The 7 Best Cafes in Hanoi Vietnam: Our Top Coffee Shops in 2026
Waseem and I huge coffee lovers, so no matter what city or place we visit on our travels, finding a good coffee shop or cafe is always a must for us. Of course, that is exactly what we did during our time in Hanoi, Vietnam!
Hanoi has its own incredibly strong and unique coffee culture. It’s actually one of the things the city is most famous for, and for good reason. You’ll find classics everywhere, like a rich Vietnamese phin-drip coffee or the legendary egg coffee (cà phê trứng), which was literally invented here. But Hanoi also has a growing number of modern, beautifully designed specialty cafes that are just as worth your time.
We spent a few days exploring Hanoi on our recent visit, and we made it a mission to try as many cafes as we possibly could. Some we visited ourselves, and others came highly recommended by friends who actually live in Hanoi and frequent these spots regularly.
Because Hanoi is such a popular destination, there are unfortunately a lot of tourist traps and overpriced, mediocre spots mixed in with the truly great ones. It definitely takes some trial and error to find the places that are actually worth your time and money. To help you skip the bad ones, I’ve put together this list of the absolute best cafes in Hanoi Vietnam that we personally visited or trust completely based on local recommendations.
Short on Time? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Hanoi Vietnam
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What are the Best Cafes in Hanoi Vietnam? We’ve got the Answers
I’ll be honest: when I think of Hanoi coffee, the first thing that comes to mind is egg coffee. It’s one of those things you hear about before you even book your flight, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. It’s rich, velvety, and unlike anything else you’ve ever tasted, part drink, part dessert, all incredible.
A quick tip on Vietnamese coffee in general: it tends to be strong and bold, often brewed using a traditional phin filter over sweetened condensed milk. If you’re used to Western-style coffee, be prepared for something a little different, but trust me, you’ll love it. If you do want something more familiar like a latte or flat white, plenty of the modern specialty cafes on this list have you covered!
Our absolute number one, must-visit cafe in Hanoi is Cafe Giang, the birthplace of egg coffee. The vintage aesthetic, the tiny wooden stools, the whole atmosphere, it’s just so authentically Hanoi and so, so good. That said, there are so many other incredible cafes in Hanoi Old Quarter and beyond that are well worth your time, so read on!
Best coffee shops in Hanoi Old Quarter
1. Cafe Giang // Best Coffee in Hanoi (The Birthplace of Egg Coffee!)
Opening Hours: 7am–10pm
Price: $
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location
Our absolute favorite cafe in Hanoi was, without a doubt, Cafe Giang. If you only visit one cafe in Hanoi, make it this one. Tucked down a narrow alley in the Old Quarter at 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, it’s the kind of place you’d walk straight past if you didn’t know what you were looking for, but that’s honestly part of its charm.
Cafe Giang is the birthplace of Vietnamese egg coffee, invented back in 1946 by Nguyen Van Giang when milk was scarce and he used whipped egg yolk and condensed milk as a substitute. The recipe has been passed down through the family ever since, and what started as a wartime workaround became one of Hanoi’s most beloved culinary icons.
We ordered an egg coffee and a Vietnamese coffee, and both were absolutely delicious. The egg coffee in particular is something else. It’s warm, intensely rich, and topped with a thick, custardy foam that sits somewhere between a cappuccino and a dessert. We stirred it all together and sipped it slowly, which is exactly the right way to do it.
The whole vintage aesthetic of the place is just so nice too. Tiny wooden stools, faded yellow walls covered in old photos, ceiling fans slowly turning overhead. Nothing feels polished or modern, and that’s exactly why it’s so charming. This is the authentic Hanoi I was looking for.
One practical tip: a cup of egg coffee will set you back around 35,000 VND (about $1.40 USD), which makes it one of the most affordable bucket-list experiences you can have anywhere in the world. Go early or in the mid-afternoon to avoid the worst of the crowds.
2. Hidden Gem Cafe // Most Unique Cafe in Hanoi
Opening Hours: 7am–10pm daily
Price: $$
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location
We didn’t get to visit Hidden Gem Cafe ourselves, but our friends who live in Hanoi absolutely swear by it, so it had to make this list. And honestly, based on everything we’ve heard and read about it, we’re already adding it to our must-visit list for our next trip.
True to its name, Hidden Gem is tucked down a little alley off Hang Tre Street in the Old Quarter. You actually have to walk past a sign telling you to “turn off the engine, get off your bike, and take a walk” before you even get there. It’s that kind of place.
What makes it really special is the decor. Hidden Gem is Vietnam’s largest eco-friendly, recycled-materials cafe, which sounds quirky and it absolutely is. Think old car parts, metal pipes, bicycle wheels, and vibrant flowers all artfully combined across four floors of seating. It looks like someone raided a scrap yard and turned it into something beautiful. Mural paintings on the upper floors recreate iconic corners of Hanoi, and the overall vibe is warm, welcoming, and completely one-of-a-kind.
According to our friends, the coffee is excellent and the spring rolls are so good they’ve ordered them twice in a single sitting. If that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is!
3. Giao Mùa Coffee // Most Instagrammable Cafe in Hanoi
Opening Hours: 7:30am–10pm daily
Price: $$
Our Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location
Another one we didn’t get to personally visit, but it came so highly recommended by our Hanoi-based friends that we couldn’t leave it off this list. Giao Mùa Coffee is located at 77 Lò Sũ Street in the Old Quarter, just a short walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, and from everything we’ve heard, it is absolutely worth the visit.
The best way I can describe it is that it looks like Studio Ghibli and Lord of the Rings decided to open a cafe together. The exterior is all odd curves and cream walls, and the interior is a cozy, multi-level hobbit-cave situation that transports you somewhere else the moment you walk in. Every floor has its own little nooks and a slightly different vibe, and there’s even an outdoor balcony for people watching.
In terms of coffee, our friends say it’s really good. They particularly love the salted cream coffee (cà phê muối), which is a Vietnamese specialty well worth seeking out. Prices lean a little on the higher side compared to other cafes in the Old Quarter, but for the atmosphere alone, people seem to think it’s completely worth it. It’s one of the most Instagrammable cafes in Hanoi without a doubt.
4. The Note Coffee // Quirky Must-Visit Cafe Near Hoan Kiem Lake
Opening Hours: Mon–Thu 8am–10:30pm | Fri–Sun 7am–11pm
Price: $$$
Our Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location
The Note Coffee is one of those Hanoi cafes that you hear about before you even arrive, and the concept is brilliant. Located at 64 Lương Văn Can, right by Hoan Kiem Lake, the entire building including the walls, ceilings, tables, and windows is covered in thousands of colorful sticky notes left by visitors from all over the world. You get a little sticky note when you arrive and can add your own message to the collection.
We ordered an iced coconut coffee, which honestly could’ve been better. The coffee itself wasn’t the main reason we went, and if I’m being real, it probably isn’t the main reason most people go. What makes this place special is the experience.
There were so many flights of stairs, and each floor had windows looking out over Hoan Kiem Lake, which was just stunning. Reading the notes left by strangers from around the world is equal parts hilarious, sweet, and deeply human. Some are profound, some are funny, and some are a little unhinged in the best possible way.
That said, a word of warning: it gets incredibly busy, and people will absolutely hog the window seats for hours. So if snagging a lake view spot is important to you, get there early. Prices are slightly higher than your average Hanoi cafe, but for the experience, most people find it worth it.
5. The Hanoi Cafe // Best All-Round Cafe in the Old Quarter
Opening Hours: 8am–10pm daily
Price: $$
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location
Our friends in Hanoi could not stop talking about The Hanoi Cafe, and it’s easy to see why. Tucked in the heart of the Old Quarter, it’s one of those spots that does everything well: great coffee, great food, great atmosphere, and incredibly friendly staff.
The coffee here is made using premium single-origin beans from Da Lat, and they serve all the Vietnamese specialties you’d want to try: egg coffee, coconut coffee, peanut butter coffee, and the traditional phin filter drip coffee. The food menu is equally impressive, with homemade sourdough breads, avocado toast, smoothie bowls, and even some vegan and gluten-free options, which is honestly not always easy to find in Hanoi.
Our friends say the vibe is cozy and relaxed, with beautiful outdoor seating that gives the whole place a lovely “hidden garden” feel right in the middle of the city. The staff are consistently praised for being warm, helpful, and welcoming. If you’re looking for a place that ticks every single box for a great morning or afternoon out, The Hanoi Cafe is it.
6. Loading T Café // Most Atmospheric Hidden Gem in Hanoi
Opening Hours: 8am–10pm daily
Price: $$
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location
Loading T Café is the kind of place that feels like you’ve discovered a real secret, even though the coffee lovers of Hanoi absolutely know about it. Perched on the second floor of a stunning 1930s French colonial mansion at 8 Chân Cầm Street in the Old Quarter, it’s one of the most atmospheric cafes I’ve seen anywhere.
There’s no flashy sign outside, just a narrow staircase leading up into what feels like another era entirely. Inside, you’ll find mismatched furniture, original geometric floor tiles, exposed red brick walls, fresh flowers on every table, and the gentle sound of French music playing in the background. It’s intimate, cozy, and completely charming.
Our Hanoi friends are completely obsessed with this place, and the coffee is the reason they keep coming back. The signature cinnamon-infused egg coffee is reportedly next level, and the coconut coffee is considered by many to be among the best in all of Vietnam. The whole menu is drinks-focused with limited food options, so it’s more of a coffee-and-soak-it-all-in kind of stop than a full brunch destination. One thing to note: it’s cash only, so make sure you’re prepared before heading up those stairs!
7. Ha Noi Pho – Coffee & Photography // Best Cafe on Train Street
Opening Hours: Thur–Tue 9am–8pm | Wed 9am–10pm
Price: $
Our Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location
No list of the best cafes in Hanoi would be complete without a mention of Train Street, and Ha Noi Pho is hands-down our favorite spot along the tracks. Tucked right along the famous narrow railway that runs through the Old Quarter, this is one of those only-in-Hanoi experiences that you can’t replicate anywhere else in the world.
The setup is simple: you order a coffee, take a seat, and wait for the train to come thundering through the alleyway close enough that you can feel the rush of air on your face. It sounds a little chaotic, and it is, but in the best possible way.
What we loved about Ha Noi Pho specifically was the menu and the people running it. The elderly couple who operate this little spot were just so warm, helpful, and completely unpushy when we were waiting for the train to pass, which, given how touristy Train Street can feel, was genuinely refreshing. We ordered egg coffee and Vietnamese coffee, both of which were delicious, and we also tried some spring rolls and a few other dishes from their lovely menu that had us wishing we’d left more room.
If you’re visiting Train Street, and you absolutely should, make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled train time to get a good seat, and bring cash as most of the cafes along the tracks don’t take cards. It’s one of those travel moments you’ll talk about for years.
FAQs About The Best Hanoi Cafes
What are the best coffee shops in Hanoi?
Our personal pick for the absolute best coffee experience in Hanoi has to be Cafe Giang, the birthplace of egg coffee. There’s just something special about drinking it where it was invented back in 1946. For delicious brunch and specialty coffee, The Hanoi Cafe is hard to beat, and for an all-rounder with great food and coffee, Ha Noi Pho Coffee & Photography is excellent.
Is Hanoi worth visiting?
One thousand percent yes! Hanoi is one of those cities that completely grows on you. The food scene is incredible, the coffee culture is unlike anywhere else in the world, the Old Quarter is endlessly fascinating to wander around, and there’s so much history and culture packed into every corner. I’m already thinking about when we can go back.
Is Hanoi expensive?
Not at all! Vietnam in general, and Hanoi in particular, is incredibly affordable. You can get a world-class cup of egg coffee for around $1.40 USD, a delicious bowl of pho for a few dollars, and a cold beer for even less. Even the nicer specialty cafes on this list are very reasonable compared to what you’d pay back home.
What coffee should I try in Hanoi?
You absolutely have to try egg coffee (cà phê trứng), it’s Hanoi’s most iconic drink and it was invented here. Beyond that, Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk (cà phê sữa đá) is a must, and coconut coffee is another local specialty that’s incredibly good. If you prefer something more familiar, the modern specialty cafes on this list all do great lattes and Americanos too.
Final Thoughts on The Best Hanoi Cafes & Coffee Shops
All in all, I would say our top picks for the best cafes in Hanoi are Cafe Giang for the history and the egg coffee, The Hanoi Cafe for the brunch and atmosphere, and Ha Noi Pho Coffee & Photography for a brilliant all-rounder. But honestly, every single spot on this list is worth your time in its own way.
Hanoi’s cafe scene is so dense and so good that you could easily spend an entire trip just cafe-hopping, and you’d never run out of amazing new spots to discover. The tricky part is sifting through the tourist traps to find the ones that are genuinely great, which is exactly why we put together this list, so you don’t have to waste a single morning on a bad coffee.
We hope this guide to the best cafes in Hanoi Vietnam helps you get your coffee fix and have an incredible trip!
