4 Best Restaurants in Hoi An, The Central Coast

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Offering a delightful collision of flavors, Hoi An has everything from classic Vietnamese restaurants and noodle shacks to gourmet delis and charitable cafés. There's no shortage of eateries in the Old Town, where menus lean heavily on Vietnamese fusion with reasonable prices, considering the location. Cross over Thu Bon River to experience Hoi An Peninsula where an outcrop of trendy restaurants and bars add life to Nguyen Phuc Chu Street. Bordering the Old Town is the central market, packed with vendors selling everything from fish and noodles to flowers and produce. This is the best place to try local dishes like cao lau (rice noodles topped with pork and herbs) and banh bao vac (rose-shape steamed dumplings). For a more in-depth look at Hoi An's cuisine, try a cooking course or culinary tour.

Banh Mi Phuong

$ Fodor's Choice

When famed foodie Anthony Bourdain visited, he declared the banh mi served here to be quite possibly the best in Vietnam; and he might just have been right. What you get here is a symphony in a sandwich, and though both her menu and popularity have grown, Madam Phuong is still serving up the same secret family recipes and silence-inducing sandwiches. Bourdain's favorite banh mi deluxe is a pork feast consisting of a mouth-melting slow-roasted five-spiced fillet, a rich peppery pate, a handful of herbs, pickled vegetables, and finished off with a generous scoop of mayonnaise, smoked chili sauce, and messy fried egg. Phuong also has vegetarian alternatives; ask for banh mi chay.

Soul Kitchen

$$ Fodor's Choice

The most social spot on the beach, Soul Kitchen attracts a year-round mix of expats and local visitors, with frequent live music and open mike events. During the day the shady grass frontage, pool table, and board games keep kids entertained, leaving parents free to relax in raised cabanas with a Vietnamese-French menu, wine list, and cold draft beer. Friday through Sunday, rain or shine, Soul Kitchen hosts live music events.

The Hill Station

$$

This wine bar and delicatessen pays homage to the French colonial era, which left an indelible mark on Vietnamese cuisine. Indeed, the cheese and charcuterie at the lively venue would earn the approval of even the most discerning Gallic customer. Beyond delectable food and drinks (one of Hoi An’s best value drinks happy hours can be enjoyed here), guests can immerse themselves in various events and exhibitions by local and visiting artists and photographers.

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Tam Tam Café

$$

In a tastefully restored former teahouse, this café-restaurant is the perfect place to unwind over a coffee and French pastry or a cold beer during a busy day of sightseeing. For people-watching grab a balcony table; for shady seclusion there's a quiet courtyard garden; and for rainy days there's a pool table and games room. Despite a promising dinner menu offering both French and Vietnamese delights, meals can be a bit disappointing.