Review: Gypsy Rooftop Kitchen and Bar - Danang’s best-kept Boho secret
The Hotel
Located in the center of the city and a mere stone’s throw away from the famous Golden Dragon Bridge (10 minutes by bike or taxi), The New Orient Hotel is an unassuming boutique hotel is quite perhaps the city’s best-kept secret.
Exterior of New Orient Hotel
To be fair, considering the number of tour group buses in Danang, I wouldn’t blame you for mistaking the New Orient for ‘just another’ hotel catering to the droves of tourists visiting the city from its silver and gold furnishings, slightly dated exterior and single bell desk that sits right in the center of its hotel entrance. Safe to say, my expectations were not high but I was terribly wrong.
The hotel turned to be nothing like I had imagined.
The lobby entrance of the New Orient Hotel
Shortly after, I was invited to the second floor where the elevator opened up to a modern and chic lobby with crisp white couches, floor-to-ceiling windows and an sleek reception counter where I was greeted by Alex, who very kindly (and quickly) offered alternative room suggestions when I had asked for a room without the number ‘4’. Thank you Alex!
The modern and chic reception on the second floor
There’s also a business centre with Apple Macs and a printer on the second floor
And also a gym!
ROOMS
Photo of my room with a bathtub and balcony facing the lush rainforest pool inside the hotel
Simple yet satisfying, the rooms tick all the boxes and more for a boutique hotel, let’s just say I’ve had a lot worse for 38 USD. Modern, chic and clean, my room came with a bath tub, shower as well as all the essentials - soap, shampoo and conditioner as well as two bathrobes and a safe. They even have ‘his and her’ bathroom sinks.
Stunning view from my balcony of the hotel’s rainforest-themed pool
The best part is the generous balcony that opens up to stunning views of the pool. One thing to note though is that there is a nightclub on the second floor and can be noisy in the evening (I was fine despite staying three nights on the fourth floor) but for those who are light sleepers, I recommend opting for a high floor (six and above, the hotel has 9 floors).
BREAKFAST
Buffet breakfasts are a must in every hotel. And while I enjoy the spread of different hot and cold dishes, eggs and fruits, I often find it wasteful and hectic since they’re scattered in different parts of the dining space and you often find yourself walking up and down crossing hundreds of people along the way. While enjoyable, some hotel breakfast experiences can also be overwhelming (for me personally). Thankfully at the New Orient hotel, it’s nothing like the aforementioned.
It’s got all the trimmings of a typical buffet breakfast but sans the droves of people and buffet stations scattered across the restaurant. And, it’s gorgeous.
Bistecca, the hotel’s gorgeous Italian restaurant on the seventh floor where breakfast is served
Unlike many breakfast buffets, New Orient’s breakfast is hosted in its upscale Italian restaurant called Bistecca on the 7th floor boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning skyline views. Secondly, all food and drink are concentrated in a central space - salad, hot food, a noodle station, egg station, coffee, juice, fruits, breads and the like - so the ‘chaos’ is concentrated in a single space.
My very relaxing breakfast setting with a hot bowl of Bun Ca soup and cappuccino
It’s the most at ease I’ve felt enjoying a hotel buffet breakfast in a while. Every morning, I got to enjoy a nice hot noodle soup - which changed daily from Bun Ca to Hu Tieu Nam Vang and Chicken Pho - as well as the hot dishes that include mostly Asian dishes like Chang Zhou Fried Rice, Sautéed Beef Noodle, Dim Sum as well as some local Vietnamese delights like Quảng Noodles Seafood Vermicelli.
GYPSY ROOFTOP KITCHEN AND BAR
I save the best for the last - Gypsy, the hotel’s Bohemian-chic rooftop kitchen and bar boasting stunning skyline views and an infinity pool. Giving bars in Bali a run for their money, Gypsy’s got an al fresco and indoor space fitted with eclectic furniture, canopy of lush greenery and a DJ deck where live jazz music (coupled with a complimentary pizza with every bottle of wine sold) set the mood on Tuesdays adding to the laid-back charm of the space.
The laidback al fresco seating area of Gypsy with stunning skyline views of Danang (photo courtesy of Gypsy)
The indoor dining space of Gypsy (photo courtesy of Gypsy Danang)
At Gypsy, cocktails are the name of the game but food also comes to the fore with a playful mish-mash of Mediterranean and ‘comfort food’ favourites thoughtfully put together by Chef Olivier Corti, chef-founder of award-winning Le Comptoir in Danang (another must-visit in the city).
Here, besides distinctly Mediterranean classics like Charcoal-grilled flank steak (500k), Mezze platters with Hummus, Baba Ghanoush and the like (160k), Lamb Pastailla with Zaatar and lime (300k) and BBQ giant tiger prawns served with Harissa butter, squid ink pasta and clams (590k), you’ve also got more straightforward crowd-favourite staples like Burrata Margarita pizza (240k), Chicken Bao buns with Gochujang sauce (260k) and of course, Truffle fries with Parmesan cheese (160k).
A playful mish-mash of Mediterrean and Asian flavours
And while Google reviews will speak of Gypsy’s Truffle Pasta popularity, the Chicken Ballotine with basil gnocchi, wild pepper sauce and Parmesan Tuille (290k) was easily the star of the evening for me followed by the Salmon Gravlax with salmon tiradito, beetroot and pickled shallots on a bed of smoked leek cream served with Blinis (320k).
Chicken Ballotine with basil gnocchi, wild pepper sauce and Parmesan Tuille
Salmon Gravlax with salmon tiradito and picked shallots served on a bed of smoked leek cream with Blinis on the side (photo courtesy of Gypsy)
Margarita Burrata pizza (photo courtesy of Gypsy Danang)
For those craving a heartier option, you’ll be pleased to know that Gypsy offers a Chef’s Tasting Menu (two options, starting from 880k or 36 usd) which starts with an appetiser of Nepalese cheese balls and includes a Salmon Gravlax, Black Risotto with grilled oysters, zucchini and lemon mousse, a dessert as well as a complimentary welcome drink. There’s also an option for wine pairing for just 580k (24 usd).
Dragon Memory (photo courtesy of Gypsy Danang)
To pair, I recommend the Basil drop (210,000 VND) cocktail made with Vodka, Lime Cordial, Fresh Basil leaves and egg white which was designed by Thin, the Head bartender for something zestier, or the signature Dragon Memory (280,000 VND), which was also the winning cocktail at the 2023 Sampan Rhum Cocktail Competition, is a refreshing option for those looking for something zesty with a nod to Vietnamese ingredients.
THE VERDICT
For its price, The New Orient Hotel is a steal. Amidst the many resorts that line Danang’s beach and city hotels filled with tourists, the New Orient Hotel (granted you get a room on the high floor and steer clear of the music from the night club on the second floor) is a much-welcomed respite that’s perfect for couples and solo travelers. And, it’s a mere 10 to 15 minutes from the Dragon Bridge, beach and main attractions. The convenience of Gypsy Rooftop Kitchen and Bar boasting stunning skyline views and award-winning cocktails and food is the icing on the top of the cake.
In a nutshell, run, don’t walk to this absolute gem in Danang on your next visit.
Website
New Orient Hotel: https://neworienthoteldanang.com/en/home/
Gypsy Rooftop Kitchen and Bar: https://www.thegypsydng.com/
Address: 20 Đống Đa, Street, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000
