Little Faifo

Little Faifo takes its name from Faifo, the old name for Hoi An used by foreign traders, and it occupies a heritage house more than 200 years old at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, in the middle of the Ancient Town. It is run by Little Hoi An Group, the local company behind several boutique hotels in town, including Little Riverside and Allegro Hoi An.

The house has been divided into seven distinct spaces: the main dining room, a VIP room, a balcony, a bar, a gallery, a piano corner and a coffee area. Together they seat up to 132 guests, so the restaurant can handle families and groups while still feeling intimate in its smaller rooms. The balcony, with its lanterns and timber doors overlooking the street, is the most atmospheric place to sit.

The menu is long, with more than 100 dishes, and the kitchen describes its approach as treasured family recipes combined with local ingredients. Bestsellers include the Duo of Pork, Roasted Chicken Thighs, Duo of Calamari and the Hoi An Pancake. With so much choice, it is a good place for a group to order several dishes to share and try a range of central Vietnamese flavours.

Little Faifo is open every day from 11:00 to 22:00, with last orders at 21:30, so it works for both lunch and dinner. Tables can be reserved through the restaurant's website, which is sensible for the balcony or for larger groups, and the restaurant publishes a phone number and email address for enquiries.

The price level is above that of street food and simple local eateries, reflecting the heritage setting and table service. It suits couples, families and groups who want a comfortable sit-down meal in a historic building, and first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Vietnamese cooking.

The location is excellent for sightseeing. Nguyen Thai Hoc Street also has Tan Ky Old House, the Museum of Folk Culture at number 33 and Morning Glory at number 106, and the Japanese Covered Bridge is a short walk away, so lunch here fits easily into a day of heritage visits.