5 Best Breakfast Places in Hanoi Old Quarter for Your Cold Winter Day

Street eats are a unique Viet attraction in which substance and style transcend a flashy outlook. The Vietnamese and Hanoians (including the expats!), in particular, are early birds; thus, on-the-go breakfast has become an irreplaceable part of their lives. Whether it is a cramped, makeshift stand or an exquisite-looking restaurant, every breakfast dining spot in the Old Quarter in this shortlist below is worth your stopover.

Pho Thin

Pho Thin - Photo: @gdbaby1881988

Needless to say, it is impossible to meander a block in Hanoi’s Old Quarter without bumping into a ‘pho’ stand. However, Pho Thin perhaps possesses an unrivalled reputation throughout the city over the last 30 years. The restaurant is a tribute to classic design with white-washed floor and communal tables. More interestingly, to increase the storage space and serve guests during rush hours, the owner equips stone tables stuck into the wall. From rice noodles to stir-frying slices of beef in garlic, tasty broth, and herbs, Pho Thin is amongst a few places today can remain the authenticity of this predominant breakfast staple. Slurping a bowl of steaming hot ‘pho’ won’t take hungry patrons too much money (from 60.000 – 80.000 VND).

Banh Cuon Thanh Van

Banh Cuon Thanh Van - Photo: @bamidafood

Operated since 1973, Banh Cuon Thanh Van offers a quintessentially Vietnamese experience where early-risers can grab one of the Hanoi’s best indigenous classics - ‘banh cuon’. In stark contrast with its simple interior, ‘Banh cuon’ Thanh Van is freshly made on the day and focuses on sophistication. A big complexly-flavored portion of ‘banh cuon’ is full of steamed rice rolls stuffed with minced pork, wood-ear mushrooms and chili, coriander dropped on the plates. Just dip a piece of ‘banh cuon’ in spicy Vietnamese fish sauce and feel the taste. The price is reasonable ranging from 15.000 – 30.000 VND.

Saint Honore

Photo: @masako_vietnam

For passionate bread enthusiasts seeking a different breakfast from old-fashioned eateries with traditional specialties, Saint Honore reveals a seductive stop. This French-styled bakery offers a vast sheer number of classic French sweets that you might not be able to choose just a few things to enjoy with your tea. Take out sandwiches and create your own favorite flavor with cheese, fluffy pancakes, and soft pastries accompanied by an incredible sauce. There are also other breakfast sets namely American Breakfast with waffle and Full English Breakfast at a reasonable price from only 150.000 VND. 

The Hanoi Social Club

Photo: @hanoisocialclub

Housed in a 1920s colonial village, the Hanoi Social Club is bestowed with an intimate, clandestine atmosphere. Polished concrete walls are decorated with authentic paintings while the interior is lined with wooden vintage-looking furnishings and original tiles. Boasting a little outpost of Melbourne cafés, this Australian-owned and operated restaurant hosts an exotic menu of sandwiches, potato fritters with chorizo, burgers, and egg coffee.

Especially, plant-based options are also provided for vegetarians.

Maison de Tet Décor

Photo: @maisondetetdecor

Maison de Tet Décor has its fair share the tranquility of a flower-filled courtyard and a leafy terrace atop 2 levels of the dark tile floor. Unlike other cafés serving usual favorites like French toast, eggs benedict, and Muesli, Maison De Tet Décor creates a great breakfast all-day café-dining style with variations on classics such as eggs Florentine served with herbed potato cake and French toasts with passion syrup. Uniquely, all fruits and herbs used in the restaurant are freshly grown by the locals. Prices vary from 60.000 to 130.000 VND for a large-sized portion.