If you’ve spent any time in Tay Ho, you’ll notice something interesting: the expats here are incredibly discerning about where they eat, and the restaurants they return to again and again are always the ones truly worth visiting. In my conversations with friends from around the world, one name consistently rises to the top when talk turns to exceptional Vietnamese food: Chao Ban Vietnamese Restaurant.
Why is Tay Ho the perfect destination for enthusiasts of authentic Vietnamese cuisine?
I once read a CNN Travel piece describing Tay Ho not as a bustling tourist district, but as a tranquil place where traditional and contemporary Hanoi exist side by side. When the Michelin Guide features restaurants in this neighborhood, the conversation often centers on sustainability and a genuine connection to local culture.
Perhaps it’s because Tay Ho welcomes such a diverse international community that restaurants here must strike a delicate balance: honoring the authentic flavors of Vietnamese cuisine while presenting them in a way that allows foreign diners to truly appreciate, understand, and fall in love with each dish. From my own experience, when we seek out authentic Vietnamese food, we’re looking for more than just a meal. We want familiar flavors, seasonal ingredients, balanced seasoning, and a space comfortable enough to make us want to stay long after the last bite.
Simply put, Tay Ho’s location, multicultural atmosphere, and distinctive dining scene make it an ideal destination for anyone genuinely seeking to experience Vietnamese cuisine at its finest or wanting to find the best Vietnamese restaurant in Hanoi.
How to choose an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Tay Ho?
If you ask me where to begin, my answer is always the same: start by deciding what you’re craving. Are you in the mood for a proper bowl of Northern-style phở, smoky charcoal-grilled specialties, or a family-style Vietnamese feast that feels like home? Once you know what you want, finding the right restaurant in Tay Ho becomes remarkably straightforward.
Next, I always check Google Maps and TripAdvisor—not just for ratings, but for the stories diners share in their reviews. Exceptional restaurants tend to accumulate thoughtful, detailed feedback from real experiences. Chào Bạn Vietnamese Restaurant, for example, has nearly 1,000 Google reviews with over 90% positive responses—more than enough to inspire confidence.
It’s also worth exploring the restaurant’s website and social media. These platforms reveal how they tell their culinary story, showcase their dishes, design their space, and approach hospitality. Just 10–15 minutes of research often provides all the insight you need to determine whether a restaurant aligns with what you’re seeking.
In essence, knowing what you want to eat, consulting trusted platforms like Google and TripAdvisor, and exploring a restaurant’s digital presence will guide you to the right choice for authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Tay Ho.
Chào Bạn Vietnamese Restaurant – where Vietnamese culinary tradition meets West Lake serenity
To be honest, I had to circle back once before finding Chaobansince2020byvincentcaominh. The roads winding around West Lake are narrow and lined with countless small alleys. Unless you tell your driver specifically that you’re heading to 28, Alley 11, Tô Ngọc Vân Street, it’s easy to miss—as I discovered firsthand. But the moment I stepped through the entrance, one thought came to mind: absolutely worth the journey.
Founded in 2020 by Chef-Founder Vincent Cao Minh Page, the restaurant was born from a clear vision: to present the culinary essence of Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam in a way that feels closest to a traditional family meal. The menu isn’t extensive—it’s carefully curated. I was particularly captivated by the Hanoi-style fried spring rolls, Hải Phòng crab spring rolls, and charcoal-grilled dishes inspired by Vietnam’s northern highlands, such as grilled pork with mắc mật leaves. Chef Cao Minh’s creative touches also shine through—grilled sturgeon, goby fish cakes, and even crème brûlée, each dish beautifully balanced, subtly influenced by French technique yet deeply rooted in Vietnamese tradition. This harmony is exactly why I keep returning, and why I always leave completely satisfied.
The villa setting with its lush tropical garden is another standout feature. In the evening, when the lake breeze drifts through, time naturally slows down. I’ve witnessed family celebrations, gatherings of friends, and even business dinners here—each table enjoying a sense of privacy and comfort.
In my view, earning the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years, along with winning People’s Pick for Best Vietnamese Restaurant in Hanoi three years running, is recognition richly deserved.
At its heart, Chao Ban Restaurant delivers an authentic Vietnamese dining experience—traditional flavors, a thoughtfully diverse menu spanning Vietnam’s three regions, and a peaceful villa garden setting by West Lake, perfect for both intimate dinners and special celebrations.
One thing is perfectly clear to me that Chào Bạn Vietnamese Restaurant isn’t a place for rushed meals. It’s where you go when you want to savor authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a serene lakeside setting—where traditional flavors are preserved with care and respect. Sometimes, a single exceptional meal is all it takes to remind you why Vietnamese cuisine keeps drawing people back, time and time again.
(Shared by Catherine Nguyễn – a regular guest of Chào Bạn Vietnamese Restaurant)
