Tiny LES spot w/ HUGE Vietnamese-inspired flavors. Daily specials, bold dishes (snails, pho French onion soup), great for dates/solo. Resv. hard, walk-ins recommended.
Molly Fitzpatrick reviews Ha's Snack Bar, a tiny Lower East Side spot with huge Vietnamese-inspired flavors, perfect for a date night or solo dining.
This small, intimate spot on the Lower East Side offers a unique take on Vietnamese-inspired cuisine with a constantly evolving menu. Expect bold, punchy flavors from dishes like crispy pastries, snails in tamarind butter, and a pho-like French onion soup. It's a highly recommended destination for adventurous eaters, though securing a reservation can be a challenge.
The food is a creative fusion of Vietnamese and French influences, with a menu that changes daily and emphasizes bold flavors. Standout dishes include snails with tamarind butter, crispy pastries, oysters with green chili, and a unique pho-inspired French onion soup. While many rave about the inventiveness and taste, some find the American-style desserts to be a miss.
"Highly recommended dishes include the snails with tamarind butter, chicken liver pate on toast, tuna carpaccio with rhubarb, and the pho-like French onion soup. The ever-changing menu means adventurous diners will always find something new to try."
Customers generally praise the inventive and flavorful Vietnamese-inspired dishes, with many highlighting unique offerings. However, some find the seating cramped and the service can be inconsistent, leading to mixed experiences.
Important Note
Reservations are notoriously difficult to secure, and the restaurant is very small, leading to cramped seating. Some patrons have experienced inconsistent service and found the hype to be greater than the actual experience.
"Has snack bar is mentioned as a good option for bar side dining."
Positive"Commenter mentioned Ha's Snack Bar/Bistro as another establishment with difficult reservations that is more accessible via walk-in."
Neutral"The user found Ha's to be a potentially cool restaurant but ultimately dismissed it for their birthday dinner due to concerns about the difficulty of conversation for their hard-of-hearing parents."
Neutral"The user found Ha's Snack Bar to be excellent."
Positive"In response to a comment questioning the dish's novelty, this user stated that the origin of preparation (e.g., Paris) is irrelevant when discussing NYC restaurants."
Positive"Following up on their earlier comment, this user clarified that their criticism was about the dish's perceived overhyping and lack of comparison points, not a dismissal of NYC's culinary scene."
Negative"This user humorously pointed out that Parisian escargot typically does not involve tamarind butter, responding to a comment comparing Ha's Snack Bar's dish to Parisian versions."
Positive"This user questioned the inclusion of snails with tamarind butter at Ha's Snack Bar on the list, suggesting it's overhyped and not deserving of a spot compared to Parisian escargot preparations."
Negative"The commenter listed Ha’s snack bar as a recommendation."
Positive"This is a reservation for Ha's Snack Bar for 2 people tonight at 10pm. The user is unable to make it and is offering it to someone else."
Neutral"Has snack bar is listed as a recommended wine bar."
Positive"Ha's Snack Bar is recommended as a place to visit if possible."
Positive"The user lists Ha's Snack Bar as a place they are considering visiting."
Neutral"Ha's Dac Biet was listed as one of several Asian cuisine options available in the area."
Neutral"Ha's Snack Bar on Broome St is recommended for Vietnamese food, described as funky, delicious, and fun, especially for those open to more adventurous options."
Positive"Ha's Snack Bar (listed as Ha's) is recommended for appetizers, specifically mentioning onion soup, tartare or crudo, and pate on toast."
Positive"Ha's Snack Bar is suggested as a wine bar."
Neutral"Ha's Snack Bar is mentioned as one of the best restaurants in NYC currently, known for French cuisine with Vietnamese flavors."
Positive"The user recommends Ha's Snack Bar."
Positive
