Hanoi’s food scene is fast, flavourful, and full of character. You can grab a steaming bowl of phở for breakfast, taste smoky bún chả at lunch, and end your day with street-side bánh Cuốn and a cold Hanoi beer. Every meal feels alive here, surrounded by noise, laughter, and the smell of fresh herbs in the air.
Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, famous for its rich, sweet brews like egg coffee and coconut coffee.
Join a Hanoi street food walking tour to try local favourites like bun cha, pho, banh mi, and kem xôi while exploring the Old Quarter and stopping for coffee by the railway tracks as the train passes.
BRUNCHES & CAFES
1. The Note Cafe ($$)
Probably the most famous café in Hanoi, and for good reason. Every wall, table, and window is covered in colourful sticky notes left by travellers from all over the world. The messages range from sweet to funny to deeply personal, and together they make the whole place feel alive. It’s a lovely stop for photos or a mid-morning break, but the coffee itself isn’t the highlight here.
2. Giao Mùa Coffee ($$)
Often called the “hobbit house,” this café feels like something out of a storybook. It’s small, cozy, and tucked away from the busy streets, with wooden details and warm lighting that make you want to stay for hours. The coffee, though, is the real surprise. It’s smooth, rich, and full of flavour. Definitely try the salted coffee, which is creamy and perfectly balanced without being too sweet.
3. MONO Coffee Lab – Vân Hồ ($$)
Our favourite coffee shop in Hanoi, without question. MONO Coffee Lab is all about simplicity done perfectly. The space is calm and minimalist, the music is soft, and everything feels intentional. The coffee is exceptional and the pastries are just as impressive.
Cinnamon Roll Earl Grey Cream Cheese
4. Xofa Café & Bistro ($$)
Located just a short walk from the energy and chaos of the Train Street, Xofa feels instantly welcoming the moment you walk in. It has that homey atmosphere that makes you want to sink into a couch and stay awhile. It’s perfect for a long breakfast, a relaxed brunch, or even a casual lunch. The menu is varied, the coffee is good, and the staff makes you feel genuinely cared for.
5. hermanos café ($$)
Located on the small island where we stayed, Hermanos quickly became our everyday coffee spot. It’s quiet, friendly, and full of locals, which gives that genuine neighbourhood feel. The coffee is consistently great, the views are peaceful, and it’s the perfect place to start your morning before heading back into the buzz of the city.
RESTAURANTS & VIETNAMESE CLASSICS
6. Bánh Mì
No trip to Hanoi is complete without a proper bánh mì, and the city has plenty of incredible spots to try. Bánh Mì 25 is the most famous one, loved for its crunchy baguette and generous fillings. The Banhmi has a slightly more modern approach, and while we didn’t love their sandwich as much, their sizzling eggs with steak are absolutely worth trying for breakfast. Bami Bread might be our favourite of the three, their special with char siu pork and Vietnamese sausage is next-level good. The mix of sweet, savoury, and spicy flavours wrapped in that warm, crispy baguette is everything you dream of in Vietnamese street food.
7. Phở
You can’t talk about Hanoi without talking about phở, it’s the dish that defines the city. Every person has their favourite spot, but two places stood out for us. Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn is one of the most iconic spots in the city, always buzzing with locals from early morning. The broth is rich, the beef tender, and the atmosphere authentic, Anthony’s clear favourite. Just a few blocks away, Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư serves another legendary bowl: clean, flavourful, and consistently good (Adelina’s top pick). The service is quick, the portions are generous, and the taste lives up to the reputation. Both are delicious in their own way, and together they show just how much variety one simple bowl of phở can have in Hanoi.
8. Bún Chả
Our favourite discovery in Hanoi and honestly, we loved it even more than phở. Bún chả is everything you want in Vietnamese food: smoky grilled pork, rice noodles, and that garlicky, sweet-sour dipping sauce that ties it all together. Tuyết Bún Chả 34 quickly became our go-to, with perfectly charred meat and a light, flavourful broth. Bún Chả Đắc Kim is one of the city’s most famous spots, always busy and known for its bold, slightly sweeter flavour. And of course, Bún Chả Hương Liên, also called “Obama Bún Chả,” earned its fame after the former US president dined there and it’s genuinely worth the hype. No matter which one you try, expect to fall in love with this dish the same way we did.
9. Bánh Cuốn
Delicate, light, and full of flavour, bánh cuốn became one of our favourite dishes in Hanoi. It’s made from thin steamed rice sheets filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, then topped with crispy shallots and served with a dipping sauce. Bánh Cuốn Bà Hoành is one of the city’s most famous spots, known for perfect texture and consistency, soft but never sticky. Bánh Cuốn Bà Xuân feels a bit more local and home-style, with generous fillings and a slightly stronger dipping sauce.
10. Tầm vị ($$)
Famous for being the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant in the world, Tầm Vị serves traditional Vietnamese dishes in an old-style wooden house filled with antiques and soft lighting. The food is beautifully presented and the flavours are delicate, but to be honest, it didn’t quite live up to the Michelin star standard. Still, it’s a good place to experience a more refined version of local cuisine at a very fair price.
Fried spring rolls with pork & Vietnamese caramelised pork and eggs
11. Lan Ong Restaurant ($$)
If you’ve had your share of plastic stools and street-side chaos, Lan Ong is the perfect upgrade. The restaurant serves classic Vietnamese food in a calm, elegant setting with good air conditioning and warm service. The menu is wide, portions are generous, and every dish feels fresh and well prepared. It’s a great spot for a comfortable dinner that still feels authentic.
Grilled pork ribs with five spices
12. Pizza 4P’s ($$-$$$)
Holy wow! This might just be one of the best pizzas we’ve ever had, and yes, we’re saying that with Anthony being half Italian. Everything is fresh, perfectly baked, and full of flavour. The crust is perfectly thin and soft with that slight chew you only get from real wood-fired ovens. The service is great, the atmosphere is warm, and we actually came back twice during our stay because it was that good. There are several locations around Hanoi, and it’s best to book ahead (it’s popular for all the right reasons).
House-made 5 Cheese Pizza & Salmon Miso Cream Pizza
BARS
13. langthang ($)
This bar was just a short walk from where we stayed, and it quickly became our go-to place for a drink before or after dinner. The vibe is relaxed and friendly, the music is just loud enough to enjoy without shouting, and the cocktails are both creative and surprisingly affordable.
14. Attic Cocktail Lab ($$)
Attic feels more like a secret hideout than a bar. Tucked away in the upper floor of an old building in the French Quarter, it’s dimly lit, intimate, and perfect for cocktail lovers who appreciate attention to detail. The bartenders here know what they’re doing and every drink feels like a little experiment done right.
15. Little Shelter – Cocktail Bar ($$)
Located a few steps away from St. Joseph Cathedral, Little Shelter feels like a stylish escape from Hanoi’s busy streets. The bar has a modern, intimate atmosphere with warm lighting and a beautifully designed interior that sets the tone for a relaxed evening. The only downside is that the service can be a little slow, and both service tax and VAT are added at the end, so expect roughly an 18% increase on the final bill.
Want to be the first to hear about our latest adventures, hidden gems, and favorite eats around the world?
Just drop your name and email below-we’d love to have you along for the ride!