Hanoi Restaurants

  1. Au Lac House

    On a sultry evening, you'll want to be seated on the terrace of Au Lac House, sipping cocktails and dining on finely prepared Vietnamese dishes. It's housed in a roomy colonial villa and the service is attentive and efficient, but the food is not to be outshined. The kitchen deftly concocts rustic country dishes and more-exotic innovations.

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  2. Banh Cuon Gia Truyen

    You might have to squeeze your way into a chair during the morning rush, but once you're settled, you'll simply have your food put in front of you, no questions asked. Delicate and tasty banh cuon (silky steamed rice crepes filled with minced pork, mushrooms and ground shrimp), served hot off the screen on which they are steamed, is about all they do here - and they do it well.

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  3. Banh Ghoi

    A banh ghoi is like a meat patty filled with pork, glassy noodles, mushroom and seasonings. A plate of three served piping hot in this fine little place is a tasty treat on a cold day. Tourists are starting to eat here but the friendly woman who runs the joint clearly values her regular patrons, and standards remain as high as ever.

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  4. Bo Tung Xeo

    It's undeniably cool having dinner on a covered rooftop along happening Pho Mai Hac De. Bo Tung Xeo is hard to find (walk through the downstairs pho - rice-noodle soup - restaurant and up the stairs at the back), which naturally adds to its appeal. The speciality is a marinated sliced beef dish, which you and your friends grill at your table. Along with cold beer it makes a hearty repast.

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  5. Brother's Cafe

    For something completely different, Brother's Cafe is set in the courtyard of a carefully restored, 250-year-old Buddhist temple. The nightly dinner buffet is the affordable approach and includes one drink; the lunch special is a bargain. The atmosphere is simply serene, even when it's busy.

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  7. Bun Cha

    Next to Art Vietnam gallery is this fine little mother-and-daughter operation. They do one thing only ( bun cha - a dish of rice vermicelli with barbecued pork and vegetables), and they do it well. Work it into your plans if you're visiting the gallery.

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  8. Cafe 129

    Five sisters and their mother operate this neat little eatery that's known city-wide for its satisfying omelettes, pancakes and fresh fruit juices. They get it right, too. Naturally, the place attracts a lot of foreigners hankering for something other than pho in the early hours, but local students often claim several tables as well.

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  9. Cafe Smile

    Here's a cheery place. Like the better-known KOTO , Smile trains and employs former street kids. They're doing a fine job of it, making tasty pizzas, sandwiches and Vietnamese standards. Walk through the kitchen and head upstairs to the stylish, well lit and quiet dining rooms.

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  10. Cha Ca La Vong

    The antiquated atmosphere here is legendary, and its rickety floors, overcrowded tables and gruff wait staff live up to the billing. Head straight upstairs for the full-on experience, and leave behind all expectations of a relaxed midday repast. It's a one-dish sweatshop, specialising in cha ca (fish grilled on your table with turmeric and dill, served with cold noodles and peanuts).

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  11. Cha Ca Thanh Long

    Many locals habitually duck in here for a cha ca fix without the fuss of tourists shuffling in and out. The shambling atmosphere of Cha Ca La Vong is dispensed with, service is friendly and there's a bit more elbow room. It's a few blocks from its world-renowned predecessor.

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  13. Chim Sao

    One of Hanoi's smartest dining options, with subtly creative food and an arty, Asian-boho atmosphere. It gets busy on weekend evenings, when foreigners have the run of the place. It's especially nice for lunch.

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  14. Club 51

    The grand, open floorplan of this villa sets the tone for a special evening out. Huge Chinese lanterns cast a warm glow over the upstairs dining room, and an array of couches and tables dispersed among potted plants creates Hanoi's most luxurious space. The menu ranges from East to West without indulging in the fusion concept.

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  15. Com Chay Nang Tam

    This smoke-free Hanoi hotspot is famed for creative vegetarian dishes, some of which are fashioned to look like meat. Some vegetarians may find this a contradiction, but it's an ancient Buddhist tradition that is designed to make meat-eating guests feel at home.

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  16. Dragon Boat

    It can be quite a hoot having dinner aboard a boat painted to look like a dragon as it tools around West Lake. The menu emphasises seafood but generally covers the Vietnamese staples, including novel snake and pigeon platters. Vegetarians will have much to choose from. If you're travelling with a group, you can charter the entire boat for around ₫600,000 .

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  17. Emperor

    For festive and exotic atmosphere it doesn't get any better. Thankfully, Emperor follows through with sophisticated and rewarding contemporary Vietnamese food. Choose your setting: the lush courtyard, inside the traditional Asian wooden house, or up on the balcony. Be sure to include an order of shrimp paste on sugar cane, which makes for a fun and delicious starter.

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  19. Fanny

    Facing the lake and resembling a belle époque creamery, Fanny's is the place to be on a summer's eve. French-style ice cream and crepes are served with an artistic flourish, looking like tropical drinks (with fruit and mini conical hats). Fanny especially excels with the unusual ginger, cinnamon and coconut flavors. Fresh tropical-fruit ice creams are seasonal.

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  20. Food Shop 45

    The front of this popular family-run restaurant is thrown wide open so that diners can fully appreciate Truc Bach Lake. It's a lively spot that lures in expats with a fine selection of Indian curries, kebabs, tandoori grills and Indian breads. To top it off, the staff is friendly and the décor's stylish.

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  21. Green Tangerine

    The chaotic Old Quarter is not known for refined dining experiences, but Green Tangerine is the shining exception. It occupies a 1928 French townhouse sheltered behind a loggia and a front courtyard. It provides asylum for foreign gastronomes, with superb food, elegant presentation, a commendable wine list and fine service. Reserve for a romantic dinner, or drop by for a leisurely lunch.

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  22. Hai San Van Anh

    This unassuming spot has been known to overcharge foreigners, though the excellent seafood is still very reasonable by non-Hanoi standards. The gripe may be that the atmosphere is still very much of the Hanoi street variety. If you can live with that, round up some friends and order huge platters of fried squid and some of the city's best French fries.

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  23. Hapro Coffee Kiosk

    There's no topping Hapro's location, beneath the flowering flame trees a few skips from Hoan Kiem Lake. You'll want to order something just for the excuse to sit down. The menu is voluminous, but stick with the espresso drinks, artsy fruit beverages, light sandwiches and breakfast fare and you'll be happy.

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  25. Highlands Coffee

    Aboard a big old ferry boat, Highlands gets you out on the water without actually setting sail. Its decks offer a fine vantage point and a chance to catch a refreshing breeze while enjoying smoothies, shakes and ice cream. You can also order a light meal or breakfast. The signature product, of course, is coffee.

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  26. I-Box

    The lush décor here is a collection of cheetah-skin patterns, overly large couches and extravagant colours. The atmosphere becomes even more interesting when the local nouveau riche file through the doors and the bartenders rattle their cocktail shakers with flair. It's over the top, but the food and service are very good, and most nights the place features live music, movies or slick DJs.

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  27. Ilu Lounge

    On the 8th and 9th floors of the ILU office tower, this cool, contemporary space offers an upward escape from the hustling city below. However, panoramic windows and a rooftop terrace ensure Hanoi doesn't get completely blotted out. Vietnamese and pan-Asian dishes are prepared nicely, as are lunchtime tapas plates. It's perfectly reasonable to come here for drinks and the view.

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  28. Kitchen

    In the shadow of the Sheraton, cute little Kitchen offers healthy non-Vietnamese sandwiches. Homesick expats love it, and if you can relate to their cravings for PB&J or a burrito, then you're likely to gravitate here. Everything's fresh and made with care.

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  29. La Salsa

    This appealing tapas joint, with its soothing and cheery bar room, is popular with foreigners. No doubt they're drawn to its relaxed vibe and elegant comfort, the amiable staff and the exceptional food. Delicate pork ribs and perfectly fried calamari are mouthwatering, and you can also order steaks, lamb cutlets and other things that go well with potatoes.

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