A trip to Hoi An would not be complete without discovering the best coffee and food in Hoi An Vietnam. The region is home to a unique café and food scene with dishes celebrated across Vietnam. Spending time sampling the Hoi An restaurants & café culture is all part of the Hoi An experience.
You can relish the ancient splendour of Hoi An while relaxing with a coffee or enjoy a peaceful lunch watching colourful boats drift upstream in a riverside restaurant.
Hoi An is a city full of coffee and culinary delights, here is our choice of the best coffee and food in Hoi An Vietnam.
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Where is Hoi An Vietnam?
Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Quang Nam province in Central Vietnam. The city was formerly known as Faifoo and is famous for its well-preserved Ancient Town (Old Town) which is a fine example of an Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Hoi An is approximately thirty kilometres (18 miles) from the city of Da Nang which is home to Vietnam’s third busiest airport after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
The region is known for its Champa and trading history and endless beaches.
Hoi An Cafe Culture
Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil and this is reflected in the number of coffee shops in Hoi An.
A visit to a Hoi An coffee house will have you sipping your regular cappuccino, latte, and Americano but there are Vietnamese favourites that also need to be tried.
Egg Coffee
Egg coffee (Ca Phe Trung) conjures up a multitude of unappetising images but if you give it a try you will find a deliciously sweet and creamy concoction that will have you licking your lips with glee.
The egg coffee is made by whipping egg yolk and condensed milk until it becomes a smooth silky foam which is used to top the rich Vietnamese espresso coffee.
Coconut Coffee
Coconut coffee (Ca Phe Cot Dua) is the perfect marriage between coconut milk and coffee. This delicate fresh tasting coffee can either be drunk hot or iced and is a fabulous drink for cooling off on a hot day.
Popular Hoi An Coffee & Tea Houses
Hoi An is packed with character filled cafes and teahouses. You will find a good mix of independent shopfronts and Vietnamese coffee chains to choose from. They are a wonderful place to relax and watch Hoi An street life pass you by.
Dau An Phuong Dong – Oriental Impression
At first sight Dau An Phuong Dong – Oriental Impression, looks like a ceramic’s museum. This unique mix of coffeehouse, restaurant and antiquity is the place to learn about one families love of ancient artefacts and porcelain that has been collected for generations.
Unwind within this beautiful location with a coconut coffee served in a traditional Vietnamese coffeepot or celebrate your trip to Hoi An with an afternoon cocktail.
Reaching Out Teahouse
The Reaching Out Teahouse is a social enterprise that offers opportunities for people with disabilities.
When you enter this traditional Hoi An teahouse, you will be greeted by a gracious group of speech and hearing-impaired staff and given a menu of Vietnamese teas, coffees, and light refreshments.
The teahouse is the perfect place to escape the heat and bustle of Hoi An. When you enter the teahouse, you will be immersed in a peaceful atmosphere where you are quietly served in silence.
This tranquil environment is enhanced by the delicate Vietnamese tea sets, tableware and choice of delightful Vietnamese tea and coffee tasting sets.
Trying the food in Hoi An Vietnam
When it comes to sampling the food in Hoi An you will find a good assortment of market stalls, small family run restaurants, street stalls and busy riverfront restaurants. Which you choose will depend on your budget and what Hoi An food experiences you feel comfortable with.
Many people visiting Hoi An opt to take a street food tour or Vietnamese cooking class. These tours allow you to enjoy the mouth-watering tastes of Hoi An cuisine and are a great introduction to the ingredients used in these delicious Hoi An dishes.
Local Food in Hoi An
The Vietnamese food in Hoi An has evolved with its own unique taste due to the cooking techniques and variety of produce of the region.
Proximity to the coast gives the perfect opportunity to indulge your love of seafood by feasting on the large selection of fresh fish and shellfish in the area.
Here are some of the local delicacies you should try on a visit to Hoi An Vietnam.
Cao Lau
If you are looking for interesting food in Hoi An, look no further than Cao Lau, the signature dish of Hoi An. This scrumptious dish features chewy noodles in a savoury broth, with sliced pork which is topped with aromatic herbs, and crunchy fried wonton cubes.
Cao Lau is one of the most delicious Vietnamese dishes and needs to be tried when visiting the region.
Banh Bao Banh Vac – White Rose Dumplings
Banh Bao Banh Vac or White Rose dumplings as they are known in English, are steamed rice dumplings with a pork filling that are pinched into the shape of a delicate rose.
This pretty meal can be found in most Hoi An restaurants and is served with a crunchy topping and dipping sauce.
Hoanh Thanh Chien – Crispy Wontons
Hoanh thanh chien or crispy wontons as they are also known, would have to be one of the most satisfying bite sized creations on the planet.
These crisp fried wedges of bubbly wontons are topped with a savoury tomato concoction which has both sweet and savoury undertones. Crispy wontons are fabulous for a light snack and go perfectly with a cold beer.
Banh Xeo
A much-loved food in Hoi An is banh xeo, a savoury rice pancake which is served with a selection of dishes such as pork satay or pork skewers.
When eating banh xeo break the pancake into bite sized pieces and place it on top of the rice paper. Top with herbs and lettuce and roll it in the rice paper, dip in the dipping sauce and enjoy.
Popular Hoi An Restaurants & Street Stalls
There are so many great restaurants and street stalls that showcase the food in Hoi An. To name them all would take forever but here are some that we have enjoyed.
Madam Kieu
Madam Kieu is in a fabulous position sitting at the entrance to the Hoi An Night Market on An Hoi Islet. The restaurant also has spectacular views of the brightly lit An Hoi Bridge and Hoi An Ancient Town.
From here you can relax with a drink, watch live entertainment, and see the colourful lights shine on the Thu Bon River while enjoying local Vietnamese cuisine.
Cham Cham Restaurant & Bar
Cham Cham Restaurant and Bar has a relaxed atmosphere and is the perfect place to watch the sun set with a cocktail.
The restaurant has a selection of both Vietnamese and western cuisine with views overlooking the river. The Cham Cham Restaurant and Bar is a short walk from the Hoi An Night Market and An Hoi Bridge on An Hoi Islet.
Long Com Ga Garden
Long Com Ga Garden is hidden in a small alleyway in Hoi An Ancient Town and is famous for its chicken rice.
Both locals and tourists flock to this small family run restaurant which serves a selection of chicken rice dish options. Portions are large and garnished with a side dish of salad, fresh herbs and a zingy sauce which made my mouth smile.
Hoi An Banh Mi Rivalry
The banh mi is one of Vietnams most iconic snacks. Banh mi is traditionally eaten for breakfast and begins with a crusty baguette with a choice of fillings which can include a variety of meats, pickled vegetables, pate, cucumber, herbs, cheese, chilli sauce and mayonnaise.
While you will find lots of banh mi sellers across Hoi An, two of the most popular are Madame Khanh – The Banh Mi Queen and Banh Mi Phuong who was made famous after a visit from late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.
Each banh mi cart owner has their own interpretation on flavour and which you choose comes down to personal taste. While visiting take time to try your local food cart, you may just discover a new favourite Hoi An banh mi spot.
Hoi An Night Markets
Not only is Hoi An Night Markets great for picking up a bargain but it is also the place to try local street food. Here you will find a selection of meats and seafood on a stick, the deliciously crunchy Vietnamese pizza, sweet treats and so much more.
Riverside Street Stall Restaurants
For local character and unrestricted views of the Thu Bon River the riverside street stall restaurants are one of the best ways to sample food in Hoi An.
From here you can watch the colourfully lit boats drift down the river while enjoying a range of authentic local cuisine.
Hoi An Beaches
An Bang Beach is one of the region’s best loved seaside locations and the place to come to escape the crowds and relish the quiet beach life.
An Bang Beach is a fifteen-minute drive from Hoi An and is famous for the seafood restaurants that line its shore. Here you get the best of both worlds as you get to enjoy the sand and sea while tasting a huge array of seafood dishes.
Last words on the best coffee & food in Hoi An Vietnam
Hoi An is one of our favourite destinations in Vietnam. This scenic UNESCO World Heritage Site will charm you with its enchanting Ancient Town and take your breath away with its nightly fantasyland of light.
For all its beauty, the city is also a place to unwind and enjoy a vibrant café culture, food scene and nightlife. If you are looking for the best coffee and food in Hoi An you will not be disappointed as there is a lot to discover.
Have you been to Hoi An Vietnam? Where are your best choices for coffee and food in Hoi An Vietnam?
Thanks for your suggestions as we are going to Vietnam in a weeks time and starting in Hoi An.
Sounds great Diane, enjoy your visit.
Love Hoi An. Glad you enjoyed ‘Reaching Out’ this time. ‘Secret Garden’ serves wonderful food in a ambient setting. Keep up the good work!