The scent of lemongrass and ginger wafts through the air as I navigate the labyrinthine streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Street vendors call out to passersby, their portable kitchens sizzling with traditional Vietnamese fare. After a decade of exploring Asia’s plant-based cuisine, I’ve discovered exceptional vegetarian food hiding in even the most meat-centric cultures.
And Hanoi? This city surprised me in the most delicious ways possible.
Although Hanoi is famous for beef pho and grilled pork dishes, it also boasts a thriving vegetarian scene worth exploring. In fact, from vegan to flexitarian, the city’s plant-based offerings will transform your understanding of Vietnamese cuisine.
Join me as I take you through the winding streets and hidden corners of Hanoi to discover the absolute best vegetarian and vegan restaurants this captivating city has to offer.
The Vegetarian Revolution in Hanoi’s Culinary Scene
Vegetarianism isn’t new to Vietnam. In fact, it’s deeply rooted in the country’s Buddhist traditions, where many practitioners follow a plant-based diet either full-time or on designated days of the lunar month. However, what is new is how Hanoi’s vegetarian and vegan restaurants have evolved in recent years. Nowadays, they blend time-honoured techniques with contemporary innovation, creating plant-based dishes that are as exciting as they are authentic.
Ten years ago, finding decent vegetarian food in Hanoi meant settling for plain rice and stir-fried morning glory,” explains Linh, a local food tour guide I befriended during my stay. Since then, vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi have transformed dramatically. Nowadays, they are becoming destinations in their own right.
This shift aligns perfectly with Vietnam’s rising interest in plant-based eating, driven by younger generations focused on health and environmental sustainability. International tourism has played a role too, creating demand for inclusive dining options that cater to diverse dietary preferences.
The result? Hanoi boasts a vibrant vegetarian scene, blending traditional Buddhist eateries with trendy cafés reimagining Vietnamese classics using plant-based ingredients.
Upscale Vegetarian Restaurants in Hanoi: Dining Experiences to Remember
1. Uu Dam Chay: Where Ambiance Meets Artistry
Address: 55 Nguyen Du Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Hours: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Contact: +84 981 349 898
Prices: 400,000+ VND
The moment I stepped through Uu Dam Chay’s ornate wooden doors, I knew I was in for something special. This upscale vegetarian restaurant in Hanoi occupies a beautifully restored French colonial building, where modern minimalism meets traditional Vietnamese aesthetics.
The restaurant’s signature dish—pineapple fried rice served in a hollowed-out pineapple—is as Instagram-worthy as it is delicious. However, what truly captivated me was their mushroom ‘meat’ bánh mì. It was a revelation of textures and flavours that left me questioning whether I’d accidentally been served the real thing.
“We don’t try to simply imitate meat,” the chef told me when I complimented his creation. Instead, he explained, “We respect vegetables for what they are while using traditional techniques to create something entirely new.”
What sets Uu Dam Chay apart from other vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi is their commitment to presentation. Each dish arrives like a work of art, often garnished with edible flowers from their rooftop garden. Their tasting menu offers the fullest experience, taking diners on a journey through Vietnam’s culinary regions, from the hearty flavours of the north to the bright, herb-forward dishes of the south.
2. Om Tara Vegan: Fine Dining Goes Plant-Based
Address: 21 Le Van Luong, Thanh Xuan District
Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Phone: +84 853 296 789
Price: 200,000 – 300,00 VND/dish
When the monsoon rains trapped me in Hanoi for an extra week, I took it as a sign to explore the city’s vegan restaurants more thoroughly. That serendipitous extension led me to Om Tara Vegan, arguably the most sophisticated plant-based dining experience in the city.
Located in a quieter district away from tourist hotspots, Om Tara attracts a mix of well-heeled locals and in-the-know travellers. Their rotating seasonal menu showcases the versatility of Vietnamese produce, with standouts including a vegan “crab” hotpot that uses the heart of palm and carefully seasoned tofu to recreate the oceanic flavours without any animal products.
What makes this one of the best vegan restaurants in Hanoi is their attention to detail. The owner, a former marine biologist who turned to plant-based cooking after witnessing environmental degradation, personally sources ingredients from organic farms in Vietnam’s northern highlands.
“We had to wait three years before our jackfruit supplier could guarantee consistent quality,” she explained during my visit. “But that commitment to ingredients is what makes the difference between good and exceptional vegan food.”
Reserve ahead for their weekend buffet—it sells out days in advance and features over 30 meticulously prepared dishes.
Authentic Vegetarian Restaurants in Hanoi with Traditional Roots
Budget-Friendly Vegetarian Restaurants in Hanoi
3. Veggie Castle: Plant-Based Feasting Without Breaking the Bank
Address: 7 Yen Ninh Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi (nearest branch from Old Quarter)
Hours: 11:00 AM – 02:30 PM and 05:30 PM – 10:00 PM daily
Contact: Phone: +84 866 911 741
Price: 90,000 VND/ticket
Website: https://veggiecastle.vn/
Not all vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi require a splurge. When my travel budget started dwindling midway through my Hanoi adventure, I discovered Veggie Castle—a cafeteria-style buffet chain that offers remarkable value without compromising on flavour.
For roughly $3 USD, diners can fill their plates with dozens of hot and cold offerings that rotate daily. Their mock meat dishes particularly impressed me, especially the lemongrass “chicken” that captured the aromatic essence of this Vietnamese staple with soy protein and careful seasoning.
“We want vegetarian food to be accessible to everyone,” explained the manager at their Tay Ho location. “Many Vietnamese students come here because they’re exploring vegetarianism but can’t afford expensive restaurants.”
What these budget vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi may lack in ambience, they make up for in authenticity and value. I found myself returning to Veggie Castle repeatedly, each visit discovering new dishes that expanded my understanding of Vietnamese plant-based cooking.
4. Tinh Thuc Quan: Buffet Abundance
Address: 10 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Dong Da District
Hours: 07:00 am – 9:30 pm
Contact: +84 986 612 893
Price: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/dish
“You haven’t experienced Hanoi’s vegetarian scene until you’ve visited a proper buffet,” insisted my guesthouse owner when I asked about affordable vegan restaurants in Hanoi. His recommendation led me to Tinh Thuc Quan, where I encountered what must be one of the most extensive vegetarian buffets in Southeast Asia.
With over 200 dishes available daily, this sprawling establishment attracts a primarily local crowd. The bounty can be overwhelming—steam tables stretch in seemingly endless rows, offering everything from simple stir-fried greens to elaborate mock meat creations.
My strategy? Follow the locals. When I noticed a crowd gathering around a particular station, I joined them to discover incredible vegetarian bánh xèo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes) being made to order, stuffed with bean sprouts, mushrooms, and herbs.
What I appreciate most about vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi like Tinh Thuc Quan is how they democratize plant-based eating. For less than $5 USD, anyone can experience the full breadth of Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine—a far cry from the often premium pricing of plant-based options in Western countries.
Hidden Gem Vegetarian Restaurants in Hanoi
5. Vejo – The Vege Journey: A Garden Sanctuary
Address: 46B Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Hours: 10:00 AM – 08:30 PM (Monday to Saturday)
Contact: +84 89 946 46 46
Price: 80,000 – 130,000 VND/dish
Some vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi require a bit of detective work to locate. Following an artist’s napkin sketch, I wandered Tay Ho’s backstreets until a wooden sign led me to Vejo’s hidden garden.
This secret vegetarian haven occupies a converted family home, where tables nestle among potted herbs and flowering vines. Their daily menu features market-fresh dishes listed on chalkboards in Vietnamese and endearingly imperfect English.
Their sour mushroom soup haunts my dreams—tangy lemongrass broth with local fungi and crispy tofu puffs. The proud chef explained how each mushroom adds unique texture and flavour.
“We don’t advertise,” she told me. “The best vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi find success through word of mouth. Good food doesn’t need marketing.”
True to form, Vejo operates without social media, websites, or proper signage. Yet every visit revealed packed tables of locals, ex-pats, and travellers who found this hidden gem through Hanoi’s vegetarian network.
6. La Studio: The Vegan Bakery Revolution
Address: 44 Lane 31 Xuan Dieu, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Hours: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Contact: +84 90 200 11 66
Price: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/dish
“Vietnamese don’t really do desserts the way Westerners do,” a fellow traveller warned me early in my trip. That generalization crumbled the moment I bit into a flaky, impossibly buttery croissant at La Studio, a vegan bakery hidden down a narrow Old Quarter alleyway.
This tiny establishment, with just four tables crammed between glass bakery cases, has single-handedly elevated plant-based baking in Hanoi. Their French-trained pastry chef uses coconut oil and house-made plant milk to create vegan versions of both European classics and Vietnamese sweet treats.
Beyond pastries, La Studio serves all-day breakfast and sandwiches that showcase their freshly baked bread. Their roasted eggplant sandwich with tofu “feta” was ideal for a museum day, and their coconut milk cappuccino matched any dairy version.
What makes La Studio stand out among vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi is their commitment to sustainability. All takeaway packaging is compostable, they source ingredients locally whenever possible, and they donate unsold baked goods to community organizations each evening. Check out My Vegan Travels review for more. For more vegetarian sandwich options in Hanoi visit Best Banh Mi in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Contemporary Vegetarian Restaurants in Hanoi for the Modern Diner
7. The Veg – Organic Vego & Tea: International Plant-Based Fusion
Address: 1 Tong Duy Tan, Hang Bong Ward, Hoan Kiem District
Hours: 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
Contact: +84 869 933 033
Price: 85,000 – 110,000 VND/dish
Not all vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi focus exclusively on Vietnamese cuisine. When I needed a break from rice and noodles (sacrilegious, I know), I discovered The Veg, where European techniques meet Vietnamese ingredients in a stylish, Instagram-ready setting.
Their menu reads like a globetrotter’s diary—Mediterranean-inspired mezze platters, Mexican-influenced jackfruit tacos, and Italian pasta dishes share space with innovative takes on local favourites. What unifies this diverse menu is their commitment to organic, locally sourced produce.
“We work directly with organic farms within 100 kilometres of Hanoi,” the owner explained during my visit. “Many of the best vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi now focus on ingredient quality, not just creative recipes.”
I particularly enjoyed their beetroot risotto, where the earthiness of locally grown beets complemented the creaminess of coconut milk-cooked arborio rice. Their turmeric latte—made with fresh turmeric root, not powder—became my morning ritual during my final days in the city.
8. Sadhu Hanoi Vegetarian Restaurant: Vietnam Meets India
Address: 87 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem District & Udic Complex, N04 Hoang Dao Thuy, Cau Giay District
Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Contact: +84 98 199 55 86
Price: 300,000 – 400,000 VND/dish
The cultural exchange between Vietnam and India has birthed one of the most unique vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi. At Sadhu, Indian and Vietnamese cooking techniques merge in a Buddhist-inspired space where incense perfumes the air and meditation music plays softly in the background.
Their signature dish exemplifies this fusion approach: tofu marinated in masala spices, then prepared using Vietnamese caramelization techniques typically reserved for meat dishes. As a result, the dish combines the aromatic complexity of Indian cuisine with the sweet-savoury balance that defines Vietnamese cooking.
“Both our culinary traditions have strong vegetarian roots,” the chef explained when I inquired about this cross-cultural approach. “Vietnamese Buddhist cooking and Indian vegetarian cuisine both focus on creating complete proteins and complex flavours without meat.”
Beyond their innovative main courses, Sadhu offers one of the most impressive tea selections among vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi. Their tea ceremony experience pairs speciality teas with small vegetarian bites designed to complement each brew’s unique characteristics.
Navigating Hanoi’s Vegetarian Scene: Practical Tips
After sampling dozens of vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi (tough job, I know), I’ve gathered some practical insights to help fellow plant-based travellers make the most of this culinary paradise:
- Learn key phrases: “Tôi ăn chay” (I eat vegetarian food) and “Không có thịt?” (No meat?) will serve you well when exploring beyond established vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi.
- Understand “chay” cuisine: Vietnamese Buddhist vegetarian food (“chay”) differs from Western vegetarianism, with an emphasis on mock meats and umami flavours rather than simply showcasing vegetables.
- Be flexible about eggs and dairy: Many otherwise vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi may use fish sauce or shrimp paste in seemingly vegetarian dishes. Being specific about your restrictions helps avoid surprises.
- Visit during Buddhist days: The 1st and 15th days of the lunar month see many regular restaurants offering special vegetarian menus, expanding your options beyond dedicated vegetarian establishments.
- Embrace street food with caution: While dedicated vegetarian street vendors exist, communication barriers can make navigating street food challenging for vegetarians. Consider joining a vegetarian food tour for a guided introduction.
Beyond Restaurants: Hanoi’s Vegetarian Food Culture
The best vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi tell only part of the story. To truly understand the city’s plant-based food culture, explore these additional aspects:
- Markets: Early morning visits to markets like Hom or Dong Xuan reveal a stunning variety of fresh produce, tofu products, and ready-made vegetarian options.
- Cooking classes: Several cooking schools offer vegetarian-specific classes where you can learn to recreate Hanoi’s plant-based delights at home.
- Temple food: Some Buddhist temples serve vegetarian meals to visitors, offering a glimpse into the spiritual roots of Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine.
- Food festivals: If you’re lucky enough to visit during Buddhist celebrations like Vu Lan Festival, you’ll find temporary vegetarian food stalls throughout the city.
The Future of Vegetarian Dining in Hanoi
As I get ready to leave this captivating city, I’m struck by how quickly its vegetarian scene is growing. New vegetarian restaurants in Hanoi seem to open monthly, each bringing fresh perspectives to plant-based Vietnamese cuisine.
What makes Hanoi’s vegetarian revolution so exciting is how it honours tradition while embracing innovation. Hanoi’s top vegetarian restaurants don’t just follow Western plant-based trends. Instead, they draw from centuries of Buddhist vegetarian traditions, blending new ingredients and techniques while preserving a uniquely Vietnamese flavour.
For vegetarian travellers, there has never been a better time to explore Hanoi’s plant-based offerings. And for omnivores? Consider this an invitation to discover just how satisfying, complex, and delicious Vietnamese cuisine can be when meat takes a back seat.
Until next time, chúc ngon miệng (bon appétit)!
What hidden food gems have you discovered in Hanoi? Share your finds in the comments below!
🌱 More Hanoi Foodie Adventures
Looking for more unforgettable eats in the city? Explore these reader favourites:
5 thoughts on “Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Hanoi”