Hue Travel Guide: Top 10 Must-Visit Seafood Restaurants in Hue

Finding truly good seafood restaurants in Hue is a pleasant surprise for many travelers. While Hue is globally known for imperial cuisine and refined royal dishes, its seafood scene—especially river fish, lagoon crab, and coastal specialties—is often overlooked. This guide highlights the top 10 must-visit seafood restaurants in Hue, consistently recommended by locals, expats, and travelers on social media and food forums. You’ll find real prices, signature dishes, honest notes, and practical tips to enjoy the best seafood in Hue without tourist traps.

Key Takeaways

• Hue’s seafood scene blends lagoon, river, and coastal influences rather than heavy ocean-focused menus.
• The best seafood restaurants in Hue prioritize freshness and balance, not oversized portions.
• Prices range widely—from casual local eateries to refined hotel restaurants.
• Many top spots are concentrated along the Perfume River and near Thuan An Lagoon.
• Combining seafood dining with cultural tours enhances the overall Hue travel experience.

Quick Comparison: Top Seafood Restaurants in Hue

These venues are frequently cited in threads discussing best seafood in Hue for reliability and freshness.

Top 10 Must-Visit Seafood Restaurants in Hue

1. Quan Hue Xua – Traditional Seafood with Local Soul

Location: Central Hue
Price range: 180,000–250,000 VND per person

Quan Hue Xua is not about dramatic seafood displays. Its strength lies in river and lagoon ingredients cooked the Hue way—light seasoning, herbal balance, and subtle sweetness. This is one of the few places where seafood still feels deeply connected to imperial-era home cooking, much like the authentic flavors found in buffets in Hue.

What makes it unique:

• Focus on river and lagoon seafood, not imported ocean varieties
• Cooking techniques inspired by royal kitchens (steaming, gentle grilling, herbal infusion)

Must-order dishes:

• Steamed river fish with ginger and banana blossom
• Grilled clams with lemongrass and basil
• Hue-style sour soup (thanh nhẹ, không gắt)

Best for: First-time visitors who want authentic seafood in Hue without tourist distortion.

2. Thuan An Seafood Restaurants – Lagoon-to-Table Freshness

Location: Thuan An Beach (20 minutes from Hue)
Price range: 250,000–400,000 VND

Thuan An is where Hue locals eat seafood, not just tourists. Restaurants here source directly from lagoon fishermen, meaning menus change daily depending on the catch.

What makes it stand out:

• Blue swimmer crabs caught the same morning
• Lagoon shrimp that are sweeter and firmer than ocean shrimp
• Simple preparations: steaming, charcoal grilling, salt roasting

Local tip:
Ask what arrived today, not what’s on the menu.

👉 Many travelers combine Thuan An seafood with coastal stops through Sun Getaways Travel’s Central Vietnam Discovery routes, creating a natural food-and-scenery flow. Highlights tours often include Thuan An or Lang Co as scenic add-ons.

3. Hoa Nghiem Seafood – Casual and Affordable

Location: Southern Hue
Price range: 200,000–300,000 VND

Hoa Nghiêm is not famous on Google—but it is quietly respected by locals and long-stay expats. This is where you eat seafood the way Hue residents do: casual, affordable, and unfussy. For those seeking different local flavors, Hue also offers excellent vegetarian restaurants in Hue.

What makes it unique:

• Large portions at local prices
• Open kitchen, fast turnover = fresh ingredients

Must-order dishes:

• Salt-roasted shrimp (rang muối)
• Grilled oysters with scallion oil

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers who still want quality.

4. Ancient Hue Restaurant – Imperial Cuisine Meets Seafood

Location: Hue city center
Price range: 350,000–500,000 VND

This is one of the few places where seafood is reinterpreted through Hue’s royal culinary heritage, not just served plainly. It’s a perfect stop for those exploring Vietnam cultural tours.

What makes it unique:

• Seafood incorporated into imperial-style dishes
• Elegant presentation, small refined portions

Must-order dishes:

• Lotus-leaf–steamed fish
• Royal-style shrimp dishes inspired by Nguyen Dynasty banquets

Perfect for travelers interested in food + history, not just eating.

5. Le Parfum – Azerai La Residence

Location: Riverside Hue
Price range: 600,000–900,000 VND

Le Parfum showcases how French techniques influenced Hue’s elite dining culture. Seafood here is treated with precision, balance, and restraint. It is often cited as a top choice for honeymoon and couple getaways.

Must-order dishes:

• Pan-seared local fish with beurre blanc
• Seafood tasting plates

Best suited for romantic dinners or milestone evenings.

6. Junrei Restaurant – Modern Asian Seafood

Location: City center
Price range: 500,000–700,000 VND

Junrei blends Japanese cooking techniques with Central Vietnamese ingredients—rare in Hue.

What makes it unique:

• Ideal for travelers who want something modern without losing locality
• Clean flavors, light sauces

7. Hang Me Seafood – Authentic Local Experience

Location: Hue outskirts
Price range: 220,000–350,000 VND

Recommended on social media for its raw authenticity—plastic stools, handwritten menus, exceptional freshness.

Best for: Adventurous eaters who value flavor over comfort.

8. Nha Hang Bien Thuan – Seaside Dining

Location: Thuan An Beach
Price range: 300,000–450,000 VND

Seafood tastes better with salt air and sunset views. This restaurant combines both. If you enjoy this coastal vibe, you might also want to check out seafood restaurants in Da Nang on your way south.

Best dishes:

• Sweet-and-sour clams
• Grilled fish wrapped in rice paper

9. Banyan Tree Lang Co – Saffron Restaurant

Location: Lang Co (45 minutes from Hue)
Price range: 900,000–1,200,000 VND

This is not just dinner—it’s a destination. Premium seafood, panoramic lagoon views, and polished service, making it one of the premier luxury beach resorts Vietnam dining experiences.

10. Alba Restaurant – Balanced and Family-Friendly

Location: Near Perfume River
Price range: 300,000–450,000 VND

Offers seafood alongside Vietnamese and Western options—ideal when dining with people who have different preferences. It is one of the best Vietnam destinations for family holiday dining.

How Much Should You Budget for Seafood in Hue?

For a broader view of expenses, see our guide on how much does food cost in Vietnam.

What to Eat First in Seafood Restaurants in Hue

Hue seafood is subtle. Ordering smart ensures you don’t overwhelm your palate too early.

Start with steamed or boiled dishes

• Steamed crab
• Boiled shrimp
  These reveal true freshness.

Move to grilled items
Charcoal-grilled fish or squid introduces smokiness without heaviness.

Soups before fried dishes
Hue-style sour soups refresh the palate and aid digestion.

Fried or sauce-heavy dishes last
They are satisfying but filling—best saved for the end.

🍽 Local rule: If a restaurant offers fewer sauces, it usually means higher confidence in ingredient quality.

What to Do After a Seafood Meal in Hue

1. Perfume River Night Walk – Best After Dinner

A gentle walk along the river helps digestion while showcasing Hue’s calm nightlife. Locals do this nightly—it’s not a tourist gimmick. If you want to see how the rest of the country winds down after dark, you might enjoy our Experience Hanoi City After Dark tour to compare the vibrant energy of the capital with Hue’s poetic stillness.

2. Imperial City Evening Exploration

Late afternoon or early evening visits are cooler and less crowded—ideal after a seafood lunch. Exploring the history of the Nguyen Dynasty provides a perfect intellectual balance to your culinary journey.

• 👉 Our Hue City tours are paced deliberately, making them ideal after food-heavy meals. For travelers wanting to see the highlights of the region, our 2-Day Central Vietnam Highlights Tour or the Danang and Hoi An Discovery in 4 Days offer a balanced pace that respects your need to relax and digest.

3. Countryside or Lagoon Excursions (Next Day Reset)

If seafood was a highlight meal, balance it the next day with nature. Fresh air and light activity are the best ways to “reset” your palate. We recommend exploring:

• Lagoon Villages & Coastal Routes: Immerse yourself in the local lifestyle with a Hoi An Sunrise Fish Market Tour to see where the fresh catch actually comes from.
• Rural Craft Hamlets: Get hands-on with the culture. If you enjoyed the craftsmanship of Central Vietnam, you would love our Handicraft Villages in Hanoi tour or the Bat Trang Ceramic & Lacquer Painting Experience.
• A “Grand Reset”: For those looking to see the bigger picture of the coastline, our 12-Day Vietnam Beach Holiday or the 4-Day Central Vietnam Discover and Experience provide the ultimate transition from city dining to coastal relaxation.

Expert Insight from Emma (12 Years in Vietnam Travel Planning)

“Hue seafood reflects the city’s elegance—light seasoning, fresh ingredients, and balance. Choosing the right restaurant can elevate your entire Hue itinerary.”
— Emma, Senior Travel Consultant, Sun Getaways Travel

FAQs: Seafood Restaurants in Hue

1. Is seafood in Hue expensive?
Generally affordable, except luxury resorts.

2. Where is the freshest seafood near Hue?
Thuan An Lagoon and Lang Co.

3. Are seafood restaurants in Hue touristy?
Most remain local-focused.

4. Do restaurants speak English?
Hotel and upscale venues do.

5. Can seafood dining be combined with tours?
Yes, especially coastal and Central Vietnam tours.

If you’d like your seafood experiences seamlessly integrated into your itinerary, Contact us at Sun Getaways Travel or request a Customized Private Tour—we’ll design your Hue journey around food, culture, and comfort.