Hanoi is entering autumn, bringing cool weather ideal for outdoor activities during the upcoming 2/9 holiday. VnExpress suggests a selection of Hanoi's renowned breakfast spots, many of which are featured in the Michelin Guide, boast decades of history, and attract large crowds. Enhance your morning by pairing breakfast with coffee at nearby cafes.

Upscale chicken pho - Hoan Kiem Lake coffee

A bowl of chicken pho at Huyen Huong. Photo: Dinh Huy

Huyen Huong chicken pho, located on Bao Khanh Street, is a new addition to the Michelin Guide 2026. Michelin describes the dish as "a rich, fragrant, and generous bowl of chicken pho. Diners should be prepared for a wait if visiting during peak hours." This establishment is known for its higher prices among Hanoi's chicken pho eateries, with bowls ranging from 90.000 VND to 160.000 VND.

Just a few hundred meters from the pho restaurant, visitors can find numerous cafes offering views of Hoan Kiem Lake, including Dinh on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Cong Ca Phe on Cau Go Street, or Luc Thuy on Le Thai To Street.

Queued beef pho - train track coffee

Bat Dan pho restaurant. Photo: Viet Trung

The beef pho establishment at 49 Bat Dan is renowned for its self-service model, where customers "queue, carry their own food, and pay at the counter"—a practice that was common during the subsidy era. The restaurant is particularly crowded every morning. Popular choices include rare and well-done beef pho, flank, and brisket, all praised for maintaining traditional flavors and an authentic old-style pho shop service. Note that this spot is not suitable for those in a rush.

Approximately 300 m from the pho restaurant, visitors can walk to Phung Hung Street, home to a series of sidewalk cafes offering views of the train tracks. Recommended spots include: La Poste, 11 Present Studio, and 30 Train Coffee.

Michelin eel vermicelli - old villa coffee

Crispy eel vermicelli soup at Chan Cam. Photo: Dinh Huy

Ba Loc eel vermicelli, featured in the Michelin list 2025, is located at the beginning of Chan Cam Street. This 40-year-old establishment serves both crispy and soft eel, prepared in dishes such as mixed eel vermicelli, eel vermicelli soup, eel porridge, and eel soup. The broth is simmered for hours using eel bones and marrow bones.

Opposite the eel vermicelli shop is LoadingT, a cafe housed in an old villa, making it a popular spot for vintage-style photos. Further along the same street, visitors can also find Blackbird Cafe, recognized by its orange facade and modern aesthetic.

Century-old steamed rice rolls - craft street coffee

Thanh Van steamed rice rolls. Photo: Hoang Giang

Thanh Van steamed rice rolls on Hang Ga Street has been operating for nearly 100 years, spanning four generations. Diners can choose from traditional steamed rice rolls with pork, shrimp, or chicken fillings. Since 2013, the establishment has also offered bun thang, a Hanoi specialty. The shop is quite busy in the mornings, with a waiting time of about 15-20 minutes.

After breakfast, visitors can stroll along the adjacent Hang Vai Street. This street, once known for selling dyed fabrics, now features about 10 households specializing in bamboo and rattan products. Visitors can enjoy coffee and photo opportunities at establishments such as Ca Bop, 50/50 Cafe, and Once Coffee and Living.

Linh Huong