Habibi — Restaurant in Hà Nội

We stumbled onto Habibi quite by accident in November 2023. I should have reviewed them long before now. They have become our go to location for Middle Eastern food. In fact, they are our go to place anytime we do not want to eat local Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant is co-located in the Factory 47 on Hang Buom Street. There is no Habibi sign out front, so it would be quite easy to overlook them and pass by the restaurant without stopping, but don’t!! They are a culinary experience you do NOT want to miss! The owners, Richy and Sultan (Soul), both from Lebanon, are dedicated, hardworking young men, who are also so warm, welcoming, cordial and engaging that you will feel as if you’ve been invited into their home for dinner. The service is great and fast, although this is definitely NOT a fast food restaurant. The food at this all halal restaurant is lovingly homemade from scratch with ingredients fresh from the local markets. Over the past four months, we have eaten almost everything on the quite varied menu. The price points are so reasonable and the portions sizable. It would be next to impossible to pick a favorite dish. In all the time we have dined here, we have never had a mediocre, let alone bad meal. This is some of the best middle eastern food we have ever eaten anywhere!! The garlic sauce and hummus are so good, you will want to eat them with a big spoon. The kofta, chicken and beef shawarma, shish tawouk and even the burgers are so exceptionally well seasoned. There are also many vegetarian options, such as foul, tabbouleh, and falafel. The salads are so fresh, the portions so large and permeated with the taste of sumac and pomegranate molasses which are palate pleasers and incredible flavor enhancers. My only suggestion would be the addition of some traditional desserts on the menu….hint, hint….knafeh please, boys!!!☺️

The restaurant has inside and outside seating and the ambiance made better by the incredible music being played as you dine. They are open now for lunch and dinner (you can grab or takeaway as well). We are now anxiously awaiting Lebanese breakfast options, so we can’t wait for them to grow and add a breakfast service too.

In a city where finding a clean, well stocked toilet can be extremely difficult, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Habibi has this on lock too. I’d wager they have some of the cleanest, nicest toilet facilities in all of the Old Quarter.

Habibi is the closest to “real deal” Lebanese food you will find anywhere, without actually traveling to Lebanon yourself. ...

Restaurant Review: Habibi – A Hidden Gem of Lebanese Warmth & Flavor in Hanoi

If you’re craving authentic Lebanese food with a side of heartfelt hospitality, Habibi should be at the very top of your list. Tucked away in a cozy corner of the city, this charming little spot is a true gem for anyone seeking rich Middle Eastern flavors in a warm, welcoming setting.

From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted with smiles and genuine warmth. The hosts made us feel right at home – like guests in their own kitchen rather than customers at a restaurant. The ambiance is cute, cozy, and intimate, perfect for a casual lunch, date night, or even a solo comfort meal.

We ordered a beautiful spread that included: • Beiruti Hummus – Smooth, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. The extra touch of parsley, tomato, and garlic elevated the traditional dip. • Falafel Plate – Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – just the way falafel should be. Served with a tasty tahini sauce that brought it all together. • Chicken Shawarma Plate – Juicy, tender chicken with just the right amount of spice, served with fragrant rice and grilled veggies. Extremely satisfying. • Tabbouleh – Fresh, zingy, and bursting with lemony flavor. The perfect palate cleanser in between bites. • Baba Ganoush – Smoky, creamy, and rich in depth. A must-try for any eggplant lover.

Every dish was made with clear attention to detail and authenticity. Portions were generous without being overwhelming, and everything tasted fresh and homemade.

Overall Experience: Habibi is not just a restaurant – it’s a feel-good experience. From the flavorful dishes to the incredibly kind and attentive hosts, every element hits the mark. Whether you’re new to Lebanese cuisine or a long-time fan, this place will leave you full and happy.

Highly recommend to anyone craving authentic Lebanese food in Hanoi. We’ll definitely be...

Owner is really friendly, and loads of food so portion size is great. We (2 people) had the chicken shawarma platter and a beef 'pizza' (Mankoushe lahmaajin?). The beef dish was a nice snack and the chicken was tasty but our platter didn't come with any salad and we couldn't finish the whole platter as there was so much rice. Think the owner gave us a little extra chicken and rice on the platter, which was nice of him. Cost us 290k all in, including 2 beers.

To be totally honest I was a little disappointed about the food in comparison to other Lebanese food experiences I've had in the past. The menu seems pretty small at the moment; no hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, etc. They also have a range of sandwiches available such as crab, tuna, fajitas and Philly cheesesteak and they operate in tandem with a Vietnamese vendor also. I have seen many say it is the best Lebanese food in Hanoi but I am not convinced at all, based on my dining experience and the menu items. I feel the restaurant may be targeting the Vietnamese market.

They have only been operating for 10 days so they may be going through teething problems and they may improve - which I hope they do as they were very nice!

Would recommend trying the shawarma for sure and I may go back to try the shawarma wrap in future at some point.

Good luck to...