La Verticale
19 Ngo Van So Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 3944 6317
Cuisine: Vietnamese Fusion
Capacity: 70 persons (Indoor & outdoor)
Service time: Lunch 1100 – 1400; Dinner 1800 – 2200
Quan An Ngon
18 Pham Boi Chau Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (84 4) 39428163
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Capacity: 400 persons
Service time: 0700 – 2200
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a first-time visitor, Hanoi’s culinary landscape promises to delight and surprise. From iconic street food to luxurious fine dining, there’s something for everyone. Happy dining!
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the best restaurants in Hanoi for local cuisine?
Here are some of the best restaurants in Hanoi highly recommended for authentic local Vietnamese cuisine:- Bún Chả Hương Liên - This no-frills restaurant is famous for its bún chả (grilled pork patties with noodles). It's been around since the 1990s and draws long lines for its delicious food.
- Bún Riêu Cửa Đồng - A great spot to try bún riêu, a tomato-based noodle soup with crab meat and fried tofu. It's been operating since 1964.
- Bánh Cuốn Thanh Vân - Specializing in bánh cuốn, delicate steamed rolled rice pancakes filled with minced pork and mushrooms.
- Xôi Yến - For breakfast, try their fragrant sticky rice dishes like xôi gà (chicken sticky rice) at this decades-old joint.
- Cháo Sứ Quán - A favorite for cháo (rice porridge) in a range of varieties like cháo lòng (porridge with innards). Open since the 1940s.
- Chả Cá Lã Vọng - This restaurant is renowned for its chả cá, fried fish with dill, spring onions and peanuts.
- Bún Đậu Mạc Thi Bưởi - Simple eatery that serves excellent bún đậu mắm tôm (noodles with tofu and shrimp paste).
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Where can I find the top vegan restaurants in Hanoi?
Hanoi has a growing vegan food scene, though vegan-only restaurants are still relatively few compared to traditional Vietnamese eateries. Here are some of the best places for vegan food in Hanoi:- Au Lac Living Foods - Considered one of the pioneers of vegan cuisine in Hanoi, this cozy restaurant serves creative Vietnamese-inspired vegan dishes.
- Am Thuc Chay Ha Thanh - A simple but delicious all-vegan restaurant with an extensive menu of mock meats, noodle soups, and other Vietnamese classics.
- Bún Chay Đậu - This casual eatery specializes in vegan versions of bún đậu (noodles with fried tofu) using creative meat substitutes.
- Bắp Chuối - Offers vegan banh mi sandwiches, "egg" banh mi, and other plant-based street food favorites.
- Vegans' Village - A vegan buffet with a wide array of mock meat dishes ranging from Vietnamese to international cuisines.
- Noču - A trendy vegan cafe with creative desserts, juices, and globally-inspired plant-based mains and starters.
- Bún Đậu Chay Tấn Minh - For a traditional vegan bún đậu experience, this simple restaurant is well-reviewed.
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Which fine dining restaurants in Hanoi are worth visiting?
Here are some of the top fine dining restaurants in Hanoi that are worth checking out for an upscale Vietnamese culinary experience:- La Verticale - This French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant is consistently ranked as one of the best in Hanoi. It offers creative tasting menus in an elegant setting.
- Press Club - Located in the opera house, this stylish restaurant serves innovative French-Vietnamese cuisine with an emphasis on local ingredients.
- Wild Rice - Focused on highlighting ingredients from ethnic minority groups across Vietnam using modern cooking techniques.
- Le Beaulieu - Upscale French-Vietnamese bistro in a beautiful colonial villa with an acclaimed wine list.
- Spices Garden - Fine dining with a focus on royal Vietnamese cuisine served in a lush garden setting.
- El Paso - This gourmet Mexican restaurant is considered among the city's best for its high-end modern Mexican fare.
- La Terrasse du Metropole - The elegant restaurant inside the historic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel, known for its French-Vietnamese fusion.
- The Jardin du Sens - Refined Vietnamese cuisine served in an exquisite courtyard garden setting.
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What are the best street food spots in Hanoi?
Hanoi is renowned for its incredible street food scene. Here are some of the best spots to experience authentic Vietnamese street eats:- Bún Chả Hương Liên (24 Lê Văn Hưu) - This humble eatery is considered to serve the best bún chả (grilled pork patties with noodles) in Hanoi.
- Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm Cũ Đại (66 Cầu Gỗ) - Locals flock here for the delicious bún đậu mắm tôm (tofu noodle soup with shrimp paste).
- Bún Riêu Đống Đa (21 Trần Quốc Toản) - Slurp down delectable bún riêu (crab noodle soup) at this long-standing stall.
- Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền (14 Hàng Gà) - Get piping hot bánh cuốn (rolled rice pancakes) at this celebrated street stall.
- Xôi Yến (35B Nguyễn Hữu Huân) - One of the best for xôi (sticky rice) varieties like xôi ga (chicken sticky rice).
- Bún Chả Huỳnh Mai (90C Trần Hưng Đạo) - Another standout for Hanoi's iconic bún chả dish.
- Phở Cuốn Hương Mai (76 Hàng Điếu) - Savor phở cuốn (fresh rice noodle rolls) from this legendary streetside stall.
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