Regardless of the rise in machine-roasted coffee shops with modern design and elegant taste, old cafes in Hanoi always have a significant place in the locals’ life. Some might even say that Hanoi’s character truly shows when locals sit on pavements and chat over a cup of filtered coffee. If you want to feel that essence yourself, read on to must-visit old cafes in Hanoi.
An Overview of Vietnamese Coffee and Old Cafes in Hanoi
- Vietnamese coffee beans are mostly Robusta, which is different from the familiar Arabica from Brazil. Robusta is much more bitter and sharper due to the higher acidity.
Arabica (left) and Robusta (right) are very different in shapes, flavors, after-tastes, and the amount of caffeine
- Instead of fancier ways of brewing coffee like French pressing, cold brew, pour-over, and so on, Vietnamese love using the Phin filter. Filtered coffee has a bitter, thicker, and over-roasted flavor. This way also gives people time to connect while waiting for the coffee to drip. In the end, this trait has built a whole coffee culture.
The filtered coffee has become a symbol of Hanoi’s streets
- The most common types of Vietnamese coffee are condensed milk coffee (Bac Xiu), yogurt coffee (Ca Phe Sua Chua), coconut coffee (Ca Phe Cot Dua), and egg coffee (Ca Phe Trung).
Condensed milk coffee is made from Vietnamese black coffee, condensed milk, and ice
- Old cafes in Hanoi often get their names after their first owners and they usually have only one word. This specialty makes old cafes in Hanoi very distinctive and memorable.
- Old cafes in Hanoi are not designed to study or work at since their facilities are not suitable and it is hard to focus among all the hustle and bustle.
- Hanoi’s famous coffee streets are Nguyen Huu Huan Street and Trieu Viet Vuong Street.
Must-Visit Old Cafes in Hanoi
Giang Cafe
Address: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Price range: VND 25,000 – VND 45,000
Giang Cafe is where the legendary egg coffee was born. Mr. Giang, who invented this amazing drink, said that he wanted to make an authentic Vietnamese version of cappuccino since milk was expensive at that time. Thanks to him, egg coffee has been a symbol of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general for decades.
Giang Cafe is a place you should not miss if you want to taste the original flavor of egg coffee and many other delicious variants such as egg beer, egg cacao, egg green beans, etc.
Giang Cafe is one of the oldest and also the most famous old cafes in Hanoi so it is always packed with people
Egg coffee at Giang Cafe is served on a bowl of hot water to keep the temperature warm
Nang Cafe
Address: 45 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price range: VND 25,000 – VND 40,000
Nang Cafe is also a must-visit old cafe to try egg coffee. Besides, the quaint interiors and tranquil atmosphere here can capture every visitors’ minds and souls since it lays away from the hustle and bustle of the city. They also have their cafe covered in green trees to ‘breathe’ freshness into the air.
The interior at Nang Cafe bears a vintage vibe that is very impressive
Their egg coffee is kept warm by the candlelight
Lam Cafe
Address: 60 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Price range: VND 30,000 – VND 35,000
Lam Cafe differentiates its coffee from the others thanks to its strong and mildly burnt coffee flavor. Recently, Lam Cafe has been renovated; they also put higher tables and chairs in an extended area where you can bring your laptop and work for a while!
Did you know: Mr. Lam lent money to some painters so they could buy art supplies. They, in turn, gave him their paintings as presents and decorations for the cafe.
The pavement in front of Lam Cafe is often full of customers, especially at weekends
Paintings from famous artists are hung inside the cafe
Dinh Cafe
Address: 2nd Floor, 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Price range: VND 25,000 – VND 30,000
Dinh Cafe is one of the most popular old cafes in Hanoi for their quality and favorable location. The owner is Mr. Giang’s daughter. She opened Dinh Cafe after her father passed away. The most outstanding point of this old cafe is its poetic balcony that has a spectacular view of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is best to taste appetizing egg coffee while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere in the Hanoi Old Quarter.
You should also try jasmine and lotus tea if you come here
Nhi Cafe
Address: 2 Hang Ca, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price range: VND 15,000 – VND 30,000
Nhi Cafe is in the top four of the “biggest” old cafes in Hanoi in the past. They have not changed much as their equipment, space, and amenities stay the same, and their coffee is still of high quality. There are no tables but only plastic chairs to be used instead. You may get confused at first since it does not look like a cafe but the flavor can tell you everything.
Nhi Cafe is loved by a lot of locals, especially those who grew up in the area
Vietnamese black coffee is a must-try when you come to Nhi Cafe
Nhan Cafe
Address: 39D Hang Hanh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price range: VND 35,000 – VND 50,000
Also used to be in the top four biggest old cafes in Hanoi, Nhan Cafe has pretty much changed their look to be very modern. Its design creates an open and expansive space with the latest furniture. However, they still put the same tremendous effort into selecting the coffee beans for the best quality coffee.
Nhan Coffee doesn’t look like any other old cafes in Hanoi; it’s much more up-to-date and accessible
Thai Cafe
Address: 27 Trieu Viet Vuong, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price range: VND 20,000 – VND 55,000
Thai Cafe, among all the old cafes in Hanoi, is most known for its “Ca Phe Nau” – Vietnamese brown coffee. Coffee beans at Thai Cafe are claimed to be 100% traditionally roasted to embrace the world’s finest beauty. Located on the busy Trieu Viet Vuong Street, there are always numerous people choosing this place to have their coffee chat.
Thai Cafe is number one in highlighting the strength of Vietnamese coffee
A wall with their slogan “Visit Hanoi, drink a Vietnamese brown coffee”
Our Summary on Must-visit Old Cafes in Hanoi
Despite the growth of specialty coffee shops in Hanoi, old cafes will always play an important role in our coffee culture. It is the beauty of that strong, rustic coffee flavor and simplified settings that facilitate connections among people. Visit these old cafes in Hanoi and tell by yourself!
Get the world-leading travel insurance for your Hanoi adventure:
You may want to read 6 Must-try Drinks in Hanoi.