5 Best Dinner Tours In Hanoi

The bustling streets of Hanoi serve up some of Vietnam’s most memorable dining adventures. The city’s top food tours blend practical sightseeing with authentic local meals. You’ll love the classic combination of water puppet shows paired with traditional Vietnamese buffets – it’s a perfect introduction to Northern Vietnamese culture. For a special evening, the French colonial dinner tour stands out, offering home-cooked meals in historic settings. The Ninh Binh limousine tour impresses with its mix of natural wonders and regional cuisine, while the evening market tour gives you a real taste of local life. The two-day Sapa option, though longer, rewards visitors with mountain views and ethnic minority dishes. These outstanding dinner tours reflect the heart and soul of Hanoi’s food scene. Let’s explore the best options…

Key Points

• The Ha Noi Water Puppet Show with Buffet Dinner offers a 4-hour cultural excursion, including a 50-minute water puppet performance and a diverse Vietnamese buffet dinner.
• Homemade Restaurant Dining provides a 2-hour private group dining experience showcasing French colonial cuisine, with signature dishes like fresh fried crab and stuffed crab.
• The Trang An Hoa Lu Mua Cave Tour includes a boat ride through Trang An, exploration of Hoa Lu and Mua Cave, and transportation from Hanoi, priced at $57.25 per person.
• The Hanoi: Night Market Tour, Water Puppet Show and Dinner tour offers a 3.5-hour experience exploring Hanoi’s nightlife, a water puppet performance, and a buffet dinner, priced from $78 per person.
• The 2-Day Tour of Sa Pa from Hanoi includes round-trip sleeping bus, a 1-night homestay, and a trek through the Muong Hoa valley, priced from €80.01 per person.

Ha Noi Water Puppet Show With Buffet Dinner

A popular cultural excursion in Hanoi, the Ha Noi Water Puppet Show with Buffet Dinner offers travelers a captivating 4-hour experience.

The small-group tour, limited to 15 participants, includes round-trip hotel transport and a visit to a local market to immerse guests in Vietnamese culture.

The highlight is a 50-minute water puppet performance at either Long Water Puppet Theatre or Bong Sen Theatre, where traditional legends and historical tales are conveyed through guided storytelling and live music from a Vietnamese orchestra.

After the show, guests are treated to a buffet dinner at the elegant Sen Tay Ho restaurant, featuring a variety of Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls, pork belly, and fresh seafood.

Dining by West Lake is known for its stunning ambiance.

While reviews are mixed on guide engagement and dinner quality, travelers generally praise the puppet show and the diverse range of food.

With free admission for children under 2 and 50% off for 3-10 year-olds, this cultural experience is suitable for families.

Read our full review: Ha Noi Water Puppet Show With Buffet Dinner Review
Book now: Check availability

Homemade Restaurant Dining

Immersing oneself in the authentic culinary traditions of Hanoi, the Homemade Restaurant Dining experience whisks travelers back in time.

This family-owned restaurant, operated by the 3rd generation since 1981, offers a glimpse into Vietnam’s French colonial past through its signature dishes. For £38.86 per person, diners can indulge in a 2-hour private group experience featuring delights like fresh fried crab, stuffed crab, and fried frog in batter.

Reservations can be made with no upfront payment, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.

The restaurant’s emphasis on providing the best dining experience for customers worldwide is evident in its focus on special Vietnamese dishes from the colonial era.

While a fee may apply for taking more than 5 commercial photos, the overall experience promises an immersive culinary journey that celebrates the rich heritage of Hanoi’s gastronomic traditions.

Read our full review: Homemade Restaurant Dining Review
Book now: Check availability

Trang an Hoa Lu Mua Cave Tour [Japanese Guide, Limousine Bus, Lunch and Dinner Included]

The Trang an Hoa Lu Mua Cave Tour provides an immersive experience for travelers visiting Hanoi, Vietnam. Priced from $57.25 per person, this tour offers a comprehensive package including transportation, meals, and various activities.

Participants will enjoy a limousine bus journey from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, followed by a boat ride through the Trang An landscape complex and exploration of the Hoa Lu and Mua Cave sites.

Lunch and dinner are included, with one complimentary drink during the dinner. The tour is operated by Công Ty Du Lịch Việt Tâm Anh – JvtaTourism and features a Japanese-speaking guide to assist participants.

The tour has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with a 5.0 rating from 6 customers. Highlights include the cycling, boat ride, and quality of meals. Visitors appreciate the guide’s helpfulness and communication.

With a maximum of 100 travelers, this tour offers an intimate and enjoyable experience in Vietnam’s stunning natural landscape.

Read our full review: Trang an Hoa Lu Mua Cave Tour [Japanese Guide, Limousine Bus, Lunch and Dinner Included] Review
Book now: Check availability

Hanoi: Night Market Tour, Water Puppet Show and Dinner

For those seeking to explore Hanoi’s vibrant nightlife and cultural heritage, the Hanoi: Night Market Tour, Water Puppet Show and Dinner offers an immersive experience. Priced from $78 per person, this 3.5-hour tour provides a comprehensive introduction to the city’s iconic attractions and local cuisine.

Guests will be picked up in Hanoi and whisked away to the lively Phố Cầu Gỗ market, where they’ll explore the bustling stalls and observe the daily life of Hanoians.

Next, they’ll witness the captivating water puppet performance, a unique Vietnamese art form using wooden puppets manipulated on a water surface.

The tour culminates with a lavish buffet dinner at a popular West Lake restaurant, showcasing the diverse flavors of North Vietnamese cuisine.

Included in the package are all transfers, entrance fees, bottled water, and an English-speaking guide, ensuring a seamless and enlightening experience.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this tour is an excellent choice for travelers seeking an authentic taste of Hanoi’s vibrant culture and cuisine.

Read our full review: Hanoi: Night Market Tour, Water Puppet Show and Dinner Review
Book now: Check availability

From Hanoi: Guided 2-Day Tour of Sa Pa With Lunch & Dinner

Embarking on a captivating 2-day journey from Hanoi, travelers can explore the enchanting landscapes of Sa Pa. Priced from €80.01 per person, this guided tour offers an immersive experience, including a round-trip sleeping bus, 1-night homestay, and an array of meals.

The itinerary features a trek through the Muong Hoa valley, a visit to a Black Hmong village, and a cooking class in the Dzay ethnic village of Ta Van. On the second day, guests will traverse rice paddies and bamboo forests, culminating in a visit to Giang Ta Chai village.

With a small group size capped at 10 participants, the tour provides personalized attention from an English-speaking guide. Suitable for most travelers, the experience isn’t recommended for those over 70, children under 4, or pregnant women.

Reviewers highlight the tour’s beautiful scenery, cultural insights, and warm homestay experiences, though some suggest logistical improvements. This 2-day Sa Pa adventure offers a compelling blend of natural wonders and culture.

Read our full review: From Hanoi: Guided 2-Day Tour of Sa Pa With Lunch & Dinner Review
Book now: Check availability

Recap

Hanoi offers a variety of dinner tours to explore the city’s culinary delights and cultural attractions. From water puppet shows and night market tours to guided excursions to nearby destinations, these experiences provide a well-rounded introduction to the local cuisine and traditions. Travelers can choose from a range of options to cater to their interests and preferences, ensuring a memorable dining experience in the Vietnamese capital.