A restaurant in two early-1900s houses south of Hoàn Kiếm Lake serving northern countryside and ethnic-minority dishes, with floor seating on mats upstairs and tables below. The ground floor doubles as a gallery space for young Vietnamese artists.
Chim Sáo is a restaurant at 65 Ngô Huệ, off 135 Phố Huế, in the Nguyễn Du ward of Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi, Vietnam, south of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. It occupies two houses dating from the early 1900s and serves Northern Vietnamese countryside and ethnic-minority dishes. The signature dishes include grilled duck with lime leaf, buffalo cooked in bamboo and banana flower salad. The cuisine is regional home-style cooking presented in a sit-down restaurant, and the menu is a way for visitors to sample dishes that are usually associated with the northern uplands and villages. The dining room has a distinctive character: upstairs, diners sit on floor-level mats, while tables are available below. The ground floor doubles as a gallery space for young Vietnamese artists, which gives the room a cultural feel beyond the food. The mood is relaxed and traditional, with wooden furniture and old-house details, no formal dress code and moderate noise. There is no notable wine programme; a range of Vietnamese drinks and beer is available. The restaurant opens daily from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 23:00, and reservations are recommended for dinner. Bookings can be made by phone on +84 24 3976 0633. Prices are moderate by Vietnamese standards, around 150,000 to 350,000 VND (USD 5.75 to 13.45) per person. The restaurant has a website at chimsao.com and a Facebook page. The location, south of the lake and away from the busiest Old Quarter streets, is usually reached by taxi or ride-hail. Floor seating suits those comfortable sitting low for a full meal, while the ground-floor tables are more convenient for others.
| Price | 150,000–350,000 VND / USD 5.75–13.45 per person |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 11:00–14:00 and 18:00–23:00 |
| Reservations | Recommended for dinner; book by phone |
| Address | 65 Ngô Huệ (off 135 Phố Huế), Nguyễn Du, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội |
Signature dishes
- Grilled duck with lime leaf
- Buffalo cooked in bamboo
- Banana flower salad
Good to know
- Known for
- Northern countryside and ethnic-minority dishes eaten at floor-level mats upstairs
Location
65 Ngô Huệ (off 135 Phố Huế), Nguyễn Du, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội
21.0146, 105.8503 View on map
Highlights
- Grilled duck with lime leaf
- Buffalo cooked in bamboo
- Floor-level mat seating upstairs
- Ground-floor gallery of young Vietnamese artists
Tips for visiting
- Book by phone for dinner.
- Choose ground-floor tables if sitting on floor mats is uncomfortable.
- Dinner and lunch service run in two windows, with a break between 14:00 and 18:00.
- Budget roughly 150,000 to 350,000 VND per person.
When to visit
Dinner is the main occasion and benefits from a booking. Lunch is quieter.
Accessibility
The restaurant occupies two early-1900s houses with floor seating upstairs, so mobility access is limited. Ground-floor tables may be more suitable, and visitors should ask when booking.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
What kind of food does Chim Sáo serve?
It serves Northern Vietnamese countryside and ethnic-minority dishes.
How do I book?
Reservations are recommended for dinner and can be made by phone on +84 24 3976 0633.
Is there floor seating?
Yes. Floor-level mats are available upstairs, with tables on the ground floor.