In Hanoi, drinking coffee is not just a habit, it is an art of living. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital, Hanoians choose to slow down with a cup of drip coffee, sip each bitter sip, watch the streets, and contemplate. From the plastic chairs on the sidewalks of Trieu Viet Vuong Street to the ancient coffee shops hidden in the small alleys of the Old Quarter, drink coffee in Hanoi carries with it flavors, memories and cultural depth. Not noisy, not rushed, coffee here is a place for people to meet, chat, or simply to sit alone. If you want to truly experience Hanoi like a local, start with the way they drink coffee – slow, delicate, and poetic.
The History of Coffee in Hanoi: From Colonial Roots to Cultural Identity
Coffee was introduced to Vietnam in the late 19th century, when the French brought the first Arabica beans to the northern highlands and lowlands. At that time, Hanoi was the political and cultural centre of Indochina, therefore, coffee was not a new drink but the symbol of an urban, Western-influenced lifestyle slowly weaving its way into the city’s fabric.
Initially, coffee was served in luxury hotels, clubs that only welcomed French, or the local high-end class. However, locals quickly adapted it to suit their tastes and context. Because fresh milk was expensive and hard to preserve, locals substituted it with sweetened condensed milk, giving rise to the rich, bold flavour of Vietnamese milk coffee we know today.
From 1920 to 1930, the earliest cafes in Vietnam began to appear, mainly small shops on the roadside or in private houses, serving small coffee that kept dripping, reflecting the dull pace of life of Hanoi people. Gradually, the cafe has become a gathering place for intellectuals, artists and students—a reduced “cultural salon” where people drink coffee, talk about current events and poems, or just watch the streets quietly.
Hanoi coffee culture, slowly enjoy the flavor while watching the street
One of the special milestones was the birth of egg coffee in the 1940s, when Mr. Nguyễn Văn Giảng, the former bartender of the Metropole Hotel, invented egg coffee, which used egg yolk instead of milk. This unique beverage not only overcame the limitations of the difficult time but also went on to become a culinary symbol of Hanoi.
Today, although modern coffee chain stores are sprouting up everywhere, Hanoi still retains its deeply personal and poetic coffee culture. Whether it’s tiny plastic chairs on sidewalks or small vintage apartments in ancient streets and alleys, Hanoi coffee is more than just a drink—it is part of the memory and lifestyle of the capital.
What Makes Hanoi Coffee Culture Unique?
Although they are all on the Vietnamese coffee map, Hanoi coffee has its own unique, rich, calm, and thoughtful flavour, just like the people here. The first difference lies in how it is enjoyed. Hanoians do not drink coffee to wake up quickly but drink to think, to sit for a long time, to chat slowly, or simply to watch the streets go by.
Another factor that makes Hanoi coffee different is its strong taste. Hanoi coffee is often brewed with a traditional filter, or “phin,” dripping slowly, so strong that for many foreigners, it can be an initial “taste shock.” Unlike fast espresso shots or automated machines, phin coffee requires patience: ground coffee is spooned into the small metal filter, hot water is poured over it, and then…you wait. Drop by drop, the dark liquid seeps into the glass below. This brewing ritual isn’t just about making coffee, it’s a reflection of the Hanoian way of life: calm, thoughtful, and deeply connected to the present moment.
Sidewalk cafe in Hanoi
Finally, it is impossible not to mention the coffee-drinking space. Unlike modern cafes with loud music and bright lights, many Hanoi cafes, such as Giang, Dinh, and Lam, choose for themselves a rustic, old-fashioned look, hidden in old French houses, with wooden stairs, stone stables, and creaking ceiling fans, creating a nostalgic experience that cannot be found anywhere else.
It is these factors that have turned drinking coffee in Hanoi into a cultural feature, something that you should not only taste but also live with if you want to fully understand the beauty of this city.
Top Local Coffee Styles You Must Try in Hanoi
Before visiting Hanoi, many visitors may have heard about Vietnamese coffee with a strong and bold flavor. But only when they actually walk through the small streets, listen to the dripping sound of the coffee filter by the old window, or sit on a plastic chair on the windy sidewalk will you feel the subtle difference of Hanoi coffee culture. More than just a drink, Hanoi coffee reflects the personality, lifestyle, and spirit of Hanoians. And to drink like a local, you need to know the “specialty” coffee styles that only Hanoi can bring with the right aroma and taste. Below are the types of coffee that anyone visiting the capital should try at least once.
Black Coffee—The essence of old Hanoi
If you want to try the original taste of Vietnamese coffee, black coffee, brewed with a filter, without milk, is the ideal choice. Hanoians often drink hot black coffee on chilly mornings or iced coffee on summer days. The taste of Hanoi black coffee is strong, bold, and slightly burnt, clearly showing the unmistakable traditional style. Try a cup at Cafe Lam (Nguyen Huu Huan), a place that has preserved the taste of Hanoi coffee since the 1950s.
Black coffee
Iced Milk Coffee—The balance between bitterness and sweetness
A lighter and easier to taste of black coffee is iced milk coffee, which is filter coffee mixed with condensed milk. This drink retains the strength of the coffee but adds a rich sweetness, making it balanced and suitable for first-timers. You can find the real flavor at sidewalk cafes on Trieu Viet Vuong Street, the street known as the “coffee paradise” in Hanoi.
Iced Milk Coffee
Egg Coffee—The Essence of Hanoi Coffee
Nothing illustrates the uniqueness of Hanoi coffee better than egg coffee, a cup of hot coffee covered with fragrant egg cream. Each sip is a blend of slightly bitter, sweet, fatty, and fragrant flavours, like a hot tiramisu in a small porcelain cup. The first time I tried egg coffee, when the velvety foam touched my lips and blended with the strong coffee underneath, I understood why it is called a “dessert you drink.”
Suggested locations: Giang Coffee, the birthplace of the legendary egg coffee, or Dinh coffee, with a view overlooking the romantic Hoan Kiem Lake.
Egg Coffee
Coconut Coffee—Cool and creative
A modern variation of coffee that is very popular with young people in Hanoi is coconut coffee, where a layer of rich coconut milk softens the strong coffee flavour, often blended with ice, as smooth as a smoothie. This drink is very suitable for a hot summer because it is delicious and “Instagrammable.”
Suggested location: You can visit Cong Ca Phe or Xofa Cafe to enjoy the standard version.
Coconut Coffee
Salt Coffee—A new and attractive trend
Salt coffee was initially imported from Hue but created a fever in Hanoi. Salt coffee brings a strange taste: coffee mixed with condensed milk, a little sea salt, and cream, creating a delicate balance between sweet, salty, and bitter.
Suggested location: Try it at The Note Coffee or Cafe Muoi 9A Hang Voi, where you can sip while watching the old town.
Salt Coffee
>>> Hanoi has many more drinks that should awaken your taste buds, let’s explore in our Best Vietnamese Drinks that You Should Try Once. By trying these drinks, you might get a glimpse of Vietnamese culture and local life!
How to Drink Coffee like a Local?
Although coffee is everywhere in Vietnam, the way Hanoians enjoy it has its own style—slow, delicate, and thoughtful. Drinking coffee with Hanoians is not to keep yourself awake but to slow down in the hustle of life.
For Hanoi people, an ideal day starts with a cup of hot drip coffee on a breezy sidewalk, accompanied by motorcycle sounds. People are not in be rush to go but can sit for hours just to chat, read newspapers, smoke, or simply watch the street. Drinking coffee in Hanoi is a social event, where you can connect with friends and colleagues or just take a private corner to slow down.
Hanoians drink coffee on low plastic chairs
Hanoians are very selective when it comes to choosing their favourite coffee spots. They only trust their time and taste to places that truly resonate with them. Those who go to Giang Cafe are probably nostalgic souls, lovers of tradition. Those sitting at Dinh are seeking a quiet escape. And those on the plastic stools along Trieu Viet Vuong? They’re there to feel the heartbeat of the city. It is fair to say that choosing cafe spots is a testament to lifestyle.
And one more thing: takeaway coffee? Rarely. In Hanoi, coffee is meant to be sipped slowly and enjoyed on the spot. So if you want to drink coffee like a true local, find yourself a cosy seat, stay a while, and let Hanoi flow around you.
Where to Drink Coffee Like a Local in Hanoi?
Drinking coffee in Hanoi is not merely choosing what kind of drink but picking the atmosphere, because each cafe shop in Hanoi has its own “characteristic,” reflecting the gut and spirit of Hanoians. Below are some places to go for a local coffee-drinking experience.
The Old Cafe – The nostalgic spirit of Hanoi
- Giang Coffee (39 Nguyen Huu Huan): Hidden in a small alley, Giang Coffee is the birthplace of the legendary egg coffee since 1946. The rustic, old space with yellow walls, wooden tables, and warm yellow lights takes you back in time to feel the spirit of old Hanoi.
- Dinh Coffee (13 Dinh Tien Hoang): Located on the 2nd floor of an old French house, Dinh Coffee has a balcony overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake and is very popular with artists and students.
- Lam Coffee (60 Nguyen Huu Huan): One of the oldest coffee shops in Hanoi, famous as a gathering place for painters and artists since the 1950s. The walls are full of sketches, small wooden tables and chairs, and the coffee is brewed with a strong filter.
Dinh Cafe
Sidewalk coffee – The breath of urban life
- Sidewalks of Trieu Viet Vuong, Nguyen Huu Huan, and Tong Duy Tan: On these streets, you will easily see Hanoians sitting on low plastic chairs, with a cup of black iced filter coffee and a newspaper. No need for elaborate decor; it is the simplicity and noise of the streets that create the identity of Hanoi sidewalk coffee.
- Coffee 39 Quang Trung: A small but crowded shop, often seeing locals sitting from morning to noon. The coffee is strong, the price is reasonable, and the space is completely “open-air” in the true sense. You will feel like you are a part of the capital’s life.
Sidewalk cafe at Trieu Viet Vuong Street
Hidden gems – Quiet moments in the heart of the old town
- Loading T (8 Chan Cam): Located in an old French villa, Loading T impresses with its unique egg cream coffee flavour, which is not too sweet and very pleasant. The quiet space, covered with trees and books, is ideal for reading, writing, or simply immersing yourself in the autumn wind of Hanoi.
- Tranquil Books & Coffee (5 Nguyen Quang Bich): A true book cafe, where all noise seems to be lowered to make room for contemplation. Light, fragrant coffee, good wifi, and many private sitting corners make it very popular with office workers and freelancers.
- Hidden Gem Coffee (3B Hang Tre): The coffee shop has a unique design with recycled materials and green art-inspired decor. Delicious coffee, creative space, friendly to the environment and people, and true to its name, “hidden gem” in the heart of the old town.
The cozy atmosphere at Loading T
Modern coffee & rooftop chill – When local meets lifestyle
- The Note Coffee (64 Luong Van Can): A small multi-story coffee shop located right next to Hoan Kiem Lake, it stands out with thousands of cute notes left by guests. The space is bright, dynamic, and very suitable for young people who like to check in and share experiences. Elena, one of our customers came here during her trip to Hanoi, she said the coffee was good and she was impressed by the amazing notes on wall and the view overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. She took a lot of beautiful picture here and got so many likes on instagram!
- Serein Cafe & Lounge (16 Tran Nhat Duat): View straight to Long Bien Bridge, with a classic space mixed with a bit of European romance. In the evening, this place becomes an ideal chill spot with soft lights and soft music, great for a date or relaxing at the end of the day.
The Note Coffee
Whether you prefer old-fashioned, rustic, or modern, there is always a coffee shop in Hanoi for you. When you find your favorite one, you will understand why Hanoi people sit there every day, not just because of good coffee, but because it makes them feel like they belong there.
When to Drink Coffee in Hanoi?
In Hanoi, coffee can be drunk at any time of the day, but if you want to fully experience the coffee like a local, timing is as important as the taste. In the early morning, around 6 to 8 am, when the city has not yet fully awakened, Hanoians start a new day with a cup of hot filter coffee. Sitting on the sidewalk, listening to the sound of vehicles rolling, feeling the cold wind blowing through your shoulders – that is a very “Hanoi” moment.
Hanoians drink coffee in the morning leisurely
Late afternoon, from 4 to 6 pm, is when many people seek coffee as a quiet moment after work. Outdoor or rooftop cafes gradually fill up with the garden sunlight of the end of the day and the murmur of conversation. A cool cup of coconut coffee or iced milk coffee at that time is the perfect choice to “cool off” and relax.
When night falls, from 8 to 11 pm, Hanoi slows down and becomes quieter. This is the time when many people choose quiet coffee shops to sit and read, write, or have deep conversations. Some old coffee shops or hidden gems with soft yellow lights and soft music will bring the feeling of living in a very private and deep corner of Hanoi.
Whether it is early morning or late at night, the common point in the way Hanoians drink coffee is leisurely, not in a hurry, and always leave room for themselves or with the slow pace of life on the streets.
>>> Embark on an exciting day tour passes by highlights of the capital city such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda with our Full Day Hanoi City Tour.
Tips for First-Time Coffee Drinkers in Hanoi
If this is your first time enjoying coffee in Hanoi, here are a few tips to help you start your journey more fully.
- First of all, remember that Hanoi coffee is very strong and bold, especially if you order pure black coffee. For those who are not used to the bitter taste, you should start gently with iced milk coffee or egg coffee, both easy to drink and having the typical flavour of the capital.
- Second, many traditional coffee shops do not have English menus, and the staff sometimes do not speak English fluently; therefore, don’t hesitate to ask or point to the drinks you see others ordering. Hanoians are very hospitable and often willing to help. You can also memorise a few simple words like “black coffee”, “milk coffee”, and “egg coffee” to make ordering easier.
- Another thing is that most local coffee shops are very slow, not because they are unprofessional, but because the filter coffee needs time to drip, and here, drinking coffee is a relaxing process, not a fast service. Take it as an opportunity to relax, observe local life, and immerse yourself in the slow pace of the city.
- Finally, if you have a weak stomach or are sensitive to caffeine, drink coffee after meals and limit your intake in the evening, because Hanoi coffee can keep you awake until…midnight. But if you are ready for a sleepless night, go for it! Hanoi at night, with a cup of coffee in hand is an unforgettable experience.
To sum up, drinking coffee in Hanoi is not simply sipping a cup of bitter water, it is the way people live slowly, contemplate, and connect with this city in a very unique way. Whether you choose to sit on the sidewalk on a plastic chair, visit an old shop hidden in a small alley, or chill on a rooftop with a view of the old town, each experience carries the rich flavor of Hanoi, not only in the cup of coffee, but also in the space and rhythm of life around. And when you get used to sitting for a long time with a cup of coffee, listening to the street quietly changing, you may understand why Hanoians love coffee so much. So, how do you enjoy your coffee, and where do you feel most at home with it?
Let your holiday in Hanoi start with a coffee shop, because sometimes, to feel a city, we just need to sit down and drink coffee like a local. Let us be your companion on your trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, we will walk you through the heart and soul of this S-shaped country!
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