Hanoi’s cafe scene is something else. Whether you’re chasing the perfect egg coffee down a narrow Old Quarter alley or hunting for a cozy hideout near Hoan Kiem Lake, this city delivers.
The 8 best cafes in Hanoi are: Cafe Giang, Blackbird Coffee, Tranquil Books and Coffee, Cong Ca Phe, The Note Coffee, Cafe Pho Co, Briefly on Earth, and Dinh Cafe.
Best Cafes in Hanoi
These aren’t just cafes, they’re experiences.
From century-old egg coffee institutions tucked down alleyways to specialty roasters with stunning lake views, Hanoi’s coffee scene rewards curious explorers.
I spent weeks cafe-hopping through the Old Quarter and beyond, and these eight spots genuinely stood out. Grab your phin filter curiosity and let’s get into it.
1. Cafe Giang
Best For: Trying original egg coffee in Hanoi
If you try one thing in Hanoi, make it the egg coffee at Cafe Giang, and make it here, at the source.
Back in 1946, bartender Nguyen Van Giang whipped egg yolks with condensed milk to replace scarce fresh milk, and accidentally created a legend.
Rich, velvety, and almost tiramisu-like, it’s served on the second floor of a tucked-away alley on Nguyen Huu Huan Street. Queue early, it fills up fast.
Opening: Daily, early morning till evening
Atmosphere: Narrow alley hideout, second-floor balcony seating with an old Hanoi soul
Menu Highlights:
- Hot egg coffee (original recipe)
- Iced egg coffee
- Egg coffee with Oreo cookies
- Black coffee and yogurt coffee
39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem
2. Blackbird Coffee
Best For: Specialty coffee and breakfast pastries
Blackbird quickly became my go-to breakfast spot in Hanoi, and I’m not alone.
This beloved local roastery has three locations, with the Old Quarter branch being the most charming.
Their fully washed espresso uses locally grown arabica and Catimor beans, and the lattes are genuinely excellent. Pair one with a hot croissant, grab a seat on the mezzanine, and you’ve got yourself a perfect Hanoi morning.
Opening: Daily, morning till afternoon
Atmosphere: Cozy roastery with mezzanine seating and outdoor people-watching chairs
Menu Highlights:
- Locally roasted arabica latte
- Fully washed espresso
- Hot croissants
- Brownies and pastries
Old Quarter (multiple locations)
3. Tranquil Books and Coffee
Best For: Quiet work, books and cold brew
Tranquil Books and Coffee is exactly what its name promises, a genuine sanctuary.
Tucked into the Old Quarter at 5 Nguyen Quang Bich, it’s packed with books, warmed by a fireplace, and occasionally alive with live piano music.
I grabbed a cold brew with salted cream on the patio and completely lost track of time. Seven locations across the city, but this one’s the original and the best.
Opening: Daily, morning till late evening
Atmosphere: Warm and bookish with fireplace, piano, patio seating and soft lighting
Menu Highlights:
- Fuji cold brew with salted cream
- Vietnamese classic coffee
- Espresso-based drinks
- Teas and seasonal specials
5 Nguyen Quang Bich, Hoan Kiem
4. Cong Ca Phe
Best For: Coconut coffee with retro Vietnamese vibes
Cong Ca Phe is impossible to miss, and honestly, you wouldn’t want to.
With its khaki-green walls, vintage Communist-era posters, and bamboo furniture, the atmosphere alone is worth a visit.
But it’s the coconut coffee that keeps people coming back. Rich, cold, and creamy, it’s become something of a Hanoi staple. Branches are dotted across the city, most stay open late, and the prices are very easy on the wallet.
Opening: Daily, morning till late night
Atmosphere: Retro Communist-era decor with bamboo furniture and a warm, buzzy feel
Menu Highlights:
- Coconut iced coffee
- Ca phe sua da (iced condensed milk coffee)
- Strong Vietnamese black coffee
- Affordable snacks and drinks
Multiple locations, Old Quarter and beyond
5. The Note Coffee
Best For: Quirky sticky note decor, Old Quarter
Walk into The Note Coffee and you’ll immediately understand the name.
Every wall, ceiling, and surface is plastered with thousands of colourful sticky notes left by visitors from around the world. It’s wonderfully chaotic in the best possible way.
The Vietnamese coffee is solid, prices are low, and the multi-floor Old Quarter space makes for a genuinely fun stop. Leave your own note and add to the story.
Opening: Daily, morning till evening
Atmosphere: Wildly colourful, wall-to-wall sticky notes with a fun multi-floor layout
Menu Highlights:
- Vietnamese drip coffee
- Iced condensed milk coffee
- Egg coffee
- Fresh juices and teas
Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem
6. Cafe Pho Co
Best For: Rooftop views over Hoan Kiem Lake
This one requires a little detective work, and that’s exactly part of the charm.
Hidden behind a silk shop on Hang Gai Street, Cafe Pho Co reveals itself only after you pass through a narrow alley and climb a winding staircase.
But reach the rooftop and you’re rewarded with one of the best views of Hoan Kiem Lake in the city. Pair it with a slice of homemade cake. Absolutely worth it.
Opening: Daily, morning till evening
Atmosphere: Rooftop hideout above the Old Quarter with panoramic lake views
Menu Highlights:
- Vietnamese drip coffee
- Iced coffee
- Homemade cakes and desserts
- Hot and cold coffee varieties
11 Hang Gai, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem
7. Briefly on Earth Coffee
Best For: Specialty espresso near Hoan Kiem Lake
Stumbling upon Briefly on Earth Coffee feels like a proper local discovery.
Tucked down a quiet alley near Hoan Kiem Lake, it wears two personalities beautifully, classic Vietnamese street cafe on the outside, cozy hipster spot within.
The menu covers bold robusta with condensed milk for traditionalists and a gorgeous Ethiopian arabica for specialty lovers. Oh, and there’s a resident cat. That alone earns its place on this list.
Opening: Daily, morning till evening
Atmosphere: Dual personality cafe, street-side local charm with a cozy hipster interior
Menu Highlights:
- Ethiopian arabica espresso
- Bold robusta with condensed milk
- Vietnamese classic iced coffee
- Specialty seasonal drinks
Near Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter
8. Dinh Cafe
Best For: Authentic old Hanoi egg coffee experience
Dinh Cafe doesn’t try to impress you, and somehow that makes it more impressive.
Tucked into the second floor of a worn French colonial building at 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, it’s rustic, no-frills, and full of Old Hanoi soul.
Run by the daughter of egg coffee inventor Nguyen Van Giang, it carries real heritage. Grab a balcony seat, order the egg coffee, and watch Hoan Kiem Lake shimmer below. Magic.
Opening: Daily, morning till evening
Atmosphere: Rustic French colonial second floor with balcony views over Hoan Kiem Lake
Menu Highlights:
- Hot and iced egg coffee
- Yogurt coffee
- Ca phe nong (black Vietnamese coffee)
- Juices and teas
13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem
