Nhà Hàng Phố Xưa (Tràng An, Ninh Bình, Vietnam)
Traditional Vietnamese restaurant near Tràng An serving Ninh Bình’s famous goat dishes, tofu, stir fries and pho in a scenic setting. Just a few steps from the Tràng An boat tour entrance, we found the perfect place to enjoy one of Ninh Bình’s most famous local specialties. Great views, generous portions, and authentic flavours made this a memorable stop before heading out onto the river. If you’re visiting Tràng An, don’t skip this one.
#NHÀHÀNGPHỐXƯA #NinhBinh #TrangAn #VietnamFood #GoatMeat
Before starting our Tràng An Boat Tour Route 2, we wanted a proper lunch rather than grabbing something quick. Fortunately, just outside the entrance sits Nhà Hàng Phố Xưa (Ẩm thực Tràng An), a spacious local restaurant that specialises in one of Ninh Bình’s most famous delicacies, mountain goat. With plenty of time before our scheduled boat ride, it felt like the perfect opportunity to experience one of the region’s signature dishes while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Traditional Architecture in a Beautiful Setting
The restaurant immediately impressed us with its setting. The entrance opens into a beautifully landscaped property with a tranquil lake surrounded by towering limestone karsts, instantly reminding us why Tràng An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inside, the restaurant was equally impressive. Traditional Vietnamese architecture, exposed timber beams, colourful lanterns hanging from the high ceiling and rows of Vietnamese flags gave the dining hall plenty of character. Despite its size, it never felt overwhelming. It was bright, airy, and comfortable, making it an excellent place to escape the midday heat before spending the next few hours on the water.
Sampling Ninh Bình’s Famous Goat
One thing that stood out was the extensive menu. While the restaurant serves familiar Vietnamese favourites such as pho, fried rice, noodles and stir fries, the real attraction is its selection of goat dishes. Ninh Bình has long been famous throughout Vietnam for mountain goat, thanks to the limestone mountains surrounding the province where goats roam naturally. The animals develop lean, firm meat with a distinctive flavour that locals proudly showcase in many different preparations.
Since this was our first proper opportunity to try the region’s famous goat, ordering one of the signature dishes was an easy decision.
What We Ordered
Alongside the Stir Fried Goat, we also ordered Tomato Tofu and Stir Fried Pork with Vegetables to round out the meal.
The Stir Fried Goat arrived sizzling on a traditional hot plate. Large chunks of tender goat were cooked with whole garlic cloves, fragrant herbs, and sesame seeds, resting on a bed of fresh leaves. The meat had a pleasant chew without being tough, while the garlic mellowed beautifully as it cooked, adding sweetness rather than sharpness.
The Tomato Tofu provided a welcome contrast. Soft fried tofu soaked up a light tomato-based sauce filled with fresh tomatoes and spring onions. The sauce was bright, slightly tangy and comforting, making it one of those deceptively simple dishes that quickly disappeared from the table.
The Stir Fried Pork with Vegetables showcased everyday Vietnamese home cooking at its best. Thin slices of pork were stir fried with cabbage, carrots, and leafy greens until everything remained crisp yet tender. Together with steamed rice, it balanced the richer flavours of the goat perfectly.
Drinks Before the Boat Tour
To cool down from the scorching Ninh Bình afternoon, we ordered a fresh mango smoothie alongside a cold Pepsi. After walking around under the intense summer sun, the icy smoothie was exactly what we needed before boarding the boat.
Why We Enjoyed It
What I appreciated most about this restaurant was that it never felt like a tourist trap despite its prime location beside one of Vietnam’s busiest attractions. Prices were reasonable considering the generous portions and convenient location. The menu caters to both adventurous diners wanting to sample regional specialties and visitors simply looking for familiar Vietnamese comfort food before or after exploring Tràng An.
The service was friendly and efficient. Staff were accustomed to travellers coming and going before boat departures, so food arrived promptly without making us feel rushed. We had enough time to enjoy our meal, admire the scenery, and relax before making the short walk to the Tràng An ticket entrance.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, this lunch became more than just another meal during our Vietnam trip. It introduced us to one of Ninh Bình’s culinary icons while giving us a chance to recharge before one of the highlights of our holiday. Sitting beside the peaceful lake with towering limestone cliffs in the background created exactly the kind of atmosphere you hope for when travelling through northern Vietnam.
If you’re planning to visit Tràng An, I would recommend arriving a little earlier than your boat departure. Spend an hour enjoying lunch at Nhà Hàng Phố Xưa sample the famous Ninh Bình goat and take in the beautiful surroundings before setting off on the river. It is an easy, convenient stop that combines local cuisine with a setting worthy of the remarkable landscape that surrounds it.
Nhà Hàng Phố Xưa (Ẩm thực Tràng An)
Address: Near Tràng An Boat Tour Entrance, Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Vietnam
Phone: +84 976 500 025
