1. Ha Long Lunch Culinary Highlights 2025
Highlighting lunch spots in Ha Long. (Source: Collected)
1.1. Why should you experience lunch in Ha Long?
Ha Long cuisine is always a highlight thanks to the abundant, fresh seafood caught daily such as squid cake, sea crab, horseshoe crab, razor clam... All have original flavors, retaining their natural sweetness. The menus of eateries and restaurants here are extremely diverse, from seafood, fried rice, oyster congee to modern Asian – European dishes, suitable for families, groups of friends, or international guests. The cool sea air, open spaces along the bay or by the beach create an ideal setting for a relaxing lunch, enjoying the meal while admiring the beautiful scenery. Many places are designed to be close to nature, with friendly service and the characteristic hospitality of Ha Long people.
1.2. Unique characteristics of Ha Long lunch cuisine in 2025
The menus of restaurants are increasingly refreshed, not only focusing on seafood but also expanding to rice, vermicelli, pho, congee, European dishes, or buffets, meeting all tastes and needs. Service quality has also improved, with many places implementing online table booking, transparent and clearly listed prices to help customers dine with peace of mind.
Some trends for Ha Long lunch in 2025 include: diverse lunch buffets for 'all-you-can-eat' with friends, seafood restaurants with on-site preparation, quick-service office lunch eateries, local specialty eateries with affordable prices, or vibrant food streets ideal for young groups to explore and constantly change flavors.
2. List of delicious, affordable, and reputable lunch spots in Ha Long 2025
List of lunch spots in Ha Long. (Source: Collected)
2.1. Buffet Sen A Dong
Conveniently located near the foot of Bai Chay Bridge, Buffet Sen A Dong is an ideal stop for tourists wanting to enjoy a seafood lunch buffet with a variety of dishes from shrimp, crab, clams, oysters, squid cake to authentic Vietnamese dishes and attractive European cuisine corners. The space is spacious, with a children's area, suitable for both large families and big groups of friends. Price around 250,000–350,000 VND/person with professional service quality. Note that it's advisable to book in advance, especially on weekends and holidays, as it's usually very crowded.
2.2. Lang Chai Restaurant
Located near the Bai Chay area, Lang Chai is famous for its live seafood selected from tanks and cooked directly: steamed grouper, salt-roasted horseshoe crab, lobster, sea crab... Set meals are served for groups, cooked with rich local flavors, especially clam soup and authentic Quang Ninh style Ha Long clam congee. The spacious sea view and airy atmosphere are perfect for large groups or families. Price around 300,000–500,000 VND/person for set combos, don't miss the Quang Ninh grilled squid cake or the hot, nutritious clam congee.
2.3. Quang Dong Fried Rice
Located under Bai Chay Bridge, it's very convenient to access, specializing in fried rice and quick-service Asian-style fried rice. This is a perfect choice for those who want a light lunch, allowing for continued travel while staying full, priced at only 50,000–80,000 VND/portion, affordable for everyone. Service is very fast and hygienic. To avoid crowds, it's best to arrive before 12 PM.
2.4. Co Hang Clam Congee
Located at 42 Tran Hung Dao (Bach Dang), Co Hang's shop has long been famous for its Ha Long clam congee with a delicate sweet taste, served with hot fried dough sticks. A simple, light dish, suitable for both the elderly and children, priced from only 35,000–55,000 VND/bowl. The shop is small, with a cozy family atmosphere. A small suggestion: visit the shop between 10:30–11:00 AM to enjoy the freshest clam congee.
2.5. Gieng Don Food Street
The Gieng Don area (Bai Chay) is one of the liveliest food streets, with many places offering lunch and snacks, including beef noodle soup, seafood noodle soup, tofu noodle soup with shrimp paste, crab spring rolls, snails, crab cakes, various sweet soups, and snacks, priced from only 30,000–100,000 VND/dish, suitable for all budgets. An ideal spot for young people and independent travelers who enjoy exploring diverse flavors in one go. You can easily combine strolling, shopping for specialties, and taking stylish photos right near Sun World or the Ha Long night market.
3. Must-try lunch dishes in Ha Long 2025
Must-try dishes for lunch in Ha Long. (Source: Collected)
3.1. Fresh seafood: Squid sausage, crab, grouper, geoduck, horseshoe crab…
Dishes like grilled squid sausage, sweet and sour stir-fried horseshoe crab, steamed crab, and geoduck grilled with scallion oil are always top choices for lunch in Ha Long due to their freshness and the unique natural sweetness of the region. To ensure the dishes are always fresh and delicious, choose restaurants with live seafood tanks where customers can select their own seafood and clarify prices before ordering. If traveling in a group, try the mixed seafood sets for a diverse tasting experience at a more economical price.
3.2. Oyster porridge, clam porridge
Indispensable on the Ha Long menu are oyster porridge and clam porridge, with a delicate sweetness from fresh oysters or clams, which are cooling and good for digestion, making them very suitable for a light lunch on hot days. They are usually served with crispy fried dough sticks, fried shallots, black pepper, and herbs for added flavor. The prices are affordable and easily found in any local food area.
3.3. Alternatives for those who don't eat seafood: Grilled pork chop rice, vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste, fried rice
If you need a non-seafood lunch or have a "picky" palate, you can easily find eateries serving grilled pork chop rice, beef and pickle fried rice, vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste at prices from 40,000–70,000 VND per serving. Some notable places like Cơm sạch Bà Liên, Bún đậu Mị both ensure quality and hygiene. The service is fast, dishes can be taken away or eaten on-site, which is very convenient and time-saving for busy customers.
4. Tips for choosing a lunch spot in Ha Long
Experience choosing lunch spots in Ha Long. (Source: Collected)
4.1. When should you book a table in advance? How to choose group combos?
During holidays, weekends, or peak tourist seasons (April-August, April 30th, New Year's Day), you should book a table in advance, especially when traveling with 6 or more people or needing a private space for lunch in Ha Long. You can contact via hotline, official Facebook fanpage, or booking apps like Foody, Klook… Group combos are more economical than ordering à la carte, suitable for family, friend, or company tours. Don't forget to notify in advance about food preferences (spicy/sweet or allergies) so the restaurant can prepare accordingly.
4.2. Check prices, read reviews before choosing a restaurant
Ask clearly for the price of each dish, choose restaurants that publicly list prices on their menu or website, and refer to the latest reviews on Foody, Klook, reputable Facebook groups. When reading real experiences, prioritize accounts with actual photos, objective and continuously updated reviews, and avoid places with many negative feedback about quality or price. You should consult at least 3-5 sources of information to get a comprehensive view before deciding on a lunch spot.
4.3. Prioritize restaurants near accommodation/tourist spots, with nice views and convenient access
Choosing restaurants near your accommodation or major attractions like Sun World Ha Long, Bai Chay Old Town, Hon Gai area will help you travel conveniently, saving time and transportation costs. If you want to combine dining with sightseeing and photo opportunities, prioritize beachfront restaurants, open spaces, and plenty of natural light. Locations with views overlooking Ha Long Bay will surely make your lunch more memorable and filled with beautiful moments.
5. Suggested itinerary for sightseeing and combined lunch in Ha Long
Suggested Ha Long lunch itinerary. (Source: Collected)
Start your morning at Sun World Ha Long, experience the Queen Cable Car, Koi Bridge, and exciting entertainment areas. For lunch, enjoy a buffet at Sen A Dong or choose seafood at Lang Chai restaurant right near the foot of Bai Chay Bridge, which is quick and convenient for the whole group/family. In the afternoon, stroll around Gieng Don food street, enjoy snacks, then swim at Bai Chay beach or check in at the Old Quarter, ensuring a balanced itinerary of fun and food for all ages.
Choose to start your morning at Ha Long market, have a light meal of bun, chao, banh cuon around the market to explore the early morning rhythm of life. For lunch, move to Hon Gai or Bai Chay, choose to enjoy specialties like cha muc, chao ha, and famous seafood restaurants. In the afternoon, you can stroll around to buy souvenirs, check in at the Old Quarter, visit the Quang Ninh Museum, or walk across Bai Chay Bridge – all creating a journey full of delicious food and exploration.
Ha Long lunch is not just a meal but also an opportunity to experience the culture of coastal cuisine, enjoying diverse flavors with many great options for all travelers. Don't forget to save these addresses for your upcoming Ha Long 2025 trip and share your experiences with friends!
