Xôi Mây
Order Xôi Xéo (yellow sticky rice) with extra fat and shallots. Eat on the stool watching the morning traffic.
Blackbird Coffee
Walk to this beautiful French colonial villa to enjoy a modern espresso or pour-over.
St. Joseph's Cathedral
Explore the "Nha Tho" area (Hanoi’s chicest block) and walk down Nha Chung street for boutiques.
Cafe Dinh
Must do. Walk up the hidden stairs at 13 Dinh Tien Hoang. Drink the legendary Egg Coffee on the balcony overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.
Bún Cá Sâm Cây Si
Navigate deep into the Ngõ Trung Yên alley. Look for the banyan tree. The fried fish noodle soup is tangy, crunchy, and unmatched. (Open 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Hang Gai (Silk Street)
Visit Tan My Design (61 Hang Gai) for high-end embroidery—the highest quality craftsmanship in the city. Browse silver on Hang Bac street nearby.
Trang Tien Ice Cream
Walk to the Opera House area. Stand on the corner and eat a "Kem Dau Xanh" (Mung Bean) popsicle like a local.
Phở bưng Hàng Trống
Sit on a low stool (or stand) and "carry" the hot bowl of beef pho in your hands. (Note: Go to 8 Hang Trong).
French Quarter
Walk off the food around the Metropole Hotel and Opera House. The architecture here is stunning at twilight.
Chả Cá Thăng Long (6B Duong Thanh Street)
Feast on turmeric-fried fish with dill and shrimp paste at this specific, non-tourist-trap address (6B Duong Thanh)
The Haflington
Must Have. End the night at Asia’s 50 Best bar. Sip cocktails inside a space designed like a private museum with a dinosaur skeleton. (Open 3:00 PM - 1:00 AM)