L'essence De Cuisine

November 3, 2025

5/5 ⭐ The amount of detail that goes into the service is worth a shoutout 😊 we were welcomed immediately, after not being able to figure out where the entrance is of the restaurant (since they also have a spa). The receptionist helped us to the restaurant where they were already waiting for us upstairs. We ended up going for the beef pho and báhn xéo, which I had been wanting to try after seeing reviews about it. I must say that this ended up being my favourite dish I tried in Hanoi. The staff helps you roll the first one (and more if necessary) but it’s fun to do it yourself. The taste is absolutely delicious and you must try it 🥬 I can’t recommend this place enough 😊 to top it all off, we got a voucher to come visit their spa which we will hopefully do! 🧖‍♀️

August 11, 2025

This place is an absolute gem -- an elegant, tranquil spot for a refined first meal in Hanoi. We arrived around 4 PM and were seated promptly, though we later learned that lunch and dinner hours tend to fill up fast. If you're planning to visit during peak times, making a reservation is highly recommended. My parents and I chose the 3-person set meal priced at 1,990,000 dong, which offered generous portions and excellent variety. Upon seated, we were welcomed with wet towels and crispy deep-fried rice chips to snack on. Our appetizer, the Royal Garden soup, was a creamy green delight made from sponge gourd and aromatic spices. It was a standout -- flavorful and the perfect way to awaken the palate. The 4 main course dishes included: Royal fried shrimp served with a mango-infused dipping sauce, colorful rainbow noodles with vegetables, fried beef in bamboo on fire, and grilled fish. Dessert featured a selection of seasonal tropical fruits. The set meal comes with a healthy fresh fruit drink. The service was impeccable, the decor tastefully done, and at roughly $25 per person, the experience was well worth it. This spot certainly lives up to its stellar reputation -- a must-visit when in Hanoi!

November 12, 2025

I simply love this place.. one of the best high end Vietnamese cuisine I had in Hanoi. Akina was our lovely host for the night and gave a great introduction to Hanoi cuisine.

October 10, 2025

A nice restaurant for higher end Vietnamese food. Since I came with local guide I got to sample local dishes. Definitely great for foreigners looking for a more upscale atmosphere. During my dinner on a Thursday evening around 6pm, the restaurant was largely empty, i.e. low noise level.

September 6, 2025

This restaurant was the perfect way to end our couples trip to hanoi. We got the couples set meal and it was perfectly paced and designed. We also both really loved our mixed drinks.