Madame Hiền

Madame Hiền is a restaurant at 15 Chân Cầm in the Cathedral quarter of Hanoi's Hoàn Kiếm district, in northern Vietnam, housed in a colonial-era house. It serves updated Vietnamese dishes based on refined home cooking, presented in a setting that is formal but relaxed. The menu is built around shared plates, which suits groups and encourages diners to sample several dishes. Signature dishes include cá kho, fish braised in a caramelised sauce in the traditional Vietnamese style, gà sả, chicken cooked with lemongrass, and bánh xèo, a crisp savoury pancake filled with pork and prawns and eaten wrapped in herbs and lettuce. The flavours are familiar to Vietnamese diners but the presentation is more polished than in a street eatery. The dining room is elegant and colonial in character, with period architecture, comfortable seating and attentive table service. There is no strict dress code, though smart-casual clothing suits the setting. The noise level is moderate, and the atmosphere is calm enough for conversation, which makes it a good choice for a leisurely dinner or a special meal. Prices are higher than at local street stalls but moderate by international standards, with a typical meal costing about 300,000 to 600,000 VND per person. The beverage list includes wine, beer and soft drinks, though the focus is on the cooking. The restaurant is open daily from 11AM to 2PM and 5PM to 10PM, with a break in the afternoon. Reservations are recommended, especially in the evenings, when tables fill with both visitors and local diners. Lunch is often easier to arrange without booking. The location on Chân Cầm, a short walk from St Joseph's Cathedral and the cafes and boutiques of the surrounding neighbourhood, makes it convenient to combine with sightseeing in central Hanoi.