Brother's Café

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26 Pho Nguyen Thai Hoc Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

84 4 733 3866

Hours:
9a-11p daily. Close
Price:
$$
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Desserts Galore! Photo - Brother's Café, Hanoi, Vietnam

User Reviews

Brother's Café

by Composthp

Singapore, Singapore

October 2, 2006

Best of IgoUgo The Brother’s café is located on a quiet street flanked by art galleries. This restaurant is housed in a once traditional Chinese temple. Had we not noticed the small sign stating the name of the café, we would have easily mistaken it as a private ...Read more The Brother’s café is located on a quiet street flanked by art galleries. This restaurant is housed in a once traditional Chinese temple. Had we not noticed the small sign stating the name of the café, we would have easily mistaken it as a private residence or a museum of sorts.

The restaurant serves buffet-styled local and western cuisine during lunch and dinner. For just $6 for lunch and $12 for dinner, guests can eat as much as they like, either indoors or alfresco-style at the inner courtyard. The menu changes daily.

Crossing the threshold, we were immediately attended to. The restaurant was busy even though it was past 1pm. We felt as if we had entered into a different era. This place reminded me very much of the quaint little town of Hoi An.

We were ushered to the courtyard and seated at a cosy corner by a banana tree. Most of the guests were curious tourists like us who wanted to try local cuisine without risking food poisoning. There was a wide selection of local food, from pho (choice of pork, beef and seafood) to street snacks like spring rolls to desserts like traditional Vietnamese wedding rice cakes, ice-desserts and assorted tropical fruits.

The dishes were clearly labelled in Vietnamese and English, prepared and serve in the traditional manner, i.e., by Vietnamese ladies dressed in white and black "uniforms" sitting on low stools by the side and corners of the courtyard, much like local hawkers selling their food by the roadsides. This is a common sight in Vietnam but a novelty for tourists.

The western section located indoors had an assorted selection of appetisers, salads, hot dishes like pasta, soups and stews. The quality and taste were not extraordinary. These dishes were mainly catering for home-sick tourists.

We had a leisurely lunch here, trying a little of everything or at least, we tried to sample most of the Vietnamese ones. All the dishes were meticulously prepared and frequently refilled. Having a sweet tooth, we particularly enjoyed the desserts. My favorite was the jasmine-scented beancurd that was so smooth and silky, it slid down me throat effortlessly.

The Brother's Cafe caters for special functions too, I could easily imagine a romantic wedding held here. In fact, one party was celebrating a birthday while we were there. Lucky birthday girl.

Opening hours: 11:30am-2pm and 6:30-10pm

Getting there: Take a taxi or a cyclos
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From journal Vietnam, An Emerging Dragon

Brother's Café

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Brother's Café