A Guide to Finding the Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Hoi An

When I think back on my summer spent in Da Nang and Hoi An, I pretty much think all about food. I did a lot of eating last summer. I just couldn’t help myself. Now that I’ve lived in Ho Chi Minh City for two years, one would think I’d be sick of Vietnamese food. But I’m clearly not. Plus, there are so many amazing vegetarian restaurants in Hoi An!

I don’t know what it is about the food in central Vietnam (where Hoi An is located) but it’s vastly different than the food in the south, and it is so incredibly good. As a vegetarian and all-around food lover, sometimes I’m bummed that I can’t actually sample all of the amazing dishes in new cities. But that’s the great part about Vietnam – most cities are super vegetarian-friendly and Hoi An is no different.

It was a cinch finding vegetarian renditions of central Vietnamese staples in Hoi An and there were plenty of vegetarian restaurants in Hoi An. This guide focuses on vegetarian Vietnamese food but if you’re looking to mix things up you’ll find plenty of vegetarian-friendly international options in Hoi An.

By the way, if you’re a vegetarian traveling around Vietnam, here are some of my other vegetarian city guides:

• My Favorite Vegetarian Restaurants In Da Nang, Vietnam
• Vegetarian Guide To Nha Trang, Vietnam
• An Insider’s Guide To Vegetarian Restaurants In Saigon

The Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Hoi An

(FYI, I included prices in Vietnamese dong (₫). At the time of writing the exchange rate is roughly 23,000₫ to US$1.)

Am Vegetarian Restaurant

This was hands down one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants in Hoi An. It’s located just outside of the Old Town, so it’s peaceful and less touristy than other eateries. The restaurant itself is super cute and decorated with all sorts of colorful lanterns (this is Hoi An, after all).

When I visited, we just ordered a bunch of different dishes and everything was delicious. From veggie clay pots to lemongrass tofu to fresh spring rolls to mock meat dishes, there’s so much to try. The friendly owner even made a point to check in with each customer to make sure that everything was satisfactory. You can tell just how much love and care the owner puts into the restaurant and its amazing food.

Address: 33D Lý Thái Tổ, Street, Hội An, Quảng
Hours: 9 am-10 pm
Website: Facebook.com/AmVegetarian/

Karma Waters

This tiny vegan joint has a unique menu, which is why I liked it. Not only does the menu feature a bunch of vegetarian Vietnamese dishes but there is also a smattering of Indian food, including healthy curries, dahl and roti wraps. They also have a selection of international food (think vegan hot dogs), if you’re looking to mix things up. Their fresh fruit juices and smoothies are also amazing, especially if you’re there during the brutally hot summer months like I was. I also love their zero-waste philosophy. You won’t find any straws here!

Address: 213 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
Hours: 10 am-8:30 pm
Website: karmawaters.org

Annen Vegetarian and Yoga

Annen Vegetarian is yet another of my favorite vegetarian restaurants in Hoi An. This cozy restaurant serves up vegetarian versions of regional specialties, such as cao lau and mi quang. My favorite dishes are the cao lau noodles (45,000₫) and the tofu and mushroom banh mi (pictured above, 55,000₫). This place is a gem and is super quality. (There’s also a branch in Da Nang, near My Khe Beach.)  

Address: 471/7 Cửa Đại, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
Hours: Closes at 9 pm
Website: annenhoian.com/about-us.html

Chay An Lac

This place doesn’t always deliver what you think you’re ordering. Seriously, it’s rather odd. The pictures don’t always match up to what you get. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

That being said, they have one dish that I went here for repeatedly – bun thit nuong (30,000₫). Bun thit nuong traditionally consists of cold rice noodles topped with pork and fragrant herbs all drizzled with fish sauce. This version uses some of the best mock meat I’ve ever tasted (pictured above) and the “fish sauce” is super mild and zesty. This no-frills restaurant is run by one lady who makes everything from scratch so be prepared to wait a bit. Order a lime juice while you wait!

Address: 93 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Cẩm Châu, Hội An
Hours: 7 am-10 pm
Website: Tripadvisor

ROM Vegetarian Bistro

I actually intended to visit Hoi An’s “it” restaurant, Rosie’s Café. But this famous Instagram café was beyond crowded and honestly not my scene. That’s when I spotted ROM Bistro just across the street. I will say that when I visited they were out of a bunch of items. I ended up getting the bun rieu, which is a common Vietnamese soup. It was super flavorful and served with a huge side of herbs.  

Address: 01 Mạc Đĩnh Chi, Cẩm Sơn, Hội An
Hours: 8.30 am-10 pm
Website: Facebook.com/pg/ROMbistro.hoian

Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Hoi An

Minh Hien 3

There are actually three Minh Hien restaurants scattered across Hoi An. They have tons of vegetarian options, making it a great option for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. I visited two locations, Minh Hien 3 and Minh Hien 2. While the food was great at both, the garden setting at Minh Hien 3 was gorgeous. The vegetarian rendition of Hoi An’s famous rose dumplings were outstanding. The cao lau (pictured above) was excellent as well. Given its location in the Old Town, Minh Hien 3 is a bit more pricy than other Vietnamese restaurants. But if you’re looking for a romantic or special setting this is the place.   

Address: 25 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Sơn Phong, Hội An
Hours: 7 am-10 pm
Website: Facebook.com/minhhien3vegetarian

Phi Banh Mi

This place isn’t fully vegetarian, but they have a couple of vegetarian and vegan options. When I read that there is the option of adding avocado to their banh mi, I was super skeptical. It even deterred me from visiting during my first trip to Hoi An last April. But I ended up trying it this time around and it was one of the best things I stuffed in my face this summer. And that’s saying a lot.

I ordered the tofu and cheese banh mi and added avocado and the special homemade spicy sauce (try the spicy sauce…it’s amazing). No, this wasn’t an authentic version of a banh mi, but it’s so damn good I went back a handful of times during my two weeks in Hoi An. I literally forced my boyfriend to bring one back for me in Saigon during his recent trip to Hoi An. That’s how much I love this damn sandwich.

Address: 88 Thái Phiên, Phường Minh An, Hội An
Hours: 8 am-8 pm
Website: phibanhmi.food-pi.com

Madam Khanh Banh Mi Queen

Madam Khanh Bahn Mi Queen is one of the more famous banh mi joints in Hoi An. Seriously there are times when you have to wait in line to order. I felt like I was giving Phi Banh Mi all the love so I decided I should mix it up and give Madam Khanh a try. I will say that I wasn’t as in love with this sandwich as I was with Phi’s but it was super good.

Unfortunately, the only vegetarian option was made with egg, tomato and cheese (and optional spicy sauce). Again, not the most authentic banh mi, but vegetarians can’t be too picky. It was really good, but I’m not a huge fan of egg versions of banh mi. I’m much more of a mock meat or tofu type of girl. Either way, it’s definitely worth a try. After all, a sandwich only puts you back 20,000₫. Note you don’t actually have to stand in line outside of the stand. You can head inside and sit down and someone will take your order.

Address: 115 Trần Cao Vân, Phường Minh An, Hội An
Hours: 7 am-7 pm
Website: Tripadvisor

Morning Glory

If you’re doing the tourist thing and are looking for a place to dine in the Old Town, Morning Glory is a great option. Yes, it’s touristy and crowded. But this is Hoi An we’re talking about. It also happens to be a great option if you’re dining with a group of vegetarians and carnivores. While most of the menu is geared toward the meat inclined, I was happy to find a bunch of vegetarian variations of regional specialties on the menu.

Address: 106 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An
Hours: 10 am-11 pm
Website: Facebook.com/MorningGloryOriginal

Helpful Tips:

Download the Happy Cow App

This app is the love of my vegetarian life. Seriously, I use this app when I visit any new city. It’ll list every vegan, vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurant and store near you and the reviews are super helpful. I don’t know how I ever lived without this app while traveling. It works in most cities but is super helpful in Hoi An because it’ll lead you to hard-to-find restaurants.

Look for “Chay” Restaurants

Keep your eyes peeled for “chay” restaurants. Chay means vegetarian, so you can be sure that everything served at these places is pure vegetarian (meaning everything down to the “fish sauce” is veg). Actually, most everything is vegan. Though vegans should inquire about eggs.

Have you been to Hoi An? Are there any restaurants you’d add to this list?