Best Burgers in Hanoi: Old Quarter to West Lake

The best burgers in Hanoi are found in two areas: the Old Quarter around Hoan Kiem Lake, where tourist-facing burger bars share the streets with pho and bun cha stalls, and Tay Ho, the West Lake district that has the city’s largest expat community and most of its Western-style restaurants. Ba Dinh and Truc Bach, between the two, add a few more.

Hanoi already has its own grilled patty. In bun cha, the city’s lunchtime classic, chả, minced pork patties grilled over charcoal, arrive in a bowl of sweet and sour dipping sauce with rice noodles and fresh herbs. That makes Hanoi a demanding place to serve a burger: locals know exactly what a well-charred patty should taste like. The city also has real seasons, and its cool, damp winters suit a heavier meal far better than the steamy south does.

Burgers in Hanoi: key facts

• Neighbourhoods to explore: the Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem), Tay Ho around West Lake, Ba Dinh and Truc Bach.
• Local patty: chả, the charcoal-grilled pork patty of bun cha.
• Weekend walking streets: from Friday to Sunday evening, the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake close to traffic and fill with families.
• Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND).
• Getting around: on foot in the Old Quarter, Grab motorbikes elsewhere, and metro Line 2A since 2021.
• Seasons: cool winters from December to February, hot and humid summers.

Every guide we publish on Hanoi is dated and lists only venues, addresses, prices and ratings we could verify. For other cities, browse all our burger restaurant guides.