The majority of restaurants in Hanoi Old Quarter tend to be humble-looking dining venues hidden in narrow alleyways and bustling street markets, where you can enjoy authentic regional delicacies at affordable prices. Many of these restaurants are conveniently located within walking distance of Hanoi’s shopping streets and prominent landmarks, such as Hoan Kiem Lake and Bach Ma Temple, so you’re never too far away from a decent place to eat.

One of the most visited cities in Vietnam, Hanoi’s dining scene has become more diverse in recent years, from classy cafés serving French pastries and coffee to expat-owned bistros for travelers craving comfort food during their holiday. Read on to discover our list of Hanoi Old Quarter’s most popular restaurants, catering to a wide array of styles, budgets, and preferences.

1. Essence Restaurant Hanoi
Opening Hours: Daily 06.30 am – 22.00 pm

Address: 22 Ta Hien Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi

Tel: +84 43 935 2485

Essence Restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter serves authentic Vietnamese and western delicacies, together with fresh fruit smoothies, coffees, beers, and wines. Located on the ground floor of Essence Hanoi Hotel & Spa, the all-day restaurant is a good option for travelers looking to enjoy value-for-money meals in a comfortable and sophisticated setting. Signature dishes include duck coconut curry, bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli noodles), cha ca la long (turmeric fish with dill) and rolled beef with black raisin sauce.

2. Highway4 Restaurant Hoan Kiem
Opening Hours: Daily 10.00 am – 23.30 pm

Address: 25 Bat Su, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Highway4 Restaurant Hoan Kiem features classic Vietnamese furnishings, English-speaking staff and a large menu running through Vietnam’s entire culinary heritage. With separate sections in the menu for fire, wood, metal, and water (relating to the cooking techniques) Highway 4 is perfect for large groups with disparate tastes.

The specials are highly recommended, particularly the catfish spring rolls. Popular with locals and tourists, all food is served with plenty of local herbs, which the restaurant tries to source sustainably. There are several branches of Highway4 Restaurants throughout Hanoi, including in the Ba Dinh and Cau Giay districts
3. Green Tangerine Restaurant Hanoi
Opening Hours: Daily 11.00 am – 23.00 pm

Address: 48 Hang Be Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Green Tangerine Restaurant Hanoi is set along Old Quarter’s Hang Be Street, where diners can enjoy authentic Vietnamese and French haute cuisine in a quaint setting. Opened in 2003, the brasserie-style restaurant occupies a refurbished 1920s French villa fitted with rustic décor, bare brick walls, and antique furnishings.

Food-wise, Green Tangerine Restaurant Hanoi is renowned for its artfully presented dishes, such as duck breast carpaccio in red fruit dressing served with gizzard candied in ginger, sesame biscuits and mushroom, roasted pigeon marinated in coffee with mashed eggplants rolled in spinach leaves and broccoli, and the caramelized pork and stewed apples in Calvados.
4. Xuan Xuan Hanoi
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday 10.00 am – 22.00 pm

Address: 47 Ma May Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi

Xuan Xuan Hanoi might not win an award for the style but, if you want to eat like a local, this Vietnamese BBQ is just about the best in town. Sit down on the ankle-high stools and order a selection of meats (from pork, beef and goat udders) and vegetables. Everything is brought on a large platter and you barbeque your own dinner over a small gas-burning stove. It’s a fun experience, eating elbow to elbow with a diverse range of customers, and the taste is truly delicious. Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, look for the crowds of happy diners spilling out onto the pavement.

5. Xoi Yen

Opening Hours: Daily 07.00 – 22.00 pm

Address: 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Tel: +84 43 934 1950

Xoi Yen specializes in xoi xeo, which is a sweet or savory sticky rice topped with a variety of different meats, shallots and shaved bean curd. Located in Old Quarter, the restaurant occupies a three-storey corner lot along Nguyen Huu Huan Street, with very low stools and tables (which may be uncomfortable at times, but that’s when you know it’s a local establishment). Xoi Yen gets very packed at night, but service is quick as most locals usually opt for takeaways instead of dining in. A basic bowl of xoi xeo is priced at VND 15,000, with additional ingredients between VND 15,000 and VND 30,000.

6. Cha Ca Thang Long 
Opening Hours: Daily 10.00 am – 15.00 pm, 17.00 pm – 22.00 pm

Address: 21 Duong Thanh Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi

Tel: +84 43 824 5115

Cha Ca Thang Long in the Old Quarter is one of the best places to enjoy cha ca, which is a distinctive Hanoi delicacy. Priced at VND 120,000, the dish comprises a white fish fillet seasoned with garlic, ginger, turmeric, and dill. After placing your order, the staff will help assemble and cook the ingredients using a sizzling pan at your table. You also get a bowl of rice noodles, peanuts, chopped spring onions, parsley, nuoc cham sauce and red chili slices, all of which are meant to be mixed together with the bold, turmeric-flavored fish.
7. Al Fresco's Hanoi 

Opening Hours: Daily 09.30 - 23.00

Location: 19, Nha Tho Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi

Tel: +84 43 938 1155

Chain restaurant Al Fresco’s Hanoi is a superb choice for family dining, serving up large portions of western fare. It’s the place to go when you're tired of the lighter Vietnamese food and want something more substantial during your holiday in Hanoi. The shortcut ribs (VND 225,000 upwards) and quesadillas (VND 160,000) are house specialties in this casual friendly diner, while the wine list is heavy on Australian and South American reds. Non-alcoholic beverages range from fresh fruit juices, milkshakes and yogurt smoothies to Vietnamese coffee, soft drinks, and Lipton tea.