They say a change is as good as a break, and Cafe Hanoi, having moved just around the corner to make way for newcomer Mr Morris, feels renewed by the process. Less warm and enclosed than its former brick-laden space, the new Cafe Hanoi (now in the space that used to house nightclub 1885) is even more bright and open, with natural light flowing in from a Britomart side street.
But it’s not just the premises that have had a subtle upgrade: the menu has been quietly updated a couple of times recently (some new dishes preceding the move). So while Cafe Hanoi still feels like a familiar favourite, dining there is, thankfully, a déjà-vu-free experience. Chef Nathan Houpapa’s take on contemporary Vietnamese food remains fresh, fragrant and full-flavoured, with generous fistfuls of herbs to accompany many of the dishes, most of which are designed to be shared.
With a menu of no fewer than nine short sections, there are many different meals to be had at Cafe Hanoi, from a selection of light, fresh bites to a feast of generous, spice-lacquered meats and everything in between. Either way, you won’t leave disappointed.