Hoi An has long been recognized as one of Vietnam’s most exciting culinary destinations. The city blends historic food traditions with a vibrant restaurant scene that appeals to both locals and international travelers.
Many visitors come specifically to try iconic regional dishes such as cao lau noodles, white rose dumplings (banh bao banh vac), and Hoi An chicken rice (cơm ga Hoi An). These dishes reflect the town’s trading history and local culinary traditions.
Dining in Hoi An generally falls into three main areas. Old Town restaurants offer historic charm and lantern-lit evenings. Thu Bon River restaurants provide scenic views and relaxed riverside dining. Meanwhile, An Bang Beach restaurants and venues near Cua Dai Beach focus on seafood, cocktails, and sunset dining. This guide highlights some of the best dining Hoi An experiences across these areas.
What makes Hoi An one of Vietnam’s best dining destinations?
Hoi An stands out for its blend of heritage cuisine and modern international dining. Travelers can explore traditional Vietnamese dishes alongside global flavors in a compact and walkable city.
One of the biggest reasons people visit Hoi An is its food culture. The city’s long trading history brought influences from China, Japan, and Europe, which helped shape its unique cuisine. This variety is what makes dining restaurants in Hoi An so appealing.
Best Western and steak restaurants in Hoi An
Western restaurants in Hoi An offer familiar comfort dishes for travelers who want a break from Vietnamese cuisine. Steakhouses, bistros, and international restaurants provide diverse dinner options across the city.
After several days enjoying local specialties, many visitors look for international flavors. Hoi An’s restaurant scene includes steakhouses, French-style bistros, and modern Western kitchens that focus on grilled meats, seafood, and wine-friendly menus.
These venues are particularly popular for evening dining because they combine quality food with comfortable atmospheres. Some restaurants overlook the Thu Bon River, while others sit near An Bang Beach with ocean views.
Below are some of the most reliable western restaurants Hoi An for dinner.
The Surf & Turf Restaurant
Address: 26 Nguyen Phan Vinh Street, Hoi An Tay Ward, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Opening hours: Daily: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM.
Signature dishes: Australian ribeye steak and surf-and-turf plates with lobster or grilled prawns
The Surf & Turf Restaurant sits near An Bang Beach and offers a combination of steakhouse cuisine and fresh seafood. It is a popular stop for travelers who want a hearty Western-style dinner after spending time by the sea.
Imported beef cuts such as Australian ribeye are among the highlights. Many diners choose surf-and-turf plates that pair steak with grilled lobster or prawns.
The open beachfront setting gives the restaurant a relaxed coastal feel and makes it a pleasant place for sunset dining in Hoi An. In the late afternoon, guests often arrive for cocktails while watching the sky change color over the water.
The combination of premium meats, seafood dishes, and ocean views makes it a standout steakhouse Hoi An experience.
Hoi An Steakhouse Riverside
Address: 71 Tran Quang Khai Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Opening hours: 12:00 - 10:00 PM
Signature dishes: Grilled tenderloin steak with pepper sauce and riverfront views
Hoi An Steakhouse Riverside combines classic steakhouse dishes with one of the most scenic dining locations in the city. The restaurant sits beside the Thu Bon River, offering terrace seating that overlooks the water.
As sunset approaches, the river reflects warm evening light, creating a calm and atmospheric setting for dinner.
Many travelers arrive for drinks first, then stay for a full meal once the sky begins to change color. The menu focuses on grilled beef cuts such as tenderloin and ribeye, served with classic steakhouse sides.
Le Petit Bistro Hoi An
Address: 476 Cua Dai, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Opening hours: 5:00 - 10:00 PM
Signature dishes: French style steak frites with herb butter
Le Petit Bistro Hoi An offers a small French-style dining experience just outside the busiest streets of the Old Town. The restaurant focuses on classic European comfort food served in a relaxed bistro setting.
The restaurant’s intimate atmosphere and warm lighting make it a comfortable place for dinner away from crowded tourist streets. As evening approaches, the surrounding area becomes quieter, which adds to the relaxed mood.
Le Petit Bistro works well for travelers seeking a calm romantic dinner Hoi An experience with European flavors.
Best restaurants for traditional Vietnamese dining in Hoi An
Traditional Vietnamese restaurants offer the most authentic culinary experience in Hoi An. These venues specialize in regional dishes and historic recipes passed down through generations.
Many visitors come to Hoi An specifically to try its famous local dishes. Traditional restaurants often serve recipes unique to the region, using fresh herbs, seafood, and locally sourced ingredients.
Dining in these places allows travelers to experience Vietnamese cuisine Hoi An in its original setting. Many are located inside restored heritage buildings in the Old Town.Below are several restaurants known for authentic local dishes.
Morning Glory Original
Address: 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An, Da Nang, Vietnam
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Signature dishes: Cao lau noodles, white rose dumplings, clay pot fish, crispy Hoi An pancakes
Morning Glory Original is one of the most famous places to experience traditional Vietnamese cuisine in Hoi An. The restaurant sits inside a restored heritage building in the Old Town.
The menu highlights many regional dishes travelers come to Hoi An to try, including cao lau noodles and white rose dumplings. The dining room reflects the lively energy of the surrounding streets. Lantern-lit buildings and historic architecture create a memorable backdrop for dinner.
As sunset approaches, many visitors arrive after exploring nearby attractions in the Old Town.
Ba Buoi Chicken Rice
Address: 22 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Vietnam
Opening hours: 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM | 4:30 - 8:00 PM
Signature dishes: Hoi An chicken rice (com ga Hoi An)
Ba Buoi Chicken Rice is one of the most famous places to try Hoi An chicken rice, the city’s signature rice dish. The restaurant focuses almost entirely on this specialty, which helps maintain consistent quality.
The dining space is simple and casual, reflecting traditional Vietnamese eateries rather than modern restaurants. Because it closes earlier than many Old Town venues, arriving before sunset is often the best option.
Thia Go Hoi An
Address: 53 Phan Thuc Duyen, Bac My Phu, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang, Vietnam
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Signature dishes: braised pork clay pot, white rose dumplings
Thia Go Hoi An offers a comfortable place to explore traditional Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of the Old Town. The restaurant sits in a charming heritage-style building and focuses on regional dishes served with attentive service.
Guests often enjoy dinner here after sightseeing, as the restaurant’s location keeps them close to Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets.
Best beachfront restaurants for dining in Hoi An
Beachfront restaurants offer some of the most scenic dining experiences in Hoi An. Located near An Bang and Cua Dai beaches, these venues combine ocean views with seafood-focused menus.
These areas lie about 3–4 kilometers from the Old Town, making them a short taxi or bicycle ride away.Beach restaurants typically focus on fresh seafood, grilled dishes, and cocktails. Many travelers visit in the late afternoon to enjoy ocean breezes and sunset views before dinner. Below are several well-known beachfront restaurants in Hoi An.
L’Annam Restaurant
Address: Cua Dai Beach, Au Co Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Da nang, Vietnam
Opening hours: 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Signature dishes: Grilled river fish with herbs, Vietnamese seafood hotpot, lemongrass grilled prawns
L’Annam Restaurant focuses on Vietnamese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and traditional cooking styles. Lemongrass grilled prawns and seafood hotpot are popular choices. The open dining space offers relaxing views toward the river and passing boats.
Dolphin Kitchen & Bar
Address: Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Signature dishes: Grilled seafood platter, garlic butter prawns, shrimp skewers
Dolphin Kitchen & Bar is a relaxed beachfront restaurant along the main stretch of An Bang Beach. Seafood dominates the menu, especially grilled platters and shrimp dishes. In the late afternoon, travelers often gather for sunset drinks before dinner.
An Bang Beach Village Restaurant
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
Signature dishes: Grilled whole fish, Vietnamese seafood hotpot, fresh spring rolls
An Bang Beach Village Restaurant sits in a quieter residential section of the beach. The menu focuses on Vietnamese home-style cooking with seafood and fresh herbs. Compared with busy beachfront venues, the atmosphere here feels calm and relaxed.
Best romantic restaurants for dinner in Hoi An
Hoi An is one of the most romantic dining destinations in Vietnam. Lantern-lit streets, riverside views, and garden restaurants create a perfect setting for couples. The city’s historic architecture and calm atmosphere make romantic restaurants in Hoi An especially popular.
Many couples choose garden restaurants or riverside venues where lantern lighting creates a relaxed mood. Below are several excellent romantic dining options.
AN GIA Cottage
Opening hours: 12:00 - 9:00 PM
Best for: Grilled seafood platter, Vietnamese clay pot fish, fresh spring rolls
AN GIA Cottage offers a peaceful garden setting just outside the busiest areas of Hoi An. The restaurant resembles a countryside cottage surrounded by greenery and lantern lighting. Couples often visit around sunset for a quiet dinner.
Secret Garden
Address: 133/2 Tran Phu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Vietnam
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Signature dishes: White rose dumplings, braised pork clay pot, cao lau noodles
Secret Garden is a rooftop courtyard restaurant hidden above a historic building in the Old Town. Lanterns, plants, and warm lighting create a cozy dining atmosphere. Couples often arrive around sunset when the Old Town becomes especially beautiful.
The Boat Riverside Restaurant & Bar
Address: 44 Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An, Vietnam
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Signature dishes: Grilled river fish, seafood hotpot, Vietnamese fried spring rolls
The Boat Riverside Restaurant & Bar sits beside the Thu Bon River, offering scenic terrace seating. The view of boats and lantern reflections creates a romantic atmosphere. The open-air design allows diners to enjoy evening breezes while watching the river.
How to choose the best dining restaurant in Hoi An
Choosing the best place to dine in Hoi An often comes down to three things: what you feel like eating, where you want to be, and the kind of atmosphere you want to enjoy. Travelers hoping to experience authentic local flavors will usually find the most charm in traditional Vietnamese restaurants around the Old Town, while those in the mood for international cuisine may lean toward steakhouses and other Western-style dining spots. Location also shapes the experience.
Restaurants in the Old Town offer a historic and lively setting, riverside venues along the Thu Bon provide scenic views, and An Bang Beach restaurants create a more relaxed coastal mood. During weekends and peak travel seasons, it is always a good idea to book ahead.
Where should you book a memorable dinner in Hoi An?
The Surf & Turf Restaurant stands out as one of the best places for a memorable dinner in Hoi An. Located near An Bang Beach, it brings together premium steak and fresh seafood in a relaxed coastal setting. Its surf-and-turf concept gives diners the best of both worlds, pairing imported beef with dishes such as grilled lobster or prawns. With its beachside atmosphere, it is especially well suited for sunset dinners, date nights, and special occasions.