Daluva
CLASSY FUSION
33 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho
Tel: 3718 5831
www.daluva.com
A popular hang-out for expats and trendy Vietnamese in the Xuan Dieu area on West Lake. This bar and restaurant offers casual dining with a classy twist, as well as wine, tapas, events and attractive décor. Additional services include catering, BBQ rentals, playroom, kids menu, takeaway and local delivery.
Ete Bar
FRENCH LOUNGE
95 Giang Van Minh, Ba Dinh, Tel: 0976 751331
www.etehanoi.com
10am to midnight
A favourite among those who roam further west of the city centre, this multi-storey restobar has been going strong for more than two years. It has balconies, mezzanine seating and a long bar guarding exactly 50 different cocktails. For many the Ete burger is right on the mark as are the sandwiches, tartines and salads. It’s always crowded — especially during the weekends. Amiable staff, pleasant vibes.
Grain and Grape
LOUNGE CAFÉ
9 Au Co, Tay Ho Tel: 3710 1566
WIFI / AC
Nestled along bustling Au Co, seconds away from West Lake, Grain and Grape provides a comfortable, elegant setting to enjoy a glass of wine alongside an appetizing meal. Outdoor seating, dining room, and an upstairs seating area adorned with stacks of wine bottles along the walls only give testament to its extensive, diverse menu.
J.A.F.A.
INTERNATIONAL
The Clubhouse, Ciputra
Tel: 3758 2400
7am to 11pm
One of the larger and more comfortable bars in Hanoi, J.A.F.A. is a great place for drinking cocktails by the pool. The beverages are not the cheapest, but this is made up for by service and ambiance. They also have a full menu featuring familiar western dishes such as pizza and cheeseburgers and cater for large parties or dinner functions. Periodic buffets and drink specials are also offered.
Jacksons Steakhouse
23J Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem
Tel: 3938 8388
This new addition to the city from the Alfresco’s Group is definitely the meatiest yet. In the shape of a four floor, chic restobar — which has a bar lounge on the ground, a restaurant vibe on the second and third, and a “boardroom” on the fourth — Jacksons Steakhouse serves of well presented plates of imported Oz and New Zealand steaks as well as seafood. Of course, the large restaurant wouldn’t be complete without a large wine list to match.
La Petit Tonkinoise
ART DECO / INTERNATIONAL
58A Tran Quoc Toan, Hai Ba Trung
8am to 10pm
Located on the corner of Quang Trung, this large new cafe, restaurant and bar is housed in a restored colonial building. The beautiful courtyard is liberally decorated with plants, fans, blowlight jets of water, and shade is provided by tasteful cream parasols. Inside, a non-smoking, air-conditioned room is the perfect place to escape the heat. Western and Vietnamese fare is on offer, they have a huge range of wine, beer and coffee and they serve excellent fries too.
Le Pub
BRITISH / INTERNATIONAL
25 Hang Be, Hoan Kiem
Tel: 3926 2104
www.lepub.org
7am to midnight
Dark red walls and even darker brown seating run through the homely and casual Le Pub, one of the few bars in town with a regular stream of clientele. A long list of imported beer, Tiger draft, a decent international cum Vietnamese food menu, happy hour specials and live sport make up the comfortable mix. The venue also gets involved in the local community through regular events. Has a second Le Pub at Third Floor, 9 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho.
Ola de Tapas
SPANISH
26 Lan Ong, Hoan Kiem
Tel: 8585 2563
9am to 11pm
Nestled just off the main Old Quarter drag, this bar and restaurant daubed in the colours of the Spanish flag is the first genuine Iberian tapas bar in town. Sells a range of fare from paella through to tapas, a selection of tortilla and Spanish mains, and also serves lethal but tasty sangria. Spanish tempanillos and reds make up the enigmatic mix.
Puku
INTERNATIONAL / CAFE
16-18 Tong Duy Tan, Hoan Kiem
Tel: 3938 1745
Open 24 hours
This spacious spot on food street is open around the clock, offering Aussie-inspired comfort food along with more eclectic Irish nachos, cottage pies and pan-Asian fare. Upstairs is fit for social gatherings and live music while the no-smoking downstairs space is filled with people working and socialising. Serves as community centre, catering both to ravenous backpackers who’ve just arrived off the night train from Sapa and locals looking to meet up.
R&R Tavern
BAR, CAFÉ AND MUSIC VENUE
256 Nghi Tam, Tay Ho
www.rockandrolltavern-hanoi.com
LIVE / AC / WIFI
Come grab a drink at the newly revamped R &R to enjoy a taste of American style brew and their comforting Western dishes. The pub still lives up to its old name, providing an array of drinks, buzzing chatter, and of course, some quality live rock music. Its upstairs area is equipped with a sound system and stage setup for weekly shows and events while the downstairs area houses a classic bar that gives a finishing touch to the friendly community environment.
Rooftop
SKYLINE LOUNGE
19th Floor, Pacific Place, 83B Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem
Tel: 3946 1901
therooftop@vnn.vn
8am to midnight
If location counts for anything, then here it is spectacular. With a 270-degree view over the whole of the city, the up-on-high theme of the Rooftop is used to its full. The bar is pretty cool, too, with bare brick, sofa-style seating, glass fronted wine displays and a private room out back for more intimate drinking. Also does day-time office lunches, coffee and decent bar food.
Sandbox
INTERNATIONAL / WINE AND JAZZ
12 Phan Huy Ich, Ba Dinh
Tel: 3927 5708
5.30pm to midnight
Tucked into a quiet street close to Truc Bach, this romantic, Parisian-styled lounge exhibits art from up-and-coming Hanoi artists and is best experienced on the nights with live music. The menu offerings are rich and robust, from chicken curry to spaghetti and roast duck, all created to pair well with wine. Come for dinner and stay for the live jazz and well-curated wine selection.
Southgate
CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL
28 Tong Duy Tan, Hoan Kiem
Tel: 3398 1979
www.southgatehanoi.com
An American-run casual yet sophisticated restobar on Food Street with a great outdoor terrace area, a shared indoor bar space, a chef’s table and upstairs seating. Matched by contemporary décor, the creative food menu focuses on doing comfort food well, while a decent new and old world wine list and innovative cocktails make up the mix. Popular with the media and artsy set.
Lounge Bar and Cafe
12 Truong Han Sieu, Hai Ba Trung
Tel: 6680 9124
www.tadioto.com
8.30am to Midnight
Alternative and nostalgic restaurant bar with a dim lit conversational ambience. This French-style villa is adorned with old-world architectural styles and hints of engaging contemporary artwork along its walls. Enjoy a glass of wine to complement a variety of succulent light dishes in this combination café, bar, and gallery. Includes lounge seating, two bars, an outdoor patio, and two multi-purpose rooms for small gatherings. Tadioto is an exciting, intimate venue for live music, literary readings, and art showcases.
The Boombox Lounge
OLD SKOOL
1 Nguyen Khac Can, Hoan Kiem
Tel: 3939 2888
9am to 11.30pm
This ‘Chill Lounge’ is not too far from the Opera House and is ideal for drinks against a bright backdrop. Its large bar serves up test tube shooters and the Party Animal Bucket offers a range of shots. Of course, it’s a café/restaurant, too and be sure to check out the owner’s collection of boom boxes next to the DJ Booth. Live music on Wednesdays and a DJ at the weekend.