Places to eat in Danang

Da Nang offers up some of the most amazing cuisine you’ll ever have the opportunity to try. Soups and noodles galore are served in heaps of steaming, delicious goodness from single stalls in markets to Michelin starred restaurants. Unlike other parts of the country, though, Da Nang’s specialties include world-class seafood caught right off the shores of the city. Even better, with incredibly affordable prices on quality meals, you’ll likely never want to cook again.

Markets

If you’re looking for a truly local experience, head over to Han Market, or Cho Han. Nearly thirty thousand square meters are packed to the brim with local food stalls and eager shoppers. If you tend to get a bit claustrophobic, be warned – this market gets seriously crowded and can be very hot. If you’re willing to brave the elements, though, your palate will not be disappointed.

Take some time to explore the fruit, vegetables, and spices, but for the good stuff, head straight to the food court. For a dish commonly served at family dinners (think Grandma’s pot roast with potatoes), try the mi quang. This soup comes with meat, yellow noodles, vegetables, and spices, which are generally served separately for you to combine on your own. Break up the rice cracker that comes on the side and sprinkle it into the soup for an added crunch. Meals here won’t cost you more than USD1.50, so come hungry. (119 Trần Phú, Hải Châu 1, Hải Châu)

Vietnamese food

If eating at jam-packed markets isn’t an everyday thing for you, the next best option for authentic Vietnamese food in Da Nang is in the family homes-turned-restaurant or the tiny eateries that line the alleyways and streets of the city.

Outside of its general seafood offerings, Da Nang is probably most well known for its barbeque. Our first meal at Quan Com Hue Ngon left us raving and coming back for more on several other occasions. This simple restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside, but we guarantee an explosion of flavour in every bite. For the best of both worlds, order a seafood dish and cook it BBQ style on your tableside grill. To top it off, your amazing meal likely won’t run more than USD2-3. (65 Trần Quốc Toản, Hải Châu)

Western & International food

If you’re looking to mix things up with a non-Vietnamese meal, there’s no better restaurant to visit than La Maison. This French restaurant plays well with Vietnam’s past, but offers a dining class not often seen throughout the country, or anywhere in Southeast Asia, for that matter. La Maison resides at The Intercontinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort, which is well worth a visit on its own. Michelin starred chef, Pierre Gagnaire, resides here and continues to work his magic for tourists, day in and day out. For international fare outside of burgers and fries, live it up at this world-class restaurant. (Thọ Quang, Sơn Trà)

Cafes and coffeeshops

A trip to any of Vietnam’s cities without a generous indulgence in their world famous coffee is not complete. Fortunately, Da Nang doesn’t fall short when it comes to cafes and offering up a much needed caffeine buzz for all-day sightseers.

Our first stop on the coffee train was HiBou Coffee Shop, located on the west bank of the Han River. Baked goods and snacks are on the menu here, but the coffee is what draws patrons in. The owner at HiBou treats his guests like family and offers up great suggestions depending on your mood. We loved the iced coffee, and the smoothies were refreshingly lovely after a long day of exploring, too. You won’t pay more than USD1-2 at this traveller-friendly cafe. (248A Phan Chau Trinh)