The New Hanoian

A nice place to stay, it's not a 5 star restaurant. And the food is sometimes so so. But the view is the best, my times in the Old Quarter were very nice. And Bia Minh was of course my place to be. I tried a few other places, but even another highly ranked places on the L.P. guide were not so good. And the people who work there at Bia Minh are very nice. So don't go expect anything high quality, just go there and breath in Hanoi Old Quarter style as in taste as in view.

Not sure if the main attraction is watching the world wander up and down Dinh Liet, or the food and beer.
The draft beer is cold and cheap Halida - though Hanoi Beer and Tiger are also on offer.
The menu items range from 30k to 90k-dong. The muc is at the higher end and the land grown protein is less. Portion sizes are small so get at least one menu item per person and a few for luck.
Took some local loved ones to experience this piece of Old Quarter tourism and they enjoyed it. The children seemed quite excited at sitting on the balcony watching the bustle below. And got a thumbs up on the food - I think it would be at home at, well, at home. Only negative comment was the small portions.
Have been eating here for a few years on and off and it has been consistent, reliable. The dishes contain more vege and onion than meat but have always been tasty.

This place gets a 4-star review in that is simply and reliably just plain, good food. Nothing fancy and nothing bad. No AC or fancy drinks. Good prices and food that comes out with little wait or hassle. Has been a favorite dining venue since my volunteer days in Hanoi. Nice balcony beckons to invite some friends to come along.

While not a standout for one reason or another, Bia Minh is reliable. The food isn't fantastic, but it's good and simple. They have a lot of different options for meat eaters and veggies alike, and the price point sure is right.

They have a good sized drink menu and a nice open air rooftop (subject to blaring horns from busy Dinh Liet below).

The staff is always busy, but also (usually) on the ball -- they always remember us and what we usually order... and we go there about once every six months.

It's a good spot to stop for a quick eat if you're in the Old Quarter, especially if the sun is out.

I fail to see the appeal, this filthy hole would have been shut down for poor hygiene standards in any other city.

Cheap? Sure, cheerful? No.