Must-see restaurants in Hanoi Region

  • Bun Cha 34

    Hanoi

    Best bun cha in Vietnam? Many say 34 is up there. No presidents have eaten at the plastic tables, but you get perfectly moist chargrilled pork, zesty…

  • La Badiane

    Hanoi

    This stylish bistro is set in a restored, whitewashed French villa arrayed around a breezy central courtyard. French cuisine underpins the menu – La…

  • Hanoi Social Club

    Hanoi

    On three levels with retro furniture, the Hanoi Social Club is an artist hub and the city's most cosmopolitan cafe. Dishes include potato fritters with…

  • Blue Butterfly

    Hanoi

    Blue Butterfly floats above its weight with the lamp-lit dark-wood stylings of a heritage house and a good-value menu of Vietnamese classics, from bun cha…

  • Maison de Tet Decor

    Hanoi

    Sumptuous, healthy and organic (when possible) wholefoods are presented with aplomb in one of Hanoi's loveliest settings, an expansive, airy villa…

  • Chim Sao

    Hanoi

    Sit at tables downstairs or grab a more traditional spot on the floor upstairs and discover excellent Vietnamese food, with some dishes inspired by the…

  • Young people wait at Pho Thin for their traditional bowls of pho, or noodle soup, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Pho can be eaten at any time of day.

    Pho Thin

    Hanoi

    This slender, crammed hole-in-the-wall place directly east of Hoan Kien Lake has narrow tables and stools where it's all elbows and chatter. The place has…

  • Diners at Quan An Ngan courtyard restaurant, French Quarter.

    Quan An Ngon

    Hanoi

    This branch of a number of small same-named kitchens turns out street-food specialities from across Vietnam. Try to visit just outside the busy lunch and…

  • 500px Photo ID: 124086759 - vietnanese beef pho with sriracha sauce shot from overhead view on wooden table

    Bun Rieu Cua

    Hanoi

    Get to this incredibly popular spot early, as its sole dish of bun rieu cua (noodle soup with beef in a spicy crab broth) is only served for a couple of…

  • 500px Photo ID: 154526133 - basquets full of sweets in the street in Hanoi, Vietnam

    Banh Goi

    Hanoi

    Nestled under a banyan tree near St Joseph Cathedral, this humble stall turns out banh goi, moreish deep-fried pastries crammed with pork, vermicelli and…

  • V's Home

    Hanoi

    Blink and you’ll miss the slim alleyway opening leading to this excellent upstairs restaurant, with diners attended to by hearing- and speech-impaired…

  • Koto

    Hanoi

    Ranging over four floors with a terrace and bar, this superb modernist cafe-bar-restaurant overlooking the Temple of Literature features neat interior…

  • Bun Cha Huong Lien

    Hanoi

    Bun Cha Huong Lien was launched into stardom thanks to Barack Obama, who dined here with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain in May 2016. Customers fill the…

  • Zaika

    Hanoi

    With a cinnabar interior, this buzzing spot delivers a measure of elegance on top of its warm and welcoming service. The North Indian menu is a…

  • Bun Rieu Hai Beo

    Hanoi

    This no-fuss restaurant’s name refers to the ‘fat’ (beo) owner Hai who serves delicious hot bowls of bun rieu (crab noodle soup). Choose your protein –…

  • Com Pho Co

    Hanoi

    This large, bustling restaurant attracts a mixed crowd for its long menu of simple, good Vietnamese dishes such as ga nuong xa (lemongrass chicken) and…

  • Moto-san Uber Noodle

    Hanoi

    Brainchild of Hanoi artist, journalist and designer Nguyen Qui Duc (of Tadioto fame), this wonderful noodle stall seats eight eager eaters. The menu is…

  • Green Mango

    Hanoi

    This hip restaurant-lounge has a real vibe as well as great cooking. The front and rear courtyards feature living green walls of real plants, giving a…

  • The Kitchen

    Hanoi

    This Tay Ho terrace cafe with a Mexican tinge ticks all the right boxes: a mellow buzz and a creative, healthy menu of delicious sandwiches and salads…

  • Kem Trang Tien

    Hanoi

    It’s barely possible to walk down the road to get to this parlour on hot summer nights, such is its popularity with local teens and families. Prices are…

  • Dong Phu 1932

    Hanoi

    Dong Phu is a stunning restored Vietnamese house that resembles an art gallery. Classic Vietnamese dishes, like green mango salad with grilled prawns,…

  • Poke Hanoi

    Hanoi

    Just the ticket for a good-looking detox in a neat and wholesome wood-furnished space with an outside terrace and parasols. Choose your rice base, fish …

  • Old Hanoi

    Hanoi

    This sophisticated eating spot in a restored French-colonial villa has a pleasant casual courtyard outside and starched white tablecloths inside. Once…

  • Highway 4

    Hanoi

    This is the original location of a restaurant family famed for adapting Vietnamese cuisine to Western palates, although with increasing popularity it…

  • Cha Ca Thang Long

    Hanoi

    Bring along your DIY cooking skills and grill your own succulent cha ca fish dish in a pan with a little shrimp paste and plenty of veggies, herbs and…

  • New Day

    Hanoi

    Busy New Day attracts locals, expats and travellers alike with its broad menu. The eager staff always find space for new diners, so look forward to…

  • Foodshop 45

    Hanoi

    Hanoi’s best Indian flavours feature at this cosy lakeside spot sandwiched between the lau (hotpot) restaurants on Truc Bach Lake. The ambience is more…

  • Izakaya Yancha

    Hanoi

    Surrounded by local cafes on ‘Coffee St’, Izakaya Yancha serves izakaya – think Japanese tapas – in a buzzy and friendly atmosphere. Secure a spot near…

  • Madame Hien

    Hanoi

    Housed in a restored 19th-century villa, Madame Hien is a tribute to French chef Didier Corlu’s Vietnamese grandmother. Look forward to elegant versions…

  • Tim Ho Wan

    Hanoi

    Do yourself a favour and reserve a window table at the Hanoi branch of this legendary Hong Kong dim sum chain, high above the city on the 36th floor of…

  • Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim

    Hanoi

    Visiting Hanoi and not eating bun cha (barbecued pork with rice vermicelli) with a side of nem cua be (sea-crab spring rolls) should be classed as a…

  • Oasis

    Hanoi

    This Italian-owned deli has excellent bread, cheese and salami, as well as homemade pasta and sauces and other items. It’s north of central Hanoi in the…

  • Quan Bia Minh

    Hanoi

    This bia hoi joint has evolved into an Old Quarter favourite, with well-priced Vietnamese food and excellent service led by the eponymous Mrs Minh. Grab…

  • Net Hue

    Hanoi

    One of a small chain, Net Hue is well priced for such comfortable surroundings. Head to the top floor for the nicest ambience and enjoy Hue-style dishes…

  • Banh Mi Hoi An

    Hanoi

    Dense, toasted baguettes with flavoursome pâté and fillings like ga nuong xa are what keeps this tiny banh mi (filled baguettes) place busy into the night…

  • Banh Cuon

    Hanoi

    Don’t even bother ordering here; just squeeze in, and a plate of gossamer-light banh cuon (steamed rice pancakes filled with minced pork, mushrooms and…

  • Banh Mi Pho Hue

    Hanoi

    Banh mi vendors abound in Hanoi, although this baguette phenomenon is less popular than in Ho Chi Minh City. Open since 1978, this place is usually packed…

  • Namaste

    Hanoi

    This sprawling restaurant serves delicious Indian cuisine from a huge menu with a decent selection of vegetarian options. Thali set meals (105,000d to 225…

  • Pho Thin

    Hanoi

    Negotiate your way to the rear of this narrow, rustic establishment and sit down to some excellent pho bo (beef noodle soup). A classic Hanoi experience…

  • Hung Lau

    Hanoi

    This small spot with metal tables does simply delicious bun cha (grilled pork and rice noodles) – very affordable and very scrummy indeed. The spring…