Attention coffee lovers! If your day starts right only after a good cup of coffee and you expect the same on your vacations, then Vietnam will absolutely make sure you get your caffeine kick every day.
That being said, Hanoi is the top spot for coffee lovers and cafe-hoppers to spend time doing what they love the most: enjoying exotic and unique concoctions of freshly roasted Vietnamese coffee beans. Believe it or not, Hanoi has over 2000 cafes within its 3000-odd square kilometre area, with Trieu Viet Vuong and Nguyen Du streets having the most coffee shops.
It’s not just coffee lovers who flock to these cafes in Hanoi. People wanting to admire unique decor, hang out at pretty spots, and even digital nomads frequent these places. With so many options, where should you go? We have curated a list of the best cafes to check out in Hanoi. Here they are!
But hold on! Before we reveal the best coffee spots, don’t you want to know what exactly you should be ordering?
Vietnam has its own combination of coffee flavours, all made out of home-grown Robusta coffee beans, roasted, brewed, and crafted to perfection by local coffee makers with in-depth knowledge about coffee-making that can put an Italian barista to shame. Of course, you can always settle for the classic hot black coffee, known as ‘cà phê đen’ in Vietnamese, or if you prefer it with milk, then order a ‘cà phê sữa’. But do try some other versions from the menu that locals swear by, and very soon you will get addicted to its taste as well.
Try Out These Unique Coffee Flavours
Vietnamese Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng)
Egg in coffee? You will be surprised how quickly you will grow fond of it. It was crafted by a bartender in 1946, who simply combined egg yolk with condensed milk and added it to strong, black coffee. The result? A new favourite drink for the locals, which has become so iconic that now tourists come to Hanoi to try it out.
Salted Coffee (Cà Phê Muối)
Now, what’s this? Salt in coffee? Yes, this is yet another coffee speciality that originated in the Hue region of Vietnam. The slow-brewing technique from the region, combined with a riot of flavours, enhances the experience of sipping this coffee. It’s basically just strong black coffee layered with condensed milk and topped with whipped salted cream, but mix it all up and sip, and you get a unique creamy, salty tinge of flavour that cuts through the coffee’s bitterness and coats your taste buds with caramel sweetness.
Coconut Coffee (Cà Phê Dừa)
This one’s for those who like coffee, but mildly, creamy and sweet rather than bitter. Coconut coffee is one of the most loved beverages in Hanoi, where freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee is blended with coconut cream and condensed milk. Its mellow coffee flavour, enhanced with the nutty and sweet taste, makes it a proper tropical kind of drink to enjoy on your Hanoi trip.
Top Cafes to Visit to Enjoy Hanoi’s Coffee Culture
Cafe Giang
Sip the frothy egg coffee right from the original makers. Started by Mr Nguyen Van Giang, the famous bartender who created the recipe, he opened Cafe Giang to perfect the recipe and make it a favourite among the locals. Even though many Hanoi cafes feature Egg Coffee on their menus, the experience of sitting in this humble, vintage cafe, tucked deep inside an alley in the Old Quarter, and enjoying their signature coffee is paramount. Coffee here is served with a slice of the history of Vietnamese culture absolutely worth enjoying.
The Note Coffee
Fancy a picture with you sipping Vietnamese coffee at aesthetically charming cafes? If you want an Instagrammable cafe, The Note Coffee is an ideal spot to visit in Hanoi. Step inside this petite cafe at Luong Van Can Road and instantly get awestruck. What’s striking here is that every inch of the cafe – the walls, doors, tables, chairs, and even the signboard – is covered with colourful scraps of paper stuck to it with lovely messages scribbled on them in different languages, hence the name of this whimsical café – The Note Coffee. Read a few of the notes to know the warm, heartfelt thoughts of strangers from around the globe who have shared a coffee sitting at the very same table you sit on, and click some stunning pictures to flaunt on your social handle.
Cong Caphe
If you are hunting for coffee, and not a particular cafe, then head to Cong Caphe, which has several coffee shops scattered across Hanoi. This cafe began its journey on Trieu Viet Vuong Street in Hanoi way back in 2007. Since then, it has grown in popularity and now has branches not just in different corners of Hanoi but around the world. This is one of those places that instantly comes to the mind of locals the moment you ask for a place to have coffee in Hanoi. The cafe’s ambience is nostalgic yet lively, and the interiors reflect the wartime era of Vietnam through sap-green walls, military uniform-clad staff, and pictures of veteran soldiers on the wall. However, at any time, you will find it swarming with light-hearted, chattering, and laughing locals. The menu comprises classic coffee blends of Vietnam as well as Western-style coffees.
Hanoi 1990s
With old, postcard-hued colours and hand-painted signs that do not boldly shout its name to fellow passers-by, Hanoi 1900s feels like a humble coffee shop but is known for an exciting adventure. What many tourists do here is order a coffee, set it on the table as close to the tracks as possible, and wait for a colossal train to pass by. Hanoi 1900s in Train Street Hanoi is one of the most famous cafes in Hanoi that tourists flock to for a caffeine and an adrenaline kick. Sitting by this functional railway track with a cup of coffee or something to munch on is among the popular things to do in Hanoi for tourists. The cafe also has terraced and rooftop settings if you want to have coffee in calmness and watch the frenzy of trains passing close by from a bird’s-eye view.
Tranquil Books & Coffee
For bibliophiles, digital nomads, or simply someone seeking a cosy time with a good cup of coffee, Tranquil Books & Coffee is an idyllic spot. Located near Hoan Kiem, it’s a lovely spot to drink coffee and get lost in a book, forgetting reality for a moment. The pleasing decor adds to the warmth of this cafe. Not a reader? No problem! Come here for the coffee and ambience, especially at night when the lights are dim and the air is filled with melodious music. The menu offers a medley of Vietnamese and International coffee brews. So, choose your liking and spend an hour or so here, either reading or soaking in the melodious ambience. Nevertheless, you will fall in love with this inviting cafe.
Xofa Cafe & Bistro
Craving coffee at midnight? We know just the place for you! Xofa Cafe & Bistro in Hanoi is open and at your service 24/7. Whether you just want to step out post-midnight for a snack or have tagged your laptop along to catch up on a bit of work, this cafe welcomes you with a smile and a menu brimming with a delectable assortment of dishes and coffee. But, we urge you to visit during the day so that you can cherish the lovely space this cafe has, with courtyards dotted with trees and blooming bougainvillaea, and evenings spruced up with string lights and a live orchestra. You can even pick a book from the free library cabinet or have a nonchalant time with friends. The coffee here soothes your soul, no doubt, but check out their eclectic menu! Treat yourself to croissants and poached eggs for breakfast, delicious pasta paired with wines, and rice bowls for meals, and finish it up with beautiful flower cookies and delicious desserts.
Conclusion
In Hanoi, getting a cup of coffee is an experience of sorts. You can sip a cup of coffee sitting on tiny plastic chairs on street-side coffee stalls or even explore the above-mentioned cafes. In Hanoi, all cafe experiences count as memorable, extraordinarily. If coffee is your thing and you love to know about how to brew that perfect caffeine concoction, then go beyond just visiting cafes and include specialty experiences in Hanoi tour packages like coffee ceremonies, behind-the-scenes workshops, and even a short trip to the coffee farms of Vietnam at Da Lat or Buon Ma Thuot for more in-depth experiences and enjoy coffee tasting straight from the source. The nightlife in Hanoi is also quite popular, just like the coffee culture. You should definitely check it out to get the whole Hanoi experience.
