BackYard Bia Hoi: “Set in a lush vegetable garden in the increasingly trendy Tay Ho District, the restaurant serves local draft beer alongside Vietnamese-style dishes made with organic produce … while the atmosphere is more countryside than sidewalk, the unpretentious fare echoes the spot’s inspiration.” (New York Times)
A Litchi Rose: “Comes on like a floral boxing glove, the wine selection is one of the best in town, and by day drinkers have their laptops for companions … but this Hanoi hipster haunt is more play than work in the evening … climb the stone staircase, through the forest of dangling glass bottles, to discover the rooftop party.” (Traveller)
Mad Botanist Gin Bar: “Has the best vista of any cocktail bar we know in Hanoi -- looking across St Joseph's Cathedral … these guys are gin specialists -- there are over one hundred options and some interesting mixer ideas too. Afficionados might uncover a lack of consistency between pours of the same drop as we did … the name "Mad Botanist” sets a high bar for speakeasy cool that these guys are hopefully headed to.” (Rusty Compass)
Cama ATK: “One of the hippest joints in Hanoi, this speakeasy-style venue combines effortless conviviality with excellent cocktails. Regular live events run the gamut from eclectic DJ sets to more straightforward nights of live music.” (AFAR)
Bar Betta: “There’s a nice little rooftop patio, the clientele is a mix of young, artistic locals and travelers looking for a place to spend a few lazy hours outside the central tourist zone, and the walls are bursting with local art for you to peruse.” (Junkee)
Tadioto Bar/Cafe: “Owned and operated by journalist and raconteur Nguyen Qui Duc, this Hanoi institution is now in its fourth incarnation near the Opera House … expect a bohemian crowd, an eclectic music policy and a great selection of wine.” (AFAR)
Quan Bia Minh: “This lively Old Quarter bia hoi (draught beer) restaurant is notable for the charm of its ubiquitous owner, Miss Minh … it is also known for its ever-expanding second-story terrace, which affords insightful views of the street market below … a good range of Vietnamese rice and noodle dishes is skillfully cooked in the makeshift kitchen area at the back of the terrace.” (City Seeker)
Ray Quan’s “entrance is about one metre from the train tracks, tucked into the jam of buildings between Le Duan and Nguyen Khuyen … the ambience is a mix of cozy and quirky, from the rustic wooden furniture to the dangling glittery masks and geometric light fixtures, to the ‘jukebox’ (a computer with YouTube always open, inviting customers to take over the tunes).” (Word Vietnam)
Do Luych: “Drinkers can choose to watch the bartenders work in the front bar in among the coloured lights, fake trees and a baby grand piano, or chill in the tiny back garden … it's a relaxed, arty space with jazz on the stereo, where locals can buy a bottle of spirits to keep behind the bar and anyone can grab a banh mi when hungry.” (Traveller)