Best of Hanoi
Where locals eat in Hanoi
Start with Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư in Hoàn Kiếm (Old Quarter) for beef phở in one of its ten cut combinations, Phở Gà Nguyệt in Hoàn Kiếm for chicken phở with thigh, or thigh mixed with wing and Phở Tiến in Ba Đình for chicken phở Đặc Biệt with gizzard and young eggs. Here are all 5, with what to get at each.
- Phở 10 Lý Quốc SưHoàn Kiếm (Old Quarter) · family-run
Get: Beef phở in one of its ten cut combinations
Long-running beef phở shop with a clear, balanced broth and a wide choice of cuts.
- Phở Gà NguyệtHoàn Kiếm · counter
Get: Chicken phở with thigh, or thigh mixed with wing
Late-opening chicken phở with a choice of cuts, soup or dry noodles.
- Phở TiếnBa Đình · counter
Get: Chicken phở Đặc Biệt with gizzard and young eggs
A morning-only chicken phở specialist for those who like the offal toppings.
- Xới CơmLáng Hạ / Đống Đa (Lane 36 Láng Hạ) · family-run
Get: Whatever the daily home-style set is; water spinach with garlic, fried tofu with scallion
- Chả Cá Thăng LongHoàn Kiếm (Đường Thành) · institution
Get: Chả cá: turmeric catfish stir-fried at the table with dill
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What are the local restaurants in Hanoi?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư (Hoàn Kiếm (Old Quarter)), Phở Gà Nguyệt (Hoàn Kiếm) and Phở Tiến (Ba Đình). All 5 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư, get beef phở in one of its ten cut combinations. At Phở Gà Nguyệt, get chicken phở with thigh, or thigh mixed with wing. At Phở Tiến, get chicken phở Đặc Biệt with gizzard and young eggs. At Xới Cơm, get whatever the daily home-style set is; water spinach with garlic, fried tofu with scallion.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Hanoi: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Hanoi
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.