This small and smoky Old Quarter coffeehouse is a popular meeting place for locals. Ideally placed for people watching, the open front looks onto a busy pedestrian intersection. The lighting is low, as are the stools that cling to the dark wood-paneled walls, encouraging the sitter to do the same. A modest tariff offers coffee and tea, hot or cold, as well as freshly squeezed orange juice and lemonade. Pickled limes can be taken with a pinch of salt and cigarettes are for sale if you can not take your coffee without one.
This is a very special restaurant, run by the kids many tourists hate. The only restaurant next to the Temple of Literature, it should not be missed for a lunch or breakfast. The story began with an Australian tour leader who befriended some street kids and decided to teach them to cook. A year later, an international chef, an enthusiastic staff and a group of keen learners opened the KOTO, "Know One Teach One," Restaurant. Guided by Australian teachers, these street kids produce great results. Their buffet breakfasts, pesto salads and fresh fruit juices come highly recommended.
Pungent coffee scents enticingly waft from Moca Cafe. Sandwiched between an upscale tailor and a refined housewares store, this all-purpose spot anchors Hanoi's artsy neighborhood and boasts one of the finest brick walls in the city. Expatriates flock to Moca for Western brunches and crosswords, and travelers find respite with spring rolls and magazines. With a variety of Indian offerings, the Oven-baked Naan is scrumptious. The menu appeals to both vegetarians, and steak-and-potato eaters.
This lively Old Quarter bia hoi (draught beer) restaurant is notable for the charm of its ubiquitous owner, Miss Minh. It is also known for its ever-expanding second-story terrace, which affords insightful views of the street market below. A good range of Vietnamese rice and noodle dishes is skillfully cooked in the makeshift kitchen area at the back of the terrace. The chicken and coconut curry packs a punch, while soft drinks are available if beer is not your fancy.
Solid red tablecloths alternate with green. Minimal art hangs from the wall. Music floats somewhere in the background, but not loudly enough to disturb the simple class of the restaurant's interior. The menu is entirely Italian. The variety of pastas and sauces would make deciding what to eat hard enough, but the appetizers, steaks, seafood and veal entrees make the choice even harder. If you think some wine might make the selection process easier, think again. The wine list is not much shorter than the menu. After you have chosen and eaten (and likely enjoyed), the dessert list awaits.
A sense of timeless sophistication overcomes you as you enter. Banners sporting ancient Chinese script in bold black hang about the entrance. Double happiness, longevity and wealth motifs translate from similar bamboo wall hangings inside. An army of well-groomed waiters descends as you make your way through the main dining room out into the garden beyond. Meticulously laid tables reside under lush banana palms as classical music wafts from an unseen orchestra. Once seated, smells from the kitchen and an all-you-can-eat buffet tempt skipping an aperitif. A wide selection of beverages is available.
Seasons of Hanoi is a beautiful Vietnamese restaurant designed within a large French villa. Just like Hanoi's seasons, it has a menu rich in flavor and variety. Meat and vegetable meals all contain strong tastes of ginger and lime, typical of Vietnamese dishes. This warm restaurant painted in rich blues and burgundy has a traditional wood floor and wide staircase. Vietnamese antiques lean upon or hang from the walls. An old opium pipe and traditional Chinese pictures rest casually on the bar.
This venue is not only a bar, but also a cafe and restaurant. Located in the busy and noisy Old Quarter, the Spot is a great place for some Western breakfast, afternoon coffee or evening drink.
Bit Tet Hai Ty is a casual but busy restaurant, which is famous for serving delicious meals. This sidewalk restaurant is simple with plastic tables and chairs. The menu includes a variety of dishes and has useful English translations to help you in ordering. Peoples favorite include the Crispy Eel, Saltpork Ribs, and Green Mustard. A good Bit Tet place enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Enjoy a refreshing cuppa at Coffee Linh, located in the Hoan Kiem district. The cafe is known for serving flavorful coffees and sinful desserts in a lovely ambiance. The decor is subtle and warm, perfect for those who are looking out to spend some quite time and unwind.
Xôi bà Thảo is an inconspicuous eatery and can be easily missed. But this tiny restaurant run by an old lady is a nice place to relish local dishes that are only available in certain diners in the city. The recipes of this local cuisine is passed down though generations, so you can be sure of its authenticity. Savor their crab meat rice, roasted crab rolls, grilled crab, pho and grilled squid. Please bring cash along as credit cards are not accepted.
Located within the expansive J W Marriott Hotel, French Grill is a restaurant exclusively featuring authentic French cuisine. Guests can choose from an assortment of delectable food items, ranging from savory caviar to succulent steaks. The establishment prides itself on offering patrons a chance to not only indulge in some mouthwatering dishes crafted to perfection but also to sit back and unwind over a glass of tasteful wine. The ambiance is subtle yet lovely, and the service is attentive to ensure that guests enjoy their experience at the Grill. Some incredibly delicious dishes include the Seared Foie Gras, and steak enthusiasts can dive into the Wagyu Sanchoku Tenderloin grilled in the traditional Japanese style. Brunches at French Grill are marvelous too, and guests can relish the lavish spread which consists of croissants, seafood platters and homemade bread among others.