Heading a bit west, on Hung Vuong, there are some good options. The Hung Vuong Inn is a popular place among those who travel to Hue regularly. They offer rooms, but the large restaurant on the first floor is a draw in itself, offering an affable, English-speaking staff, icy beer, and a menu with western items -- the Gorgonzola pizza here had us making yummy noises. On the other side of the spectrum, the Imperial Hotel has two restaurants offering breakfast and dinner buffets from US$8 to 12 a ticket if you'd like to fill up on fine food for a change of pace. Right across from the Imperial Hotel, the eponymously-named Minh &Coco Mini Restaurant on Hung Vuong is run by two hard-working, feisty ladies who create a lively atmosphere and attract a steady clientele of tourists passing through. Chilly beers and good cheap food, along with western breakfasts and tourist services. Just off Hung Vuong, on Tran Cao Van (south side of the Imperial Hotel) is the deservedly renown Mandarin Cafe. Mr. Cu is a very talented, self-taught photographer who's iconic pictures of Vietnam deck the walls of his restaurant and are available in printouts of various sizes, including post cards. Some of the photos are so deftly composed it's hard to believe they are all candids, taken without any direction from the photographer. The cafe itself is beautiful, if a bit touristy, but it attracts the crowds simply because its that good.
The Long Cafe across from the Duy Tan Hotel on Huong Vuong is a polished-up version of a local noodle stand, with a travel-agency and a bit more on the menu, such as curry dishes. If you keep heading down Huong Vuong through the traffic circle, on the left is a large restaurant with seating around a small lagoon and banquet tables inside -- there's no English menu, but it's a great place to go with a group and order up an excellent seafood feast.
Near the backpacker quarters on Nguyen Phi Truong is Hue's sole Indian restaurant, Omar's. It's Indian owned and run, and quite good.
Omar Khayyam's Indian Restaurant: 10 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Hue. T: (054) 821 616; (0914) 159 627. Hours: 11:00 to 22:00
Hung Vuong Inn: 20 Hung Vuong, Hue. T: (054) 821 068, 827 899 F: (054) 821 068.Long Cafe: 19 Hung Vuong, Hue. T: (054) 830 800.
Mandarin Cafe: 24 Tran Cao Van, Hue. T: (054) 821 281. Hours: 06:00 to 22:00
Minh &Coco Mini Restaurant: 3B Hung Vuong, Hue. T: (054) 821 822, Hours: 06:00 to 24:00