Hoi An has some excellent places to eat and drink -- on the riverfront, scattered throughout town, and across the water on Cam Nam Island. Hoi An flourished thanks to its port, attracting traders from China, Japan and the Mediterranean. Out of this mixture of cultures, a unique style of Vietnamese cooking developed, drawing upon a wide range of flavours, influences and cooking techniques. Hoi An is now home to a number of specialty dishes, many of which can be traced to foreign origins. The most famous is cao lau, a tasty soup made with thick wheat noodles, meat and aromatic vegetables.
Though it may not be instantly recognisable to Japanese visitors today, it was influenced by imported Japanese soba noodles. Local lore says that the dish must be made from the water of a specific well -- others argue that it is simply the distinctive noodles that make it unique. A dryer version of the dish, mi quang, is also widely available. Chinese influenced rice-flower dumplings, called banh beo and banh vac (white rose) are also common. Much less publicised is com ga, a tasty stir-fry of rice, chicken, garlic and vegetables.

The Cargo club

Ms. Vy expands her Hoi An empire with a unique, open-air patisserie and French cafe. This stylish storefront serves light meals in a lounge bar on the first floor and, upstairs, is a refined restaurant specializing in contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. There are good seafood dishes like the crab in five spices or jumbo shrimp with tamarind sauce. Sandwiches, soups, and salads are good and served with fine fresh bread that's baked on-site. Upstairs seating is on a cool balcony overlooking the river or a chic indoor space, and the first floor offers casual bar or lounge seating. Curries and good veggie dishes round out a good, affordable menu. Cargo Club is a good place to reconnoiter if traveling in a group or to meet other travelers.

Address: 107 -109 Nguyen Thai Hoc Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510.3910 489

Morning Glory Restaurant

A true Vietnamese food experience is an adventure. Textures and flavors always focus on balance. Yin and Yang. Contrasting combinations are essential: sour with sweet, crunchy with chewy, fresh with fried. Herbs and spices are of the essence. At Morning Glory restaurant visitors are able to experience the delights of Vietnamese cuisine in all it’s forms: street food meals, family favorites and contemporary creations made by Ms Vy. Prepare your taste buds for a surprise, albeit a pleasant one! From Hoi An staples such as Cao Lau and My Quang, to dishes from the North, South, home remedies and more, the Morning Glory menu is comprehensive. You’ll be tempted to return to the restaurant just to sample more of the food. A refreshing part of the experience is that you get an upclose view of the cooking with the restaurant’s unique open kitchen.

Address: 106 Nguyen Thai Hoc Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510.3241 555

Full Moon Town

Perfectly located by Co Co river Fullmoon Towns Restaurant is a miniature of HoiAn Town with preserved old houses and reappeared Japanese Pagoda. It is very peaceful and quiet place where you will enjoy wonderful relaxed hours, the charm of beauty tranquility and romantic views of a genuine countryside. Coming to Fullmoon Towns, you will experience the culinary characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine in the 300 year ancient houses with a masterly, rustic decoration and a warm, friendly of our associates.

Address: 101 Cua Dai Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510.3923.922 - 3923933

Nam Long Restaurant

Nam Long (The Dragon of the South) Restaurant is adjacent to De Vong   River, orients to Cua Dai beach, Hoi An. Imposing a unique oriental design together with an exquisite garden atmosphere, Nam Long will extremely brings tourists the picturesque   and friendly scenery with   our original Vietnamese traditional features. Being proud of unique traditional dishes from three regions of Vietnam and offering professional service, Nam Long Restaurant - surely inspires tourists a profound and boundless impression. Furthermore, the restaurant do serve various fresh fruits from the Central Vietnam and an endless lists of internationally well - known wines and liquors, making your meals more appetizing, stylish and opulent.

Address: 103 Cua Dai Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510.3923723

Brother Café

Serving similar fine Vietnamese fare as its sister restaurant in Hanoi (but here it's a la carte, not buffet), Brother's Café is the town's top choice for cuisine and atmosphere. A bland street-side facade gives way to the lush, garden sanctuary formed by this grand U-shape colonial by the river. Indoor seating is upscale Indochina of a bygone era, and the courtyard is dotted with canvas umbrellas to while away a balmy afternoon or enjoy a candlelit evening riverside. The fare is gourmet Vietnamese at its finest, with changing daily set menus and great specials; be sure to ask for a recommendation. It's a good place to try local items like the white rose, a light Vietnamese ravioli, or cao lau noodles. Set menus are great here and change daily. With a group, it's a great spot to order up family-style and sample it all. They also feature a cooking school (just ask the staff). Everything's good, the atmosphere is great, and the staff couldn't be friendlier.

Address: 27-29 Phan Boi Chau Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510.3914150

Red bridge Restaurant

Situated on the banks of the Hoi An River, the stylish Red Bridge Restaurant is designed to meet the growing demand from local and international travelers,
for a quality Vietnamese dining experience with personal service and individual style. Red Bridge is located 2km from the centre of Hoi An – a relaxing 20 minute boat cruise along the Hoi An River is the ideal way to reach the restaurant. pen daily for lunch, and for dinner by special request.  Set in 2 acres of stunning tropical gardens, with 3 open air ‘pavilion style’ buildings, the stylish Red Bridge Restaurant is ideal for a relaxed meal or casual function. Traditional and contemporary Vietnamese food, friendly staff and enthusiastic chefs have made Red Bridge a popular stop for visitors to Hoi An. Use of fresh herbs from the restaurants own garden, seafood from the nearby sea, and fruit and vegetables from local growers deliver fresh and crisp flavors. The recently opened Red Bridge Pool Bar is the perfect place to relax after a cooking class or lunch. Features a 20 meters pool, sun-lounges, hammocks, showers/towels and a well stocked bar – the best part is there is no charge for you to use it.

Address: Thon 4, Cam Thanh, Hoi An. Tel: 510.3933.222

Treats Bar & Café in Hoi An

Serving Vietnamese and international cuisine on its platter, the Treats Bar & Café, Hoi An is almost like an alien in the Tran Phu Street, Quang Nam. This is because of its ambiance and its loud music, which does not suit the silence of the environment. Nevertheless, if you want to enjoy and be in the company of energetic staff and visitors in the restaurant then make it a point to have at least one meal in this restaurant. But whatever, the environment maybe like, you will be made to feel very comfortable.

For the wine lovers, happy hours take a trip to this restaurant everyday. So make use of these hours and save you money. On the other days also you will not get too shocked to see the prices because this place is generally very reasonable.

There are two floors in this restaurant and the interiors are beautifully done with the hanging lanterns on the second floor. Overall Treats Bar & Café, Hoi An creates a very comfortable environment with a picturesque view of the river from the dining tables.

Address: 158 Tran Phu Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510. 386 1125

Goda Restaurant in Hoi An

A crossroads of Vietnam and the West, this locally owned cafe offers a good host of specials: papaya salad, hot pots, local stews, and stir-fries, as well as burgers, pasta, and pizza. But because it's Vietnamese-owned and -run, it's best to stick with local dishes (though locals who come here all eat the very average pizza). The place is a contemporary, chic, two-story cafe with a big winding staircase and good jazz music piped in. Located on Cua Dai Street about halfway between the town and beach, it's a good stop on the way back from the beach for coffee. Bad English writing on the menu about the philosophy of the place, with far too many adjectives, begs for editing. Offer to do it and they'll buy you a drink. Goda is a good laid-back place to meet locals

Address: 308 Cua Dai Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510.3923644

Hai Scout Café in Hoi An

The atmosphere of the café is very pleasant and there is enough space to roam around. The size of the restaurant is also huge. There are three separate eating areas in the Hai Scout Café, Hoi An. One is the indoor courtyard and the other is the outdoor courtyard. Some of the special dishes that are popular in this restaurant are White Rose, Cau Lau, Wonton, Chi Ma phu and many other attractive dishes. The restaurant got is name from the owner of the restaurant itself. His name is Mr. Hai. Sometimes one-hour demonstrations are also arranged for the tourists in this restaurant. Recipes of various delicious dishes are dictated in those demonstrations. So go and visit this amazing restaurant and after coming back, try some recipes at your home also.

Address: 98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510.3863210

Good Morning Vietnam

The real deal with Italian owners and chefs, they serve the best pizzas and pastas in town. For Italian cuisine aficionados, Good Morning Vietnam is the perfect dining venue. Their positive reputation throughout Vietnam is widely known and the Hoi An branch is no exception, with Chef Alberto serving up fine Italian cuisine and ensuring high quality and friendly service.

Address: 102 Nguyen Thai Hoc Str, Hoi An. Tel: 0510.3910227