Top 10 Cafés in Vietnam to Experience Authentic Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnam, the second-largest coffee producer in the world, is known for its bold and unique coffee culture. The way Vietnamese coffee is brewed and enjoyed reflects the country’s history, traditions, and love for strong, flavorful beverages. Vietnamese coffee is not just about the drink; it’s about the entire experience, from the iconic Vietnamese iced coffee to the distinctive egg coffee. If you’re traveling to Vietnam, experiencing local cafés is a must. Here are the top 10 cafés across Vietnam that offer authentic Vietnamese coffee and a deep connection to the country’s rich coffee culture.
1. Café Giang, Hanoi
Signature Coffee: Egg Coffee (Ca phe Trung)
Café Giảng in Hanoi is a living piece of Vietnamese history, established in 1946 by Nguyễn Văn Giảng, a former bartender at the famous Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel. The café is known for its signature Vietnamese egg coffee, a concoction made by whipping egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk, creating a thick, custard-like foam atop strong Vietnamese coffee. This blend is a perfect example of how Vietnamese coffee embraces both tradition and innovation. Café Giảng remains a must-visit for those wanting to taste an iconic Vietnamese specialty.
2. Cong Caphe, Various Locations
Signature Coffee: Iced Coconut Coffee (Ca phe Cot Dua)
Cong Caphe, with locations across Vietnam, blends coffee with a touch of nostalgia from Vietnam’s 1970s era. The café is famous for its Vietnamese iced coffee with coconut milk, an excellent choice for coffee lovers seeking something different. The combination of strong black coffee, creamy coconut milk, and ice creates a refreshing drink that’s uniquely Vietnamese. The café’s retro vibe, furnished with vintage military uniforms, old radios, and typewriters, offers a blend of coffee culture and history in a cozy atmosphere.
3. The Workshop Coffee, Ho Chi Minh City
Signature Coffee: Hand-Brewed Vietnamese Coffee
As Vietnam’s coffee scene continues to evolve, The Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City has become a hub for coffee aficionados. While it honors Vietnamese coffee traditions, this café also embraces modern brewing methods such as pour-over, Aeropress, and Chemex. The Workshop sources high-quality beans from Vietnamese farmers and uses innovative brewing techniques to highlight the rich and diverse flavors of local coffee. The bright, open space and industrial decor make it an inviting spot to enjoy hand-brewed coffee in the heart of the city.
4. Trung Nguyen Legend Café, Buon Ma Thuot
Signature Coffee: Weasel Coffee (Ca phe chon)
Buon Ma Thuot is known as the coffee capital of Vietnam, and no trip here is complete without a visit to Trung Nguyen Legend Café. As one of the biggest coffee brands in Vietnam, Trung Nguyen offers an immersive experience with its luxurious décor and extensive coffee menu. The café is particularly famous for weasel coffee, a rare and expensive delicacy produced from beans that have been eaten and excreted by weasels. The result is a smooth, mellow coffee with a distinctive flavor. Visiting this café not only allows you to sample top-quality Vietnamese coffee but also learn about the country’s coffee production.
5. Lusine, Ho Chi Minh City
Signature Coffee: Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Lusine is a fusion café that combines Vietnamese traditions with French-inspired decor, offering a chic and comfortable space to enjoy Vietnamese iced coffee. Known for its minimalist aesthetic and carefully curated menu, Lusine provides a tranquil escape from the bustling streets of Saigon. Their iced coffee, made with strong black coffee, condensed milk, and ice, is a testament to the simple yet bold flavors of Vietnamese coffee. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a quiet afternoon with a delicious, creamy coffee in hand.
6. Old Town Café, Hoi An
Signature Coffee: Drip Coffee (Ca phe phin)
Hoi An’s Old Town Café offers more than just a cup of Vietnamese coffee; it provides a scenic experience with views of the Thu Bon River and Hoi An’s ancient architecture. The café serves drip coffee using the traditional phin filter, a slow brewing method that extracts the rich flavors of the coffee beans. The tranquil surroundings, combined with the bold taste of Vietnamese coffee, make this café a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Whether you prefer it hot or as a Vietnamese iced coffee, Old Town Café delivers a perfectly brewed experience in one of Vietnam’s most beautiful cities.
7. Shin Heritage, Ho Chi Minh City
Signature Coffee: Single-Origin Vietnamese Coffee
Shin Coffee is a paradise for coffee purists who appreciate the artistry behind every cup. The café specializes in single-origin coffee sourced from various regions of Vietnam, such as Da Lat and Dak Lak. At Shin Coffee, every cup is brewed to perfection, showcasing the depth and complexity of Vietnamese beans. Their Vietnamese iced coffee is crafted with care, offering a balanced and robust flavor that stands out. Shin Coffee’s dedication to quality and innovation makes it a standout in the modern Vietnamese coffee scene.
8. Pho Co Café, Hanoi
Signature Coffee: Iced Black Coffee (Ca phe Den Da)
Hidden in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, Pho Co Café is a secret spot that offers breathtaking views of Hoan Kiem Lake. The café is tucked away in a narrow alley, adding an element of adventure to the experience. Once inside, you can sip on a glass of iced black coffee while taking in the panoramic view. The coffee here is simple yet powerful, made from robust beans that deliver a rich and bitter taste, typical of authentic Vietnamese coffee. The café’s rustic charm and secluded location make it a perfect hideaway.
9. An Café, Da Lat
Signature Coffee: Warm Vietnamese Coffee (Ca phe nong)
Da Lat, with its cool climate and rolling hills, is known for producing some of the best coffee beans in Vietnam. An Café, located in the heart of Da Lat, is a tranquil oasis where you can enjoy a warm cup of Vietnamese coffee surrounded by nature. The café’s open-air design, filled with greenery, creates a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to relax with a book or chat with friends. An Café emphasizes sustainability, using organic and locally sourced ingredients, making every cup of coffee feel both delicious and responsible.
10. Lam Café, Hanoi
Signature Coffee: Traditional Drip Coffee
Lam Café, one of Hanoi’s oldest coffee shops, has been serving up Vietnamese coffee since the 1950s. The café’s decor is unpretentious, but the coffee is full of character. Using the phin filter method, the coffee is slow-brewed to release the strong and intense flavors that Vietnamese coffee is known for. The clientele is a mix of regulars who have been coming for decades and curious tourists eager to try a piece of Hanoi’s coffee history. Lam Café doesn’t need any frills—the coffee speaks for itself.
Vietnam’s coffee culture is as rich and diverse as its landscapes, with cafés that cater to all tastes. Whether you’re sipping on a refreshing glass of Vietnamese iced coffee or enjoying the creamy sweetness of egg coffee, these cafés offer the best of what Vietnamese coffee has to offer. From hidden gems in Hanoi to chic spots in Ho Chi Minh City, these top 10 cafés will give you a taste of the true essence of Vietnam’s coffee culture.
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