Hey. So you’re coming to Hanoi and everyone’s telling you to try Hanoi egg coffee. They’re right. It’s a thing you have to do here.

But if you’re anything like me when I first got here, you’re probably already overwhelmed by the number of cafes. It feels like every street has a place claiming to have “the best” egg coffee.

I’ve been in Vietnam for a while now, and I’ve had a lot of egg coffee. Some of it was amazing, some of it was just okay, and some of it was straight-up bad. So, I’m not going to give you a fancy, generic list.

This is just a list of the top 5 Hanoi egg coffee shops that I actually go to—the places I send my friends and family to when they visit. I’ve included all the details you’ll need to decide which one is right for you.

Tired of endless lists? We cut through the noise to bring you the only guide you need to find the best Hanoi egg coffee shop. This post shares five cafes I personally frequent, from a quiet colonial hideout to a lively rooftop spot, ensuring you find the perfect vibe and the creamiest coffee for your trip.
Giảng Café: The original spot, famous for its rich, thick egg foam and strong coffee base. It’s located in a small alley at 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, and you’ll have to climb steep stairs to get inside. Expect a chaotic but authentic local atmosphere. Prices are around 35,000 VND, and it’s open from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
Dinh Café: My personal favorite. This hidden gem is known for a slightly sweeter, creamier egg coffee and a stunning view of Hoàn Kiếm Lake from its small balcony. Finding it is part of the fun—you have to walk through a clothing shop at 13 Đinh Tiên Hoàng and climb a narrow staircase. Prices are about 30,000 VND, and it’s open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Loading T Café: A quiet, artistic escape from the city. It’s a great choice if you want to sit and relax in a beautiful, old French colonial building with high ceilings and vintage furniture. Their egg coffee is lighter and more subtle. Find it on the second floor at 8 Chân Cầm. Prices are a bit higher, around 50,000 VND, and it’s open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Cafe Pho Co: An iconic cafe with a spectacular view of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Located at 11 Hàng Gai, you’ll find it by walking through a silk shop and going up to the upper floors. Their egg coffee is consistently good, and the experience is all about the unbeatable scenery. Prices are about 50,000 VND, and it’s open from 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
Note Coffee: The quirky and interactive choice. The entire cafe is covered in thousands of post-it notes from travelers around the world. The egg coffee is good, but the main attraction is the unique atmosphere. You can write your own message and add it to the wall. It’s located at 64 Lương Văn Can, and prices are about 39,000 VND. It’s open from 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM.

Short Videos

What Makes a Good Egg Coffee? The Basics.

Before we get to the places, let’s talk about the drink itself. I’ve had a lot of bad Hanoi egg coffee, and it’s usually because they mess up one of two things.

First, the base coffee. It has to be a strong, dark Vietnamese robusta. If the coffee is weak or watered down, the whole thing tastes like a bland dessert. The rich, bitter coffee is what cuts through the sweetness of the egg foam. It’s about balance.

Second, the egg cream. It should be thick, but not stiff. It should be airy and smooth, like a mousse. When you scoop it up with a spoon, it should hold its shape for a second but still be light. If it’s too sweet, it’s bad. If it tastes like raw egg, it’s very bad. The best ones are a little sweet, a little savory, and a lot of creamy.

Finally, the temperature. The hot version is served in a bowl of hot water to keep it warm. If it gets cold, the egg cream can get a bit weird. You have to drink it quickly. The iced version is also great, but the hot one is the classic.

1. Giảng Café: The Original

Alright, start here. Everyone knows Giảng, and for good reason. It’s the birthplace of the drink. The story goes that the founder, Mr. Nguyen Giang, was working at a fancy hotel in the 1940s. Milk was scarce, so he got creative and used egg yolks. The rest is history.

Finding it is a small adventure. You’ll be on a very busy street, Nguyen Huu Huan. Look for a tiny, unmarked alleyway. You might think you’re in the wrong place.

Trust me, you’re not. You walk down the narrow alley, which opens up into a small courtyard. The entrance to the café is there. You have to climb some steep, old stairs to get to the seating areas.

Inside, it’s not fancy. It’s loud, it’s a bit dark, and the seating is a mix of small plastic stools and low tables. You’ll be sitting close to a lot of other people. Don’t expect a quiet, relaxing experience.

This is for the atmosphere. The place is always packed with a mix of locals and tourists, all just trying to get a cup of coffee.

The egg coffee here is amazing. The base is a very strong, very bitter robusta. The egg foam on top is incredibly thick and rich. It’s almost like a custard.

I always get the hot one, which comes in a little cup sitting inside a bowl of hot water to keep it warm. You get a spoon and you’re supposed to scoop a bit of the foam and the coffee together.

It’s a perfect mix of sweet and bitter. They also have an egg beer, which is… an experience. Not for everyone, but worth a try if you’re feeling adventurous.

Address: 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam. It’s very easy to miss, so pay attention.
Hours: 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM. It’s almost always open.
Price: Around 35,000 VND. It’s cheap, especially for what it is.
Tip: Don’t try to find a perfect table. Just grab an empty stool, sit down, and an employee will come to you. Don’t be shy about sitting next to someone you don’t know.
This area is a food hotspot. If you get hungry, check out my Hanoi street food guide for some of my favorite local spots nearby.

2. Dinh Café: The Real Hidden Gem

Dinh is my personal favorite. It’s less famous than Giảng, but the coffee is just as good, if not better. It’s a true hidden gem. It’s located right on Hoàn Kiếm Lake, but you’ll probably walk past it a few times before you find it.

The entrance is a small, easy-to-miss door on the second floor above a clothing shop. You have to walk through the shop and then find a dark, narrow staircase in the back.

Once you get up there, it’s like stepping into a time machine. The café is small and decorated with old family photos. It feels like you’re in someone’s grandma’s living room from fifty years ago.

The best part is the small balcony that overlooks the lake. The view is incredible. You can see the whole street and the lake, with all the motorbikes, people walking, and the old buildings.

Their egg coffee is fantastic. It’s got a perfect balance of bitter coffee and a slightly sweeter, creamier egg foam. I think the foam here is a little bit lighter than Giảng’s.

The whole experience of sitting on that tiny balcony, sipping a hot egg coffee, and watching the city go by is something special. I’ve spent so many afternoons there. It’s quiet, peaceful, and feels like a real secret.

Address: 13 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam. Look for the clothing shop and the tiny, unmarked door next to it.
Hours: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Price: Around 30,000 VND. It’s a bargain for that view.
Tip: Go early in the morning or on a weekday to try and get a spot on the balcony. It gets taken quickly.

3. Loading T Café: The Cool, Artsy Hideout

This one is for when you’re tired of the noise and the crowds. Loading T is a hidden spot in a gorgeous old colonial building. You walk through a little courtyard and up a wide staircase.

The cafe is calm and quiet, with high ceilings, vintage furniture, and a lot of plants. It feels a world away from the busy streets outside.

The atmosphere here is the main event. It’s a great place to sit for a while, read a book, or just chat with a friend without yelling. The egg coffee is really good, too. The egg foam is a bit lighter and airier than the others, and the coffee is smooth.

It’s a more refined cup of coffee. They also have other drinks like traditional Vietnamese drip coffee and other tea options, which are also excellent.

Address: 2nd Floor, 8 Chân Cầm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam. It’s on the edge of the French Quarter, so the architecture is beautiful.
Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Note that it closes earlier than the other places.
Price: Around 50,000 VND. It’s a bit more expensive, but you’re paying for the peaceful atmosphere.
Tip: If you’re a digital nomad or just need a quiet place to work for a bit, this is a great spot.
Loading T is right on the boundary between the Old Quarter and the beautiful Hanoi French Quarter. If you want to explore the colonial history and architecture, I have a guide on that.

4. Cafe Pho Co: The Iconic Lake View

This one is a total classic, a spot that’s been around forever. It’s not a hidden gem like Dinh, but it’s a very famous Hanoi egg coffee shop for a good reason.

The main attraction here is the insane, panoramic view of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. It’s located in an old building that feels like it’s been there for a hundred years. You have to walk through a silk shop and then find your way up some narrow, winding stairs.

The experience is all about the view. You can sit on a small balcony or on the upper floors, looking out at the whole lake and the streets below. It’s perfect for a sunny day or an afternoon when you just want to sit and watch the city.

The egg coffee is good. It’s reliable, consistent, and has a strong, bold coffee base with a smooth, creamy foam.

It might not be as rich as Giảng’s, but the view more than makes up for it. This is a must-visit for anyone who wants a great photo and a classic Hanoi experience.

Address: 11 Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam. Look for a silk shop and a small entrance to the side.
Hours: 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
Price: Around 50,000 VND. It’s a bit more expensive, but you’re paying for the prime location and the view.
Tip: Try to get a seat on one of the balconies. It’s worth the wait. Go in the morning for the best light and fewer crowds.
The view from here is incredible. For more details on the area, discover the nighttime entertainment and recreation spots in Hanoi.

5. Note Coffee: The Quirky, Fun Choice

This one is an experience more than a cafe. The whole place is covered in thousands of little handwritten notes from people all over the world. You can’t even see the walls. It’s a bit of a tourist gimmick, but it’s a fun one.

When you order, they give you a blank post-it note and a pen. You get to write a message and stick it on the wall wherever you can find a spot. The whole place is small and on a couple of floors, and every inch is covered. It’s just a fun, interactive place to be.

The egg coffee here is good. It’s not the best on this list, but it’s perfectly fine. It’s a solid, well-made drink. You’re not really here just for the coffee; you’re here for the experience and the photo op. It’s the perfect spot to bring a friend who loves social media.

Address: 64 P. Lương Văn Can, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam.
Hours: 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
Price: Around 39,000 VND.
Tip: Take your time reading some of the notes. You’ll find messages in every language and from all over the world.
If you’re a photographer or just looking for unique photo spots, Note Coffee is a must. I have a whole guide to the best photo spots in Hanoi.

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Final Thoughts

So there you have it. My top 5 spots for Hanoi egg coffee. They’re all different, but they all give you a real taste of the city’s coffee culture. Giảng for the history, Dinh for the view, Loading T for the quiet, Cà Phê Phố Cổ for the iconic scenery, and Note for the fun.

Honestly, I can’t tell you which one is “the best.” It just depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Are you a purist who wants to see where it all started? Go to Giảng.

Do you want a quiet moment to yourself with an amazing view? Dinh is your spot. Need a break from the noise? Loading T is perfect. If you want that iconic postcard photo, head to Cafe Pho Co. And if you’re traveling with a friend and want a fun, memorable experience, Note Coffee is the place.

I’d highly recommend trying at least two of them. You’ll get a real feel for how diverse the Hanoi coffee culture is. You might even find your own favorite. The beauty of this city is that there’s always something new to discover.

Now, which one are you going to try first? For more tips on what to do, see, and eat in the city, check out my complete Hanoi travel guide.

From the field

The top 5 Hanoi egg coffee shops I’d send my best friends to

What Makes a Good Egg Coffee? The Basics.

1. Giảng Café: The Original

2. Dinh Café: The Real Hidden Gem

3. Loading T Café: The Cool, Artsy Hideout

4. Cafe Pho Co: The Iconic Lake View

5. Note Coffee: The Quirky, Fun Choice

Final Thoughts

Keep Exploring Hanoi

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What Makes a Good Egg Coffee? The Basics.

1. Giảng Café: The Original

2. Dinh Café: The Real Hidden Gem

3. Loading T Café: The Cool, Artsy Hideout

4. Cafe Pho Co: The Iconic Lake View

5. Note Coffee: The Quirky, Fun Choice

Final Thoughts

Keep Exploring Hanoi

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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