Top Restaurants in Hoi An
A list of favourite restaurants and menu recommendations for Lifestart Foundation Supporters in Hoi An.
Everybody has their own favourites but here is Lifestart Foundations pick of where to find a tasty bowl of rice, plate of lasagne or baguette in Hoi An. At the time of publishing the exchange rate was approx. 20,000 VND = $1 AUD or $1 USD. Prices correct as of January 2011.
Quan Chay Dam
Local vegan buffet with rice, veggies, tofu and spring rolls. Local price and super tasty – even the biggest meat eaters couldn’t fail to enjoy. Priced from 8,000 VND to about 15,000 VND depending on how much you put on your plate. From the Lifestart Foundation Workshop turn right and it is down the first alleyway on your right.
Breakfast Pork Chop Stall (Cơm tấm)
Before about 8am we’d recommend visiting a certain stall with small red plastic chairs which sells tender, tasty barbecued pork served with broken rice and salad (20,000 VND.) It’s on the pavement at the bottom of Tran Cao Van near the junction with Tran Hung Dao. Just sit down and enjoy.
Cafe 43
If you are in Hoi An Cafe 43 can be your home away from home with simple tasty food at a great price. Vegetable curry (18,000 VND), fried rice with pork (28,000 VND) wonton soup (18,000 VND) and stuffed squid (58,000 VND) are all highly recommended. 43 Tran Cao Van.
Deep fried Camembert (95,000 VND) followed by lasagne (120,000 VND) shouldn’t be missed. Their stuffed chicken with mashed potato is also delicious. Comforting & homely western food.
Banh Bao
Not strictly a restaurant but in the afternoon and early evening you’ll find street sellers selling Banh Bao, a white dumpling with a pork and egg filling. Hunt down the men on bicycles with glass trailers full of them, or look for the large silver pots outside bakery shops. A filling snack when you’re on the go. About 5,000 VND.
Fantastic Vietnamese style baguettes (60,000 VND), and possibly the best Creme Brulee in the world (32,000 VND.) Wash it down with a delicious banana and lime shake.
Chips and Fish
A great place to have a Larue beer (12,000 VND) by the river watching the sun set and the Hoi An lanterns brightening up town. The Vietnamese food here (as well as the chips and fish!) is great quality and in large potions -recommended are the steamed vegetables (15,000 VND) and the sweet and sour pork (75,000 VND.) It’s also a good place to try the Hoi An specialities of Bánh xèo (pancakes made with eggs, rice flour and coconut milk filled with meat and vegetables) or fried wontons (crispy wontons covered with topping.) If you cross the bridge over to An Hoi it is the last restaurant on the left overlooking the river.
Tu Anh
Tu Anh is Vietnamese plastic chair restaurant by the river but away from the tourist crowds. They have an English menu – the deep fried prawns, fried chicken, banana leaf salad and hotpot are all especially delicious. Count on spending about 80,000 VND per person depending on your order. The beer is also a good price if you fancy a quiet drink by the river.
To find it walk down Hoang Dieu away from town and the market. Turn down Nguyen Duy Hieu then right down an alley opposite An Phu hotel. Cross the river and then you are there.
Local Pho Bo (Pronounced “fur bo”)
Everyone who visits Hoi An should try at least one bowl of Pho Bo – this rice noodle soup with beef is a favourite throughout Vietnam. Our pick is a small shop operated inside the owners home open from about 5am to 10am everyday. There is no name but it’s at 21 Phan Chu Trinh Street. It will be between 10,000 VND and 15,000 VND.
La Plage
La Plage is the last restaurant on the right hand side at An Bang beach (map included on their website). A great place to relax after a swim on a Sunday afternoon or to enjoy a Croque Madame (70,000) for a breakfast treat. They also serve a full English breakfast including baked beans for those wanting a taste of home! Make sure you park in the ‘good parking on the left hand-side as you come in. 1,000 VND per bicycle or 2,000 per motorbike.
Coffees & Fruit Shake on Bach Dang Street
Karen upholds that this is the best coffee in Hoi An – order a “Café Sua Da” (Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk and ice) to enjoy the taste as well as the caffeine and sugar rush! They also sell fruit shakes (Sinh tố.) Make sure you specify what sort of shake you would like as the Vietnamese often add ingredients like avocado or tomato that aren’t to the taste of everyone. Walk down Le Loi towards the river, turn left and then after a very short walk you’ll see some stalls with red plastic chairs right on the river. Our recommendation is the second stall you come to.
STREETS International
STREETS International is an innovative social enterprise initiative with the purpose to develop and operate sustainable programs for street kids and disadvantaged youth. Enjoy western style panini’s and local specialities at Streets International knowing that you are giving disadvantaged youth an opportunity to break out of the poverty cycle and become self-sufficient. The trainees at STREETS are provided with internationally credentialed top quality training in the hospitality industry. Located at 17 Le Loi which is just around the corner from the Lifestart Foundation Workshop.