The best restaurants in Hoi An are conveniently set within Hoi An Ancient Town, where you can enjoy local and international delicacies, excellent service, and charming ambience. This prominent UNESCO World Heritage site attracts millions of visitors every year, resulting in dining options that cater to budget levels at both ends of the spectrum. As no trip to Hoi An is complete without sampling its traditional specialities, we’ve included some of our favourite spots to enjoy cao lou noodles, banh bao vac (white rose dumplings), and com ga (chicken rice).

Hoi An is also teeming with expat-owned restaurants and bistros serving western favourites, French pastries, homemade ice cream, and even unique fusion dishes. From fuss-free local joints by the roadside to stylish dining venues overlooking the city’s historical sites, read on to discover Hoi An’s most popular dining spots.

  • 1

    Aubergine49 Restaurant

    Aubergine49 Restaurant
    • Food

    Aubergine49 Restaurant features an extensive menu of contemporary Eurasian cuisine, exquisite wines, and homemade desserts. The kitchen of this fine-dining venue is headed by a Vietnamese chef who has worked in The Lanesborough Hotel, Padstow’s The Seafood Restaurant, and Nihonryori Ryugin, a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo.

    Aubergine49 Restaurant’s ala carte options include pistachio-crusted goat cheese, duck liver parfait, miso-glazed seabass, roasted rack of lamb, and stuffed squid. For dessert, we highly recommend the dark chocolate delice and banoffee pie with brandy snap and Dalat yoghurt sorbet.

    Location: 49 Ly Thai To, Son Phong, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Open: Friday–Sunday from 6 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +84 (0)235 2212 190

    Map
  • 2

    Ms Ly

    Ms Ly
    • Food

    Miss Ly is a legendary dining spot in Hoi An, having been in operation for more than 20 years. Surrounded by colonial-era shop-houses, this charming family-run restaurant is fitted with warm lighting, wooden furnishing, ceiling fans, and vintage paintings, with traditional music playing in the background. 

    Its reasonably-priced menu comprises authentic Hoi An dishes such as cao lau (thick rice noodles with barbecued pork, greens and croutons), banh bao vac (white rose dumplings), and thit nuong (grilled pork). Located in Hoi An Ancient Town, Miss Ly is just around the corner of the Fujian Assembly Hall.

    Location: 22 Nguyen Hue, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam 560000, Vietnam

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +84 (0)90 523 48 64

    Map
  • 3

    Quan Dau Bac

    Quan Dau Bac
    • Food

    Quan Dau Bac is a local establishment that’s famous for its authentic yet affordable Vietnamese offerings. Just a 2-minute walk from the Japanese Covered Bridge, it’s a cramped and open-air restaurant with a number of low tables and chairs facing the main road. 

    Great for a quick bite before exploring Hoi An Ancient Town, Quan Dau Bac’s signature dish is the meatless Vietnamese Tasting Plate, which consists of deep-fried tofu, rice noodles, cucumber, fresh herbs, served with pungent shrimp dipping sauce.

    Location: 112 Dao Duy Tu, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Open: Daily from 2 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +84 (0)90 485 49 64

    Map

    photo by Ban Twan Lee (CC0 1.0) modified

  • 4

    Ancient Faifo

    Ancient Faifo
    • Food

    Ancient Faifo is an upmarket dining venue that’s accessible within walking distance from the Japanese Covered Bridge and Fujian Assembly Hall. Featuring antique furnishings, unique family heirlooms, oil paintings, and ceramics, it comprises a bar, a cafe space, a terrace, a restaurant, and an art gallery showcasing works by local artists.

    Food-wise, Ancient Faifo specialises in Central Vietnamese cuisine, Verrine-style pastries, and Italian coffee. Diners can also enjoy a wide range of cocktails, wines and beers at the open-air patio section, where a resident pianist plays between 7 pm and 9 pm every day while acoustic performances are held from Thursday until Saturday.

    Location: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Old Town, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 11 pm

    Map
  • 5

    Mango Mango Restaurant

    Mango Mango Restaurant
    • Food

    Mango Mango Restaurant is a colourful eatery that’s set in the tranquil Hoi An Riverside area, offering contemporary Vietnamese delicacies and a wide range of signature cocktails. A popular spot for dinner after a day of exploring Hoi An, the spacious upstairs terrace overlooks the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, Thu Bon River, and Hoi An Night Market.

    Mango Mango Restaurant offers a diverse ala carte menu. You can also opt for a 4-course tasting menu, which comes with a glass of sparkling wine. Standout dishes include the duck breast in 5 Asian spices, tiger prawns with fruity and spicy sauce, and papaya salad.

    Location: 45 Nguyen Phuc Chu, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Phone: +84 (0)235 3911 863

    Map

    photo by Ban Twan Lee (CC0 1.0) modified

  • 6

    Orivy Hoi An Local Food Restaurant

    Orivy Hoi An Local Food Restaurant
    • Food

    Orivy Hoi An’s secluded garden setting and value-for-money Vietnamese offerings make it great for escaping the busy streets of Hoi An Ancient Town. Standout dishes of this family-run restaurant include com ga, papaya salad with shrimp and pork, glutinous rice cake, and mi quang noodles. 

    Orivy Hoi An also offers set menus, which come with an appetiser, main course with rice, dessert, and soft drinks. Located along Cua Dai Street, Orivy Hoi An is a 10-minute walk from Hoi An Central Market.

    Location: 576/1 Cua Dai, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Open: Daily from midday to midnight

    Phone: +84 (0)90 964 70 70

    Map
  • 7

    Nu Eatery

    Nu Eatery
    • Food

    Nu Eatery serves a selection of local and international favourites, fresh smoothies, imported wines, as well as uniquely flavoured ice cream. Located near the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, this cosy 2-storey restaurant features quaint decor, colonial-era floor tiling, wooden furnishings, and an open-air terrace that overlooks Hoi An Ancient Town’s pedestrian-friendly streets. 

    Nu Eatery’s food menu features Vietnamese spring rolls, pork belly steamed buns, banh mi served with brioche buns, grilled pineapple, coconut and pomelo salad, and pumpkin with coconut milk soup. Lastly, satisfy your sweet tooth with a scoop of pomelo, lemongrass or chilli ice cream.

    Location: 10A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Phone: +84 (0)825 190 190

    Map
  • 8

    Lantern Town Restaurant

    Lantern Town Restaurant
    • Food

    Lantern Town Restaurant caters to a sophisticated clientele of expats and tourists, who can enjoy authentic Vietnamese food, Hoi An specialities, and unique fusion dishes. Decorated with contemporary local artworks and hand-painted silk lanterns, the restaurant features 2 indoor dining sections, a lounge area, an outdoor terrace, and an outdoor courtyard with sweeping views of Hoi An Ancient Town and Riverside. 

    The Hoi An Sample Plate or Lantern Town Tasting Plate are great for sampling popular Vietnamese appetisers in 1 sitting. Alternatively, simply opt for its signature mi quang noodles, mixed fried rice, and braised clay pot fish.

    Location: 49 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm

    Map

    photo by Ban Twan Lee (CC0 1.0) modified

  • 9

    Morning Glory Original

    Morning Glory Original
    • Food

    Morning Glory Original serves an array of Central Vietnamese street food and traditional dishes in a stylish setting. The restaurant occupies a refurbished colonial building along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, featuring an open kitchen downstairs and a breezy terrace that overlooks Hoi An Ancient Town. 

    Highly recommended Hoi An dishes include the seafood mi quang noodles, clay pot fish in caramel sauce, and pork-stuffed squid. Morning Glory is also a good dining option for vegetarians – try the stir-fried baby celery and beansprouts, vegetable curry soup, and crunchy tofu coated in young sticky rice.

    Location: 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +84 (0)235 2241 555

    Map

    photo by Ban Twan Lee (CC0 1.0) modified

  • 10

    Streets Restaurant Café

    Streets Restaurant Café
    • Food

    Streets Restaurant Café in Hoi An Ancient Town offers a good mix of Vietnamese and international delicacies in a contemporary dining setting. A 5-minute walk from Hoi An Museum, the restaurant is well-frequented for its attentive service, central location, and authentic dishes such as cao lau noodles, com ga (chicken rice) and the Hoi An Tasting Menu, which is a generous platter of regional specialities. 

    The price range may be slightly higher than your average Vietnamese restaurant, but all proceeds go to funding its hospitality and culinary training programmes for underprivileged youths in Hoi An.

    Location: 17 Le Loi, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

    Phone: +84 (0)352 258 347

    Map
Penny Wong | Compulsive Traveller