Eating Itineraries for Hanoi

Day 1Day 1: Old Quarter pho, bun cha and eel noodles

Morning

Breakfast at Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan, where Michelin says each bowl is made to order at the counter, with rare flank, medium rare round or well-done brisket and crispy quay to add. Coffee at Cafe Pho Co on Hang Gai.

Afternoon

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien on Le Van Huu, where Obama and Bourdain ate in May 2016; most guests order the Obama Combo of bun cha, a fried seafood roll and a Hanoi beer. Then Dong Xuan Market, built by the French in 1889, and a banh mi at Banh Mi 25 on Hang Ca.

Evening

Dinner at Mien Luon Chan Cam, a Michelin Bib Gourmand known for its eel dishes, then a drink at Ne Cocktail Bar on Tong Duy Tan.

StopsPhở Gia Truyền Bát ĐànCafe Phố CổBún Chả Hương LiênBanh Mi 25Miến Lươn Chân CầmNê Cocktail BarChợ Đồng Xuân

Day 2Day 2: Egg coffee, rice rolls, a starred dinner and bia hoi

Morning

Egg coffee at Cafe Giang on Nguyen Huu Huan, serving it since 1946. Then banh cuon at Banh Cuon Gia Truyen on Hang Ga, open since 1973 and a Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2026.

Afternoon

Pho cuon at Pho Cuon Huong Mai on Ngu Xa, where crispy fried pho is also on the menu. Then the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070, and a chocolate stop at Maison Marou on Tho Nhuom.

Evening

Dinner at Tam Vi on Yen The, a one-star Michelin restaurant for Northern Vietnamese food, then bia hoi on plastic stools at the corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen.

StopsCafé GiảngPhở Cuốn Hương MaiMaison Marou HanoiTầm VịBia Hơi Corner Ta Hien

Day 1Day 1: Egg coffee and a vegetarian Bib Gourmand dinner

Morning

Egg coffee at Cafe Giang. The drink is made with egg yolk, so it is vegetarian but not vegan.

Afternoon

Coffee at The Hanoi Social Club at 6 Hoi Vu.

Evening

Dinner at Uu Dam Chay on Nguyen Du, which Michelin lists as a Bib Gourmand for a vegetarian menu anchored in tradition and mindful of nutritional balance.

StopsCafé GiảngThe Hanoi Social ClubƯu Đàm Chay

Day 2Day 2: Tay Ho coffee and Lamai Garden

Morning

Coffee at Maison de Tet Decor on Tu Hoa in Tay Ho.

Evening

Dinner at Lamai Garden on De Quai, which serves a seasonal tasting menu and has a vegetarian menu; it is open for dinner Monday to Friday only, so book ahead and plan this as a weekday.

StopsLamai Garden

Day 1One night: bia hoi, a cocktail and late chicken pho

Evening

Start at the bia hoi corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen once the sun sets, when visitors and residents fill the tiny plastic stools. Move on to Ne Cocktail Bar on Tong Duy Tan. Finish with chicken pho at Pho Ga Nguyet on Phu Doan, a Michelin Bib Gourmand open until midnight.

StopsBia Hơi Corner Ta HienNê Cocktail BarPhở Gà Nguyệt

Day 1Day trip: Hoa Lu, goat meat lunch and a Tam Coc boat tour

Morning

Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the Dinh and Le dynasties, with its temples and relics.

Afternoon

Lunch on goat meat, the province's specialty, at an eatery around Trang An, Tam Coc or the foot of Hoa Lu mountain. Then a boat tour at Tam Coc.

Evening

Back in Hanoi, dinner at Cau Go, whose menu draws on Northern, Central and Southern Vietnamese cooking above Hoan Kiem Lake.