The East

We tried this Bib Gourmand 2025 (despite couldn’t see it display it last night). The food was really tasty and I must say a bit different to the usual Vietnamese flavours and dishes. The menu has variety so we chose things we never tried before. The best dishes were the aubergine (which we asked without nuts) and the beef in the bamboo. So flavoursome, we accompanied them with lotus seed white rice, which however was just white rice (the lotus seed were not much of an add). The service is definitely more upmarket, however the ambience is boring, lack of individuality, the walls are empty. Interiors need a revamp, there was also dump stains on the walls.

This is definitely a more upscale place in comparison to others in that region of Hanoi but not in an intimidating way. It feels more like a regular, non-chain, small restaurant in the US. Service was great and very attentive. I had to phone ahead for a same day reservation but did not have to wait much I highly recommend the crab spring rolls. I also had a pineapple juice but was too full to try the dessert in the end. The front of the restaurant is a bit small so it is easy to overlook it in a crowded pedestrian street.

Another excellent Hanoi restaurant, found from its listing in the Michelin Guide. The restaurant was really busy, but they found us a table downstairs and I'm very pleased they did. Lovely, friendly, English-speaking staff, and a great menu - too good, there were so many dishes I could have chosen. For the two of us to share, we chose: - Grilled Aubergine: Eggplant, spring onion, fried shallots, oyster sauce, honey, garlic roasted peanuts, fresh grated copra, Vietnamese herbs. - Crab Spring Rolls: Crab meat, minced pork, carrot, onion, spring onions, pepper, egg, glass noodles, wood ear mushroom, shiitake mushroom, vegetable cooking oil, taro, rice paper, served with homemade dipping sauce. - Grilled Cinnamon Pork Ribs: Marinated pork ribs, cinnamon stick, home-blend spices, peanut, sesame. - Lotus Seed Fried Rice: Northern fragrant rice, lotus send prawn, seasonal vegetables . We were very impressed, as the food was cooked to perfection and really nicely served. Every dish was excellent, but the crab rolls were particularly tasty. Absolutely no room for pud. Highly recommended! (Also posted to my food blog on Instagram @AbbeyKing16)

The braised duck dish was a surprise and delight to the palate. The seafood fried rice and morning glory were both delicious. Beef in bamboo tube was okay. The staff were friendly and able to converse in basic English. We did not make a reservation and they were nice to accommodate a table for us. Is a good place to drop by for dinner before heading to the train street. Will drop by again if I am back in Hanoi to try other dishes. The price on the menu is inclusive of tax. Only gripe was that we had to order a bottle of chilled water, before they can serve you a glass of warm water.

My family and I visited the restaurant while we were in Hanoi. We ordered a few dishes at the waiter's recommendation and everything we had was amazing. The roasted duck was definitely a standout. On the downside, the dining experience was ruined by the chef/kitchen staff's loud shouting that was very clearly audible in the first floor's dining area where we were seated due to its close proximity to the kitchen. We also saw the chef walk in and out of the restaurant, through the main dining space, a few times. At some point, we even heard a loud sneeze coming from the kitchen, and from what I saw, none of the kitchen staff were wearing face masks. The kitchen staff also aggressively rang the kitchen bell to signal to the waiters that food was ready. This was again very clearly audible in the first floor dining area. Overall, these disturbances greatly ruined our dining experience, as well as the atmosphere of the dining hall, and deterred us from ordering more dishes. It was a real shame because the food itself was stellar and very enjoyable. As a Michelin guide "upscale restaurant" for Hanoi standards, I hope the staff could be more mindful of the dining atmosphere that they create.

Probably one of the best meals over my month in Hanoi. Can’t miss the crab spring rolls or beef in bamboo. Overall very relaxing great meal. Would—and maybe will—return before I leave. You’ll need a reservation after 7pm. Even if you’re a solo diner.

The East stand out visually with its simple decor, and it delivers an unforgettable culinary experience, earning its spot as my favorite restaurant in Hanoi. The food is nothing short of extraordinary, with every dish scoring nearly a perfect 9/10. The pomelo salad was a refreshing explosion of flavors, the grilled fish in banana leaf was tender and aromatic, and the traditional Vietnamese rolls were flawlessly crafted. Even the bun cha, though sweeter than I prefer, showcased the authenticity of Vietnamese cuisine. What truly elevated the experience was the impeccable service. The staff were attentive, polite, and incredibly knowledgeable, guiding us to the perfect dishes with thoughtful recommendations. Despite the world-class quality of the food and service, the pricing is surprisingly reasonable, making it accessible without compromising on excellence. Currently recognized as a MICHELIN Guide-listed restaurant, The East is surrounded by chic cafes but shines on its own as a culinary gem. It has all the potential to achieve multiple MICHELIN stars in the future. A must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the true flavors of Vietnam!

We had a lovely night and amazing food at the East Hanoï and we highly recommend to try the bunch change ha noi (both version meatand vegetarian) and the fried banana as a dessert. Mind you that the portions are massive. Our waiter for the night was Billy and he was professional and friendly, he made sure that we had a great dining experience. I definitely recommend this place ( Michelin bib gourmand), think to book your table to avoid any disappointment.