On Hang Buom Street in the Old Quarter's Hoan Kiem District in Hanoi, Vietnam's only Palestinian restaurant has opened. Its name is"Oliva."Serving authentic, halal-certified Palestinian home cooking, this restaurant adds a new page to Hanoi's diverse dining scene.
What is Oliva? Hanoi's only Palestinian restaurant
Oliva is a restaurant specializing in Palestinian cuisine in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter. It occupies the second and third floors of the building, and from the third-floor balcony you can take in the streetscape of the Old Quarter.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 7 Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi |
| Hours | 14:00〜23:00 |
| Halal certification | Yes (all menu items) |
| Budget guide | VND 150,000–500,000 per person (about 900–3,000 yen) |
| Payment methods | Cash, card, bank transfer |
Note that on the first floor of the same building, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., a separate Vietnamese restaurant serves Hanoi specialties like "bun thang" (mixed rice vermicelli) and "pho ga" (chicken pho), so you can enjoy a different atmosphere depending on the time of day.
The story of owner Saleem Hammad
Oliva is run bySaleem Hammad,who is from Palestine. He came to Hanoi in 2011 on a scholarship to Al-Istiqlal University, and after working as a host on Vietnamese TV programs, running social media, and serving at the Palestinian embassy, he settled down in Hanoi.
Saleem's motivation for opening the restaurant is more than just business. He has a strong desire "to let the people of Vietnam get to know Palestinian culture and cuisine." The interior is decorated with paintings expressing messages of support for Palestine, and three olive trees basking in the Hanoi sun evoke a nostalgia for a distant homeland.
What is maqluba? A thorough look at the signature dish drawing attention
Oliva's biggest highlight ismaqluba.Meaning "upside-down" in Arabic, this dish is a signature Palestinian tradition with more than 700 years of history. Rice, vegetables (such as eggplant and cauliflower), and chicken or lamb are layered into a pot and cooked, then flipped over at the table when served — a striking performance.
Some Vietnamese readers say it's "easy to relate to, with a texture close to com ga (chicken rice)," and it has a reputation as an easy dish even for those trying Palestinian cuisine for the first time.
Other main menu items
- Hummus: a classic appetizer of chickpea paste eaten with bread or pita
- Falafel: deep-fried chickpea croquettes, crisp outside and fluffy inside
- Palestinian salad: a healthy dish of fresh vegetables and lemon dressing
What is halal food? Reassuring for Muslim travelers too
Every item on Oliva's menu ishalal-certified.Halal, based on Islamic teachings, means "permitted," using no pork or pork-derived ingredients at all and clearing strict standards from sourcing through cooking.
In Hanoi, where the number of Muslim travelers is growing, halal-friendly restaurants are precious. It's a place you can recommend with confidence even to those bringing Muslim friends or family traveling to Vietnam from Japan. And even if you don't eat halal, Japanese tourists can fully enjoy it as healthy, simple Middle Eastern food.
A dining experience in Hanoi's Old Quarter: advice for Japanese travelers
TheHang Buom Streetwhere Oliva is located is in the heart of the Old Quarter, about a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. The surrounding area is lined with long-established Vietnamese restaurants and general goods shops, making it a perfect area for a food walk.
A recommended plan is to enjoy Vietnamese food (such as banh mi and pho) for lunch, then take on Palestinian cuisine at Oliva for dinner. Maqluba while gazing at the Old Quarter's night view from the balcony is sure to become a special memory you can only have in Hanoi.
Check out more of Hanoi's food and sightseeing information
- Hanoi International Travel Mart VITM 2026 opens April 9–12
- Ho Chi Minh City's "Cafe Apartment" and a new generation of cafés — spring 2026
- April 30 & May 1, 2026 "Southern Liberation Day" holidays—the last chance for Vietnam travel and hidden-gem spots
Summary: A new experience of Palestinian cuisine in Hanoi's Old Quarter
"Oliva," Vietnam's only Palestinian restaurant, is a special place that carries not just delicious food but also cross-cultural exchange and a wish for peace. Located in the tourist heart of Hang Buom Street, it's easy to drop into on a stroll through the Old Quarter. The bold serving performance of maqluba also makes for a photogenic travel memory.
On your next trip to Hanoi, be sure to try the option of Palestinian cuisine, something you rarely get to eat.
Source:Saigoneer – Vietnam’s Only Palestinian Eatery / Vietnam News – Oliva, Hanoi’s first Palestinian eatery
