Neede a gluten-free/friendly place to meet a friend, and Hai Hai was suggested closeby to where we were heading. This place was excellent! First and foremost, they do have a parking lot on the back of the restaurant, which is very convenient. Walking in, got hit with the scent of evrything cooking and smelled amazing. Made me hungry just standing there. The space itself is kind of a fun island decor. I had the cauliflower, which was delicious. Had a lovely heat and the coconut sauce balanced it great. Drinks were also good and got some tiramisu to take home for later. My friend also was very happy that most items were gluten-free and the things that weren't were kept separate, so she didn't have to worry about an allergy breakout. Can't wait to return and try some other items! read more

HAI HAI - Mr. Chuoi cocktail - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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This place was so good. The space is nice. It has a lot of plans and he feels tropical. There is also a nice looking patio, but we didn't see it outside. The food was great, so full of flavor. We shared an appetizer, a salad and an entry and we had a couple of drinks each which were also very nice and refreshing. I cannot remember what we had and tried to look at the menu but seems like it changes quite a bit. Our server was great and kept our water refilled. But it seemed like empty cocktail glasses sat on the table for a while, and even when our server came by a couple of times, they didn't clear them. Not sure if that's just how they do things, but it was the only small issue. read more

This a small, cozy and intimate restaurant. The service was attentive and speedy and people came around often to pick up plates. We tried different dishes and enjoyed most of them. Our favorites were the rib and fried shrimp appetizers. The flavors were wonderful and savory. The spring rolls were just okay. The noodle soup was a bit underwhelming, and the noodles had more of a pasta consistency than noodles, so it wasn't our favorite. The pork shoulder and beef entrees were very yummy too. The beef has some kick, but it is a very pleasant spice level. The drinks were tasty and unique. They have their own vodka soda "seltzers" and they are good! Overall, I would recommend trying this out! It has a unique menu with great flavors. Make a reservation because it is small and very busy. read more

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We had such a fabulous time at Hai Hai. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a jungle-like atmosphere and some of the kindest staff I've interacted with in a restaurant in a long time! The cocktail menu is expansive and the two cocktails I tried were well balanced and delicious. For starters, we had the spring rolls and the chicken laab lettuce wrap, both of which were absolutely tasty. For a main, I had the Vietnamese crepe, which was a huge portion size and also very good. For anyone with food allergies, this restaurant was very accommodating - my dining partner had celiac and they had many gluten free and gluten free friendly options, both of which were very appreciated. Special shoutout to our waiter Jake who was very kind and a great waiter. I can't recommend Hai Hai enough and cannot wait to come back! read more

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Fun happy hour spot. Love the feeling of sitting at this bar and enjoying a panda punch with in house made garnishes of dried fruit. Staff were attentive and fun. I wish there were more gf food choices on the happy hour menu. The chicken bites were basically gf battered chicken chunks with a spicy dipping sauce. I could have eaten 3 of these they were so good. The shrimp crackers and with spicy chili dip was unremarkable. The crackers were puffy and crunchy, not a lot of flavor. The chili dip was hot and tasted good, but the appetizer was unsatisfying. Both were gluten free. read more

HAI HAI - Chicken bites with spicy sauce. Excellent! Gluten free! - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I had a lovely dinner with friends here and the service was so wonderful. The set up was a little tight but the lighting and vibe felt really nice. I got the BA drink and it was really minty and refreshing. We started with the wontons and they were spicy and so smooth! For my main, I got the Hanoi Sticky Rice and my partner got the Balinese Chicken. The sticky rice bowl was really good and flavorful and well balanced once I mixed the bowl. The chicken was overall good, but was a bit too rich with a lot of coconut milk. I love coconut, but it was overdone. We got the tiramisu for dessert and it wasn't my favorite, but my partner did like it. We also got the milk bread pudding, which was pretty good, but a bit too sweet for my liking. Overall I had a great time and I thought the meal was well balanced. read more

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TAMARIND PORK RIBS. Absolute must try. If I ever come back def getting 2 orders. Server at the bartender was very friendly as well. Chicken lab I was good but the dish wasn't too my liking. The fish sauce was kind of a lot. But that's just me. read more

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Hai Hai has a beautiful, jungle-like interior with lots of plants and bright colors. They have an interesting and creative drink menu, especially if you enjoy tiki-style cocktails! They've made some updates to their menu - I recently tried the eggplant sambal dip for the first time and really liked the bright, lime-forwars flavor. The salt and pepper tofu is one of my go-to dishes, it also uses kaffir lime leaves. I do wish there were a few more vegetarian mains - my parter loves the Hanoi sticky rice, but it just isn't as good without the pork floss and sausage. read more

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First, I have to start with the fact that there's a parking lot--big win for a city restaurant! I love supporting this local, immigrant-owned spot. The staff was knowledgeable and super friendly, and the vibe was cozy--perfect for a girls' night or a relaxed date night. The food was OMG amazing! I would have never thought to put so many flavors together, but it works. I definitely recommend checking this place out! read more

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Hostess was rude as hell... & The dining room was pretty much empty & they told us it was an hour wait.

I finally made it to Hai Hai tonight, after wanting to try it for a while. Friday night at 7:30, it was packed! We were glad we made a reservation. The restaurant itself is full of plants and fun decor. It was cozy! The bathrooms were also very clean. We had the Spring rolls, Pork ribs Ticino, Fried Brussel sprouts, and Beef rendang. Spring rolls- delicious, different than I've had other places, loved the warm sauce that came with it. Pork ribs- outstanding. Fall off the bone. Only complaint is the serving size is so small! I could've had many more haha. Fried Brussel sprouts- soooo good! I love Brussels to begin with but wow the tangy acidic flavor really worked here. Beef rendang- very spicy. The meat was juicy & tender, and the coconut rice was perfectly cooked. Lastly, our server Kelly accommodated my peanut/nut allergy so well! The staff went above and beyond to make sure no cross contamination happened. We'll be back :) read more

HAI HAI - Spring Rolls (Classic) - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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James Beard winner? Yes Please! Ladies night. At least a half hour wait with no reservation on a Saturday night in the summer. We sat outside. Cute environment but the little bugs all around- awful! My ankles got eaten alive! The Brussel sprouts were the major win for me here. It was almost like a sweet and sour sauce was drizzled on top. With a little tang. Very flavorful. The ribs were ok. White rice is white rice. We had a good time but it didn't knock my socks off. read more

HAI HAI - Brussels - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Hai Hai was a hai-light of my visit to Minneapolis this weekend! We went for dinner on a Sunday and there was a good crowd but space available for walk ins from what I could see. We ordered more small dishes and one large plate and it was plenty of food for two. Highlights include the cauliflower, one of the best things I've eaten in recent memory, and the Balinese chicken thigh, which was such a delight of flavors and textures. We also took a passionfruit posset to go since we were too full to immediately have dessert. It was outstanding and so flavorful and bright. The cocktails are great as well! No misses. The price seemed really fair for the portions and value and care taken with each dish. Very accommodating with food allergies. Service was attentive and straightforward. It's a cute environment, great for friends, a date, or a solo dining experience with solo dining you won't get to try as many amazing things. If I were going myself I'd get the chicken thigh and cauliflower, no question. Spring rolls were also great. Again, no misses. I'll be back and will recommend to anyone heading this way. Such a nice dinner. read more

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Excellent appetizers and sauces! Great atmosphere l, too. The Hat Yai chicken was disappointing - blackened and not crispy - not what the two of us who ordered it were expecting. read more

Hai Hai is a great choice if you want good food, expert service, and trendy vibes. FOOD: I had one of their salads. While they didn't suggest any substitutions (I normally order dressing on the side), I was pleasantly surprised. It was just well crafted and perfect on its own. SERVICE: really above and beyond. Considerate, communicative, and a well-oiled machine. They clearly communicate with each other to ensure a flawless experience. We had to wait 15 minutes for our table that we had a reservation for, so they gave us a free appetizer. They were very considerate of dietary restrictions and communicated well. Truly well trained and friendly staff. AMBIANCE: comfortable and upscale in a "hip" way. I am a fan. It's the type of place that you could be well dressed for or not-- a build your adventure. I highly recommend Hai Hai to anyone looking for a satisfying option that will offer exquisite service and comfortable, trendy ambiance. read more

Came 9pm Sat evening, seated outside. Nice decor, comfortable, casual ambiance. Taro and shrimp fritters: 3.5/5 nice way to start the meal. Sauces were flavorful, though fritters themselves were not. Not necessarily a bad thing though. Nam khao: 2.5/5 disappointed in this one. Started off okay, but by the bottom of the rice it was WAY too citrusy. Also missing the defining flavors like lime leaves and lemongrass. Chilean sea bass: 4/5 fish is tender with crispy skin, but portion on the smaller side. Herbs were fresh and plentiful. Sauce flavoring is lighter than I would prefer. From the perspective of someone who is Lao/Viet, this is far from authentic, but I can imagine people don't come here looking for authentic food. The flavors pay homage to SEA food in a fun, casual, environment. If I were to come back, would maybe try the drinks because they looked interesting. read more

I had been to Hai Hai for brunch a while back, but was excited to check out their dinner menu now that the chef won a James Beard award. Street parking nearby, but you might have to drive around a bit or walk a tad. The space itself is pretty tight and was busy on a Friday evening. I would definitely recommend reservation, if you can plan ahead. The space itself is gorgeous...fun plants and nods to the Southeast Asian origins of the food and chef. We had a great server who recommended awesome options since we weren't familiar with all the menu items. We started the night with two fun and tropical cocktails that were each a good blend of spirit and flavor. We had the spring rolls as an appetizer which were divine, and a few other small plates. The star of the evening was the Tiramisu, which is one of my favorite dishes of all time, and Hai Hai's spin on it is worth the trip in itself. We will be back to keep enjoying the fun atmosphere and delightful bites! read more

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Hai Hai definitely provides a twist to SE Asian cuisine. But to me, that twist was so far removed from actual SE Asian cuisine that instead of a unique experience compared to my usual home meal, it felt more like a subpar one. Instead of tasting the work of a Vietnamese chef who strives to set herself apart, it was more like eating the work of a Westerner who traveled once to SE Asian then returned home to replicate the meals and drinks without knowing the original recipe. That being said, I'm only taking one star off because to be fair, Hai Hai never claims to provide authentic SE Asian cuisine. The restaurant itself was absolutely beautiful, and the staff were friendly and professional. We were there Friday night, and the restaurant was packed, but our waitress Alex still checked in on us regularly, and we didn't have to wait too long for the food. I will personally never return to Hai Hai, but I'm not trying to ridicule it. The restaurant was packed, so clearly they are doing a good job. I'm only leaving this review here to forewarn fellow SE Asians that Hai Hai was not created for us or really for anyone who has been to SE Asia. read more

Overall just a great place. Great and unique food you won't find anywhere else in the Twin Cities, fun cocktails, reasonable prices and friendly service. read more

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Went with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday. We sat in the 4 season porch that the have setup very well for winter (was there at the beginning of February), there have heating lamps on the ceiling and they get the job done. Their menu is small and that is good in my opinion. I had the chicken thighs and the spring rolls and they were delicious. read more

Wow this place is cute! We waited at the bar for a friend to meet us and the ambiance was adorable. Bartenders wet super nice and on top of everything. We moved to our table when our third arrived. We ordered 3 different dishes and all the plates were licked clean they were so good! (Ok, maybe not licked, but we ate it all!) The only downside is the place gets noisy!! I'm not usually affected by noise but this place was LOUD once everyone filled the place up. read more

I loved the aesthetic of the restaurant! It gave that cozy and welcoming vibes. I wish the waiting area was a bit better since it isn't a huge restaurant and it does get busy and loud. Our server was sweet and helpful. The food had familiar flavors, but definitely on the pricier side. Happy I went and a great place to take family and friends! read more

We dined here for the first time and loved every bite! It definitely lived up to the hype. We had dinner at the bar. Our bartender Pete did an amazing job of explaining the drinks and dishes. We took his recommendations and ordered the Road to Chiang Mai and the Moonlit Palms. Both were well balanced and unique. We then shared the Malaysian shrimp appetizer with a very tasty sauce. We also shared the amazingly delicious sweet potatoes and the chicken thigh. Everything was very flavorful, We couldn't pass up the Vietnamese tiramisu for dessert. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and can't wait to return. read more

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I wanted to like this place a lot more than I actually liked this place. The restaurant was surprisingly big with a really cute patio. The vibes are there but the restaurant is fairly loud with lots of having to talk over each other. The drinks menu is cute and the presentation was top notch. I got the Yo and it tasted a little watery but it was fine. My friends liked their cocktails. For apps, we got the salt and pepper tofu and the chive cake. The tofu only came in a few pieces which was disappointingly small in portions. I liked the chive cake a lot. That was the big surprise for me on the menu. For entrees, I saw Banh Xeo on the menu and I was SO EXCITED. But I was fairly disappointed in this. The crepe itself wasn't the most crispy and the filling made it hard to eat in one bite. The shrimp was too big. The nuoc mam was too salty and missing a touch of sweetness that I generally like. The pork belly though was VERY good. For dessert we ordered the Thai Tea Tiramisu and it was the most confusing thing I put in my mouth. I did not enjoy whatever flavor profile it was. And the tiramisu was very cakey. No likey. Overall, meh. read more

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Fantastic service from our server, Nick, who gave the perfect summary of flavor profiles of must-try items. We opted for several starters, so I chose the sautéed cabbage with 1/2 lobster tail. Delicious! Fun spot and interesting food journey. Would definitely return. read more

HAI HAI - Sautéed cabbage with 1/2 deep fried lobster tail. - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Love their monthly specials and always fantastic food. Always buzzing around dinner time for a lively ambience and friendly staff as well. read more

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Excited to dine at a second James Beard award winner in Minneapolis this weekend. Hai Hai earned the James Beard Best Chef Midwest award in 2024. Hai Hai is described as a Southeast Asian street food restaurant. Chef Christina Nguyen's menu is influenced by family celebrations and trips to Southeast Asia. Hai Hai means two two in Vietnamese for those curious. I made a 4pm reservation on a Sunday as I was heading to a concert at US Bank Stadium. My server, Lexy, helped me get served in about 40 minutes. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The only downside to outdoors was an occasional fly to swat away. Dining solo really deprives you from sampling the full menu. But based on Yelp reviews, I probably got the best of the best. I also wanted to try dishes I've not experienced at other Vietnamese restaurants. I started with the Water Fern Cakes, then the Fried Brussel Sprouts and finally the Hanoi Sticky Rice. The fern cakes are rice cakes in small saucers with shrimp floss and mung bean. Literally you scoop them from the saucers. Amazing flavor with the brussel sprouts. The sticky rice bowl included lots of protein, including pork and sausage. For dessert, the decadent Thai Tea Tiramisu was a perfect closer. The Next Up cocktail was excellent as well. read more

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We love this place. If you want to escape MN Midwest and get a tropical vibe, go here The ambience is great, food amazing and service always top notch Great spot for your foodie friends . Good portions and reasonable price for how tasty everything is. Parking is right so plan to allot a few extra mins for that. Also the space is a little noisy so not the best spot if you're looking for a quiet dinner. But the food and fun drinks are well worth it! read more

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Wow, this place gets busy! We came on a Friday evening and were extremely lucky to get some bar seating. There was a line out the door by the time we left and I'm sure no reservations available. It was nice to see such interest in a rather unique culinary concept. There's a parking lot in the back, though it may fill up when super busy. The menu has many Vietnamese staples and other southeast Asian hits, and seems very authentic. We started with the chive cakes, which were something new for me but I really enjoyed them. For my entree, I got the Hanoi sticky rice bowl. I probably didn't need the appetizer as this was actually quite a bit of food! Everything had a lot of flavor and the various components of the bowl worked really well together. I wish there was more of a sauce, as it was slightly dry (especially with the pork floss), but that would be my only criticism. The cocktails are also unique and tasty (and very strong, I think). Probably don't need more than a couple of those... I'd come back here for sure when in the area, though I might be sure to book a reservation or come outside of peak days/times. read more

HAI HAI - Chive cakes - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I was thrilled to have the chance to visit Hai Hai. Loved the story behind it, the factor they paid homage with the name but the winner was the food. I found the Salt & Pepper fried tofu as a favorite appetizer and the Grilled Pork Shoulder bowl was incredible! Our server was pleasant and attentive. Applause applause applause. The other diners in the restaurant seemed to be enjoying their meal, as well. The decor was understated but cool. The light fixtures -- yes! read more

HAI HAI - Grilled pork shoulder - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This weekend, we had the chance to visit Hai Hai by @christinaguyen, the James Beard Award Winner for the Best Chef in the Midwest 2024. The cuisine here is a unique blend of various South East Asian as well as American flavors - contributing to umami, balanced and hearty flavors in every bite. More details of our food coming up on our carousel soon. Aside from the food, we loved the good vibes of this place, with its bright decor, big crowds, and quick service. An ideal place to share their huge, delectable servings with friends, or to relish their comforting weekly Trash Panda Specials for some much needed me-time! With indoor seating options as well as a patio, Hai Hai is the perfect spot for you and your loved ones as spring rolls in. read more

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Love this beautiful restaurant! The interior design is absolutely beautiful, while it used to be a strip club I believe, they have completely transformed the space to be very welcoming, comfortable and it makes you feel like you are on a tropical vacation! The service is good and the food is great! I wish the portion was bigger for the price you are paying but it's a fun place to go with a group and try many items on the menu. We are big cyclists so have biked there to dine a few times and they have nice bike racks right outside the restaurant which makes it convenient. read more

HAI HAI - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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This is some of the best food I've had in the Minneapolis area! The decor is super cute--a laid, back, tropical vibe--even into the bathroom! I appreciated that the menu was well labeled to indicate which items met dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free) so that I was abe to choose easily without having to ask the server. Every dish was well made and packed with tons of flavor. Highlights were the Beef Lettuce Rolls, Beef Rendang, and Passion Fruit Posset (the candied puffed rice--are you kidding me?!). Order a bunch of dishes so you can maximize your experience; you won't be disappointed! There is a parking lot and street parking, but it was full, so I parked on one of the streets near the bar down the block. read more

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My family and I had dinner here the day before Mother's Day. We were able to get a reservation for a late night dinner around 9 pm. I don't remember if they had a parking lot, but we parked on the side of the street. Our group of 7 was seated right away. My first impression was that the restaurant interior is really beautiful. Lots of greenery inside. The food was really good. They have a menu with dishes from all over Southeast Asia, including Philippines and Vietnam. I loved the diverse menu. I ordered the Mi Quang -- a rice noodle salad with pork-soy broth, pork belly, shrimp, and veggies. I also got to try my husband's Beef Rendang, which was yummy and quite spicy. The dishes were flavorful but my only gripe was how small the portions were for the price point (my bowl was $18... it looks bigger in the picture but it was definitely smaller than like... a small bowl of pho). The service was friendly and quick. I would recommend this place if you are looking to go out for a nice dinner, but keep in mind that the prices are on the higher side. read more

HAI HAI - Mi Quang - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of six diners this evening, two had to return their inedible meals to be redone or exchanged for something else, two said they weren't great but edible at at least, and two said yeah they're OK. We were excited to go back to Hai Hai as we were once again in Minnesota, but a lot has changed there since our visit last year and not for the better. read more

First time visiting Minnesota and this was one of the highly recommended restaurants that AC Hotel listed. I loved the space, the dimmed lighting set the mood but I will say that if that restaurant is packed it dos get quite loud, but our group didn't mind it at all. Our server was great! She was super nice, attentive, and professional. We asked her recommendations and she immediately showed us all the fan favorites and recommended family style, which was the best for our group of four. For the appetizers we ordered spring rolls and English pea wontons - very delicious! We then ordered Balinese Chicken thighs, beef rendang, and the Vietnamese crepes - everything was so good! Amazing flavor and perfect portion size. They also have a good drink menu, I ordered beer but other members ordered cocktails. I cannot remember what they ordered but they loved what they drank. When you visit Minneapolis definitely visit Hai Hai! read more

Starting with the drink - absolutely phenomenal and it was served in this clay glass that was ice cold for the two hours we sat for dinner. Outstanding. We started with the butternut quash wontons and they were really delightful! For our main course we split the crispy rice salad adding pork belly and the Balinese chicken thigh. The rice salad is served cold - which makes sense after the fact but not something I was expecting at all. I didn't love it. If I'm eating crispy rice my expectation is it should still be hot off the stone but that's a personal preference. The Balinese chicken thigh was absolutely to die for. I tossed the whole thing and the flavors are ll built for each other. The coconut curry sauce is outstanding. For desert the bread pudding was ok - from reading it on the menu I was expecting it to be served like in some warm coconut milk, so it had a dryness to it that I didn't care for by my friend loooooved it. Now the ambiance is a cute little NE vibe! Loved the aesthetic. The server we got was not great. The host that sat us was friendly, the food runner was amazing and answered questions was so informed, the water fillers, other servers were nice. Maybe we got the bad egg, maybe they were having a bad day.. But the eye roll we got when we inquired about the clay glass was flabbergasting and it borderline ruined our entire experience. The time it took to come run my card was long enough for me to ask someone else to do it. Considered a 3 start simply for their service. But settled on a 4 because ALL the other staff we encountered we phenomenal, friendly, and polite. Would return. I was hesitant to go here for so long because I heard reviews of small portion sizes, I ate my whole entree and felt satisfied, we did have leftovers of some things to bring home. Worth the money for the quality and quantity imo read more

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The restaurant is in a very long, skinny yellow building but they have really made great use of the SF. The interior decor is very tropical. Our server was well versed in the food & drinks; as a GF (not celiac) diner, I appreciated that items were clearly labeled GF, GFF, vegan or vegan option. The drinks are very unique & really interesting. We each tried a different one. The food is also very interesting & a surprising departure from the usual Asian fare. Everything we ordered was shareable, beautifully presented & so delicious! I'll be back for a couple of star dishes I'm pretty sure I can't get anywhere else! read more

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Love this spot! Northeast Minneapolis always gets the love and their restaurants are great. Hai Hai is definitely a place I recommend for that side of town for their great food and special drinks. The inside and outside of this establishment make it epic, especially in the summer. - Anthony read more

HAI HAI - Vietnamese Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Fun date night spot with great drinks and great dessert! The service was attentive and friendly, checking back often to see how we were doing and keeping us informed. They have GF choices, which was great for a member of our party, and we're accommodating to my cucumber allergy. I had read other reviews about the Tour Bus drink and had to try it. It did not disappoint. Tart, sweet. And pretty too! The waitress recommended the Vietnamese Crepe, which was really good and a lot of food. The sticky rice bowl was a bit bland, but the sauce on the side helped. The ambiance has a great fun vibe, great for a date night or girls' night out. Be sure to try the specialty drinks, they're great! read more

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