1. Viet Deli - Tasty Northwest Cuisine
Viet Deli – Tasty Northwest Cuisine is renowned for its fresh chicken, fish, and special ethnic dishes such as: Thang Co (horse meat hotpot) – a specialty of Northwest Vietnam; Dong Tao chicken – a delicacy from Khoai Chau, Hung Yen; and Rươi 10 ways – a specialty from Tu Ky, Hai Duong. The dishes are prepared with clean ingredients, modified to suit general tastes, making them favorites among diners.
The atmosphere at Viet Deli – Tasty Northwest Cuisine is cozy and homely, offering ample parking space. The staff is attentive and friendly. One standout dish is Thang Co, which differs from other hotpots by featuring horse organs like heart, liver, lungs, intestines, and stomach, all cleaned and marinated, with diners simply waiting for the broth to boil before adding vegetables and enjoying this unique dish. Reviews for the restaurant include: 'Delicious food, reasonable prices, many unusual dishes, and tasty plum and lemon liquor.'
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 06 Thu Dau Mot, Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Phone: 0862 109 168 & 0963 074 713
Email: [email protected]
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/vietdelisapa


2. Hotpot Center
Hotpot Center specializes in hotpot dishes, with the highlight being the salmon hotpot. Located in the heart of Sapa Town, it is a popular stop for many tourists who come to taste the delicious dishes offered here. Hotpot Center is highly praised by customers for its food quality and excellent service. The salmon hotpot is especially tempting, with a flavorful, rich broth and fresh, clean salmon that has a distinct color and taste.
In addition to salmon hotpot, Hotpot Center offers a wide variety of other tasty dishes, including spicy dry chicken hotpot, sturgeon hotpot, and beef hotpot. If you ever visit Sapa, don’t miss the chance to try out this restaurant’s wide-ranging menu. You can also choose dessert combos to complete your meal and enjoy a full, satisfying dining experience.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 071 Xuan Vien, Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Phone: 0844 552 552 & 0899 999 300
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://hotpotsapa.com/
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/hotpotcenter/


3. A Phu Restaurant
Inspired by the H'mong ethnic culture, A Phu Restaurant Sapa is the only place in Sapa that authentically showcases the culinary essence of the Northwest. The dishes here, celebrated for their unique ethnic flavors, offer a fresh experience for diners. Notably, the salmon hotpot at A Phu is a standout, with aromatic broth and fresh, firm salmon harmoniously blended with mountain spices, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.
The restaurant's atmosphere is cozy, decorated in traditional Northwest style, perfect for a visit during the cold winter months. The menu is extensive, with ingredients carefully selected to ensure food safety, so guests can dine with peace of mind. Famous Sapa specialties like grilled hill chicken, pork with wild herbs, horse meat stew, and salmon hotpot are all available. Dining at A Phu feels like entering the heart of Northwest cuisine, offering bold and delightful flavors. The attentive service will also leave every customer satisfied.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 15 Fansipan, Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Phone: 0868 159 900
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://nhahangaphu.com/
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/aphusapa/


4. Song Nhi Sapa Salmon Restaurant
Song Nhi Sapa Salmon Restaurant is highly rated by tourists visiting Lao Cai. Located at the foot of the Silver Waterfall tourist area, the restaurant offers a perfect setting to enjoy the cool summer air of Sapa. It specializes in serving fresh salmon and sturgeon caught and prepared on-site. The salmon is always fresh, with firm, elastic flesh. The skilled chefs create delicious dishes at affordable prices.
The restaurant can accommodate up to 500 guests, offering both indoor and outdoor seating options. With a spacious and comfortable setting, guests enjoy top-notch service from friendly staff. In addition to fresh salmon, the restaurant also offers dried buffalo meat, sausages, and a variety of local souvenirs available for purchase.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Silver Waterfall Tourist Area, Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Phone: 0976 373 366
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://songnhisapa.com/
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/nhahangsongnhisapa


5. Hoa Ban Restaurant - Specialty of Free-Range Pork
Free-range pork is a distinct specialty of the northern highlands' indigenous people. These pigs are raised naturally, roaming freely and foraging for their own food like insects, plants, and grass along rivers and streams. Their active lifestyle results in lean, flavorful meat. In the evening, villagers summon the pigs back home with familiar sounds of pots and pans and feed them bananas and rice bran to supplement their diet. This traditional, natural method of raising pigs ensures high-quality, safe meat. The local breed of pigs is known for its exceptional taste, superior to commercially-raised pigs from the lowlands.
If you’re traveling through Lao Cai city, make sure to stop by Hoa Ban Restaurant to try their delicious free-range pork dishes. The restaurant offers seven mouth-watering options, such as steamed pork with sticky rice and a unique sauce, stir-fried pork with lemongrass and chili, a savory bone soup with potatoes, and crispy, chewy pig intestines. All dishes highlight the natural flavors of the clean, free-range pork. Hoa Ban Restaurant guarantees fresh, safe ingredients to ensure customer health. Thanks to the positive support from patrons, the restaurant is growing steadily.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 022 An Duong Vuong, Lao Cai City, Lao Cai
Phone: 0984 118 899
Email: [email protected]
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100034332196564


6. What Local Dishes Should You Try in Lao Cai?
Lao Cai, a northern mountainous province of Vietnam, is known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich culinary culture. Here are some must-try specialties when you visit Lao Cai:
- 1. Thang Co
- This traditional dish from the H'Mong people includes beef (or pork) mixed with organs such as heart, liver, and stomach, cooked with unique spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
- It has a distinctive, spicy, and robust flavor. It’s often served with bread, rice, and fresh vegetables.
- 2. Five-Color Sticky Rice
- This traditional dish of the Mông people consists of sticky rice in various colors such as red, green, yellow, white, and purple, dyed using natural ingredients like pandan leaves, beetroot, and black beans.
- Typically enjoyed during festivals, particularly during the Tết holidays and H'Mong celebrations.
- 3. Lam Rice
- This rice is cooked inside a bamboo tube. The sticky rice is tightly packed and cooked with water, absorbing the unique flavor of bamboo. The rice is chewy, fragrant, and distinctively flavored.
- It’s often served with grilled meats or other traditional dishes.
- 4. Shoulder-Carried Pig
- A special breed of pig from the H'Mong people, these pigs are small, with sweet and firm meat. The meat is often grilled, boiled, or stir-fried.
- Shoulder-carried pig is usually served with fresh vegetables and a tangy dipping sauce.
- 5. Dried Bamboo Shoot
- This dish uses dried bamboo shoots, which are soaked and cooked in various dishes like stir-fries or soups. The dried shoots offer a savory and rich flavor, popular in the mountain people’s meals.
- Commonly served as a side dish or in soups with meats and vegetables.
- 6. Luong Son Wine
- This rice wine is a specialty of the Dao people, made from glutinous rice and has a unique taste, often brewed during festivals or family gatherings.
- Luong Son wine is commonly enjoyed at parties or given as a gift.
- 7. Pork Intestine Porridge
- This porridge, common in Lao Cai, is made with various pork organs like intestines, liver, and heart, combined with spices and shallots to create a fragrant and nourishing dish.
- Usually served with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce.
- 8. Rolled Cake
- Lao Cai’s rolled cakes are made with soft rice wrappers filled with meat and mushrooms, typically served with fish sauce and fried shallots.
- This dish is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
Note:
- When visiting Lao Cai, apart from enjoying the local specialties, you can also explore dishes from various ethnic groups such as the H'Mong, Dao, and Tày.
- Don't miss out on street food and local delicacies at traditional markets and food courts in Lao Cai!
Enjoy your trip and savor the delicious flavors of Lao Cai!
7. How Much Does Eating Out Cost in Lao Cai?
The cost of dining in Lao Cai can vary greatly depending on the type of restaurant and dishes you choose. Below are estimated costs for different types of dining establishments in Lao Cai:
- 1. Budget Restaurants
- Meal for 1 person: Around 30,000 - 70,000 VND.
Meal for 2 people: Around 60,000 - 140,000 VND.
2. Mid-Range Restaurants - Meal for 1 person: Around 70,000 - 150,000 VND.
Meal for 2 people: Around 140,000 - 300,000 VND.
3. Fine Dining - Meal for 1 person: Around 150,000 - 300,000 VND.
Meal for 2 people: Around 300,000 - 600,000 VND or more, depending on the luxury of the restaurant and the dishes you choose.
Estimated Costs for Specific Dishes:
- Thang Co: Around 50,000 - 100,000 VND per serving, typically shared among a group.
- Five-Color Sticky Rice: Around 20,000 - 40,000 VND per serving.
- Lam Rice: Around 30,000 - 50,000 VND per serving.
- Shoulder-Carried Pig: Around 150,000 - 300,000 VND per serving, depending on the preparation (grilled, stir-fried, or boiled).
- Dried Bamboo Shoot: Around 50,000 - 100,000 VND per serving, commonly used in stir-fries or soups.
- Luong Son Wine: Around 50,000 - 100,000 VND per bottle, depending on the type and volume.
- Pork Intestine Porridge: Around 30,000 - 60,000 VND per serving.
- Rolled Cake: Around 20,000 - 50,000 VND per serving.
Street Food and Snacks: Prices can be much lower, ranging from 10,000 - 30,000 VND for light snacks or beverages. Specialty Dishes: Dishes like Thang Co or Shoulder-Carried Pig can cost more depending on the ingredients and preparation.
Lao Cai offers a wide range of dining options, from budget to upscale, making it easy to find a dish that fits your budget and tastes. Enjoy your meals and have a memorable experience in Lao Cai!
8. Ô Quý Hồ Restaurant
Ô Quý Hồ Restaurant is conveniently located on Thach Son Street, the main road leading to local ethnic villages. It offers one of the best views of the majestic Fansipan Mountain and the Violet Valley, and is not far from the town center. From here, visitors can easily experience the lively beauty of Sapa from all angles. The restaurant, located on the first floor opposite Violet Valley, has a seating capacity of up to 120 guests. The hotel’s professional chefs serve a variety of Asian, European, and Vietnamese dishes, all carefully selected from local villages in the region, ensuring freshness, nutrition, and flavor.
While dining, guests can enjoy renowned Sapa specialties such as: sour and spicy sturgeon hotpot, Sapa chicken and mushroom hotpot, mixed hotpot, honey-roasted chicken, all while admiring the breathtaking view of Fansipan Mountain and Violet Valley. The restaurant is easily accessible, making it an ideal spot to relax and enjoy a delicious meal after a long journey by bus or train. With attentive service, you're sure to have a satisfying dining experience here.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 8 Thach Son, Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Phone: 021 4386 6866 & 0888 029 119
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://oquyhorestaurant.com/
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/oquyhosapa/
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 22:00


9. King Salmon Restaurant in Sapa
How many different salmon dishes have you tried beyond the usual salmon salad and hotpot, which may have become a bit monotonous? Come to King Salmon Restaurant in Sapa to experience unique and innovative dishes made from salmon, available only here at King Salmon. If you're looking for a spacious, airy, and clean dining environment, King Salmon is the perfect place to meet all your needs. The restaurant ensures that the food is not only hygienic and safe but also the freshest and most delicious.
At King Salmon, in addition to salmon, you can also enjoy other specialties from the Northwest region, including sturgeon, wild duck, mountain pigs, and free-range chickens. The prices are very reasonable, and the staff will be happy to offer guidance and recommendations when you order. So, don’t forget to stop by King Salmon Restaurant to savor dishes that embody the essence of Sapa with the restaurant's own unique style.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 15A Le Van Tam, Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Phone: 0898 989 329
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/CaHoiVuaSaPa/
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 23:00


10. Hai Lam Restaurant in Sapa
Hai Lam Restaurant in Sapa is located on Luong Dinh Cua Street, specializing in dishes made from white horses and hotpots. The menu here is deeply rooted in the ethnic flavors of the Northwest region, with dishes prepared using white horse meat, along with Sapa’s local specialties such as Sapa wine, white horse liquor, and white horse sausage. These unique recipes are specially crafted by the restaurant, delivering flavors that you can only find at Hai Lam Restaurant.
The restaurant’s spacious interior reflects the mountainous atmosphere, showcasing meticulous attention to design. With a large floor area, the space blends traditional artistic styles with modern elements, featuring high-end furnishings and a variety of rooms to cater to different customer needs, such as quick meals, family dining, business meetings, parties, and weddings. The menu consists of popular local delicacies that are highly appreciated by both locals and tourists. At Hai Lam Restaurant in Sapa, diners will experience dishes that are both familiar and unique, skillfully prepared by passionate chefs.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 69 Xuan Vien, Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Phone: 0964 967 802
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.nhahangsapa.vn/
Fanpage: www.facebook.com/nhahanghailamsapa/


