The 7 Best New Places to Eat and Drink in Hoi An

Pork-stuffed bánh mì and heaps of handmade cao lầu (noodles) are staples in this lantern-dotted river town. A star on the street-food trail through Vietnam, Hoi An is a go-to for noodle-filled bowls and charcoal-grilled meats best devoured while perched on a tiny plastic stool. 

But over the past few years, a wave of upscale restaurants and cafés has diversified the town’s dining scene. These newbies have just cut the red ribbon, welcoming locals, travelers and expats in for a bit of creature comforts. Here are some of the top new bars and restaurants in Hoi An to add to your itinerary.  

Shimai 

Rainy season in Hoi An (from September to January) equals soup season. When you’ve had your fair share of phở and bò kho (beef stew), ramen fills the comfort food void. The ladies behind hugely popular Hoi An cafes Lagom and Good Eats saw a tonkatsu-sized hole in the Japanese restaurant scene, so they opened Shimai. This stylish Japanese ramen house has a cool, minimalist design with concrete floors, a rustic timber wraparound counter, cat chopstick holders and custom artwork. Heaping bowls of ramen, plates of karaage and house-stuffed gyoza are the best in town. Pair your feast with a draught Sapporo or sake highball. 

Shimai 
Open daily 16:00–20:00, except Mondays
193 Cua Dai, Hoi An

Vincognito  

Inside a heritage shophouse once used to store silks for Hoi An’s largest tailor shop is Vincognito. The team behind beloved restaurants The Hill Station and Lim Dining Room transformed the old mansion into Hoi An’s most photogenic new venue. This two-story wine and tapas bar offers a curated variety of vintages from around the world and small plates to nosh on, including fresh-sliced jamon and Spanish peppers. When the weekend rolls around, the vibes are immaculate, with a killer collection of records playing tunes, moody lighting and brilliant artwork from the owner’s favorite Vietnamese artists. 

Vincognito 
Open daily, 17:00–midnight 
47/6 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An

Hidden Thaiger  

Out the back door of Vincognito is Hidden Thaiger. A delightfully accurate pun, this Thai restaurant sits relatively tucked away at the back of the stately building. Original mosaic tiles blanket the floors while modern fish-scale pendant lights hang above rustic wooden tables. In the kitchen, Thai chef Maew and Italian chef Alessio create classic Thai dishes meant to be shared. Order the traditional Northern Thai sausage and addictive fried-eggplant-and-mango salad. You can’t go wrong with any of the curries, but the beef green curry is already a go-to for many. And whatever you do, don’t skip the Thai tea crème brûlée for dessert. 

Hidden Thaiger 
Open daily, 11:00–22:00
47/6 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An

Lion’s Room 

Fresh pasta made daily? I’m sold—and so is the rest of Hoi An. This tiny Italian joint on busy Cua Dai Street only has a handful of tables, making it perfect for a cozy date night. Inside, solo diners can watch the chef crank out strand after strand of tagliatelle from the green-tile wraparound bar. There are a few cocktail and wine options, but you don’t really come here for the booze. Start the evening off with a sardine crostini followed by the Italian sausage ragu or the Taste of Hoi An, made with fermented anchovy sauce and squid. Finish off the evening with homemade tiramisu. 

Lion’s Room
17:00–21:00 daily except for Tuesdays
290 Cua Dai, Hoi An

Sip Hoi An 

A splash of Morocco meets Vietnam at his daytime-cafe-slash-nighttime-cocktail-bar. Surrounded by lush tropical palms, its teal doors, tiles and chairs complement the earthy clay tones of this trendy new space. The brunch menu has all the Vietnamese coffee classics as well as fresh juice, “superfood” lattes and house-brewed kombucha. Salads, sandwiches, egg dishes and pasta are on the daytime menu. As the sun sets below the rice paddies, finger foods and fun cocktails appear. We recommend the Rolling in the Dip gin cocktail with fish sauce and salted calamansi purée. 

Sip Hoi An
06:00–23:00 daily except for Tuesdays
14 Tuệ Tĩnh, Phường Tân An, Thành phố Hội An, Hoi An

Irini

This new all-day restaurant is the second outpost by the popular Da Nang Greek go-to of the same name. A few streets back from busy An Bang Beach, Irini is an all-white open-air space with green pastel cushions and a fully stocked bar. Its air-conditioned interior has a vibrant mural and a calmer atmosphere, perfect for escaping the Vietnamese heat. Order a trio of dips, and don’t miss the garlicky tzatziki or the BBQ meat platter. If the options feel overwhelming, you can never go wrong with a fresh Greek salad or souvlaki made with warm homemade pita bread. 

Irini
Open daily, 8:00–23:30
111 Nguyễn Phan Vinh, Cẩm An, Hội An

Hít Hà  

In a town full of caffeine addicts, a new café is always welcome. Hít Hà sits on Tan Thanh Beach, so close you can practically hear the waves from its table-strewn lawn. Promising healthy food and drinks, the changing menu here includes lots of vegan options, comforting breakfast dishes and some guilty pleasures, too. Gooey cinnamon buns, chunky cookies and homemade tiramisu are already fan favorites. Digital nomads can find a quiet co-working space upstairs. But best of all, it’s pet-friendly, so you’ll see plenty of dogs and cats enjoying a day by the beach. 

Hít Hà
Open daily, 9:00–16:00
20/10 Nguyễn Phan Vinh, Cẩm An, Hội An

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Lede and hero image courtesy of Sip Hoi An.

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