“Vietnamese food is amazing: you must eat only that now that you’re living in Hanoi!”
Well, I do love a lot of the local cuisine, but I’m still French and as an expat, sometimes comfort food from your own country is a must!
Luckily, Hanoi has no shortage of great French restaurants. This article is a selection of places we love and have visited multiple times.
That said, this isn’t a “purity test” to crown the most authentic French restaurant, if such a thing even exists! French cuisine is incredibly diverse and constantly evolving, even abroad.
That’s exactly why I’ve focused on building a list that showcases different approaches to French cuisine, from casual dining to fine dining.
If you feel that some names are missing from this list, as always, feel free to drop your suggestions in the comments!
1. La Badiane
This article is not meant to rank places from best to less good.
That said, La Badiane was the first place that came to mind when I started writing—and there’s a reason for that. Opened in 2008, it can rightly be considered an institution in Hanoi’s food scene.
A big part of La Badiane’s success stems from Benjamin Rascalou’s cuisine, a chef who has spent most of his life in Vietnam. His personal journey and technique infuse every dish, giving his creations a distinctive identity. This Vietnamese influence is most evident in Benjamin’s Fusion tasting menu, featuring ingredients like tamarind and lychee, but it’s also subtly present throughout his cuisine.
Both the atmosphere and service are on par with the dining experience, which is why La Badiane has been my go-to place for celebrating special occasions for years.
We like:
- Great cuisine with distinctive identity
- Vegetarian-friendly options
- Good value set lunch
Practical Info:
- Address: 10 P. Nam Ngư, Cửa Nam, Hoàn Kiếm
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qp2ztpHXzx3rKzoF7
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/labadiane
2. Quinza
This restaurant is also very popular among both the French and locals, but it offers a distinctly different experience compared to La Badiane.
When we go to Quinza, it’s usually to enjoy what I’d call French comfort food. One dish we never skip is their galettes—traditional French crêpes from Brittany, available with a variety of fillings. Quinza’s couscous is another standout that keeps us coming back.
These are just a few highlights from Quinza’s extensive menu. If you’re a meat lover, you’ll have plenty to choose from, especially when they host their outdoor barbecues.
And if your kids are the “only pizza” type, don’t worry—Quinza was created in collaboration with Cugini, an excellent Italian spot in Tay Ho, so their pizzas are definitely worth trying too.
We like:
- Good French comfort food
- Large Menu with options for all tastes
- Superb location with a large outdoor terrace with view on the Long Bien Bridge
Practical Info:
- Address: 15A Ngọc Thuỵ, Ngọc Thụy, Long Biên
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oUButLphxT875aQa6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quinza.15angocthuy
3. Colette French Bistro & Wine Bar
If your idea of a good French meal revolves around wine, this is a place you should have on your list.
Colette offers what I believe is the largest selection of wines by the glass in the city—over 30 options! This impressive variety is made possible by high-end wine dispensers that preserve the bottles after opening.
They’ve made a particular effort to make this wine experience both accessible and a core part of your meal with thoughtful touches:
- Each dish on the menu is associated with several wine pairing ideas, all clearly explained.
- An option to order small glasses of 60ml is available, allowing guests to try several wines while remaining raisonnable.
As for the food, Colette’s menu offers a wide selection of classic French bistro dishes, ranging from various salads and aperitif platters to beloved classics like Boeuf Bourguignon and Moules Marinières.
We like:
- A great place to discover wines and their pairing with French bistro food.
- An attractive set lunch deal (3 courses + coffee/tea for 395K VND, with an optional 95K VND add-on for wine).
Practical Info:
- Address: 12 P. Lò Sũ, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zZDbudfvbKv3ANwZA
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColetteHanoi
4. Déglacer
You don’t need to be French to cook great French food. Many local chefs have trained in French restaurants and have since mastered French cuisine.
That’s the case with Hiếu, who, after years of experience in high-end restaurants and hotels, decided to open his own place in Long Biên District.
At Déglaçer, the menu is primarily French but carries a distinct personality, with the chef’s personal touch evident in almost every dish.
One of the standout items is Hiếu’s dry-aged duck breast, but we also appreciated the craftsmanship behind his homemade pâté en croûte.
We like:
- A Vietnamese chef’s unique take on French cuisine.
- A stylish space with an open kitchen in a district with few similar dining options.
Practical Info:
- Address: 18 Ng. 268 Ngọc Thụy, Ngọc Thụy, Long Biên
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/brXb7hNjh3fzz8YU8
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deglacer.hn
5. Les Oubliés
In 2018, Hanoi’s French high school relocated to Long Biên, on the other side of the Red River. Part of the city’s French community followed.
Les Oubliés opened shortly afterwards and soon became a go-to place for French residents looking for familiar dishes.
Do not expect fine dining. The menu is closer to what you would find in a French brasserie or through everyday home cooking. Prices reflect this and remain reasonable.
It is a good address for traditional French classics such as sole meunière and quiche Lorraine, or simply for a Picon bière.
We Like:
- A great place for everyday French cooking
- A distinctly French atmosphere
Practical Info:
- Address: 3/462 Ngọc Thụy, Gia Thượng, Bồ Đề, Hà Nội, Vietnam
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aUq3yd1hkT2ZEFP68
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesoublieshanoi
6. Cousins
Cousins has long been a popular spot among Tây Hồ’s expat community. Extensive construction work in the area eventually forced the restaurant to relocate to Quảng Bá Street. We have not been back since the move, so we cannot comment on the new location.
Before the relocation, what made Cousins work was its straightforward mix of:
- French classics
- Western comfort food, including pasta, salads and burgers
The menu also regularly featured specials. During one of our visits, this was French-style frogs’ legs, a dish we had not eaten in years.
Worth noting: Cousin Đặng Thai Mai has a sister branch on Đào Tấn Street.
We like:
- A great combo of French specialities and European comfort food well-done
Practical Info:
- Address: Quảng Bá, Tây Hồ
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HzDtsu22Kuw4TAQ16
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cousins.tongocvan
7. Alex Hanoi
I hesitated for a while to include this place on the list because the restaurant apparently went through some changes since our last visit, with one partner no longer in the picture.
That said, our experience there was really convincing. We particularly appreciated the open kitchen and the menu centered around well-made French classics. The blanquette de veau we tried was particularly good. Looking at the current menu, prices seem to be on the higher end, but the central location can explain part of that. We are likely to return and will update this paragraph.
We Like:
- A good place to try the France’s most iconic dishes
- The fully open kitchen
Practical Info:
- Address: 4 P. Nguyễn Khắc Cần, Cửa Nam
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Pfg2tfjWuTediDy6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexHanoiRestaurant
Additional Names
Places that seem interesting but that we haven’t had the chance to try yet.
Villa des Fleurs
Saigon-based French chef Sakal Phoeung is behind this high-end restaurant. Considering his pedigree and what we have already tasted at his HCMC restaurants, I have little doubt about the quality of the experience if you are not too budget-conscious.
- Address: 4 P. Nguyễn Khắc Cần, Cửa Nam
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zEg8uopJjhWSVkAQ8
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/villadesfleurs.dining
