Famous Coffee Shops in Hanoi | Ultimate Guide

The busy capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a coffee lover’s dream come true rather than merely a city. The city presents a varied range of coffee shops to suit every taste and inclination with its rich past and energetic culture. Let MOTOGO Tours explore famous coffee shops in Hanoi.

Top Famous Coffee Shops in Hanoi

The Old Quarter’s Hidden Gems

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is a maze of little lanes dotted with busy marketplaces, classic homes, and of course some of the most famous coffee shops in the city. This neighborhood is the ideal starting point if you want to really enjoy Vietnamese coffee culture. Let’s look at two fabled locations that have long been a feature of Hanoi’s coffee scene.

Cafe Giang

Founded in 1946 by former Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel bartender Nguyen Van Giang, Cafe Giang is a real jewel. This location distinguishes itself with the creation of the well-known egg coffee, or cà phê trứng, a distinctive and decadent drink combining robust Vietnamese coffee with a creamy concoction of beaten egg yolks, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. Originally developed during the French Indochina era, the drink made sense as milk was limited and the egg served as a substitute. These days, one of the most popular delicacies in Hanoi.

Cafe Giang radiates old-world elegance. Tucked down in a small lane, it could be easy to overlook, but once inside you will be surrounded by a warm, nostalgic scene with wooden tables, low lighting, and walls covered in relics from past. The laid-back vibe makes this the ideal spot to relax and savor a delicious cup of cà phê trứng while basking in the historical permeation of the air.

Cafe Lam

Cafe Lam is a must-visit if you value authenticity and legacy. Originally opened in the 1950s, Cafe Lam has long been a favorite destination of nearby creatives, thinkers, and artists. With every cup, this one of Hanoi’s oldest coffee cafes provides a taste of the city’s past very literally. Popular here is Vietnamese drip coffee, sometimes known as cà phê phin. It’s strong and rich, with a bold taste complemented by either served black for a more intense punch or sweetened condensed milk.

Cafe Lam has a simple but personal atmosphere. Artwork from decades past, donated by nearby artists who paid for their coffee in artwork during hard times, covers its walls. The artworks provide the basic décor a distinctive artistic touch, therefore transforming this café from just a coffee shop into a little art gallery. Here the atmosphere is modest, ideal for relaxing with a cup of coffee and a nice book or just observing the world pass by.

Modern Cafes with a Twist

The coffee scene of Hanoi changes with its development. Although the classic coffee shops still have appeal, a new generation of trendy cafes has developed combining modern design with creative coffee experiences. Attractive to both residents and visitors, these sites present a different viewpoint on Hanoi’s coffee scene.

The Hanoi Social Club

Rustic beauty finds modern sophistication at the Hanoi Social Club. Nestled in a lovely old French colonial villa, this multi-level cafe has a laid-back, bohemian vibe with mismatched furnishings, rich vegetation, and lots of quiet corner for relaxing. It’s about the experience rather than only about the coffee here. From digital nomads working away on laptops to artists and musicians searching for inspiration, the cafe draws a creative audience.

Regarding coffee, the Social Club presents a range of choices ranging from flat whites and cappuccinos to traditional Vietnamese brews. They also take great satisfaction in providing ethically produced coffee beans, so making sure every cup is not only good but also sustainable. Their menu goes beyond coffee; it consists of healthy, plant-based dishes, which makes this perfect place for brunch. This cafe is a hive for Hanoi’s artistic community with regular live music events and an upstairs lounge space.

Oriberry Coffee

Oriberry Coffee is a must-visit for anybody who value sustainability just as highly as taste. Modern, understated architecture of this café reflects its emphasis on ethical procurement and quality. Simple décor, natural light, and clean lines produce a serene environment in which the coffee takes the stage.

Oriberry is well-known for its dedication to help nearby farmers. The cafe guarantees fair trade by sourcing its coffee beans straight from northern Vietnamese ethnic minority farmers, therefore enhancing their way of life. Regarding the coffee itself, they have a selection of single-origin brews with unique taste character. Oriberry has something to gratify your taste receptors whether your preferred roast is light, fruity or rich, chocolatey. Their meticulous approach also covers their brewing techniques; choices include pour-over, French press, and the traditional Vietnamese drip.

Scenic Spots for Coffee Lovers

Enjoying coffee in Hanoi has one of its pleasures in the chance to taste your cup while appreciating the surroundings of the city. From busy streets to calm lakes to expansive cityscapes, several cafes provide breathtaking views. For those who wish to mix outstanding coffee with a breathtaking view, these locations are ideal.

The Note Coffee

The Note Coffee is distinctive and as delightful. Situated just a short distance from Hoan Kiem Lake, this little café is decorated from floor to ceiling in vibrant sticky notes left by guests from all over. These notes have messages of love, friendship, and inspiration, therefore fostering a cosy and unique environment quite unlike others.

Apart from its unusual décor, The Note Coffee is well-known for its great coffee and perfect location. Perfect views of Hoan Kiem Lake from the top floors make this a great place to unwind and take in the surroundings. From classic Vietnamese brews to worldwide favorites like lattes and cappuccinos, their menu features a range of coffee drinks. Spending hours here reading the emotional notes and drinking a well made coffee is made simple by the pleasant personnel and cozy atmosphere.

Kafeville

Kafeville should be on your list if you search for a café with a modern edge and an amazing view. Located in one of the more upscale areas of Hanoi, this cafe has a simple, understated look with big windows offering breathtaking views of the city skyline. Perfect for individuals who wish to savor their coffee in a serene, sophisticated environment, this is a quiet haven from the crowded streets below.

Kafeville regards its coffee with great respect. Their baristas are always pleased to suggest something depending on your taste preferences; they provide a selection of well crafted choices including pour-over and Aeropress. Kafeville has you covered whether your taste in light, fruity blends or more robust and aggressive. This cafe stands out among the always developing coffee industry in Hanoi because of their commitment to excellence and consistency.

Unique Coffee Experiences

The coffee scene in Hanoi transcends mere cup of coffee. Coffee consumption in this city is a journey with distinctive turns that makes it a cultural experience in and itself. Whether you’re savoring the strong tastes of Vietnamese drip coffee or a frothy cup of egg coffee, the coffee experiences in Hanoi are as varied as interesting as the city itself.

Egg Coffee: A Hanoi Specialty

Trying the famed egg coffee, or cà phê trứng, is among the most unique coffee experiences you can have in Hanoi. Originally created in the 1940s by Nguyen Giang, this unusual but great drink sprang from a milk shortage during the French colonial era. Egg yolk became the substitute for milk by creative residents, so egg coffee originated.

Strong Vietnamese coffee plus whisked egg yolks, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk makes egg coffee. Presented, it resembles almost a dessert, with the creamy egg froth hovering atop the coffee. Taste is exactly a mix of bitter, sweet, and creamy; the texture is rich and velvety, almost like a custard. Egg coffee has become a renowned emblem of Hanoi’s inventiveness and resiliency despite its unusual components.

Vietnamese Drip Coffee

The famous Vietnamese drip coffee, or cà phê phin, is another must-have coffee experience in Hanoi Using a little metal drip filter called a phin, this coffee-making technique is distinctive for Vietnam. Usually combined with sweetened condensed milk for an added layer of richness, the slow and methodical process lets the hot water trickle through the coffee grounds into a cup below.

The strength of taste in this coffee makes it quite unique. Usually composed of robusta beans, which have a strong, slightly bitter taste unlike more often used arabica beans, Vietnamese coffee is Strong and fragrant brew comes from the drip technique extracting the whole-bodied taste of the coffee. The sharpness of the coffee is exactly matched with the sweetness when combined with condensed milk to produce a harmonic, luxurious drink that is both energetic and satisfying.

Particularly on a steamy Hanoi afternoon, many people savor this coffee cooled. Combining ice and sweetened milk with the slow-drip approach produces a cool, energetic beverage you may sip slowly while soaking in the busy streets of the city.

Coconut Coffee: A Tropical Twist

For those seeking a more contemporary take on the classic Vietnamese coffee experience, coconut coffee provides a tropical variety. Perfect for battling the heat, this delicious mix of strong Vietnamese coffee with a rich blend of coconut milk creates a creamy, sweet, and somewhat nutty beverage.

Although coconut coffee is a relatively recent addition to Hanoi’s coffee scene, its distinct taste character has helped it to become somewhat well-known both hot and cold. Perfect for a mid-day treat, robust coffee combined with the subdued sweetness of coconut makes a pleasant but energizing drink.

Weasel Coffee: Vietnam’s Luxury Coffee

Hanoi provides another unusual coffee experience in the shape of weasel coffee if you have taste for luxury and are feeling daring. Weasels ingest, partially digest, and defecate beans used to make this rare and costly coffee. The digestion process is claimed to change the chemical makeup of the beans, therefore lowering their acidity and providing the coffee with a smoother, more sophisticated taste.

Considered a delicacy, weasel coffee is sometimes somewhat expensive because of the labor-intensive bean harvesting procedure. Although it sounds strange, many coffee drinkers say that with its special mix of flavors ranging from earthy to somewhat chocolaty, they provide a once-in- a-lifetime taste experience.

Salt Coffee: A Coastal Touch

Try salt coffee in Hanoi for something quite unusual. Originally from the seaside city of Hue, this unique beverage has crept into the coffee scene in Hanoi. Strong black coffee blended with a coating of salted cream on top makes salt coffee. The cream’s salinity accentuates the coffee’s sweetness, therefore producing a rich and incredibly pleasing taste.

Though at first contradictory, this strange but tasty mix works very well in contrast with sweet tastes. Salt coffee is best savored slowly so that the layers of tastes may develop with every sip.

Tips for Visiting Hanoi’s Coffee Shops

Best Times to Visit

The best times to visit the coffee cafes in Hanoi are early in morning or late afternoon. While late afternoons are ideal for people-watching and savoring the vivid vitality of the city, early mornings present a more subdued, more calm environment.

Cultural Etiquette

When visiting Hanoi’s coffee shops, one should pay attention to regional customs. Ordering and paying at the counter is usual; tip is not asked but appreciated for really good service. Furthermore, slow down and relish the experience; coffee culture in Hanoi is about appreciating every moment.

Offering something for every coffee enthusiast, Hanoi’s coffee culture is a wonderful mix of history and innovation. Every coffee shop provides a different narrative, from contemporary hotspots with amazing views to traditional cafes in the Old Quarter. Whether your taste is for an exciting new blend or a classic egg coffee, Hanoi’s cafés offer a unique experience that perfectly embodies this energetic city.