Hoi An Travel Guide

Best Restaurants in Hoi An

Look for the cool retro Vespas outside this hip cafe and bar, which also doubles as the Hoi An location for the friendly Vespa Adventures crew. Cold beer is well-priced, comfort eats include burgers and tacos, and there's a good mix of classic songs you can hum along to while you're deciding which Vespa trip to sign up for.

2. Spice Viet Restaurant:

Spice Viet Restaurant puts a fresh spin on traditional Vietnamese food by using mainly locally-sourced, organic products. The menu of Vietnamese classics with a modern twist is finely curated with a full page dedicated to Hoi An specialties, including an excellent chicken and rice and artistically presented fried wontons, all served in a large, bright, contemporary space.

3. Cargo Club Restaurant:

Remarkable cafe-restaurant, serving Vietnamese and Western food, with a terrific riverside location (the upper terrace has stunning views). A relaxing day here munching your way around the menu would be a day well spent. The breakfasts are legendary (try the eggs Benedict), the patisserie and cakes are superb, and fine-dining dishes and good cocktails also deliver.

4. Sea Shell:

Shaded by a decades-old banyan tree, Sea Shell is a flavour-packed offshoot of Nu Eatery in Hoi An's Old Town. Try snacks like tempura-prawn rolls and turmeric-catfish wraps, or mains like spicy pork noodles with a refreshing calamari and green-apple salad. A decent wine list covers Australia, France, Italy and South Africa.

5. Art Space:

Hoi An’s first true pairing of a restaurant and art gallery, the Art Space’s industrial-chic décor contrasts nicely with curated artwork from Vietnam-based artists including sculpture, photography and painting. The innovative menu includes artfully presented dishes like iberico ribs sous-vide with Coca-cola and Vietnam’s first 3D-printed desserts while wood-fired pizzas are made on the covered outdoor terrace.

The Art Space is located within Anantara Hoi An Resort but has its own street entrance. All coffee before 11am is half-priced at just 35,000d.

6. Nu Eatery:

Don't be deceived by the humble decor at this compact eatery tucked away near the Japanese Bridge. There's a real wow factor to the seasonal small plates at this Hoi An favourite. Combine the pork-belly steamed buns with a salad of grilled pineapple, coconut and pomelo, and don't miss the homemade lemongrass, ginger or chilli ice cream.

A well-chosen wine list – by the glass or the bottle – showcases Australian, French and South American varietals.

7. Mango Mango:

Celebrity chef Duc Tran’s most beautiful Hoi An restaurant enjoys a prime riverside plot and puts a global spin on Vietnamese cuisine, with fresh, unexpected combinations. Perhaps at times the flavour matches are just a little too out there, but the cocktails are some of the best in town, especially with an after-dark view of the river.

8. Aubergine 49:

Three-course menus for 495,000d per person are a fine reason to taxi around five minutes north of central Hoi An to this stylish restaurant crafting interesting fusion combinations of Asian and Western cuisine. There are also à la carte options and a decent wine list; menu standouts include stuffed squid and roast quail.

9. Ganesh Indian Restaurant:

A highly authentic, fine-value North Indian restaurant, where the tandoor oven pumps out perfect naan bread and the chefs' fiery curries don’t pull any punches. Unlike many curry houses, this one has atmosphere, and also plenty of vegetarian choices. Slurp a lassi or slug a beer and you're set.

10. Hill Station:

With a superb location in one of Hoi An's most interesting historic mansions, the Hill Station is ideal for a drink and snack after a busy day. Relax in the heritage armchairs and partner craft beer or wine with shared plates of Sapa charcuterie and Dalat cheeseboards. More robust are interesting pasta dishes and Euro classics like coq au vin.