The best bars and cafés Hanoi

Close to the Old Quarter, on the street leading from the old gate of the Thang Long citadel, this bar is a place to discover. With its hushed ambience, subdued lighting and chic, modern decor, you can sit in the dining room or at the bar to enjoy classic and original cocktails. The emphasis is on local produce, with which they create unique elixirs. The wine list is limited but of high quality. Drinks can be accompanied by cheese and charcuterie boards. Bands perform regularly. Recommended.

Located south of Lake Hoàn Kiêm, you'll need a bit of cunning to flush out this bar in the speakeasy tradition. To get there, take a brick tunnel leading to a blue door... Inside, you'll discover a charming venue, attentive staff and, above all, a comprehensive cocktail menu. Old Fashioned, Negroni or the signature cocktail, the choice is vast. Live music on Sundays. Chic but affordable.

A confidential address, discreet but very well placed, opposite St. Joseph's Cathedral. Housed in a typical old Hanoi house, upstairs and under the roofs, accessible via a concealed entrance, you can feel the patina of time enhanced by a warm, intimate decor. The French-style bar invites you to enjoy an aperitif or one of the excellent cocktails on offer... The unusual, old-fashioned setting alone is worth a visit.

Here's an original establishment to discover. You can enter through a narrow alleyway, but more recently the café has opened a more accessible door onto Tran Quang Khai Street. The place is spread over several floors, each with a successful urban decor featuring mechanical elements (sidecar, motorcycle, tires) but also superb murals. You can come and enjoy this peaceful place for a coffee, a snack or in the early evening for a beer or an aperitif. Light meals available for lunch. Friendly welcome.

In the heart of the Old Quarter, finding this establishment is no easy task, situated in a maze of alleys in the purest Hanoi tradition. However, a notice board placed outside the bar makes it easy to find. When you enter the bar, the world changes and you're transported back to the days of Prohibition. Excellent cocktails, cigar cellar, hushed atmosphere, discreet music, attentive staff... A pleasant place to have a drink after dinner. Superb.

This is an iconic spot in Hanoi. A popular spot for tourists, photographers and Instagramers, it lets you enjoy coffee, cold drinks and lunch while immortalizing your stay in Hanoi thanks to one of the city's icons, the Long Biên Bridge. The Serein Café & Lounge boasts one of the finest views of the bridge. The various terraces allow you to appreciate the bustle of life around the bridge. On Saturday evenings, live bands provide even more entertainment. High prices.

French address. Very friendly establishment, with a warm décor dominated by wood and brick. In the garden, covered terrace. Bistro cuisine with a French touch: burgers, roast chicken, mussels / chips (on Thursdays), quiches, wood-fired pizzas. Mainly western clientele in this area of the Lac de l'Ouest where many expatriates live. Good to finish the evening over a drink and enjoy the pool table.

This chain of cafes, well established in Hanoi, has about ten establishments, all located in tourist areas such as the Ethnography Museum or the Water Puppet Theater on the shores of Hoen Kiêm Lake. They serve nau da (iced coffee), fruit juices, pastries, ice cream, but also pho, pizzas and salads for lunch. Convenient and really cheap... Note, the application downloadable on Google Play or App Store that allows you to order and avoid the queues.

Welcome to Café de la Joie, an oasis of serenity. Nestled on the banks of the Red River, this unpretentious café is much more than just a meeting place: it's a paradise for plant lovers. Manh, the owner, grows hundreds of kumquat plants. His reputation has earned him numerous awards and distinctions. The month of January is particularly frenetic, as it precedes the Tet holiday, whose emblematic gift is the kumquat.

A picturesque place in this passage near the Temple of Literature. Traditional architecture and the cult of tea. Also sale of Vietnamese teas selected for their respective virtues.