There are really so many good places for you to try Hue style foods in the city, but I found Paradise Garden Restaurant to be my favorite. The best time to go there is in the late afternoon, and enjoy the sun as it slowly sets behind the Perfume River. Located on the river edge promenade street near the Trang Tien bridge (which changes colors at night time), the restaurant has both a covered area with one side open and two sides glass, and a courtyard dining area. In the covered area, above you is a lattés work with vines and an all around very nice and enjoyable dining area. It is an ideal place to escape the late afternoon heat or thunderstorm and to then sit and enjoy the incredible sunset. It is one place that not just the excellent food makes for a memorable visit.
Paradise Garden offers a full fantastic menu for allowing one to try out different Hue style foods, and at an affordable price. They have Vietnamese, Chinese, and Indian dishes in addition to the local specialties – but it is those local specialties that make the reason for a lunch, snack, or dinner at Paradise garden.
The Hue Style spring rolls that are served here are as close to perfection as you will find, and that is why they rank as the best I have had anywhere. Just make sure you ask early for extra dipping sauce – because with that much food – you will run out halfway through! Try any of the chicken dishes, and you will find them just as good, with the flavors of the local produce blending in perfectly in such items as chicken with lime leaves. If they have a special for the day, this is a place that it is worth asking on – and trying it. If you have not tried banh khoi, the thin crispy pancake filled with ground meat and crispy vegetables – this is the place to sample it in Hue.
The restaurant staff are well trained and extremely courteous, and can assist you with your ordering. We were taken good care of both times, and so were the other tables around us, and this was despite two larger groups being there. This is a place where its not hard to part with a tip for great service!
After your meal, sit a while and enjoy some of their traditional desserts and a cold beer. You will definitely find you can do no wrong with any of the desserts here!