Hanoi

The most famous bun cha spot in Vietnam - this is where Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate in 2016, sealed forever in a framed photo on the wall. Smoky charcoal-grilled pork patties in a sweet fish-sauce broth with vermicelli and herbs. Order the Obama combo.

📍24 Le Van Huu Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi 116000, Vietnam

Operating since 1871 from the same building on Cha Ca Street (the street was named after this restaurant). They serve exactly one dish: turmeric-marinated catfish, sizzled tableside on a cast-iron pan with dill and spring onions. One of the most unique dining rituals in Hanoi.

📍14 Cha Ca Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

Hanoi's largest and oldest covered market, built in 1889 by the French. Three floors of wholesale and retail goods - from fresh produce and meat on the ground floor to clothing, electronics, and household goods above. The surrounding street market spills out in every direction. Arrive early.

📍Dong Xuan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

A quieter, more local alternative to the tourist-facing Dong Xuan. The ground floor is all wet market - fresh fish, vegetables, spices, and tofu. Upstairs is a surprisingly decent selection of fabrics, tailoring services, and second-hand clothing. Go for the food stalls.

📍Hang Da Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

Warm, beautifully decorated restaurant in a restored French townhouse specializing in northern Vietnamese home cooking. Think braised pork belly, steamed fish with ginger, and pho cuon - all at approachable prices. Hugely popular with solo travelers for the friendly communal tables.

📍34 Chan Cam Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

Chef Didier Corlou's award-winning Franco-Vietnamese fine dining restaurant in a restored 1930s villa. Inventive tasting menus marry classical French technique with local Vietnamese ingredients in elegant, intimate surroundings.

📍19 Ngo Van So Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

The hidden beating heart of Hanoi's food supply. From midnight to 4am, the area under Long Bien Bridge turns into a frenetic wholesale vegetable and fruit market. Mountains of produce, motorbikes stacked with bamboo shoots, and an energy that feels like the city's secret.

📍Long Bien Bridge area, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, several streets in the Old Quarter close to traffic and transform into a buzzing night market. Hundreds of stalls sell handicrafts, clothing, street food, and souvenirs. Street performers, live music, and the best people-watching in Hanoi.

📍Hang Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

The benchmark for Hanoi-style pho - a narrow shophouse where locals queue from 6am. The broth is slow-cooked overnight: clear, deeply savoury, and subtly spiced. No menu, no frills, cash only. Eat standing up if needed. This is what pho was always meant to taste like.

📍49 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

A stunning colonial villa courtyard turned open-air food court showcasing Vietnamese street food from all three regions. Each stall is run by specialists in a beautiful setting. Perfect for solo travelers wanting to try everything at once.

📍18 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

Hanoi's famous wholesale flower market operates from 1am to 5am on the banks of West Lake. Farmers bring fresh-cut flowers by the truckload. A surreal, fragrant, and uniquely Hanoian experience best visited at 3am.

📍Au Co Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi 115000, Vietnam