WIL'DISCOVER – THE ULTIMATE HANOI GUIDE BY WIL'QUE VIETNAM

Wil'Discover takes you on a journey through some of the most interesting spots around Cua Bac, Truc Bach, West Lake, the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and nearby neighbourhoods. Whether you're visiting Hanoi for the first time or already know the city well, there's always something new to discover along the way.

Pho – Vietnamese Noodle Soup

Pho is one of Vietnam's most iconic traditional dishes, featuring soft rice noodles, aromatic broth, fresh herbs, and tender beef or chicken. Known for its rich fragrance and carefully simmered broth, pho is a favourite for breakfast and a comforting meal at any time of day.

1. Pho Thin – 42 Quan Thanh Street

Traditional chicken pho featuring soft rice noodles, tender chicken, and a light, delicate broth, making it a wonderful choice for a classic Hanoi breakfast.

2. Pho Hanh – 65A Lan Ong Street

A chicken pho spot in the heart of the Old Quarter, ideal for enjoying a familiar Hanoi favourite while exploring the city's historic streets.

3. Pho Ga Nguyet – 6B Phu Doan Street

Famous for both chicken noodle soup and dry mixed chicken pho, featuring flavourful free-range chicken and a clear, delicate broth. Recognised by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand distinction.

4. Pho Tien – 103 Nguyen Truong To Street

A Michelin Selected chicken pho restaurant offering a variety of chicken cuts, including thigh, breast, and offal, alongside chicken vermicelli and glass noodle dishes.

5. Pho Xao Phu My – 45 Bat Dan Street

A great alternative to traditional pho soup, specialising in stir-fried rice noodles with beef for a satisfying change of flavour.

6. Pho Oanh – 113 Nguyen Truong To Street

A convenient beef pho stop on Nguyen Truong To Street, perfect for including in a food discovery walk around Cua Bac and Ba Dinh.

7. Pho Thin Bo Ho – 19 Hang Voi Street

A long-established pho name known for its clear broth, tender beef, and traditional Hanoi flavours. The restaurant relocated from its former address at 61 Dinh Tien Hoang Street in January 2026.

8. Pho Ly Quoc Su – 27B Phung Hung Street

A recommended stop for traditional beef pho, with options including rare and well-done beef, ideal for visitors exploring the Old Quarter.

9. Pho Xao Bap Bo Thanh Beo – 11 Hang Buom Street

A lively street-side eatery known for stir-fried rice noodles with beef and water spinach, offering an authentic taste of Hanoi's late-night food scene.

10. Pho Ga Cham – 68 Yen Ninh Street

A Michelin Selected chicken pho restaurant known for its high-quality chicken, naturally sweet chicken broth, and a choice of cuts including thigh and breast.

Bun Cha – Hanoi Grilled Pork with Vermicelli

Bun cha is one of Hanoi's most celebrated specialities, featuring tender charcoal-grilled pork served with fresh rice vermicelli, herbs, pickled vegetables, and a flavourful sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. The combination of smoky, sweet, and savoury flavours creates an unforgettable taste of the capital.

1. Bun Cha Tuyet – 34 Hang Than Street

Known for its fragrant charcoal-grilled pork patties wrapped in wild betel-like xuong song leaves, with tender, well-seasoned meat. Featured in the Michelin Guide.

2. Bun Cha Cua Dong – 41 Cua Dong Street

Popular for its generous portions, thick and juicy grilled pork patties, and rich dipping sauce that captures the traditional flavours of Hanoi bun cha.

3. Bun Cha Cho Chau Long – Chau Long Market

A great choice for experiencing bun cha in a traditional market setting while discovering everyday local food culture around Truc Bach.

4. Bun Cha Obama (Huong Lien) – 24 Le Van Huu Street

Made internationally famous after former US President Barack Obama and chef Anthony Bourdain dined here in 2016. Its signature combination includes bun cha, crab spring rolls, and Hanoi beer.

5. Bun Cha Hang Quat – Alley 74 Hang Quat Street

A bun cha eatery with more than 30 years of history, tucked away in a narrow Old Quarter alley. Known for its fragrant charcoal-grilled pork and quintessential Hanoi lunchtime atmosphere.

6. Bun Cha Chien Loan – 25 Gia Ngu Street

A bun cha spot in the Old Quarter, conveniently located for a lunch break while exploring the streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake.

Rice Vermicelli & Glass Noodles

Rice vermicelli and glass noodles are two staples of Vietnamese cuisine, each with its own distinctive texture. Rice vermicelli is made from rice and has a soft, delicate bite, while glass noodles are commonly made from mung bean starch, offering a slightly chewy texture that works beautifully in soups and stir-fried dishes.

1. Mien Luon Tan Tan – 52B Nguyen Truong To Street

An eel glass noodle spot in the Cua Bac area, combining lightly chewy noodles with eel for a satisfying breakfast or lunch.

2. Mien Luon Dong Thinh – 87 Hang Dieu Street

An eel noodle restaurant with more than 40 years of history, famous for its eel noodle soup and dry glass noodles topped with crispy fried eel, roasted peanuts, and fried shallots. Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

3. Hanh Ngan – 72 Cua Bac Street

Located directly on Cua Bac Street, this eatery is a convenient option for Wil'que guests looking to explore local rice vermicelli and glass noodle dishes nearby.

4. Mien Tron Muc Ngo Trung Yen – Trung Yen Alley

A distinctive dry glass noodle dish featuring crispy fried dried squid, fish cakes, eggs, fresh herbs, and roasted peanuts, tossed in a rich sweet-and-sour dressing.

5. Mien Luon Minh Lan – 1 Chan Cam Street

An eel glass noodle eatery in the Old Quarter, ideal for visitors interested in traditional eel noodle dishes and Hanoi's local food culture.

6. Bun Oc Co Hue – 43 Nguyen Sieu Street

A long-established snail noodle eatery known for both hot and cold snail vermicelli, featuring a delicately tangy broth made with fermented rice vinegar, reflecting the flavours of old Hanoi.

7. Bun Ca Van – 174 Quan Thanh Street

A fish noodle restaurant featured by international media, known for its golden, crispy fried fish, lightly tangy broth, and fresh vegetables.

8. Bun Doc Mung Ngan – 16B Hang Ca Street

A recommended stop for rice vermicelli soup with crunchy elephant ear stems and hot, flavourful broth in the heart of the Old Quarter.

9. Bun Doc Mung Bat Dan – 18 Bat Dan Street

A familiar noodle eatery on Bat Dan Street, serving hot vermicelli soup with crunchy elephant ear stems and a selection of meats, ideal for lunch.

10. Bun Ca Sam Cay Si – 5 Trung Yen Alley, Hang Bac Street

A fish noodle spot in the Old Quarter, known for its flavourful broth and crispy fried fish.

11. Bun Bo Nam Bo Nam Phuong – 75 Nguyen Truong To Street

A Southern-style beef vermicelli bowl combining stir-fried beef, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, roasted peanuts, and sweet-and-sour fish sauce for a well-balanced, refreshing meal.

12. Bun Bo Nam Bo Nam Phuong – 73 Hang Dieu Street

An Old Quarter option for Southern-style beef vermicelli, featuring tender beef, fresh rice noodles, greens, and a rich, flavourful dressing.

13. Bun Oc Co Them – 6 Hang Chai Street

A long-established snail noodle eatery featuring different varieties of freshwater snails in a gently tangy broth made with fermented rice vinegar, showcasing traditional Hanoi flavours.

14. Mi Van Than Long Tran – 76 Nguyen Truong To Street

A great alternative to rice noodles, featuring egg noodles, pork-filled wontons, and hot savoury broth, perfect for a light meal around Cua Bac.

Banh Mi – Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich

Banh mi is one of Vietnam's most iconic street foods, known for its crisp baguette filled with savoury meats, rich pâté, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables. The combination of textures and flavours makes it a delicious, versatile sandwich that can be customised to suit different tastes.

1. Banh Mi Phuc – 76 Nguyen Truong To Street

A banh mi shop on Nguyen Truong To Street, convenient for Wil'que Hotel Hanoi guests looking for a quick breakfast before heading out to explore the city.

2. Banh Mi Duc Long Kebab – 5 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street

Known for its generously filled doner kebab sandwiches, combining well-seasoned grilled meat with pickled cabbage and tomatoes for a different take on the classic street-food sandwich.

3. Banh Mi Ba Dan – 34 Lo Su Street

A traditional banh mi shop featuring crispy baguettes and rich, aromatic pâté, with options including mixed fillings and sizzling skillet-style banh mi, ideal for a hearty Hanoi breakfast.

4. Banh Mi Pho – 57C Dinh Tien Hoang Street

Located near Hoan Kiem Lake, this shop offers a varied banh mi menu, from grilled meat and egg pâté to more contemporary fillings, making it a convenient stop while exploring central Hanoi.

5. Banh Mi 25 – 25 Hang Ca Street

A popular banh mi destination among international travellers, offering a wide selection of fillings, from grilled meats and pâté to vegetarian options, with seating in the heart of the Old Quarter.

Bun Dau Mam Tom – Vermicelli with Fried Tofu & Fermented Shrimp Paste

Bun dau mam tom is a signature Hanoi street-food dish featuring fresh rice vermicelli, golden crispy fried tofu, boiled pork, herbs, and a variety of accompaniments. Its defining feature is the bold, aromatic fermented shrimp paste dipping sauce, creating a distinctive flavour experience for adventurous food lovers.

1. Bun Dau Hang Khay – Alley 31 Hang Khay Street

Famous for its generous sharing platters featuring crispy fried tofu, boiled pork leg, green rice pork patties, and rich fermented shrimp paste, capturing the charm of Hanoi's narrow-alley food culture.

2. Bun Dau Goc Da – 4 Ngo Gach Street

Known for freshly fried tofu with a crisp exterior and soft centre, served alongside fragrant green rice pork patties and fried pork offal for a satisfying Old Quarter meal.

3. Bun Dau Thanh Hang – 5 Ma May Street

A casual bun dau eatery in the Old Quarter, serving platters of fried tofu, pork patties, boiled pork, and fried offal, ideal for experiencing local food in the lively atmosphere of Ma May Street.

4. Bun Dau Mam Tom Tuan Troc – 23 Phan Huy Ich Street

Known for its varied bun dau platters featuring crispy tofu, green rice pork patties, boiled pork, sausage, and offal. Fried liver adds a distinctive rich, savoury touch.

Banh Cuon – Steamed Rice Rolls

Banh cuon is a traditional Hanoi dish made from delicate, silky steamed rice sheets filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms. Served with fragrant fried shallots, fresh herbs, and a sweet-and-savoury fish sauce dip, it offers a light yet flavourful meal, especially popular for breakfast.

1. Banh Cuon Ba Xuan – 16 Doc Hoe Nhai Street

A traditional banh cuon eatery in the Hoe Nhai area, known for its thin, soft rice rolls filled with pork and wood ear mushrooms, served with fried shallots and warm dipping sauce.

2. Banh Cuon Quang An – 71 Hang Bo Street

An Old Quarter spot serving freshly steamed, soft rice rolls accompanied by Vietnamese pork sausage and seasoned fish sauce, ideal for a classic Hanoi breakfast.

Pho Cuon – Fresh Rice Noodle Rolls

Pho cuon is a Hanoi speciality made by wrapping stir-fried beef, lettuce, and fresh herbs in soft sheets of rice noodles. Served with a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce, these fresh rolls offer a light, refreshing flavour, especially enjoyable on warm days.

1. Pho Cuon Hung Ben – 33 Ngu Xa Street

A familiar pho cuon destination in the Ngu Xa neighbourhood, known for soft rice noodle rolls filled with stir-fried beef and greens, served with sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. Crispy puffed rice noodles are another dish worth trying.

2. Pho Cuon Huong Mai – 25–27 Ngu Xa Street

A popular pho cuon restaurant in Truc Bach, serving fresh rice noodle rolls filled with fragrant stir-fried beef and herbs. The menu also includes crispy puffed pho and fried rice noodles with egg.

3. Pho Cuon Chinh Thang – 07 Mac Dinh Chi Street

A pho cuon spot near Truc Bach, serving soft rice noodle rolls with beef and fresh herbs, ideal for a light lunch or a relaxed dinner with friends.

Traditional Vietnamese Home-Style Dining

Traditional Vietnamese home-style meals bring together the comforting flavours of family cooking, with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, meat or fish dishes, and warm soup. Fresh ingredients and carefully balanced seasonings create a wholesome dining experience that reflects Vietnam's rich culinary traditions.

1. New Day Restaurant – 72 Ma May Street

A Vietnamese restaurant in the Old Quarter, known for home-style dishes such as fried spring rolls, braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, and traditional specialities, offering international visitors a taste of Vietnamese family cooking.

2. Vi Ha Noi – 25 Nguyen Truong To Street

A Vietnamese restaurant with a traditional Hanoi-inspired atmosphere, serving familiar local dishes in a cosy setting, suitable for lunch or dinner with family and friends.

3. 1946 Restaurant – 61 Cua Bac Street

Known for its Northern Vietnamese cuisine and thoughtfully prepared rustic dishes, particularly freshwater crab specialities, offering an authentic taste of traditional Vietnamese home cooking.

4. Quan Cu – 31A Phan Dinh Phung Street

A restaurant with a nostalgic atmosphere inspired by old Hanoi, serving traditional Vietnamese dishes in a setting suited to family meals and friendly gatherings.

5. Com Viet Restaurant – 63 Pham Hong Thai Street

A convenient option for enjoying a Vietnamese home-style meal with savoury dishes, vegetables, and soup, particularly for visitors staying around Cua Bac and Truc Bach.

6. Quan An Ngon – 18 Phan Boi Chau Street

Set in a traditional Vietnamese-inspired architectural space, this restaurant brings together regional dishes and street-food specialities from across Vietnam, allowing guests to experience a wide variety of local flavours in one place.

Vegetarian Restaurants

Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine celebrates the natural flavours of fresh vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, and plant-based ingredients. From delicate vegetarian pho and flavourful rice vermicelli to crispy vegetable spring rolls, each dish offers a unique combination of taste and texture, reflecting the diversity of Vietnam's culinary traditions.

1. The Veg – 01 Tong Duy Tan Street

A vegetarian restaurant combining plant-based dining with a tea experience, focusing on dishes made from vegetables, mushrooms, and other plant-based ingredients, ideal for those seeking a lighter, health-conscious meal.

2. Bo De Vegetarian Restaurant – 65 Quan Su Street

Located near Quan Su Pagoda, this vegetarian restaurant serves traditional Vietnamese-style meat-free dishes, offering a peaceful dining option in central Hanoi.

3. Uu Dam Vegetarian Restaurant – 55 Nguyen Du Street

Known for its architecture inspired by Buddhist philosophy and nature, Uu Dam offers a refined vegetarian dining experience, combining plant-based ingredients with creative preparation and elegant presentation.

Fried Rice & Sticky Rice

Sticky rice, known as xoi, is a Vietnamese staple made from fragrant, steamed glutinous rice and served with a variety of toppings. From golden xoi xeo with mung beans and crispy fried shallots to savoury sticky rice topped with meat or eggs, each variation has its own distinctive flavour. Its soft, chewy texture makes it a popular choice for breakfast or a quick meal throughout the day.

1. Xoi Ba Thao – 41 Duong Thanh Street

A traditional sticky rice spot in the Old Quarter, known for fragrant, chewy sticky rice served with toppings such as meat, eggs, and fried shallots, perfect for a classic Hanoi breakfast.

2. Xoi Yen – 35B Nguyen Huu Huan Street

One of Hanoi's well-known sticky rice eateries, famous for golden xoi xeo topped with creamy mung beans and crispy fried shallots, alongside choices such as shredded chicken, braised pork, and pâté.

3. Com Rang Ma May – 38 Ma May Street

A great option for a hot meal in the Old Quarter, serving stir-fried rice with meat, eggs, and vegetables, ideal for refuelling after a day exploring Hanoi.

Vietnamese-Style Beefsteak

Vietnamese-style beefsteak, or bit tet, is a delicious fusion of French culinary influence and local Vietnamese flavours. Tender, well-seasoned beef is often served sizzling in a pan with fragrant garlic-butter sauce, a fried egg, French fries, pickled vegetables, and a crispy baguette, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.

1. Bit Tet Hoe Nhai – Hoe Nhai Street

Hoe Nhai Street is famous for Hanoi-style sizzling beefsteak, typically served with beef, fried eggs, pâté, and French fries, accompanied by crispy bread.

2. Bit Tet Ong Loi – 51 Hang Buom Street

A recommended stop for Vietnamese-style beefsteak in the Old Quarter, featuring beef and accompaniments served on a sizzling hot plate for a filling meal.

3. Bit Tet Hai Ly – 20 Hang Giay Street

A beefsteak eatery on Hang Giay Street, ideal for visitors looking to try Vietnamese-style beefsteak during an Old Quarter food adventure.

4. Gac Xua Restaurant – 22 Hang Giay Street

A restaurant whose name evokes the charm of old Hanoi, offering an opportunity to enjoy beefsteak while exploring the historic Old Quarter.

Hanoi Coffee Culture

Coffee is an essential part of everyday life in Vietnam. From bold Vietnamese iced milk coffee to rich, creamy egg coffee, every cup offers a distinctive taste. Hanoi's cafés are more than places to enjoy a drink – they are spaces to meet, unwind, and experience the city's rhythm, from long-established coffee houses to modern creative hideaways.

1. Cafe Hoa Xa – Long Bien Railway Station

Located within the historic Long Bien Railway Station, this café features windows overlooking the railway tracks and Long Bien Bridge, offering a distinctive train-watching experience in a setting full of Hanoi heritage.

2. Yen Cafe – 184 Quan Thanh Street

A convenient coffee stop on Quan Thanh Street, perfect for combining a café break with a walk through Truc Bach and the historic streets of Ba Dinh.

3. Gat Tan Cafe – 114 Tran Vu Street

A café on Tran Vu Street, ideal for taking a break and enjoying the everyday atmosphere around Truc Bach Lake.

4. Lam Cafe – 60 Nguyen Huu Huan Street

A long-established coffee house closely associated with Hanoi's artistic heritage, known for its nostalgic interiors, paintings, and traditional Vietnamese drip coffee.

5. Sosio Cafe – 118A Quan Thanh Street

A coffee stop in the Quan Thanh area, conveniently located for a relaxing break between cultural sightseeing and exploring Ba Dinh's historic streets.

6. Railway Cafes – Hanoi Train Street Area

A distinctive café experience surrounded by railway tracks, old houses, and Hanoi's everyday street life. Visitors should choose legally operating establishments and follow all railway safety regulations.

7. Hidden Gem Cafe – 3B Hang Tre Street

A unique café in the Old Quarter, known for its creative interiors made from recycled materials such as tyres, plastic bottles, and repurposed household items, offering a coffee experience with an environmentally conscious message.

8. Giang Cafe – 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street

One of Hanoi's most famous egg coffee destinations, associated with the original egg coffee recipe dating back to 1946. Its signature drink combines a rich, creamy whipped egg topping with bold Vietnamese coffee.

9. Dinh Cafe – 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street

A long-established café on the second floor of an old building overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, known for its egg coffee and simple, nostalgic atmosphere that preserves the charm of Hanoi's traditional coffee culture.