
The taste of the vivid food scene in Cat Ba Island is an experience that no traveller is likely to miss when having a view of this beautiful destination. Whether you are a foodie looking for authentic Vietnamese cuisine or one who wants to have a taste of international flavours, Cat Ba is replete with an array of dining options to cater to every whim. From snug, homely local eateries to elegant restaurants with panoramic views, the island has it all. This guide is made to take you to the best of the 12 top places to eat in Cat Ba, from choosing the perfect foodie experience. For more information on how to plan your perfect stay in Cat Ba, check out our homepage, with all the details available about this charming island.
Roza Palace Restaurant is a must-visit dining spot in Cat Ba, offering a perfect blend of Vietnamese and international cuisine. Nestled within the serene Roza Palace Hotel, this restaurant is known for its inviting ambiance and diverse menu. From fresh seafood to delectable vegetarian options, every dish is crafted with the finest ingredients by our skilled chefs. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or a fine dining experience, Roza Palace Restaurant caters to every palate with style and elegance.
Visitor’s Tip: Be sure to try the seafood platter, featuring the freshest catches from the local waters. For a more intimate dining experience, consider booking a table on the terrace, where you can enjoy your meal with a view of the lush garden.
Yummy Cat Ba is a highly recommended restaurant right in the centre of Cat Ba Island, offering good Vietnamese and Asian cuisine. This cosy little restaurant is very popular with both locals and tourists, who can enjoy a wide range of menu items likely to suit any taste preferences because of the separate vegetarian section. There are spring rolls, tofu with rice and soy sauce, Pho soup, Pad Thai, banana flower salad, grilled fish, and more noodles than you have ever seen before. Yummy Cat Ba is not different just in terms of food; the staff are very friendly and the service is warm. This has become a favourite place for the price, which is rather reasonable.
Visitor’s Tip: Come in early for dinner, this place really fills up during peak hours.
Buddha Belly Vegetarian Restaurant is the place to head for all vegan and vegetarian travellers in Cat Ba. This beautiful, cosy bistro offers a menu of fresh and healthy dishes; the food here is simply divine. The menu is a fusion of the traditional Vietnamese, Lacto, and American cuisine serving dishes like the curry rice set, tofu vegetable Vietnamese sandwich, and the Buddha Belly large set meal that just stands out. The place is very peaceful, and a great dining experience is warranted by the good servers and decor. Buddha Belly is also well-priced, making it popular among budget diners.
Visitor’s Tip: Their banana smoothies are one of the best; you can’t miss it when you’re there. It is one of the best ways to reduce the heat of the day.
An ideal place to try authentic Indian food while visiting Cat Ba is the Indian Restaurant Ganesh. The popular café is famous for a wide variety of Indian dishes made from authentic ingredients in very generous amounts. The place is truly cosy and welcoming, with its very own signature of Garlic Naan, Mango Curry, Butter Chicken, Masala Chai, and Tandoori Fish—all flavours just right. Whether you’re craving something spicy or looking for a comforting meal, Ganesh has something to satisfy every palate.
Visitor’s Tip: If your dish needs to be organized, the staff are very obliging and can make many dishes to your dietary requirements.
Mona Restaurant is a casual island-based restaurant where you will eat while enjoying a view. The name of the hostel that runs it is Mona. This place is very renowned for dining outdoors enjoying your meal and the scenic view of the bay. The menu has mixed cuisines to offer, with star dishes like Chicken Curry, Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, and Seafood. The happy hour continues till 6:00 pm, and you get a “buy 1 get 1 free” on cocktails and drinks. Friendly staff and a cool ambience only make Mona the ideal place to chill out and relax after an exhilarating day of exploration.
Visitor’s Tip: Don’t miss having dinner on the rooftop at sunset, facing the whole bay; it’s incredible.
Casa Bonita Restaurant is a heaven for vegans on Cat Ba Island, serving an array of healthy and tasty dishes. This restaurant is located in an open garden with soft music playing to give diners a very cool feel. The menu hosts a variety of Asian and Western recipes, including the likes of Veggie Burgers, Mango Avocado Salad, Pad Thai, Curries, Banana Flower Salad, and Casa Bonita’s special Veggie Noodle Soup. An overall nice dining experience is complemented by the warm staff, fluent in English. Whether you are vegan or looking for healthy food, this is actually one of the best on the island.
Visitor’s Tip: Do try the veggie noodle soup here; it’s delicious and filling, perfect for that heavy yet healthy meal that you need after a full day of invigorating activities.
my way cafe and restaurant
My Way Café & Restaurant is the brainchild of a family residing on Cat Ba Town’s high street. Having over three floors to accommodate diners, this restaurant has a very extensive variety of Western and Vietnamese dishes, meeting the needs of all types of diners. It has fried rice, noodles, veggie burgers, pasta, tofu vermicelli, build-your-own smoothie bowls, and so much more. My Way Café is most famous for its very laid-back environment and amiable staff, making it a very good place for casual meals. The portions are huge, and the prices are pocket-friendly; therefore, it is a popular destination among locals and tourists.
Visitor’s Tip: If you happen to be there in the morning, then don’t miss out on their superb build-your-own smoothie bowls that are perfect for a refreshing and healthy start.
If you are a seafood lover, Anh Nguyet Restaurant is the right place for you. This place has everything in terms of sea delicacies: prawns, squid, oysters, and fish, all put together with that special Vietnamese-style blend of spices and sauces. It also caters to Russian cuisine, making the restaurant quite diverse. You’ll feel welcome and at home; it’s warm, cosy, and very inviting—just an excellent place to take family or friends out to eat. Occasionally the service is really slow, but that doesn’t matter a great deal because the food is worth the wait.
Visitor’s Tip: Go with a seafood ginger sauce—a house favourite that gives your taste buds a nice zing.
Full Moon Restaurant is located by the harbour and offers a beautiful view of the scenery of Cat Ba Island from both inside and outside the restaurant. The restaurant is very diverse in its offerings, featuring both Vietnamese and European specialities. Signature dishes include Bun Cha, Spring Rolls, Pho Soup, and most of the city’s other local favourites. Full Moon Restaurant is known for many things, perhaps primarily for its atmosphere – which takes on a life of its own each evening when live music begins to play. The restaurant has an everyday happy hour with new specials each night, making it the perfect destination for dinner or just drinks.
Visitor’s Tip: Try to come while the live music is on to enjoy this place and a happy hour a bit more.
Those looking to try authentic local cuisine in Cat Ba have no place better than Quan Cat Ba Family Restaurant. The forte of this restaurant is seafood, where they serve squid, oysters, prawns, crabs, and clams all cooked using the best traditional Vietnamese recipes to perfection. The dishes are also accompanied by fresh veggies, rice, noodles, and chicken hot pot. The restaurant is laid back, and the staff is friendly; visiting here is a good move to have a casual meal with loved ones or friends. The dishes are well-seasoned with Vietnamese spices, giving one a real experience of the local culinary scene.
Visitor’s Tip: Don’t leave without trying the melon shake—it’s a refreshing treat that perfectly complements the savoury seafood dishes.
This little gem of a place is nestled in Cat Ba, hidden to offer visitors a warm, intimate, and individual space designed with sustainability in mind, using only locally sourced products. The small café specializes in healthy, plant-based smoothie bowls, fresh salads, and vegan burgers, among other things. Perfect for refreshing drinks or light meals, you can head here for breakfast and lunch. It’s also held up as an eco-friendly place, so that would surely be a draw for sustainable-minded travellers.
Visitor’s Tip: Have their signature smoothie bowl—loaded with fresh local fruits, it’s just perfect for a refreshing and healthful start to your day.
Hidden from the bustle of Cat Ba Town’s main road, Secret Garden Café serves as a peaceful retreat amidst abundant plant life and gardens. The venue is full of outdoor seating and is very cosy. The menu has a great selection of Vietnamese and Western foods. Some of the popular dishes to order here are fresh spring rolls, coconut curry, and their special coffee. Secret Garden Café is a place to enjoy some meals in a laid-back and quiet ambience, away from the hassle of the city.
Visitor’s Tip: The coconut curry is a favourite—very flavorful and great for someone looking to get a taste of a down-home Vietnamese meal.
PLACE | POPULARITY | KILOMETERS AWAY (from Roza Palace) |
---|---|---|
Roza Palace Restaurant | High | 0 km |
Yummy Cat Ba | High | 0.5 km |
Buddha Belly Vegetarian Restaurant | Medium | 0.4 km |
Indian Restaurant Ganesh | High | 0.6 km |
Mona Restaurant | Medium | 0.8 km |
Casa Bonita Restaurant | Medium | 0.9 km |
My Way Café & Restaurant | Medium | 0.6 km |
Anh Nguyet Restaurant | Medium | 0.6 km |
Full Moon Restaurant | High | 0.7 km |
Quan Cat Ba Family Restaurant | High | 0.8 km |
The Little Leaf | Medium | 0.3 km |
Secret Garden Café | Medium | 0.4 km |
Foods in Cat Ba Island are varied from traditional foods of Vietnam to international cuisines. Some of them include Yummy Cat Ba for traditional foods from Vietnam, Green Mango Cat Ba for a fusion of Asian and international dishes, and Buddha Belly Vegetarian Restaurant for mouthwatering vegan foods. All these restaurants offer a unique dining experience and, therefore, are places you just have to visit while staying on the island.
It is very easy to reach Cat Ba Island from Hanoi. By bus, you will go first to Haiphong and then by ferry to Cat Ba Island. There are several companies offering direct bus-ferry services; it usually takes about 4-5 hours. This is also the most convenient and, of course, the most scenic journey, unlike changing more than one bus or train to get here.
Cat Ba Island is famous for its picturesque beauty and the activities around it. Some of them include visiting Cat Ba National Park, kayaking through Lan Ha Bay, exploring Hospital Cave, and enjoying the beautiful beaches. For the adventurous, you could take a boat tour around the island, where you will find some secluded beaches and some more hidden caves.
The best time is from April to November when the weather is warm and pleasant for outdoor activities. These are the months when you can have clear skies, calm seas, and comfortable temperatures for touring around the island and its various natural wonders. Avoid the rainy season, which runs from December through March, for a perfect experience.
Accommodation options in Cat Ba Island vary from budget hostels to luxury resorts. Roza Palace is the top recommendation for a comfortable and convenient stay. Conveniently located near restaurants and attractions, Roza Palace offers well-appointed rooms, excellent service, and easy access to everything that makes this place great.
With many incredible places to eat, indeed the culinary experience on this beautiful island is one to remember. From the strong flavours of the traditional Vietnamese dishes to the ones inspired by international cuisines, there’s something here to satisfy every palate. Whether you are pampering yourself with a homely meal at a local restaurant or treating yourself to a ritzy time with flawless views, Cat Ba’s food game is strong.
Please note that the information provided in this article, such as opening hours, location, and menu, may change over time due to various reasons, including but not limited to events, holidays, or any force majeure. We recommend readers double-check with the listed venues for the most up-to-date information during their visit.
There is no other accommodation around that would complement Roza Palace on Cat Ba Island. Our hotel offers a blend of comfort, convenience, and great hospitality, making it a perfect treat for all travellers out on a quest to explore and experience. Located close to the most famous attractions and dining spots of the island, Roza Palace provides all that one requires for a comfortable and relaxing stay; it makes your visit to Cat Ba Island as delightful as it is memorable. We look forward to welcoming you!
Learn everything you need to know to plan for your next vacation in Cat Ba
Roza Palace
255 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
E-mail: help@rozapalace.com
Phone: +84983961280