6 Best Restaurants in Hanoi, Vietnam

The owner of Cousins (cugini means cousins in Italian) partnered with Italian chef Nico Ceccomoro to create an authentic dining experience at decent prices. Classy red and black interiors, sensual paintings, and a tree-shaded balcony make this location perfect for a date night. The menu is updated and expanded regularly, but you can’t go wrong with the pizzas or pasta, especially the tortellini with ricotta. There are also several fine wines to choose from.

Bringing inspired French cuisine to the heart of Hanoi, impassioned chef Benjamin Rascalou, who trained at several prestigious restaurants in Paris, has created a menu with flair. Main entrées, such as the sea bass meunière or seafood tagliatelle, will set you back more than most restaurants in Hanoi, but the flavors are worth the splurge. The desserts, such as the coffee mousse with pistachio ice cream and chocolate truffle, are almost impossible to pass up. Those who order the six-course tasting menu (1,500,000d) can elevate the experience with an optional wine pairing.

Serving countryside dishes with a refreshing modern twist, Luk Lak is a welcome addition to Hanoi's dining scene. Many of the dishes are head chef Madame Binh's take on recipes from a particular part of the country, such as the ga nuong Tu Le (grilled chicken with sticky rice from Yen Bai Province) and tom xoc toi Quang Tri (prawn with lemongrass and chili from Quang Tri Province). The minimalist design with flashes of Hanoi's colonial heritage serves to enhance an already exceptional dining experience.

Delicious Italian food is served in this dim and romantic brick eatery in front of the cathedral. Along with exemplary bruschetta (toasted bread with olive oil and various toppings) and homemade pastas, the Italian hosts serve excellent cappuccinos, Napoli-style thin-crust pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven, and interesting grappas—try licorice or peach.

Set up in a giant courtyard full of wooden booths, deck furniture, and barrels, the Moose & Roo Smokehouse at the American Center is chock-full of those looking for delicious smoked meats and comfort food. This lively restaurant promises Texas in Hanoi, and delivers on that promise.

Uu Dam Chay elevates vegan food with fruity salads, interesting tofu dishes (try one of the stuffed varieties), and creative mocktails. The restaurant is huge, but bookings are still recommended.