Cugini - italian restaurant — Restaurant in Hà Nội

A Great First Experience with Italian Food

We went to this Cugini for our Valentine's Day date and we had a great experience overall. It was my first time trying Italian food, everything was tasty and the service was excellent.

The restaurant has a warm and romantic atmosphere, with dim lighting and soft music. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and the tables are spaced well apart so you can have a private conversation, family and friends.

Appetizers:

Mushroom pate: The mushroom pate sauce was fragrant and creamy. The feeling of the mushroom flavor spreading in my mouth when eaten with bread was a memorable experience. 9.5/10 Smoked salmon salad: The smoked salmon flavor was harmonious with the salad and dressing, and cheese. I give this salad a 9/10.

Main courses:

Pizza with truffle sauce: The pizza tasted good. I liked the smell of the truffle sauce combined with the mozzarella. 9/10 Lobster spaghetti: The smell was good. The lobster and sauce tasted good, but were a little salty. The spaghetti was a bit hard. 8.5/10

We were too full for dessert, but we will definitely be back to try it next time.

Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great Italian meal in a romantic setting.

The prices are reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. The service was excellent. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.

I...

This is now my favourite place to get Italian food in Hanoi! I’ve tried a few other recommended places, but Cugini stands out as the best.

Quick Summary: delicious authentic Italian food, cosy atmosphere, lovely staff that are mindful of additional dietary requirements.

Food: Very authentic. Delicate flavor balances paired with high quality ingredients. Just as Italian food should be!! Everything is carefully detailed and cooked to perfection. Loved the anchovy starter, pizza and pasta dishes are also super yummy. (They also have orecchiette, my favourite pasta shape!) (If you’ve been to other Italian restaurants in Hanoi, you’ll know that they often overcook the pasta, or oversaturate the flavors by using mounds of cheese, cheap oil, tomato paste etc. stick with Cugini’s and you won’t be disappointed)

Service: The staff here are AMAZING. I have been twice, and each time the servers have been SO helpful. If you have a special dietary requirement, they will go above and beyond to cater to your needs. I really appreciate that they were willing to change up the recipes to accomodate us.

Atmosphere: Cozy, warm, romantic. Lovely upstairs balcony space. Lots of cute little details such as the crockery and intimate lighting.

Grazie...

Ladies and gentlemen, if you're in search of genuine Italian food, your search ends here. Chef Nico’s offerings... will provide you with a menu reminiscent of Italy. I've been lucky enough to sample Italian cuisine globally, particularly in Italy, but I never imagined I would say this: perhaps the nearest place to enjoy authentic Italian fare outside of Italy is this restaurant. Among the five of us, we ordered 14 dishes to share, added a few bottles of champagne and wine, and WOOOHLAAA! It was an amazing evening, and I'm still amazed by the culinary talent and presentation. The value you receive relative to the price is a heartfelt tribute to those who have a passion for dining and a “Live to Eat” mentality.

Enjoy the photos, but I must warn you... Save room for dessert. The Tiramisu is perhaps the best I've ever tasted in my entire life. But start the night with oysters.... Oh sweet...