Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
From curbside feasts on Lilliputian plastic chairs to superb fine dining, Hanoi’s restaurant scene has something for everyone. Locals are fiercely proud of their street food culture and this is where the essence of Hanoi’s food scene can be discovered. Signature northern dishes include bun cha (vermicelli with minced pork burgers), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls stuffed with minced pork, mushrooms, and shallots), and the ubiquitous pho, Vietnam’s nominal national dish, which comes in chicken and beef varieties. These classics represent just a tantalizing taste of what is on offer in the city. And with a seemingly endless array of vendors slaving over hot grills, simmering alchemy in large pots, or doling out pillow-soft steamed buns from a ramshackle cart, opportunities to eat like a local are limitless. In the past, Hanoi’s restaurant sector has suffered in comparison to its Kingly Street dining scene. That has changed significantly over the past decade or so. There is now an eclectic selection of interesting (and often excellent) eating spots that run the gamut from simple French bistros and laid-back cafés to opulent venues for multicourse blowouts and cutting-edge options that would not be out of place in the world’s major gastronomic hubs.
Bun Cha Huong Lien has wholeheartedly embraced the alias Bun Cha Obama since 2016, when the erstwhile president visited Hanoi and dined here with the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. The bun cha (grilled pork and rice vermicelli noodles) and nem hai san (seafood spring rolls) are decent, but it's worth visiting just for the photography documenting the occasion. It's plastered all over the eatery.
Serving creamy cappuccinos and delicious lattes in calm and quiet surroundings, Habakuk might be the best spot in the city for withdrawing from Hanoi's chaos with a book. Though best known for its excellent coffee, Habakuk morphs into a bistro serving delicious lasagna in the evenings.
Serving countryside dishes with a refreshing modern twist, Luk Lak is a welcome addition to Hanoi's dining scene. Many of the dishes are head chef Madame Binh's take on recipes from a particular part of the country, such as the ga nuong Tu Le (grilled chicken with sticky rice from Yen Bai Province). The minimalist design with flashes of Hanoi's colonial heritage serves to enhance an already exceptional dining experience.
One of a number of large and popular bia hoi (fresh beer) halls named Hai Xom that serves all the Vietnamese favorites, including stir-fried meet dishes, deep-fried tofu dishes, and plenty of fresh green vegetables.
This hole-in-the-wall serves only one thing: che, a sweet green bean concoction that is part drink, part pudding. Especially popular with Vietnamese youngsters, che is a typical treat on sultry summer afternoons. Walk to the end of the alley and look for the shop on your left.
One of the first restaurants to bring inspired French cuisine to the heart of Hanoi, La Badiane has main entrées that will set you back more than most restaurants in Hanoi, but the flavors are worth the splurge. The rich desserts are almost impossible to pass up. Those who order the tasting menu can elevate the experience with an optional wine pairing.
Opened in 1901 and nestled in the Metropole, Le Beaulieu was possibly the first-ever French restaurant in Hanoi. The spacious dining room doesn't lend itself particularly well to intimacy, but an extensive wine list and expert sommelier service heighten the allure.
Set up in a giant courtyard full of wooden booths, deck furniture, and barrels, the Moose & Roo Smokehouse at the American Center is chock-full of those looking for delicious smoked meats and comfort food. This lively restaurant promises Texas in Hanoi, and it delivers.
Aimed more at tourists than at local clientele, this restaurant within a renovated French villa provides a good introduction to Vietnamese cuisine. Just bear in mind that portions of the tasty and beautifully presented dishes, such as beef in coconut milk, can be disappointingly small. The restaurant's claim to fame is serving Shinto Abe in 2006, and they still offer a menu commemorating the event.
Known among Hanoi locals for its vast menu, this eatery has specialties from northern, central, and southern Vietnam. It's almost as popular for the old courtyard setting as for the decent food. The restaurant has additional branches in Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in Hanoi. Note that the restaurant prizes quantity and choice over quality.
Uu Dam Chay elevates vegan food with fruity salads, interesting tofu dishes (try one of the stuffed varieties), and creative mocktails. The restaurant is huge, but bookings are still recommended.
This modern restaurant serves traditional cha ca (pan-fried fish with rice vermicelli) to multi-generational tables of lively locals. Reservations are almost essential, but if you can't get a table confirmed you can find a handful of other Vua Cha Ca locations across the city.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
Thank you for your interest!
