Ha Long's culinary scene offers more than just fresh seafood from the bay—it features a vibrant world of street food, noodle soups, and lively local pubs. This curated list of Ha Long dining spots is organized by meal type to help you easily build your itinerary and avoid getting lost among endless choices.
1. Ha Long Seafood: From A La Carte to Ocean-View Buffets
Seafood is an essential ritual on any Ha Long trip.
- Hong Hanh Restaurant (Branches 1–4): Perfect for groups wanting generous portions and fresh ingredients cooked with northern flavors. Prices range from 350,000 to 400,000 VND per person. Arrive early between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM during peak seasons to avoid long waits.
- Ngoc Phuong Nam (Branches 1 & 2): Branch 1 features a direct, unobstructed view of Reu Island. Costing around 350,000–400,000 VND per person, it’s ideal for lingering over sunset drinks and seafood like shrimp, squid, and mud crabs.
- Sen A Dong Buffet: A great pick for a full-scale buffet experience at a listed price of 399,000 VND per person, featuring rotation counters of grilled, steamed, and hotpot seafood alongside great sea views. Sen Ha Thanh Buffet is another comparable choice priced around 350,000–400,000 VND per person.
- Cua Vang Restaurant: Focuses on premium crabs, mantis shrimp, and sea products. Ranging from 450,000 to 550,000 VND per person, it suits groups looking to upgrade a dinner during a 2-day 1-night journey.
2. Light Meals: Stone Crab Noodle Soup, Mixed Eel Vermicelli & Mantis Shrimp Noodles
You don't need a heavy seafood feast for every meal.
- Bun Cu Ky (Stone Crab Noodle Soup): Try Huong Beo or the Cong Doan Hotel branch. Both serve clear, naturally sweet broths with pre-shelled crab meat, making it a comforting breakfast or mid-afternoon snack after a bay tour.
- Banh Cuon Cha Muc (Steamed Rice Rolls with Squid Patties): Goc Bang is the iconic destination, serving thin, hot rolls with hand-pounded, chewy, fragrant squid patties dipped in sweet fish sauce.
- Mien Ngan Co Thuy (Glass Noodles with Duck): A great option to switch away from seafood, featuring clear broth and tender duck meat.
- Huy Chien Restaurant: Known for mantis shrimp noodles (bún bề bề), packed with fish cakes, clams, and shrimp at affordable local prices.
3. Ha Long Street Food: Yogurt, Milk Tea & Loong Toong Market
- Yogurt Spots: A cool afternoon treat is a must in a coastal city. Co Cuong Yogurt is famous for its pocket-friendly price (from 5,000 VND/cup), serving flexible toppings like pearls and fruit. Co Phuong (at the park) and Tuan Lien Yogurt (along the Hon Gai coastal road) offer breezy open-air settings overlooking the bay.
- Modern Cafes: For air-conditioning and Wi-Fi, Phúc Long or Highlands Coffee are great choices between activities.
- Loong Toong Market: For local lifestyle immersion, head deep into this market for salt-chili bread, sweet soups (chè), and casual snacks.
4. Pubs, Fishing Villages & Snail Eateries for Nightlife Fun
- Cua Lục Fishing Village: Ideal for groups of 4+ looking to unwind late into the night with seaside BBQs, hotpots, and drinks while watching boats pass by.
- Local Pubs & Taverns: Venues like Thanh Rau, Cuong Ca, and Bia hoi Tam Hung serve local favorites like seafood hotpots, stir-fried squid, and steamed clams.
- Snail Shops (Quán Ốc): Spots like Oc Co Huyen, Oc 290, and Oc Met Quan serve an array of snails, clams, oysters, and mantis shrimp tossed in tamarind, butter-garlic, or scallion oil. They are best visited between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
5. Quick Summary Table of Ha Long Dining Spots
|
Category |
Reference Price Range |
Ideal Timing |
|
Seafood (Hong Hanh, Ngoc Phuong Nam, Cua Vang, Sen Buffets) |
350,000 – 550,000 VND/person |
Lunch or dinner, after bay tours or swimming |
|
Light Meals (Bun cu ky, Banh cuon cha muc, Mien ngan, Bun be be) |
Budget-friendly |
Early breakfast or late lunch after returning ashore |
|
Street Food (Co Cuong Yogurt, Co Phuong, Tuan Lien, Loong Toong Market) |
From 5,000 VND/cup upwards |
Cool afternoons or post-check-in strolls |
|
Pubs & Snail Shops (Cua Luc, Thanh Rau, Cuong Ca, Oc Co Huyen) |
Flexible per person split |
Evenings from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM |
6. Suggested 1–2 Day Food & Exploration Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Ha Long, check in, stroll along the beach, and grab a cup of yogurt at Co Cuong or Tuan Lien along the Hon Gai coastal road. Have a refined seafood dinner at Hong Hanh or Ngoc Phuong Nam overlooking Reu Island, followed by late-night snacks at an oc (snail) shop.
- Day 2: Start with a bowl of bun cu ky or banh cuon cha muc before taking a bay tour (such as a 2-Day 1-Night Ha Long Tour or a day combo). Upon returning, visit Loong Toong Market for street bites, and wrap up your trip with drinks at Cua Luc Fishing Village or Tam Hung Beer.
Contact & Booking Information
To plan a seamless culinary journey and avoid unexpected hassles, connect with local travel experts:
QUANG THANG TRAVEL - HA LONG TV:
- 24/7 Hotline / Zalo: 0377290926
- Address: No. 29b, 1/4 Road, Cat Ba, Cat Hai, Hai Phong City
- Email: quangthangcatbatravel@gmail.com
- Official Website: quangthangcatba.com
- Commitment: Detailed realistic itineraries, dedicated consultation, and attentive support throughout your journey.
