Hanoi, Vietnam Coffee Scene

Andrew here! I recently had the opportunity to visit Hanoi, Vietnam, on a slightly hectic two-week journey through Southeast Asia. During my research, I discovered that Hanoi is a big coffee city - and I was delighted to find that this was absolutely true!

Hanoi has a vast coffee scene filled with people who are incredibly passionate about their craft and excited to discuss it, but that’s no secret.

From competition-winning geshas to sweet, traditional robusta-based brews, there’s something for everyone who appreciates the dynamism of coffee.

If you find yourself in this amazing (and chaotic) city, check out my recommendations below:

Cafe Giảng

This is the home of the original Vietnamese egg coffee (cafe trứng). If you’re looking to try what’s known as “liquid tiramisu,” this is the place to go!

You’ll need to walk through what feels like an alley or corridor to get to the main shop area, but once you do, be sure to head upstairs and grab a spot to sit. A member of the Cafe Giang team will bring over menus and take your order tableside. 

The other drink shown in the above image is their “Egg with Banana”... which I wouldn’t recommend, unless you’re a big fan of imitation banana flavor.

Eggyolk Coffee

While Cafe Giang may be the progenitor of egg coffee, I found it was done best by the (aptly named) Eggyolk. It was rich, creamy, and had a clean, flavorful body.

They have a number of locations scattered throughout Hanoi, so don’t worry about making a trek to this specifically linked shop - just do a quick Google search of what’s around your immediate vicinity.

XLIII Specialty Coffee

XLIII is a paragon of sourcing in the Vietnamese specialty coffee scene. Their commitment to finding talented producers from across the world to roast and serve at their 5 Vietnam-based shops is evident the moment you step through the door. 

During my visit, they were offering 5 separate coffees - all at very different price points, based on the quality of the green crop. I tried their Nueva Alianza Yellow Gesha offering, which was nothing short of spectacular, with notes of orange blossom, honeysuckle, and jasmine.

refined. Specialty Coffee @No Concept

Refined is a robusta-only specialty roaster that came highly recommended to me by the team at XLIII. During my brief visit at refined, I was blown away by the level of care they put into what they do. If you’re looking to try high-quality, robust brews, this is the place for you.

CONG

Considered the big “chain” in Hanoi, CONG certainly catches a bit of flak. But, honestly? I loved it. At some point around 11am each day, when the heat was pushing 90ºF and the humidity was sitting at 80%, sometimes you just want (need) a quick, no-fuss iced beverage. 

And while the coffee at CONG is passable, they make a mean version of my favorite SEA drink: a coconut shake. To this already delicious drink, they add young green rice flakes, which have a texture similar to tapioca pearls. I highly, highly suggest giving this place a shot!