Discovering Hanoi’s retro cafes drink is an adventure through culture, history, and delicious coffee. With each drink telling a tale, we will take you on a tour to some of Hanoi’s most cherished vintage cafes with this guide. Tranquil Books & Coffee, Hidden Alley, Cafe Giang, The Hanoi Social Club, and Loading T café are among the places you’ll stop on this tour.
Tranquil Books & Coffee
Bookworms and coffee connoisseurs alike will find refuge in Tranquil Books & Coffee, which is tucked away in the center of Hanoi. With its peaceful ambiance, this quaint cafe is the ideal place to relax with a nice book and a cup of freshly made coffee. An inviting and sentimental atmosphere is produced by the retro furnishings, which include wooden bookcases stocked with books. Since “tranquil" means “peace and quiet" in English, the store is decorated like a lovely library and is quiet and private enough for visitors to unwind completely. into the book’s pages. tucked away on a little street in Nguyen Quang Bich, Hanoi, in an ancient French villa. You have to read this extremely carefully in order to identify the name of the Tranquil symbol.
You will fall head over heels in love with the restaurant’s retro yet tasteful décor as soon as you walk in. Rustic brick walls, a vintage vinyl record player, and an old bookshelf that reaches the ceiling are the ideal drink mix.
You will have plenty of options on the drink menu, including English black tea, fruit tea, classic coffees, and a developing line of cold brew coffee with tastes like orange, apple, and jasmine that is steeped for eighteen hours. most well-liked nowadays. Tranquil is a gathering spot for young people who enjoy reading and art in addition to being a coffee shop. The store hosts numerous nightly cultural events with a theme, including music performances, Beatles concerts, Trinh Cong Son film screenings, etc.
Must-Try: The signature Tranquil Coffee, a unique blend of Vietnamese coffee beans, and their homemade pastries.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Located:
- 5 Nguyen Quang Bich str., Hoan Kiem dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
- 8 Nguyen Quang Bich str., Hoan Kiem dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone number: 0395 049 075
Email: cafetranquil@gmail.com
Website: tranquilbookscoffee.com
REVIEW
“Recently I learned about Tranquil through a friend who I work with. It’s too close to where I work :)) The price of drinks is reasonable and quite good (I mean coffee, but I don’t really like tea because the taste of Earl Gray and E Breakfast is a bit strange), there is also cake but I don’t like it. Never tried it :)) It’s so calm and peaceful, very suitable for me to study and work without being distracted by the bustle of Hanoi Old Quarter. There are 4 areas where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere but I prefer to sit upstairs with chairs =)) I like the sofa the most but it’s all occupied by couples =)))))))))))))) ))))))))))))”
“I felt a slight excitement when I first entered here. This is the first time I enter a coffee shop and I have to try to walk lightly, speak softly, smile gracefully without daring to make a sound. It’s like going to a library because there is a huge bookshelf with a lot of books. It’s a bit dark, the drinks are ok, in general I quite like the space here drink!”
“Incredibly attractive interior, difficult to find entrance. The coffee is great, best I’ve had in Hanoi. The interior really surprised us, as we had to wander into a building and up some stairs to find the place. Very beautiful, and with lovely views. Well worth the effort. . .”
Hidden Alley
As its name suggests, Hidden Alley provides a quiet haven from Hanoi’s busy streets. Tucked down a little alley, this café has a unique blend of retro furnishings and fun décor. The cozy atmosphere is perfect for a peaceful coffee break or a conversation with friends. Café artisanal, mocktails, and more Warm, private area In the evening, there’s cocktail service.
Must-Try: The traditional Vietnamese Egg Coffee, a creamy and rich beverage drink that is a true taste of Hanoi.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Located: 2nd Floor, 9B Bao Khanh Alley, Hanoi Vietnam
Phone number: 094 452 96 43
Email : hiddenalleyhanoi@gmail.com
REVIEW
“The atmosphere is chill in the evening, the water is quite delicious and suits your taste, the bartender is worth 10 ny, when you get there there will be some ladies and gentlemen who will park the car to drink water, so don’t worry about where to park it, the way up the stairs is like walking. Up to the waterfall, there is gurgling water, creating the feeling of climbing to conquer an adventure, so chill”
“Dark space with candlelight, friendly staff, delicious drinks, especially the signature bao khanh dish. The location is near the center, deep in an alley of indigenous people”
“Delicious drinks, enthusiastic, friendly and fun staff. The price drink is off the table because it’s so cheap compared to the old town and the quality is extremely good”
Cafe Giang
Situated in the old area, Café Giang is modestly tucked away in a little lane off of Nguyen Huu Huan street. Even though it could be challenging to locate, the encounters are well worth the search. Nestled in the heart of Vietnam, Hanoi is the home base of Café Giang. It was founded in 1946 by Mr. Nguyen Van Giang, the current owner’s father, who now works as a barista at the hotel. At that time, the “Sofitel Legend" Metropole in Hanoi had five stars.
Must-Try: The original Egg Coffee, a delightful concoction drink of egg yolk, sugar, condensed milk, and robust Vietnamese coffee.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Located:
- CS1: No. 39, Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- CS2: Foodhall 3rd Floor, Lotte Mall Tay Ho, Hanoi
Phone number: 091 700 22 99
Email: puskindung@gmail.com
Website: cafegiang.vn
REVIEW
“The drink has a creamy feel, the egg layer is creamy, the coffee is moderately bitter but slightly sour, the space is quite medium and the staff is friendly. Will continue to support the restaurant”
“The cafe is very delicious and very ancient, retaining the character of Hanoi’s old town. The service staff is very polite and professional. I especially like the egg coffee here”
“From Hanoi to the world, Cafe Giang is not only confident with its appeal but also reaches out to the suburbs of Japan, in Yokohama city. After more than 70 years of preserving the brand only in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, at the end of April 2018, Giang took a breakthrough step by “exporting" to Japan, in Yokohama, a port city about 30 minutes from Tokyo. – 40 minutes by train. Each cup of egg coffee and egg cocoa is placed in a bowl of hot water. To keep the drink warm the same way it is served in Hanoi. The price of each cup of egg coffee sold in Japan is 480 yen (about 100,000 VND).”
The Hanoi Social Club
The Hanoi Social Club is a popular coffeehouse and cultural center for both residents and visitors. The café, which is housed in a stunning French colonial structure, has a distinct and welcoming ambiance thanks to its antique furnishings and creative attitude. Coffee and culture may be enjoyed in a lively atmosphere, since it often organizes live music events and art exhibits. The Hanoi Social Club is an artist hotspot and the most multicultural café in the city, spread over three unique floors with vintage furnishings. Breakfast options include potato fritters with chorizo, while lunch and supper options include spaghetti, burgers, and wraps. Mango curry is one of the great vegetarian alternatives, and the peaceful alley setting is ideal for a late-afternoon drink of wine, beer, or coffee, drink.
Must-Try: The Social Club’s signature smoothies and their aromatic coffee blends.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Located: 6 Hoi Vu Alley, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone number : 024 3938 2117
Email: hanoisocialclub@gmail.com
Website: plus.google.com/110792519274310710451
REVIEW
“A quiet location in the center of Hanoi, beautiful and stylish design. Good music and live music in the evenings. Pleasant and friendly staff, completely different from other places. I will go there more often.”
“Beautiful space and delicious breakfast, a perfect space in Hanoi. One of the best coffees we had all trip, and many vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options”
“Super cozy, quiet place where you can relax after a day on the bustling streets of Hanoi. And best of all, offers gluten free food! Super nice staff. My fav restaurant in Hanoi!”
Loading T café
Loading T café is a hidden gem that captures the essence of Hanoi’s vintage cafe scene. Located in an old French villa, this cafe features antique furniture and decor that transport you back in time. The warm and welcoming ambiance, combined with excellent coffee drink, makes it a must-visit spot.
Must-Try: The traditional Vietnamese iced coffee, served strong and sweet, perfect for hot days.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Located: 2nd Floor No. 8 Chan Cam, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone number: 090 334 20 00
Email: loadingtcafe.com
REVIEW
“Go to Hanoi about 1 or 2 times a year. Every morning before going to the airport, I stop by Loading T. I like the quiet, quiet, away from the noise here. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to drink coffee, I always drink tea, and every time I arrive very early and leave very quickly. Just come here and sit alone, quietly watching the small alley from the balcony of an old French house, quietly watching the sun or listening to the rain, that’s enough.”
“Sometime in February 2020, me and my friends wanted to check out some published coffee joints around the Old Town area, and we decided to try Loading T Café. After a sumptuous lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long, we went rummaging around the streets of the old town for Loading T cafe. We were a bit surprised to find this place, thinking it was on the side of the road, just to realize that we needed to climb another floor which eventually led us to a strange room – bustling with quiet customers. It was on the middle floor of a very old house with a peculiar character! The shop doesn’t disappoint in terms of coffee drinks – their Saigon coffee is tops. I’m not a food critic but I know what good coffee is when I sip one LOL! Frothy and smooth, the mild bitterness gives you somehow a glimpse into the history of the people and places of Vietnam. . . The last sip is lingering and soothing – perhaps the reason that after more than a month since the visit, the scent of Saigon coffee still lingers, prompting this review: -) Tho coconut coffee did not impress my friend (too sweet for her to handle, but worth a try anyway lol). Where there is no official WC (CR in our country) tho. I guess that’s a downside for me about this place. But the young staff were kind enough to explain how to use the temporary WC. Head to Loading T Cafe if you want to enjoy their Saigon coffee.”
Conclusion
In addition to serving delicious coffee, Hanoi’s antique cafés provide a window into the rich history and culture of the city. Every café drink on this tour has an own personality and backstory, which makes them ideal for both history buffs and coffee enthusiasts. Take this drinks tour to experience the tastes and atmosphere of some of Hanoi’s most beloved retro cafés.
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