All over Vietnam, some Vietnamese dishes, ingredients or cooking methods are universal while others are uniquely local or regional. You can sample some of the unique dishes at the wide array of Hue restaurants, some of which are listed below. A couple of particular specialties to try are Bun Bo Hue (Noodle Soup - but not like Pho) and Banh Khoai (Potato Omelette). The curious may wish to seek out a delightful but little known dish called Com Hen (Dwarf snails in broth with rice fresh salad vegetables and crushed peanuts). We wonder who dreamed that one up!
Hue food is different because of the fusion of dishes designed by poverty-stricken peasants and the sumptous opulence of the Imperial Court.
So, once you've finished your Shopping in Hue, kick back and enjoy a feast at one our recommended restaurants below! There are some restaurants offering both national and local Vietnamese dishes as well as "Western" food. For general information about cuisine, check out our Vietnam Restaurants page.
Hue Food & Cuisine Guide
We have collected this list of restaurants and eateries in Hue to give you a place to start. However, please keep in mind that some of the heartiest, tastiest and most nutritious food in Hue and all of Vietnam is served from nameless roadside stalls that appear on the sidewalk around 17:00 and disappear about midnight. Try it, you just might like it!
The most famous Hue dish is banh khoai, a small, crispy yellow pancake, fried up with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts, and served with peanut and sesame sauce, starfruit, green banana, lettuce and mint; try it at Quan Hanh-Bistro at 2 Nguyen Tri Phuong. Hue's main nightspots are the DMZ Bar at 44 Le Loi, popular for its beer, pool and dancing, and Cafe on Thu Wheels, opposite the Thai Binh at 10/2 Nguyen Tri Phuong. This tiny bar-cafe has loud music, good food and friendly staff that run excellent motorbike tours around Hue. Both are popular with travelers and open late.
The Mid Range hotels will often have restaurants offering both national and local Vietnamese dishes as well as "Western" food. Smaller hotels and guesthouses will usually be able to offer at least some non-Vietnamese food, but it probably won't be "just like Grandma used to make". Since Hue plays host to many overseas visitors but doesn't have a large expat population, there are only not many restaurants offering a specific cuisine. You will usually find these in the Top End hotels
Restaurants List
Omar Khayyams Tandoori
A good-value Indian restaurant, deservedly popular for its reasonably priced North Indian fare, which includes a good vegetarian and thali selection. Take-away and free delivery service.
Indian
10 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Hue
(054) 821616
07:00
to to 21:00
Lac Thien
Probably Hue's friendliest and most interesting eatery, located on the citadel side. Run by a deaf-mute family who communicate by a highly developed sign language, the food is excellent, taking in the Hue staples. Not to be confused with the Lac Thanh next door
Vietnamese
6 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hue
07:00
to to 20:00
Co Do
Cheap prices and a sorely lacking decor shouldn't put you off sampling the food in this small, no-frills restaurant. Lemongrass and chilli are the predominant flavors accompanying squid, chicken or shrimps
Vietnamese
22 Ben Nghe, Hue
07:00
to to 20:00
Dong Tam
A vegetarian restaurant run by a Buddhist family who offer a short menu, including vegetarian banh khoai and good-value combination dishes. Best at lunchtime when the food's freshest and you can sit in the garden courtyard
Vegetarian
48/7 Le Loi, Hue
10:00
to to 20:00
Banh Beo of Ba Cu
A famous local establishment where you can sample banh beo, special local dumplings, at lunchtime or up until 5pm; walk up the narrow lane next to 78b Nguyen Hue.
Vietnamese
93/5 Phan Dinh Phung, Hue
12:00
to to 20:00
Hoa Mai Restaurant
Daily special set menus are good; mine featured a unique fried cuttlefish with grapefruit, crab soup, and shrimp with fig and rice cake
Vietnamese
51 Le Loi St., Hue
(054) 822-122
07:00
to to 22:00
Mandarin Cafe
The centre of Hue's backpacker trade, this friendly, unassuming cafe serves up cheap, excellent Vietnamese and Western fare, and also hosts Sinh Cafe's booking desk, which can assist with boat trips, car/bike hire, and tour information.
Vietnamese / Continental
12 Hung Vuong, Hue
(054)821-281
07:00
to to 22:00
La Thong Restaurant
La Thong restaurant is the first one in Hue that takes the lead in setting up a harmonious combination between international and domestic styles. At La Thong, you will find both the ancient and modern appearance. Come, look and feel. Located in a beautiful area, our Big Hall looks out to a Japanese style garden, with smiling waitresses in pretty uniforms readily serve your every needs! Come and enjoy the finest sashumi in town! Choose from about 20 types of sashumi and maki rolls. In addition, with our talent chef who has many years of experience in preparing dishes - we also provide a variety of sea food and grill dishes. Our style is professional. In fact, you can either order a meal to our private and luxurious VIP Side or set up a buffet in Big Hall. Especially, we also bring the experts from HoChiMinh City to take part in eating and drinking exchanges every week. Whatever your desire may be, welcome your visit and hope to thrill you
Vietnamese
94 Minh Mang Road, Hue City
(84 54) 896538
(84 54) 896537
lathongrestaurant@vnn.vn
10:00
to to 22:00
Tinh Gia Vien Garden Restaurant
Tinh Gia Vien is located down a quiet lane within the citadel. It has a lovely garden, and serves set menu meals presented in an artistic fashion. The food is OK and plentiful, and the setting is really very nice and makes a quiet change from the noise and bustle of the city
Vietnamese
20 Le Thanh Ton St, Hue City
(84 54) 522243
(84 54) 522243
10:00
to to 22:00
Y Thao Garden Restaurant
Built 50 years ago, the 2-storey Y Thao house is filled with ancient charm. The owner tries her best to keep the original state of the house. This is evidence by the antique used in every aspect of the house. In addition, the garden is well landscaped. In the main hall, the ancient ceremics used by Hue royalty family is displayed in the rose-wood cupboard. The Y Thao is an ideal place for catching up over lunch or dinner. The food is well-prepared at least one of the Hue royal dish is included in the menu
Meet An Nguyen and his team from Nam Phuong Travel; we are your local connection in Hue! We have a passion for our local community and a commitment to develop tourism, whilst still conserving the environment and culture. We try to educate and promote sustainable tourism initiatives to locals as well as tourists. We aim to use our local knowledge and friendliness to make your trip a memorable one! Let us help you experience some of the Hue astronomy, the Buddhism Pagodas, Old Citadel and Tombs of Nguyen's Dynasty, and typical garden houses or eco-tours!
