Food in Hanoi: The Best Old Quarter Restaurants
Hanoi’s food scene is an explosion of flavor – smoky grilled meats, fragrant herbs, and steaming bowls of pho that capture the city’s soul in every bite.
If you’re searching for the best food in Hanoi, the Old Quarter is where it all comes alive. This historic neighborhood is packed with sizzling street stalls, cozy family-run kitchens, and the kind of tiny plastic stools where the real magic happens.
When we visited, we spent ten days eating our way through the Old Quarter – sipping creamy egg coffee while people-watching, devouring fresh bánh cuốn for breakfast, and joining locals for late-night bia hoi on the sidewalk.
In this guide, we’ll share the must-try dishes in Hanoi and exactly where to find them in the Old Quarter – from iconic spots to hidden gems you won’t find on TripAdvisor.
Whether you’re a foodie traveler or just hungry to taste authentic Vietnam, these are the flavors that define Hanoi.
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👉 Before you arrive in Hanoi… check out the best hotels in our favorite neighborhoods.
Must-Try Food in Hanoi
Hanoi’s food is best experienced one bite at a time. From sweet fried treats to savory noodles and street-side grills, every dish tells part of the city’s story.
Here are the must-try foods in Hanoi – plus where to find our favorites in the Old Quarter.
🍜 Don’t waste time on overhyped stops — here’s where to go in Vietnam for real adventure, culture, and street food.
Egg Coffee
Egg coffee is a Vietnamese drink, born in Hanoi, and traditionally prepared with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and coffee. It’s creamy, frothy, and just a little salty.
We drank at least one every day during our month in Vietnam, but nothing beat the one at Cá Bóp Coffee in the Old Quarter. Order it nóng (hot) on your first try – the texture changes when iced.
📌 Learn how to craft iconic Vietnamese coffee. Seek Sophie offer this engaging coffee workshop under the guidance of a seasoned coffee connoisseur.
Salted Cream Coffee
Think of salted cream coffee as egg coffee’s lighter cousin — same silky texture, but without the egg. It’s made with condensed milk, Vietnamese coffee, and a layer of salted cream that balances the sweetness perfectly.
We loved it at Cafe Giảng, one of the city’s oldest cafés. The salty foam was just enough to make every sip taste like sweet-salty caramel.
Coconut Coffee
Coconut coffee quickly became our mid-afternoon ritual in Hanoi. Blended with coconut milk and condensed milk, it’s as indulgent as dessert but still packed with caffeine.
Our favorite version came from The Note Coffee, where every wall is covered in colorful sticky notes from travelers around the world. The coffee’s tropical sweetness matched the café’s playful vibe perfectly.
👉 Are you a coffee lover like us? Here’s a detailed list of every type of Vietnamese coffee that we tried and where we found them.
Bánh Xèo
Bánh xèo are crispy stuffed rice pancakes that are super popular as a snack or meal in Vietnam. Popular fillings include pork belly, shrimp, and chicken, and they are served with a tangy dipping sauce plus tons of herbs.
Pull up a plastic stool outside 24 Hàng Bồ and get your fix of a classic Hanoi experience at this small street food stand.
Bánh Rán
Freshly fried rice donuts coated in honey and sesame seeds – yes, they’re as good as they sound. Grab a few of these and eat them while they’re hot.
You can grab this must-try snack for 5000 VND a piece from Bánh Rán Cổ Truyền Mật Đường. It’s one of the best places to try them!
TOP TIP: We were a little overwhelmed as it was busy when we got there. Just find your way to the main counter and gesture how many you’d like and the cook will sort the rest.
Banh Mi
A banh mi is the perfect combination of savory ingredients put together in one sandwich. It’s usually made with a crusty baguette, some sort of pate, mayo or another sauce, a meat, veggies, and coriander/cilantro.
Our favorite banh mi is the basic (and traditional) pork variation, but there are a ton of styles you can choose from. Visit Banh Mi 25 in the Old Quarter Hanoi for the most popular banh mi in the city!
TOP TIP: If Banh Mi 25 is busy, don’t just walk past! They’ve got a great system in place to ensure food is served fast whilst maintaining that high quality that’s kept people coming back for years.
Bánh Cuốn
Bánh Cuốn, or Vietnamese rice rolls, are sticky rice rolls filled with either pork, shrimp or chicken as well as wood ear mushrooms and shallots. Dip the rolls in a tangy sauce and eat with the pickled veg served on the side.
We went to Bánh Cuốn Quang An for our very first meal in Hanoi and it’s where we discovered Bánh Cuốn. It set the standard high for the rest of our 10 day visit.
🥭 Planning to add Thailand to your trip? Our Bangkok Food Tour review covers the best night eats in Chinatown and why it’s worth it.
Bún Chả
Another food originating from Hanoi and another of our very favorite foods we tried. Bún chả is made from grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodles and served with herbs with a side dish of dipping sauce.
Make sure you try this dish at least once when you’re in Hanoi – we ate at Bun Cha Dac Kim at least three times.
TOP TIP: The servings are HUGE! If you’re not super hungry you could share with a friend.
Pho
Pho is probably the most famous Vietnamese dish and the one you’ve most likely heard of.
A soup dish made with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat (usually chicken or pork), pho is the perfect soup for any time of day and can be found all over.
One of the best bowls we tried in Hanoi is from Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn but you can find pho all over Hanoi.
Bún Riêu
Try this classic comfort food made from vermicelli rice noodles and broth flavored with tomatoes, shrimp paste, fish sauce and oftentimes crab.
Bún Riêu is somewhat similar to pho but differs with the addition of tomatoes and a more seafood oriented flavor profile.
Our favorite bowl was at Thu Bún Riêu.
📌 A guided tour is an amazing way to try all these foods -especially if you’re only in Hanoi for a couple days! We recommend this food tour to try the classics, plus foods and restaurants you’d never find on your own.
Bia Hoi (beer)
A classic experience in Hanoi is drinking very affordable, small glasses of light Vietnamese beer on the street surrounded by locals.
We had the best evening doing just that at Quán Bia Hơi Bát Đàn.
TOP TIP: If you plan on visiting train street at night, save some room to have a bia hoi there as in our experience, the only way to see the famous train was if you bought a drink or ate at one of the restaurants next to the tracks.
Vietnamese Candy
While you can find Vietnamese candy in convenience stores and markets, we stumbled upon an entire street selling candy by accident!
You can either pick your candy piece by piece or go all in with a few handfuls and see what you end up with.
The candy is priced by weight so its super easy to pay for and we LOVED doing this. The candy street is located on Hàng Đường Street – just pick a stand that looks tempting and see what you end up with!
The Best Restaurants in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is where Hanoi’s food scene comes alive. It’s a maze of alleys filled with sizzling woks, clinking coffee cups, and the smell of grilled pork drifting through the air.
Every tiny shop seems to have its own specialty, and eating here feels like joining the rhythm of local life.
Below are our favorite restaurants and cafés in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, organized by what they’re best known for – from legendary egg coffee to vegan delights and late-night bia hoi.
Cafés & Coffee Culture in the Old Quarter
Come for the egg-cellent egg coffee and frozen yogurt, stay for the charming views and people watching from the second floor balcony.
TOP TIP: On the menu, the frozen yogurt is just “yogurt.” Try the matcha and chocolate flavors – both were delicious!
Add your mark to the walls of the famous Note Cafe – Hanoi’s colorful, post-it covered icon. Write to yourself, fellow travelers, or the world – just make sure to bring a pen.
We tried the egg coffee and the iced coconut coffee and loved them equally. Grab a balcony seat upstairs for the best view of the street below.
📌 If coffee is your thing, become a coffee brewing guru in this Hanoi hidden workshop. You’ll make egg coffee, salted coffee, coconut coffee and even an espresso martini.
Street-Food Classics and Local Favorites
Hanoi’s most popular banh mi shop – and for good reason. Order the signature pork banh mi and a coconut coffee. It’s busy, but turnover is quick, and tables open up every 10–15 minutes.
Our favorite meal in Hanoi! Bun cha is a tangy, smoky broth served with grilled pork, vermicelli noodles, and piles of herbs. Order the crab spring rolls too – dunk them in the broth for a 10/10 experience.
We came here multiple times because we couldn’t get enough. The portions are generous so it’s perfect for sharing.
If you try only one bowl of pho in Hanoi, make it this one. The broth is rich and layered, the noodles silky, and the flavor deepens as it sits. Add an egg to make it extra creamy – locals swear by it.
Hidden Gems & Local Eateries
A true hidden gem recommended to us by our local guide. This buffet-style eatery is incredible. It might seem like you’re walking into the wrong place, but we promise there’s a restaurant through the unsuspecting doorway!
Point to the dishes you want on display – you can pay a set price for 2, 3, or 4 options each! The woman working there kindly pointed out her own favorites for us.
🇻🇳 Vietnam has two major food capitals, and where you begin can shape the flavors you experience first. This guide compares Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City so you can choose your starting point.
Vegetarian & Vegan Eats
This is an incredible spot whether you eat meat or not! We can’t even give recommendations for what to try because it’s literally all delicious.
The service here is also top rate, and the wait staff will often show you how to eat your first bites.
With nearly 2,000 glowing reviews and a perfect rating, Katze is a can’t-miss for anyone looking for plant-based food in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Where to End the Night – Bia Hoi & Local Vibes
Nothing says Hanoi nightlife like sitting on a plastic stool with a cold bia hơi (local draft beer) surrounded by locals.
We stopped here after watching the train pass on nearby Train Street and ended up staying for hours.
Order a beer for 13K VND (about $0.60 USD), plus stir-fried morning glory and fermented pork rolls for the perfect pairing.
TOP TIP: Bia hoi is as much a social ritual as a drink – go in the evening to soak up the atmosphere when the street fills with laughter and clinking glasses.
Top Tips for Eating in Hanoi
Visiting restaurants in Hanoi is one of our very favorite memories from our time in Vietnam! Now we’re here to share what we learned with you.
Here are some top tips to make the most of your experience:
Eat Local: A busy restaurant full of locals usually means it’s going to be good. Ask for recommendations if you’re not sure what to order.
Reviews: A busy place is usually a good sign, but we always like to check Google reviews beforehand. Any recent mention of food poisoning, we tend to steer clear.
Atmosphere: Lunchtime (around 11 AM to 2 PM) and dinner (after 6 PM) can be busy. Visiting during off-peak hours might give you a more relaxed experience.
Paying: Cash is queen in most places. Always have some Vietnamese Dong on hand, although credit cards are accepted in more upscale restaurants and cafes.
👉 Many of the country’s most distinctive dishes come from the north. This itinerary connects Hanoi with places like Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay.
Eat Dinner at One of Hanoi’s Night Markets
Hanoi has a few different night markets that are perfect for budget travelers looking to explore local culture, food, and shopping. Here are a few options:
Old Quarter Night Market
This popular market stretches from Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market and is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening from 6 PM until late.
It’s a busy spot where you can find street food, clothing, souvenirs, and electronics at affordable prices.
Be prepared to bargain here, but remember the sellers are just trying to make a living!
Dong Xuan Market
While the market itself is a daytime destination, the surrounding area becomes a night market on weekends.
It’s a good spot for street food and budget-friendly clothes, and it tends to have fewer tourists than the Old Quarter Night Market.
Helio Night Market (Chợ Đêm Helio)
Located near the Tay Ho area, this market is quieter and smaller, focusing on local foods and handmade crafts. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere away from the busier tourist areas.
Quang Ba Flower Market
Though primarily a wholesale flower market, Quang Ba is open late into the night and is especially vibrant during festivals. It’s a unique way to experience a different side of Hanoi’s night scene.
💙 Sapa’s mountain cuisine is very different from Hanoi’s street food. This itinerary highlights village meals + the flavors unique to northern Vietnam’s highlands.
Must-Do Tours in Hanoi
You can choose from so many tours from Hanoi. Our two must-dos would be a walking tour and a food tour.
If you don’t have long in Vietnam or if you’re spending the whole trip in Hanoi, a day trip to explore more of the country is a solid choice.
Old Quarter Walking Tours
A walking tour with a local guide is our favorite way to get our bearings in a new city.
We like to take a tour right after arriving, as it helps us see the major tourist spots while picking up insider tips from our guide that make the rest of our trip even better!
Hanoi is a busy city, so it’s always best to book activities at least a day or two in advance. Guruwalk is a great website that compiles available (usually free!) walking tours and reviews for you to book.
You can also book through your accommodation.
Street Food Tours
The street food scene in Hanoi is truly next level good. We may or may not be looking at plane tickets back to Vietnam after writing this post just because we miss the food in Hanoi so much!
Book a Street Food Tour in Hanoi to learn more about the best local dishes from an actual local. There are many tours on offer including walking tours as well as motorbike tours.
👉 Heading to Thailand next? Read about the best street food in Chinatown, Bangkok.
Day Trips from Hanoi If You’re Short on Time
Many tours operate from Hanoi to hot spots such as Ninh Binh and Halong Bay. If you’re short on time, taking a day trip from Hanoi is a great way to maximize your time in Vietnam.
📌 There are tours on offer in every direction from Hanoi. Check out your options here.
Where to Stay in Hanoi Old Quarter
A stay in the Old Quarter of Hanoi is the perfect spot for a foodie. Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Hanoi, as soon as you leave the door of your Old Quarter hotel.
Budget Accommodation
Hanoi City Backpackers Hostel – OUR PICK
Hanoi City Backpackers Hostel is a great budget option if you’re looking for a hostel. The rooms are clean, the staff are super friendly, and it’s surrounded by all the amazing food in the Old Quarter.
Mid-Range Accommodation
Elite Central Hotel Hanoi is perfect for its modern, spacious rooms, attentive staff, and unbeatable location in the Old Quarter.
Wallet-Friendly Luxury Accommodation
Hanoi Calido Hotel packs a punch with its value, offering stylish, clean rooms and exceptionally friendly, helpful staff.
Its location in the heart of the Old Quarter makes it an ideal base for exploring the vibrant Hanoi street food scene and all the Old Quarter attractions.
The hotel frequently offers last-minute deals, making it a mid-range or even budget-friendly option, so it’s worth checking out even if you don’t typically book pricier accommodations.
👉 Craving more of Hanoi? Here’s how to spend 3 days in Hanoi and if you’re curious, this is how Hanoi fits into our 2-week and 1-month Vietnam itineraries.
Where to Go After Hanoi (For More Incredible Food)
🇹🇭 Heading north to Chiang Mai after Vietnam? We joined Grandma’s Home Cooking School (full review) and learned to make real Thai dishes from scratch.
🏮 Central Vietnam has its own iconic dishes, and Hoi An is one of the best places to try them. This itinerary shows how to explore the town while tasting its most famous foods.
Ninh Binh – countryside cooking and family kitchens
- Things to do in Ninh Binh – Limestone landscapes and small villages make Ninh Binh a peaceful contrast to Hanoi’s busy streets.
- Trang An vs Tam Coc – This guide explains the differences between the two main areas so you can choose the best base.
- Self-Guided Tam Coc bicycle route – Cycling through rice fields and karst cliffs is one of the best ways to explore the countryside.
- Best restaurants in Tam Coc – From home-style Vietnamese dishes to relaxed cafés, these are the spots worth seeking out.
Phong Nha – cave adventures and unique local food
- Phong Nha vs Ninh Binh – If you’re deciding between these two scenic regions, this comparison breaks down what each destination offers.
- Things to do in Phong Nha – Known for its caves and quiet riverside setting, Phong Nha is also a great place to enjoy simple local meals after a day of exploring.
