Hanoi runs on coffee. From third-wave coffee houses to French colonial cafés, Hanoi is a city brimming with fantastic espresso options. Consider this your ultimate guide to Hanoi for coffee lovers with all the varieties you need to try the 17 best cafés in the city.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its bustling markets, historic landmarks, and delicious street food. For coffee lovers, however, it's also known as a city with a thriving café scene. Hanoi runs on coffee, and not in a way that many other cities do, where Instagram-worthy interiors drive business. In Hanoi, coffee is a ceremonious part of the local lifestyle. In this article, we'll take a closer look at 17 of the best coffee shops and cafés in Hanoi, from traditional Vietnamese coffee houses to trendy new spots.

The first time I stepped foot in Hanoi as a solo traveler, I found comfort in knowing that I could escape the thick Vietnamese heat by popping into whatever closeby café I’d stumble upon. Upon every return to Hanoi, I’d discover new-to-me cafés and spend the hottest parts of the day sipping away the day. Every visit to Vietnam, I found myself sitting in a buzzing Hanoi café while Vietnamese men squatted on plastic stools, downing their first cup of the day in between animated discussions and pho. These scenes from coffee shops throughout Hanoi are exactly why even those who don’t enjoy the taste of coffee can appreciate the morning ritual done the Vietnamese way.

In this comprehensive coffee guide, I share Hanoi’s iconic coffee houses, modern third-wave coffee shops, and trendy cafés. I’ll also introduce you to some of the unique and delicious coffee drinks that make Hanoi's coffee scene so special, like egg coffee and coconut coffee. Whether you're a local or a tourist, read on to discover the best coffee shops and cafés in Hanoi, Vietnam.

a brief history of coffee in Hanoi ↴

Much of Hanoi’s coffee culture is connected to a legacy of French colonialism. In 1857, the French introduced coffee to Vietnam, and by 1950, Vietnam was exporting its own instant coffee products. Today, Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, harvesting more than 1.5 million tons every year. That’s approximately 40% of the world’s Robusta coffee.

Coffee became such an embedded part of Vietnamese culture that, once the wartime era ended and people finally had the money and time to socialize again, café meet-ups and morning coffees were reinstated as a regular thing. There’s even a coffee street in Hanoi (Nguyen Huu Huan). For coffee lovers seeking the best coffee made like the locals have it, I recommend visiting Nguyen Huu Huan, especially if you’re looking to try signature Vietnamese coffees like coconut or egg coffee (see below).

must-try coffee in Hanoi ↴

Vietnamese coffee

CAPHE DEN + CAPHE SUA

In Hanoi, coffee drips slowly through a filter while people chat away in buzzing coffee shops across the city. When getting an education in Vietnamese coffee, there is only one place to start: caphe den (black coffee). Caphe den is not for the faint of heart, with typically a strong and intense flavor body, but there is a sweeter option available in the form of caphe sua (coffee with condensed milk). Caphe sua is sweet, creamy, and very rich. I recommend getting an iced caphe sua as the slow melting ice helps balance the sweetness.

coconut coffee

Without question, my favorite coffee variety in Hanoi is coconut coffee. Frozen coconut milk is added to black coffee and topped with coconut ice shavings. This aromatic coffee variation is a must-try in Hanoi. Many people believe that the coconut oil in coconut coffee helps speed up your metabolism.

egg coffee

When I first heard about traditional egg coffee, I cringed a bit. Beautiful coffee mixed with…hot…raw…egg?!? Never. No way. But, then I went on a coffee tour of Hanoi with a local Vietnamese guide who completely opened my mind and changed my perspective. Once I understood the story behind egg coffee, I decided to give the concoction a try and I’m so glad I did because it’s truly a taste of Vietnamese history. A former hotel bartender opened his own coffee shop during wartime. Because of this, milk was sparse, Luckily necessity is the mother of invention, and egg was used as a substitute
for milk. Egg coffee is a decadent way to indulge in your morning cuppa and I could not recommend it more.

17 best cafés in Hanoi ↴

Cộng Caphe

Dotted across Hanoi (and Vietnam) are Cộng Caphes and their military-green interiors. While I’m not usually one to promote chains, the coconut coffee at Cộng Caphe is noteworthy. Cộng was founded by a female Vietnamese entrepreneur, Nguyễn Hà Linh. She opened the first branch in 2007 on Hanoi’s Triệu Việt Vương Street. The café’s name is actually a moniker from the country’s official name: Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam (the Socialist Republic of Vietnam). With air-conditioning and decent WiFi, it’s a good place to go for an afternoon refreshment and a look at the chain’s famous “Communist Chic” decor.

📍 116 P. Cầu Gỗ, Hàng Trống

Kafeville

Kafeville is a relatively new third-wave coffee shop in Hanoi. The café opened in 2016 and quickly made it its mission to bring specialty coffee in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere to Hanoi. Kafeville has deemed itself a “Safe haven, hideaway, and home for all coffee lovers”, and on that it delivers. The quiet of Kafeville is broken only by the hum of the espresso machine and beans being carefully poured and weighed. It truly is a space for coffee enthusiasts to indulge in the warm bliss of excellent coffee.

📍 23 P. Yên Ninh, Trúc Bạch

Café Nola

If you aren’t looking for Café Nola, you might walk right by it without giving it a second look. It’s like a secret kept quietly in the heart of the city, waiting to be found. The café makes home in a dilapidated French colonial building. Plants fill the space with windows and balconies looking out every which way. Furniture is mismatched and magazines sit on tables that are decades old, but free of dust; a reminder that people love words even if they’re outdated. I’m honestly not sure how the staff even managed to find me in the maze of a building, but they did and happily served me my iced coffee. I sat and read a book from my backpack while a couple a few rooms away held a photoshoot in one of the doorways. Café Nola is truly a place to get lost in.

📍 89 P. Mã Mây, Hàng Buồm

Café Dinh

Café Dinh is owned by the daughter of the inventor of egg coffee (see above). Many people will tell you it’s Cafe Giang which is the legitimate egg coffee café because it’s Giang is owned by the son of the inventor’s café. But the eldest child is the daughter, which makes Café Dinh the rightful egg coffee heir. Café Dinh is a hidden gem in all the best ways, hidden away up narrow staircases and located behind a knock-off backpack store. I was the only foreigner amongst the low squat tables, plastic stools, and sunflower seeds spat on the floor. Put simply: Café Dinh is the real deal. Of course, it goes without saying that the star of the menu is Café Dinh’s egg coffee. It will likely be the richest and sweetest coffee you’ve ever had.

📍 13 P. Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Trống

Maison de Tet Decor

Tucked behind palm leaves is Maison de Tet Decor, a stunning French colonial building that offers garden seating, balcony tables, and indoor work spaces for those who want to get out of the Hanoi chaos and enjoy a coffee in their own little haven. The prices are high comparatively, but the food was delicious and the barista-style coffee was on par with any of the flat whites I’ve had in Australia. On top of its spectacular food and drink, Maison de Tet Decor has a strong social initiative aiming to end sex trafficking in Vietnam.

📍 58 P. Từ Hoa, Quảng An

Lifted Coffee + Brunch

From thick grilled cheese sandwiches to decadent cinnamon french toast topped with ice cream, from smoothie bowls to fresh fruit juices, Lifted Coffee and Brunch offers a balance of healthy and (much) less healthy menu options to suit every palate. Lifted is the self-proclaimed “Best Place for your Tinder Dates”, but as someone who has never used or even downloaded the dating app, I can’t actually confirm this. What I can confirm is that their staff are friendly and their balcony seating quickly became one of my favorite spots to people-watch. It may very well be one of the best places in the heart of the city to grab brunch, even if you aren’t on a Tinder date.

📍 101 P. Hàng Gà, Hàng Bồ

Blackbird Coffee

Walk down a quiet street in the Old Quarter and you’ll be greeted by an orange storefront engulfed in outdoor seating. This is Blackbird, a café and roastery with the goal to improve the Vietnamese coffee scene by perfecting its slow bar offerings. From AeroPress to Chemex, Blackbird offers delicately brewed beans. It’s emerged as a staple of the budding specialty coffee scene in Hanoi.

📍 5 P. Chân Cầm, Hàng Trống

La Place

Most tourists catch views of the Cathedral from the ground, but you can get tourist-free photos from the balcony of La Place and, at the exact same time enjoy waffles served with fresh fruit and delicious Vietnamese coffee. Winning all around, if you ask me. There really isn’t too much to say about this place. There’s WiFi, inexpensive food and drinks, and a balcony with a stunning view. It’s simply a fun little place where I liked the friendly staff, the quiet of the café despite its popular setting, and the Belgian waffle. Did I mention the Belgian waffles?

📍 6 P. Ấu Triệu, Hàng Trống

The Note Coffee

Often known as “The Note Café” by tourists, this Instagram-famous café in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is covered from floor to ceiling in handwritten post-it notes. Scribbled lover letters, quick inspirational quotes, and beautiful notes from friends, The Note Coffee is spattered with lovely little reading material. I was a near regular here during my first stay in Hanoi. I found comfort in the chaotic “I was here” messages stuck to every free surface. During that time, I had an iced coconut latte and a croissant, and it only set me back about USD $3, which was pretty decent given the size of the latte and the popularity of the place. It’s definitely a little cheesy, but it’s a must-visit café for anyone in Hanoi.

📍 64 P. Lương Văn Can, Hàng Trống

The Hanoi Social Club

The Hanoi Social Club in the early hours of the morning is exactly what I like about cafés. On my first visit, I arrived just after opening on a Sunday and had the place practically to myself. The beautiful albeit chipped floor tiles and vintage furniture made it aesthetically right up my alley. I enjoyed every bite of the delicious avocado toast with ricotta I had for brunch here. I also returned one evening for their live music event and was amazed at how the atmosphere changed from day to night. I would say The Hanoi Social Club serves the best brunch and ambiance in Hanoi.

📍 6 Ng. Hội Vũ, Hàng Bông

Loading T...

Loading T... is another favorite café of mine in Hanoi. The place is easy to walk by without realizing it, but once you find it you won’t want to leave. Its quiet atmosphere in yet another one of Hanoi’s beautiful decaying colonial building, paired with its fast internet might tempt you to work from here, but the general vibe of this quiet café seems more suited for a catch-up with mates rather than a catch-up on emails. The coffee at Loading T… is fantastic, most notably their traditional Vietnamese coffee with a signature twist. Loading T… roasts the coffee’s beans in cinnamon, which makes an already tasty Vietnamese coffee something extra special.

📍 8 P. Chân Cầm, Hàng Trống

The Rustics Coffee Shop

I stumbled upon The Rustics Coffee Shop on a walk to the Temple of Literature. The twinkly lights early in the morning caught my attention. When I walked in, I was promptly greeted and then served a massive chocolate cookie milkshake, which nearly sent me into cardiac arrest thanks to the overload of sugar. The little touches like fresh roses at every table and various types of seating over three floors made it an easy place to cozy up for a few hours while I did some work and waited out the heavy rain.

📍 21B Điện Biên Phủ

Tranquil Books + Coffee

The quiet ambiance of Tranquil Books + Coffee provides just the right level of coziness. The place was filled with students/worker bees drinking their teas and coffees while typing away. I preferred the outdoor seating, though it makes avoiding cigarette smoke a bit harder. The inside features giant bookcases filled with different genres of literature in all sorts of languages.

📍 5 P. Nguyễn Quang Bích, Cửa Đông

Hanoi House

Balcony seating? Check. Twinkly lights and low wooden seating on art deco tiled floors? Check. Friendly local staff who serve up coffees, juices, and cocktails? Check. Hanoi House is yet another hidden-in-plain-sight café that sits across the road from the famous Cathedral. If you sit on the balcony, you can watch the happenings of the people below. You have to walk down a narrow alley, up concrete steps, and into a building that looks like it was, in fact, someone’s house. The owner, Huong, is always smiling and so are the rest of his staff. The WiFi here is absolutely dodgy at best and the low stool seating makes it both impractical and uncomfortable for working, but its warm atmosphere and perfected coffee make it ideal for doing what matters- drinking and thinking.

📍 47A P. Lý Quốc Sư, Hàng Trống

Tâng Trêt Cosmo Café

After a trip to the Temple of Literature, I had to hunker down to meet some deadlines. I searched for nearby cafés and came across Tâng Trêt Cosmo Café. I quickly read a few reviews, looked at the photos, and decided it was a winner. A few minutes walk landed me in the alley where the multi-floored café sits. Not only is there beautiful indoor and outdoor seating, but it’s plentiful. This café was created with online workers in mind. There is locker storage for travelers with large bags. There is an abundance of charging outlets. The red velvet cake and their lemon-ginger tea both earn my seal of approval. Food, beverages, and space to work with storage in case you need a break to visit some of the main tourist attractions?! Seems too good to be true, but I promise it’s not.

📍 100 P. Khúc Thừa Dụ

Cà Phê Duy Tri

Cà Phê Duy Tri was another fabulous find of Mai and the final stop on my Backstreet Academy coffee tour. This café is one of the first in the city of Hanoi. Established in 1936, this narrow coffee house felt like a poetic testament to the history of Vietnamese coffee culture. Only the tiniest modern touches exist in Cà Phê Duy Tri— twinkly lights. Wooden stools and chairs sit in pairs on either side of tables where you can sit your beverage and sunflower seed bowls. It takes 20 minutes for the slow-drip coffee to brew, slowly dripping over condensed milk, but the locals don’t mind. Their appreciation of coffee means they know the good stuff takes time. While there are no bells and whistles here, that’s what made it one of the best couple of coffee hours I spent in Hanoi. Mai and I talked about fashion, social media, and relationships all while we waited for our coffee to drop into our cups. And there lay the beauty of it— two modern women talking about modern things over the age-old tradition of coffee.

📍 58 P. Từ Hoa, Quảng An

Atelier Coffee

Atelier Coffee doubles as both roaster and café around the corner from Hanoi’s infamous train street. Luckily, Atelier has remained off most tourists’ radars, making it the perfect environment for getting work done, reading a book, or simply catching up over an expertly executed pour-over. Atelier does all of its bean roasting in-house. The café highlights other Vietnamese micro-roasters too, so you can learn about other third-wave coffee shops throughout the country. What I love about Atelier, besides their aromatic coffee, is their commitment to supporting and promoting Vietnamese fair trade coffee.

📍 65A P. Tôn Thất Thiệp, Điện Biên