The Best Places to Eat in Hanoi

HANOI STREET FOOD

Hidden Hanoi Restaurants

Joe & Hai’s Favorite Hanoi Eating Adventures

Here are a few of our favorite places to enjoy “real” Hanoi street food:

Cafe overlooking Ho Hoan Kiem – One of the nicest views of Lake Hoan Kiem is from a cafe with a hidden entrance on Hang Gai Street.

Entrance at #11 Hang Gai – its on the south side of Hang Gai, between Hang Dao and Luong Van Can (much closer to Hang Dao end). The entrance is at the back of a small souvenir shop. You walk thru the shop and you will see a tiny “Cafe” sign.  You walk all the way thru a narrow hall and it opens to an “ancient” area – very small and lovely – then, first go up the staircase and then further up the circular staircase to the 2 top floors with fab views of Ho Hoan Kiem lake.  Enjoy a delicious ca phe sua da (Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk) or a sinh to (fruit shake), relax and enjoy one of the best views in Hanoi!

 

Xoi Xeo – A popular lunchtime at “Xeo Xen”.  I think best served with chicken (I order with no skin) and with pate. (I always cancel the crispy onions on top – but maybe you’ll like that). Located on the corner of Nguyen Huu Huan and Hang Bac streets at the edge of Hanoi’s Ancient Quarter.

 

Bún Mọc – This is my #1 favorite breakfast in Hanoi. A tiny bún mọc eatery on the west side of Ta Hien street, 4 or 5 doors north of the intersection with Luong Ngoc Quyen street.

BBQ Chicken Street – The BEST BBQ chicken in Hanoi – maybe in the world!  Also you must order the BBQ ban mi and BBQ sweet potatoes. Everything is delicious here!  The BBQ sauce is perhaps the best you’ll ever have!  On Ly Van Phuc just off Nguyen Thai Hoc. Go all the way to the end of Ly Van Phuc street (past dozens of less wonderful copy-cats BBQ eateries). A funky street food street – but truly wonderful and delicious Hanoi street food eating adventure!

 

Ho Thien Quang Lake –  Walk south on Ba Trieu street for 15-20 minutes; turn right on Tran Quoc Toan (my old apartment is right there – 🙂 ).  Then wander around (a nice bakery and wine shop are on streets around here) to one of my favorite Lakes – Ho Thien Quang. Across Tran Nhan Tong street is Lenin Park.

 

Cafe Street – A street with a dozen cafes is Trieu Viet Vuong between Tran Nhan Tong and the Vincom/Megastar Cinema Complex. (Good to get away from tourist central at Ho Hoan Kiem.)

AND WHEN YOU’RE READY TO HEAD DOWN TO HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) … visit

Eating Saigon!