Hanoi eating guide

An independent selection of the best eateries from fine dining to street food in Hanoi, from Rusty Compass. No paid endorsements.

Hanoi eating guide

Introduction

| 16 Oct 2018
Last updated 16 Oct 2018

Hanoi’s greatest culinary attraction may well be its street food scene. It’s proving remarkably resilient in the face of other changes sweeping the city. Everyone from the elderly to the young, from the rich, to the less wealthy, seems to love to congregate around small tables on plastic stools, day or night, to dig in to the city’s street cuisine. The Hanoians prefer saltier flavours to their southern counterparts. Off the street, Hanoi's restaurant scene is evolving - though at a slower clip than Saigon in the south. The international culinary scene is evolving too - and if you're staying a few days, make sure you head out to the West Lake expat area for more international restaurants, cafes and bars.

 

This independent list of the best dining in Hanoi from the streets to upscale restaurants, was updated in September 2018. Everything is handpicked and no money changes hands for a listing.

4P's Pizza, Hanoi

Saigon’s most popular pizza - Japanese owned 4P’s - moved to Hanoi in 2016. As at early 2022, there are now several across... Read more
4P's Pizza, Hanoi
43 Trang Tien St, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Muoi Tieu Cafe, Hanoi

Muoi Tieu is a friendly husband-and-wife-run cafe serving tasty breakfast and lunch fare - and good coffee. In 2019 it relocated... Read more
Muoi Tieu Cafe, Hanoi
Food Steet, Tong Duy Tan, Hanoi

Casa Italia Restaurant, Hanoi

Part restaurant and part showroom for Italian luxury brands - Maserati, Vespa and Armani - Casa Italia is located in a grand... Read more

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Casa Italia Restaurant, Hanoi
18 Le Phung Hieu, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

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Pho Gia Truyen, Hanoi

Also known as Quan Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan, this is one of those “best pho in Hanoi” places and a fixture in guidebooks for... Read more

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Pho Gia Truyen, Hanoi
49 Bát Đàn, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội

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Bun Cha Dac Kim, Hang Manh

Bun Cha is another Hanoi specialty not to be missed and this little bun cha stop on Hang Manh St is one of the dish's best... Read more

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Bun Cha Dac Kim, Hang Manh
1 Hang Manh St, Hanoi
043 8285022

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Cha Ca La Vong, Hanoi

Hanoi’s original cha ca eatery. Cha Ca is a northern specialty consisting of river fish, turmeric, dill, peanuts, noodles and a... Read more

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Cha Ca La Vong, Hanoi
14 Cha Ca St, Old Quarter, Hanoi

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Com Pho Restaurant, Hanoi

Not far off the southern end of Hanoi’s French Quarter, Com Pho is another busy Hanoi local eatery - a great place for an... Read more

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Com Pho Restaurant, Hanoi
29 Le Van Huu St, Hanoi

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La Badiane Restaurant, Hanoi

La Badiane has been a consistent favourite French restaurant in Hanoi since its opening several years ago. The setting, in a... Read more

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La Badiane Restaurant, Hanoi
10 Nam Ngu street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
+84 (4) 39 42 45 09

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New Day Restaurant, Hanoi

A great little local eatery on Hanoi's Ma May St. Packed for lunch and dinner with locals and travellers serving solid northern... Read more

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New Day Restaurant, Hanoi
72 Ma May St Hanoi in the Old Quarter

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Ngon Restaurant (Quan An Ngon), Hanoi

Ngon - which means delicious in Vietnamese - is a large open festival of street food in the comfort of a restaurant space.... Read more

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Ngon Restaurant (Quan An Ngon), Hanoi
18 Phan Boi Chau St, Hanoi

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Pho Nam Ngu, Hanoi

A classic “hole in the wall” pho stall in a small lane not far from the train station. Surly owner and a loyal following - a... Read more

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Pho Nam Ngu, Hanoi
7 Nam Ngu St, Hanoi - not far from Ngon Hanoi

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Puku Cafe, Hanoi

This is an old Hanoi favourite reincarnated in a larger spot on Tong Duy Tan St - aka. food street. While “food street” is... Read more

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Puku Cafe, Hanoi
16/18 Tong Duy Tan Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
+844 3938 1745

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KOTO Restaurant, Hanoi

Koto is a great place for a meal or a drink close by Hanoi’s Temple of Literature. And this is no ordinary restaurant. Founded... Read more

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KOTO Restaurant, Hanoi
59 Van Mieu St, Dong Da District, Hanoi - across from the Temple of Literature
+84 4 3747 0337

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Chim Sao Restaurant, Hanoi

Chim Sao is slightly away from Hanoi's main traveller area but it's well worth the 10 minute cab ride. It's the real thing in... Read more

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Chim Sao Restaurant, Hanoi
65 Ngo Hue, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi

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Hanoi Social Club, Hanoi

Hanoi Social Club is a little outpost of Melbourne's cafe scene in a stunning French colonial villa in downtown Hanoi. Great... Read more

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Hanoi Social Club, Hanoi
6 Hoi Vu St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
+844 39382117

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Food Street - Tong Duy Tan St, Hanoi

Tong Duy Tan St, aka. Food Street, is a strip of mainly local eateries that gets especially busy at night. There are some cafes... Read more

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Food Street - Tong Duy Tan St, Hanoi
Tong Duy Tan St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

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Street Food - Hanoi

The view of Hanoi from the low tables and plastic stools of a street vendor is an essential city experience. And the food’s... Read more

Thuy Ta Cafe, Hanoi

Thuy Ta Ice Cream, right on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake, is a Hanoi institution. Predating the North's independence from France... Read more

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Thuy Ta Cafe, Hanoi
1 Le Thai To Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
+ 84438286290

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Mau Dich 37, Hanoi

Mau Dich 37's quirky nostalgia for the impoverished days of Hanoi in the 1970s and 1980s makes for an intriguing and... Read more

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Mau Dich 37, Hanoi
37 Nam Trang, Ngu Xa, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
+84437154336

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Cong Caphe, Hanoi

Cong Caphe is a popular coffee chain that’s taken Hanoi by storm with its rustic, military chic decor. The capital is now packed... Read more

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Cong Caphe, Hanoi
32 Dien Bien Phu St, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

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1946 Restaurant, Hanoi

1946 is a busy little Vietnamese restaurant in the Cua Bac area not too far from Ba Dinh Square. Nothing slick. Nothing fancy. Read more

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1946 Restaurant, Hanoi
3 Ngo Yen Thanh, 61 Cua Bac, Hanoi

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Highway 4, Hanoi

Highway 4 is an old Hanoi favourite that's lost some of its ramshackle edge in recent years. Still a dependable stop for... Read more

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Highway 4, Hanoi
5 Hàng Tre, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

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Manzi Cafe and Art Space, Hanoi

Manzi is cafe - cum - gallery in a beautiful colonial era villa. More about a quiet drink than a meal. Read more

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Manzi Cafe and Art Space, Hanoi
14 Phan Huy Ich, Hanoi
+844 3716 3397

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Xuan Xuan BBQ, Hanoi

Right in middle of the Ma May street tourist mayhem, Xuan Xuan  is perfect for a Hanoi-style, street-side BBQ. Read more

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Xuan Xuan BBQ, Hanoi
47 Ma May St, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

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Cau Go Restaurant, Hanoi

Cau Go, which means wooden bridge, is a stylish Vietnamese restaurant that enjoys spectacular views across Hoan Kiem Lake in... Read more

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Cau Go Restaurant, Hanoi
7 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
+84 4 3926 0808

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Cousins Restaurant, Hanoi

Cousins is a popular cafe restaurant set in a large colonial-style villa in Hanoi's West Lake area. it's a good escape from the... Read more

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Cousins Restaurant, Hanoi
15 Ngo 45 To Ngọc Van, Quang An, Tay Ho, Hanoi
+84 838 670 098

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El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, Hanoi

The El Gaucho steak craze started in Saigon and then spread to the capital Hanoi, where it seems to be getting a reception every... Read more

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El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, Hanoi
11 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi

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Xofa Cafe, Hanoi

Hanoi’s second 24 hour cafe, Xofa, is in a cool colonial style space - right by the original 24 hour cafe, Puku, on Tong Duy Tan... Read more

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Xofa Cafe, Hanoi
4 Tong Duy Tan St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

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Coffee Culture Hanoi - Hanoi's best cafes

A guide to Hanoi’s best coffee.These cafes are cool little destinations too. Make them part of your Hanoi exploration. Read more

Ngon Villa, Hanoi

Ngon Villa is a slightly curious pairing of all-you-can-eat Vietnamese food, in a fine dining setting. The food’s good and the... Read more

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Ngon Villa, Hanoi
10 Tong Duy Tan St, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi
(+84) 4.32212222

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