Apart from miraculously natural landscape and enthralling heritage sites, Vietnam is also known as the second-largest coffee exporter in the world. Hence, It is a mistake if you do not visit any of the cafés during your tours to Hanoi to enjoy the best coffee in the world. 

1. Cafe Giang

Address: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Located in the Hanoi Old Quarter, Cafe Giang promises to bring you a throwback to Hanoi in the past. Even though Cafe Giang is not really spacious, this famous café will certainly make you comfortable with the cozy atmosphere. Tourists may immerse in the peaceful morning or evening of Hanoian while sipping a warm cup of coffee.

Cafe Giang certainly offers you the best Vietnamese Egg Coffee in Hanoi Old Quarter with the secret recipe passing down from Mr. Giang, the founder of this café and a former bartender in 5-star Sofitel Legend Metropole. The surprisingly simple ingredients like the yolk of a chicken egg, Vietnamese coffee powder, condensed milk can be made into a super tasty drink. One important part to make excellent egg coffee is the perfect balance between the fat of the egg and the fragrance of the coffee. Feel Free to explore Hanoi Old Quarter and stop at Cafe Giang, one of the best cafes in Hanoi which you will never forget.

2. Café Dinh

Address: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

As one of the best places famous for their egg coffee in Hanoi, Café Dinh is established by Mrs. Bich, daughter of Mr. Giang. Therefore, it is no doubt that this popular beverage has more or less the same outstanding quality in Café Giang.

A notable feature of Café Dinh is the great view of Hoan Kiem Lake on the balcony. Even though the shop is often packed in the morning, you can find one of the seats if you are lucky enough. Visitors love Café Dinh for not only its view and delicious Egg Coffee and Egg Cacao but also the French colonial style kept by Mrs. Bich for many years. There is nothing more wonderful than to enjoy the hot fat coffee and the authentic architectural style of the Old Quarter.

3. Café Pho Co

Address: 4th Floor, 14 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

Café Pho Co or Old Town Coffee Hanoi has become more and more popular in recent years among foreign tourists. People like this location from the first look because they have to travel through the small alley before reaching an amazing coffee shop in ancient style. Some even think that it likes a treasure hunt in the ancient busy streets.

This café features both the unique Vietnamese architecture in the past and a great view of the lake. The old equipment and decorations only help add to the special atmosphere of this place and further enrich the experience of tourists. Last but not least, Café Pho Co is greatly praised for its delectable Vietnamese Egg Coffee which considered to be on par with Café Dinh.

4. Café Lam

Address: 60 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

People know Café Lam not only because of the authentic Hanoi cold and hot coffee with sweetened condensed milk but also an impressive story about the owner. A long time ago, in the 50s of 20th century, Mr. Lam decided to let his coffee shop to be the gathering destination of students and artists at that time. As a result, café Lam is well-known as a gallery of famous paintings in Vietnam for more than 50 years.

Despite no view to the lake, you can watch the bustling coffee street in Hanoi - Nguyen Huu Huan while contemplating Mr. Lam’s remarkable collections. These paintings will surely offer an insight into an ancient Hanoi which you can no longer see now. It will be truly unforgettable memories for both foreign and domestic tourists.

5. Café Nang

Address: 45 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

Nowadays, Café Nang is an ideal place to feel the life of local especially when even Hanoian finds it difficult to sip a cup of coffee in a familiar and peaceful location. If you want to know the old style of enjoying coffee in Hanoi with simple plastic chairs on the sidewalk, it is no doubt that this location is a must-visit.

Coffee in Café Nang can easily make people fall in love with pretty light smoky smell and bitterness. Many people may not used to it, but you will get addicted when you do. The price is very cheap and the owner is friendly toward customers.

6. Café Nhi

Address: 02 Hang Ca Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

Along with other well-known cafés, this is one of the oldest cafés that still exists for many years. Every day, hundreds of people pour in Café Nhi just to drink coffee and chat in the morning and afternoon even though the place is not very large.

Like Café Nang, the allure of the coffee in Café Nhi is the bitterness and sweetness from the condensed milk. Additionally, you will not have to wait long for the tasty coffee since it has already been prepared long before. As such, coffee in this café is better served with a few small pieces of ice than the hot, warm one. The coffee is also available to be taken away for tourists to enjoy at the hotel or on the way.

7. City View Cafe

Address: 7 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

For those who like to watch the whole Hoan Kiem Lake and the bustling streets from a high viewpoint, we recommend you the best rooftop cafe in Hanoi Old Quarter - City View Café. As the name suggests, this location offers a great outlook of the center of Hanoi on the fifth floor. Even in the morning or at night, City View Café offers wonderful scenes and good services.

This destination also has both food and drinks, so you can have your breakfast first and then coffee later. Although not as well-known as other cafés in the list, the coffee at this location is sufficient enough for your first taste of typical Hanoi coffee.

8. Hanoi Time Café

Address: 39 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

In the middle of the busy streets in Hanoi, Hanoi Time Café chooses a little ancient style for decorations and architecture. On the way through an old stair, you will encounter ancient brick walls, some of which painted a picture of Hanoi. Although a little bit hard to find, your discovery well worth the effort and every penny spent in this location. 

When you reach the main floor, the cozy and tranquil room is easily the most striking feature of the café. It is a perfect place to enjoy the excellent drinks, especially coffee, mocktail, and foods when contemplating the beautiful spectacles of the lake. Adding with fast service and reasonable price, Hanoi Time Café may be a fitting choice for many tourists during their travel to Vietnam.

9. Hanoi House Cafe

Address: 2 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

Among all the ancient and authentic cafés in Hanoi, this coffee shop is certainly one of the most creative destinations for tourists to drop by. Designed by a group of young people, Hanoi House Café has one-of-a-kind style with various decorations such as ceramics, branches of trees, paper flowers and so on.  The friendly staffs will obviously make you at ease after venturing through the busy street of Hanoi.

Unlike other cafés, Hanoi House Café presents you with the splendid view of the St. Joseph's Cathedral. If you prefer a peaceful moment with your friends or lovers, you will not be disappointed with the atmosphere here. Moreover, visitors who have tried Hanoi House Café compliment on the excellent food and drink, and recommend it to others.

10. Cong Caphe

Address: 54 Ma May, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter

Finally, the list cannot complete without the genuine Cong Caphe, a place famous for its unique interior. Cong Caphe does not have the long history, the old traditional building and architecture style like Café Lam or Café Giang, but it still attracts tourists with harmony in the designs and theme of the coffee shop. Because of the brown and green representing the Vietnamese soldiers, the point here is to create nostalgic feelings for visitors.

From a lot of worthless “waste”, the owner creatively reused them for decoration and furniture. Along with handmade menu and walls of old Vietnamese pictures, Cong Caphe attracts any tourists who wish to experience a short journey to the past.