Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to experience authentic local cuisine. Vietnamese cuisine reflects the soul of the ancient town and the story of its people: honest, slow, and full of care.
This guide explores over 15 Vietnamese restaurants where this spirit is brought to life. Some are much-loved local spots, while others reimagine familiar recipes with a modern twist. Each local restaurant offers a glimpse into Hoi An’s way of life, where thoughtful cooking, balanced flavours, and a sense of belonging to the town itself are key.
A cornerstone of Hoi An’s food scene, Morning Glory Original is both a beloved dining destination and the flagship restaurant of Chef Trinh Diem Vy (Ms. Vy), feeling like a living archive of Vietnamese home-style cooking. Opened in 2006, it has become celebrated for reviving and preserving “lost” traditional recipes, presenting them in a refined yet approachable way.
The menu highlights Central Coast cuisine, featuring iconic Hoi An dishes such as Cao Lau, White Rose dumplings, and Banh Xeo. Each dish is rooted in tradition and prepared with balance and restraint. For first-time visitors, it offers a refined yet approachable introduction to the soulful flavours of central Vietnam.
Across the river from the lantern-lit streets, directly opposite the Japanese Covered Bridge, Mango Mango offers a warm, welcoming expression of Hoi An hospitality. Founded in 2008 by Chef Tran Thanh Duc, the restaurant celebrates the Vietnamese way of cooking – generous, intuitive, and guided by quality ingredients rather than rigid rules.
Vietnamese dishes at Mango Mango Hoi An arrive vibrant and comforting, blending contemporary Vietnamese fusion with familiar local flavours. Organic produce and fresh local seafood are paired with subtle international influences from the chef’s travels in Mexico and Japan, creating food that feels creative yet grounded. There’s a sense of ease here: meals meant to be shared slowly against views of the Thu Bon River, without over-explanation.
The Merchant Hoi An is an authentic riverside Vietnamese restaurant in Hoi An, located within Namia River Retreat on a private islet in the Thu Bon River. Open to both retreat guests and the public, the restaurant carries the spirit of Hoi An’s ancient trading port into a calm, modern setting where flavours, ideas, and cultures once converged by the water.
Guided by Namia’s “Craft With Nature” philosophy, the restaurant highlights the Thổ (Earth) element through natural materials, hand-fired ceramics, and an open-air, river-facing setting. The kitchen follows a farm-to-table approach, serving Vietnamese cuisine influenced by historic trade routes, with signature dishes such as roasted duck with local herbs and a seasonal, locally sourced menu.
Breakfast features house-made pastries, local honey, and on-site roasted Vietnamese coffee, while evenings bring creative cocktails inspired by Hoi An street flavours like Mót, Cao Lầu, and mango cake – making The Merchant a refined yet grounded Vietnamese dining destination near the Ancient Town.
Inspired by Hoi An’s bustling local markets, Vy’s Market Restaurant recreates the energy of a traditional Vietnamese market hall, bringing together flavours from across the country in one dynamic, open space.
Despite its scale, the casual Vietnamese restaurant maintains a strong sense of authenticity. Ingredients are carefully sourced, recipes are faithful, and the experience feels celebratory without losing depth. Vy’s Market is an ideal stop for travellers seeking to understand Vietnam’s culinary diversity through a distinctly Hoi An lens.
Just steps from Hoi An Ancient Town and the bustling market, Mango Rooms is a colorful Vietnamese fusion restaurant close by Thu Bon River, Led by Chef Duc, one of the pioneers of Vietnamese fusion cuisine in Hoi An, the restaurant blends local ingredients with global techniques inspired by Japanese, Mexican, and Spanish flavors.
The new space along the Thu Bon River is vibrant and inviting – think tropical plants, leafy courtyards, and a cozy wine room perfect for relaxed evenings. Start with a drink at the Bubble Bar, overlooking Hoi An’s rooftops, before diving into signature dishes like the Coco Duck, featuring smoked duck breast with coconut and herbs.
Hoi An Cuisine stays true to the original flavours passed down through generations of local families, offering an experience rooted in preservation rather than performance. The recipes here follow time-tested culinary customs of the Hoi An people, shaped by memory rather than trends.
Set inside a traditional tube house with air-conditioned indoor seating and an open kitchen, Hoi An Cuisine offers a clean, comfortable setting while retaining the spirit of local street food culture.
Just outside the bustle of the Ancient Town, tok. Bar & Restaurant sits quietly among the rice fields – a modern spot built on community and good food. Started during the pandemic by three friends who wanted to support local farmers, tok. has grown into one of the best restaurants in Hoi An for honest, creative cooking.
The menu mixes Vietnamese ingredients with global comfort: smoky okra à la plancha, miso aubergine, and a melt-in-your-mouth braised lamb shank served with jasmine rice. Most of the vegetables are grown right on-site, and the bar adds a fun note with cocktails made from local fruits and herbs. It’s the kind of place that feels open and easy – where everything, from the people to the food, reflects Hoi An’s natural rhythm.
Tucked in the middle of Trà Quế Vegetable Village, MUA brings Hoi An farm-to-table dining back to its roots. The restaurant sources most of its ingredients directly from the surrounding gardens, where farmers still tend herbs and greens by hand.
The open kitchen and garden-view seating keep the atmosphere relaxed and close to nature, letting guests feel the rhythm of the village around them. Dining at MUA isn’t just about traditional food in Hoi An; it’s about tasting the quiet link between land, people, and tradition that defines local cuisine in Hoi An.
Perched beside the Hoai River, Đào Tiên by Rêu leaves an imprint in visitors’ minds with its yellow mustard walls and open riverside terrace that reflect the city’s old-town soul – familiar yet refreshed. Inside, local crafts, bamboo textures, and soft lantern light create a warm, unhurried atmosphere where guests can slow down and take in the view. The kitchen keeps things honest – fresh herbs from Trà Quế, seafood from nearby beaches, and family-style recipes passed down through generations.
Guests can also join private cooking classes, guided by Đào Tiên’s chefs, to explore local ingredients and stories through hands-on connection. It’s a place that feels less like a restaurant and more like a living chapter of Hoi An – graceful, rooted, and quietly unforgettable.
More refined but no less heartfelt, Morning Glory Signature offers an intimate, story-driven expression of Vietnamese cuisine in Hoi An, crafted by Ms. Vy, one of the town’s most respected culinary figures. Set in the heart of the Ancient Town and overlooking the river near the Japanese Bridge, the space feels calm and contemplative.
Each dish is deeply personal, prepared with premium local Vietnamese ingredients and shaped by memories, places, and moments from the owner’s life. With a thoughtfully curated menu and a full bar of wines, beers, and signature cocktails, dining at Morning Glory Signature feels like being invited into a culinary diary
Hidden behind a modest wooden door near the Japanese Bridge, Nu Eatery feels like a quiet secret shared among friends. Its charm lies in simplicity – soft light, wooden tables, and the easy warmth of a home kitchen. The owners, a husband-and-wife team, are known for welcoming guests like family, creating a space that feels both personal and quietly refined.
The menu changes with the seasons, reflecting Hoi An’s produce and the couple’s creative spirit. Everything here carries a handmade touch, from the presentation to the music that hums softly in the background. For those who prefer authenticity over attention, Nu Eatery offers the kind of dining that feels unspoken – a small reminder that the best moments in Hoi An often happen in tucked-away corners, shared slowly and with heart.
Just outside Hoi An’s center, Rêu Dining celebrates Hoi An’s small-village spirit through architecture, artistry, and a deep respect for nature. Not just for dining, guests here can join private cooking classes, beginning with a walk through Rêu’s organic garden, and even include a chance of fishing in their on-site lake.
Each meal here begins with a Rêu aperitif made from fruit juice, Tra Que herbs, and local liqueur, followed by small handmade amuse-bouches – gestures that set a calm and grounded tone. The restaurant’s design offers a journey through spaces – from the bright, high-ceilinged “The Sun” to the intimate “The Moon” and the herb-filled “Fairy Garden.” Every corner feels intentional, built to connect people with the beauty of slow living.
Set along one of Hoi An’s most familiar streets, V Vegan – Vegan Café & Restaurant offers a thoughtful, plant-based interpretation of Vietnamese home cooking. The fully vegan menu reimagines Hoi An favourites using tofu, mushrooms, pumpkin, garden vegetables, and fresh herbs, while staying close to flavours people recognize.
With indoor air-conditioned seating and outdoor tables overlooking the Old Town, V Vegan offers a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The food feels light yet grounding. For travellers seeking mindful, healthy Vietnamese cuisine aligned with Hoi An’s slower rhythm, V Vegan feels quietly and naturally at home.
Down a maze of narrow alleys, Secret Garden opens into a tranquil courtyard that feels worlds away from the busy streets outside. Founded by Mr. Uy Trần in 2008, the restaurant sits within his family’s 120-year-old ancestral home – a space restored with deep respect for heritage and nature.
Three open-air balconies overlook a lush landscape of koi ponds, trees, and lanterns, with a large open kitchen at the heart of it all. Though it’s been through its share of challenges, the original Secret Garden remains a beloved part of Hoi An’s story.
ROM Vegetarian Bistro brings a contemporary, quietly confident energy to Hoi An’s vegetarian dining scene. The setting is cozy and thoughtfully styled, appealing to those who appreciate modern comfort without losing a sense of place.
The menu blends traditional Vietnamese vegetarian cooking with lighter, updated interpretations, built on fresh, high-quality plant-based ingredients — true to the restaurant’s name, Revolution Of Mushroom. With friendly service, relaxed indoor and outdoor seating, and a calm atmosphere, ROM feels like a bridge between old habits and new rhythms
After days spent wandering through Hoi An’s hidden courtyards and riverside Vietnamese restaurants in Old Town Hoi An, the journey feels complete at Namia River Retreat – a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™, and one of Vietnam’s few wellness-inclusive resorts.
Set on Cồn Ba Xã Islet, whose name means “Three Villages, the resort rests quietly between the Thu Bon River and a lush fringe of nipa palms. Here, the flow of the river shapes daily life – calm, rhythmic, and deeply connected to the land.
At The Merchant, Namia River Retreat’s signature Vietnamese restaurant, the region’s culinary heritage is reimagined through thoughtful, seasonal dining. Ingredients are grown or sourced locally, coffee is roasted on-site, and every dish carries the understated spirit of Vietnamese craftsmanship and sustainable philosophy. Dining in The Merchant Hoi An feels unhurried – a return to what’s simple, honest, and true to the place.
Location: Con Ba Xa Islet, 232 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Hoi An, Việt Nam
Phone: +84 235 392 2929
Email: hello@namiariverretreat.com
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1 Bedroom Villa with Spa Sala, Jacuzzi & Outdoor Private Dining
Indoor 100 sqm, Pool & Terrace 200 sqm, Total 300 sqm
– Private pool villa with 180-degree river view
– Open-plan bedroom with 4-poster bed
– En-suite bathroom, sunken bathtub, vanity and shower
– Pool with loungers, open-air lounge, river dining sala
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee
facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub.
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18 King / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm
09 Twin / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm
– Private pool villa with direct River view
– Open-plan bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view
– En-suite bathroom with vanity and shower
– Lounge opening onto terrace, pool with loungers
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, vanity, indoor and outdoor shower and sunken bathtub
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2 Bedroom Villa with Kids Room and Outdoor Family Dining
1 Twin room & 1 King room / Indoor 80 sqm, Pool 130 sqm, Total 210 sqm
– Main bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view
– Main en-suite bathroom, vanity and shower
– Twin bedroom with vanity and shower
– Indoor lounge, outdoor dining area, pool with loungers
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub (king), shower (twin)
This will close in 21 seconds
2 Bedroom Villa with Kids Room and Outdoor Family Dining
1 Twin room & 1 King room / Indoor 80 sqm, Pool 130 sqm, Total 210 sqm
– Main bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view
– Main en-suite bathroom, vanity and shower
– Twin bedroom with vanity and shower
– Indoor lounge, outdoor dining area, pool with loungers
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub (king), shower (twin)
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12 King / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm
14 Twin / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm
– Private pool villa with garden and nipa palm view
– Open-plan bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view
– En-suite bathroom with vanity and shower
– Lounge opening onto terrace, pool with loungers
– All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles
Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, vanity, indoor and outdoor shower and sunken bathtub
This will close in 21 seconds