HANOI RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Hanoians looking for the best food in town head to the streets.  However, there are increasing numbers of Hanoi restaurants where you will also find delicious food.  Here is a short list of worthy Hanoi restaurants. Our recommendations are unsolicited and uncompensated, and our tasting sessions are all anonymous.

Green-lipped mussels with tomato and peanut sauce at Highway 4. Photo by Aidan DockeryVery Vietnamese:  Our main priority is to introduce you to the best and most authentic, traditional Vietnamese food.

The French Connection:  We have also included our favorite French inspired places--these eateries offer culinary gems beyond Vietnamese food that have truly local roots.

Splashy Favorites:  We don't push these super chic places very hard because the most common compliment about them - that "they wouldn't be out of place in New York, London or Tokyo" - is exactly the reason we look elsewhere.  Our aim is to steer you to places with food you'd be unlikely to match outside of Hanoi.

Worth a Visit:  Unique venues that are hard to classify.

 

December 2008 Update: New Restaurants

In the past year new restaurants have been popping up around Hanoi almost as fast as new hairstyles.  Vietnamese food in Hanoi has never been better, but just in case you need something different, here are are few of the new international and fusion places we like: 

Five: a British/Australian/Vietnamese creation, this small cafe/deli is a high-quality surprise on a section of Hang Be Street (at No. 5 of course) that is mostly backpackery souvenir and bootleg DVD shops. It has a small but tasty menu offering great steaks, panini sandwiches and lovely eggs benedict. It's a good place for a pit stop in the old quarter, where you can watch street life in comfort through their big glass windows.
5 Hang Be, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội Tel. (04) 3926 3761

GImage of dinner at Green Mangoreen Mango:You wouldn’t guess it from the lame logo, but this restaurant is well-dressed inside with a menu to match, with dishes a bit like like Bobby Chin's but not as expensive (the elements of Bobby Chin’s are not by mistake, but not sanctioned either). Green salad with raspberry vinaigrette and salmon with mashed potatoes are recommended. Strong cocktails and a good wine list.
18 Hàng Quạt, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội Tel.(04)3928 9916/17/18
Ya Beirut:  There are only five Lebanese in Hanoi, and two of them work in this somewhat hidden restaurant just launched two weeks ago.  Our first visit was not disappointing, with superb beef and chicken shawarma, tabbouleha and roll-me-home desserts.  Pricy for Hanoi, but worth it.
28 Xuan Dieu, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, Tel. (04)371 84844

Finally, beware the the stylish new Vietnamse restaurant called Mandarin at 74 Xuan Dieu, near Vine.  The decor is amazing, probably the best decorated restaurant in Hanoi, but the food is much less spectacular, and overpriced.  Best for impressing people who want, or don't mind toned-down, westernized Vietnamese food.