Where and What to Eat in Hanoi

With a city plan almost tailor-made for exploring, Hanoi will keep you busy for days on end. From the main thoroughfares to the maze of back alleys there's something to see around every corner.

There are several walking tours to join and they seem like a good idea as only those with a working knowledge of Hanoi's layout should venture out alone.

For the athletically minded fitness clubs abound along with Golf and Hash House Harriers running opportunities.

Club Opera: Vietnamese

Across from the Sofitel Metropole, this classic bistro serves delicious Vietnamese food. The atmosphere is a retro French mansion with lots of cozy romantic nooks and candlelight. Club Opera has stir-fries and hot-pot specials, as well as grilled chicken in lemon grass and rich fried squid.
Address: 59 Ly Thai To Street.

Emperor: Vietnamese - Huế specialties

Emperor is set in a villa with a two-story pagoda-style outdoor pavilion strung with lights. Hué specialties served here include a rice pancake stuffed with morsels of pork. Other main courses include savoury eggplant with garlic served in a clay pot, and a delicious tangle of rice vermicelli with crabmeat, peppers, seaweed, and egg.
Address: 18b Le Thanh Tong
Tel: +844 826 8801

Cha Ca La Vong: Fish

This restaurant has been open for more than 100 years and only serves fried fish but it is a legend in the Old City market district. Cha Ca La Long can't be said to have the friendliest service in the world and you'd better take your own napkins, too but the food is fabulous.
Address: 14 Cha Ca
Tel: +844 825 3929

Bobby Chinn: Modern Fusion

Frequented by expats, you won't get the couldn't-care-less service that's typical in Hanoi and food wise expect modern fusion combining organic Vietnamese ingredients with modern touches - all with a slightly snobby attitude. Sit by the windows for great views over Hoan Kiem Lake.
Address: 1 Ba Trieu Street.
Tel: +844 934 8577 or +844 934 8578

Koto: Vietnamese

KOTO is an acronym for 'Know One Teach One' and is a non-profit restaurant dedicated to training disadvantaged youths. It is a popular lunch spot, but the four-story, 120-seat eatery can accommodate the crowds who are there for the great food. There's a wide range of Vietnamese dishes here.
Address: 59 Van Mieu Street (Opposite the Temple of Literature). Dong Da District.
Tel: +844 474 70337

Wild Lotus: Vietnamese

Located just south of Hoan Kiem District, Wild Lotus oozes elegance. It has a paving stones bridge, a reflecting pool, a grotto holding a large Buddha image, 13-foot ceilings and hand-painted wall murals, and lotus-theme tiles. But it's the gourmet Vietnamese dishes that command the most attention.
Address: 55a Nguyen Du Street. Hai Ba Trung District

Pho 24: Vietnamese fast food

There are many branches of this very popular food franchise in Vietnam, making it more popular than McDonald's and the large, steaming bowls of broth, meat, and rice noodles come with sides like mint, limes, onion, and chilis. Pho 24 is step up from street food and more hygienic.
Address: 191 Giang Vo Street. Dong Da District

Bar 69 Bar and Restaurant: Vietnamese

Set in a 300-year old two-storey wooden building, the menu is standard Vietnamese fare maybe better for a pre-dinner snack and a drink rather than a full meal. Their specialty beef strips with lemon, chilli and salt sauce goes a treat with a cold Saigon Beer. Upstairs is more the restaurant while downstairs the bar.
Address: 69 Ma May Street in the heart of Hanoi's tourist district.
Tel: +844 926 0452

Cyclo Restaurant: Vietnamese and French

A fun location, rather than a gastronomic wonder, Cyclo has a laugh at the city's many peddlers and bike-pushers by placing customers in mock cyclos - three-wheeled bicycle taxis. Dependable and atmospheric, customers seem to return regularly, which can only be a good thing.
Address: 38 Duong Thanh, near the Hang Da Market.
Tel: +844 828 6844

Al Fresco's: International and Mexican

Al Fresco's is the place to go when you're tired of the lighter Vietnamese food and want something to stick to your ribs. The ribs are a house specialty. Desserts are good standbys like brownies a la mode. The wine list is heavy on Australian and inexpensive South American reds.
Address: 23 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoan Kien District.
Tel: +844 826 7782