Our first stop is Cafe Dinh. It is situated on the north shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, which is a famous tourist attraction. Up a staircase lies one of the most significant cafés in Hanoi, which undoubtedly goes unnoticed by lots of foreigners that pass by its door every day. It is indeed one of the best must-visit cafes in Hanoi, Vietnam.

At first glance, you can see that Cafe Dinh is not the most beautiful cafe in terms of design; its low benches and sparse décor mimic a typical Vietnamese cafe. However, the brand more than compensates for its lack of visual appeal with a rich history and delicious coffee.

If you know Cafe Giang, a coffeehouse famous for creating "ca phe trung" or "egg coffee", then you might be surprised that it is run by the same people as Cafe Dinh. Cafe Giang had several offspring, according to Giang, the head of the Giang Family. He handed the traditional Cafe Giang to a few of his sons, whereas Cafe Dinh is run by another. The Giang family continues to provide the finest "ca phe trung" in all of Hanoi. People say that the recipe is a closely-held family secret.

Ratings: 4.5 stars (from 2425 reviews)

Address: Dinh Tien Hoang, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Dinh.cafe/

The second level of a French colonial building is home to Loading T Cafe, a significantly more attractive coffeehouse located a short distance from Cafe Dinh. It lacks the history of Cafe Dinh, yet it still offers something new and fascinating.

Many foreigners vividly recall this building during their first vacations to Hanoi. They often snapped a photo of Nora in front of the building since it was so beautiful, but they did not know that the building had a cafe inside! This is what made this Hanoi café business so fascinating. Indeed, many of these secret cafés are located at the end of alleys or on the second story of dilapidated houses, with no indication of their presence from the street. When you locate one, you will feel as if you have uncovered something extraordinary.

Loading T Cafe is also distinguished by unique recipes. Cinnamon is the secret ingredient, but it is not applied in a conventional manner. Instead of putting cinnamon granules into the coffee, cinnamon sticks are roasted with the ground beans at this establishment. This one-of-a-kind method lends a dash of cinnamon taste and scent to the beans. Interesting!

Ratings: 4.7 stars (from 599 reviews)

Address: Chan Cam, Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem

Website: https://www.facebook.com/cfLoadingT/

Ca Phe Duy Tri, unlike the previous two, is not concealed in plain sight - although it is situated 3 kilometers northwest of the Ancient Quarter in a location not visited by many visitors. Among all the cafes on our list, this is the one you are likely to visit the least on your own. It will be better to go with a knowledgeable friend or a tour guide!

According to the documents, Ca Phe Duy Tri has been in business since 1937 and is recognized for many varieties of coffee. This location is so popular with locals that it has become a tourist destination on its own, recommended by many tour guides to their foreign clients!

Ca Phe Duy Tri combines Arabica, Robusta, and Moka coffee beans to create its coffee mixes. Arabica Bourbon is the kind of Arabica bean used to make the latter (Moka). It is the most costly of the three, which the French created to appeal to the upper class. But its unique flavor will more than justify the high price!

Ratings: 4.5 stars (from 429 reviews)

Address: Yen Phu, Tay Ho

Website: https://www.facebook.com/154270314904232/

Cong Ca Phe is among Vietnam's most successful native coffeehouse franchises. They also have branches in practically every big city in the United States. Cong Ca Phe has been one of the foreigners' favorite cafés in Vietnam, despite the fact some of them used to have stereotypes against these commercial establishments.

Cong Ca Phe, in general, has many devoted fans. It is a café franchise inspired by the Viet Cong; therefore, it has an intriguing and well-developed communist concept. The furnishings are adorable, and its coffee is consistently excellent. In addition, the internet is fast, making this a perfect area to get work done!

Some foreigners like to have "ca phe den" at this location, although Cong Ca Phe is famed among locals for its "ca phe cot dua", which is a frozen coffee slush made with coconut milk. It resembles a milkshake more than coffee, but it is quite tasty and something you should try at least a few times in Vietnam. It is a terrific way of defeating the heat, so try one when you come to Hanoi! Also, every branch has the same texture, so you always understand what to anticipate, which is reassuring! It is one of the best must-visit cafes in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Ratings: 4.8 stars (from 406 reviews)

Address: 26 Hanoi branches

Website: https://congcaphe.com/

Hidden Gem is another lovely contender for many foreigners and Hanoi locals. Not only is the venue lovely and the coffee great, but many people tend to discover it on their own, which makes them feel as if they have disclosed something unique and novel! Hidden Gem is a charming coffee shop that truly represents its title: a hidden gem. It is hard to locate this shop at first. Some people even passed twice before finally noticing it! As we have explained before, numerous Hanoi coffeehouses are concealed in plain sight in this manner.

Through the alley and up the stairs, you will discover a lounging area with a variety of textures on the second level. You can examine its beautiful and unique coffee table, constructed from a reused truck! Next, ascend the stairs to reach a roof terrace with paintings and a balcony that overlooks the level below. It is such a pleasant and cool place!

If you inquire about the restaurant's specialty, the waitress will suggest the "ca phe trung", a very lovely and delectable variant. It is such a calming experience to sit there with your "ca phe trung" and pass the time!

Ratings: 4.8 stars (from 402 reviews)

Address: Hang Tre, Hoan Kiem

Website: https://www.facebook.com/HiddenGemCoffeeHanoi/