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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 burger
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 norther
From curbside feasts on Lilliputian plastic chairs to superb fine dining, Hanoi’s restaurant scene has something for eve
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.
The owner of Cousins (cugini means cousins in Italian) partnered with Italian chef Nico Ceccomoro to create an authentic dining experience at decent prices. Classy red and black interiors, sensual paintings, and a tree-shaded balcony make this location perfect for a date night. The menu is updated and expanded regularly, but you can’t go wrong with the pizzas or pasta, especially the tortellini with ricotta. There are also several fine wines to choose from.
Bringing inspired French cuisine to the heart of Hanoi, impassioned chef Benjamin Rascalou, who trained at several prestigious restaurants in Paris, has created a menu with flair. Main entrées, such as the sea bass meunière or seafood tagliatelle, will set you back more than most restaurants in Hanoi, but the flavors are worth the splurge. The desserts, such as the coffee mousse with pistachio ice cream and chocolate truffle, are almost impossible to pass up. Those who order the six-course tasting menu (1,500,000d) can elevate the experience with an optional wine pairing.
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) and tom xoc toi Quang Tri (prawn with lemongrass and chili from Quang Tri Province). The minimalist design with flashes of Hanoi's colonial heritage serves to enhance an already exceptional dining experience.
Delicious Italian food is served in this dim and romantic brick eatery in front of the cathedral. Along with exemplary bruschetta (toasted bread with olive oil and various toppings) and homemade pastas, the Italian hosts serve excellent cappuccinos, Napoli-style thin-crust pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven, and interesting grappas—try licorice or peach.
23 Nha Tho St., Hanoi, Ha Noi, Vietnam
024-3826–6288
Known For
One of Hanoi's longest-running international restaurants
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 delivers on that promise.
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.
The only venue in Vietnam to make it to the most recent list of Asia's 50 best restaurants, Don's is fully deserving of its exalted reputation. The impressive menu ranges from authentic international specialties and an oyster bar to sophisticated fusion dishes. Canadian chef Don Berger eschews culinary frills to deliver food that places an emphasis on local produce and top-quality imports. No-nonsense options such as pasta and risotto, steaks and grilled meats, and wood-fired pizzas don't push the envelope, but deliver brilliantly within their parameters. The location overlooking West Lake, meanwhile, is effortlessly romantic.
Well-prepared food and a well-chosen and reasonably priced selection of wine are the watchwords at this West Lake favorite. The menu bears strong Italian influences, but runs the gamut from American-style options like a giant rack of ribs to such left-field creations as Peruvian ceviche. The upstairs dining room is a pleasant space, but for a truly intimate experience request the private dining table in the restaurant's basement.
Once homey in feel, a recent makeover has brought about a radical change with chic leather seats replacing the old wooden chairs and monochrome prints lining the walls. The menu, too, has been significantly spruced up. The emphasis is still on French cuisine, but ambitious creations such as duet of lobster and Canadian scallop with vanilla bean jus are favored over bistro staples. A variety of set menus run the gamut from a good value prix-fixe lunch for 340,000d to more opulent evening affairs.
This well-frequented spot presents traditional Vietnamese flavors in new ways to produce an experience that is both local to the region yet altogether distinctive. Dishes such as braised duck leg in spiced shiitake mushroom jus with lemongrass duck sausage, and vegetarian cannelloni served with cassia-scented potato puree and a Southern-style curry sauce, are just the tip of the creative iceberg. The fine cuisine is complemented by a well-stocked wine bar and excellent desserts. It's a splurge by Hanoi standards—but worth it.
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