Best Egg Coffee in Hanoi: The Top 7 Spots for Tourists (2025 Guide)
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam’s vibrant capital, you’ve likely heard whispers of its most famous culinary invention: a rich, velvety, dessert-like coffee that defies all expectations. Welcome to the world of cà phê trứng, or egg coffee. Finding the best egg coffee in Hanoi is a rite of passage for any visitor, a delicious quest that takes you through bustling Old Quarter alleys and into historic, hidden-away cafes.
This guide is your ultimate ticket to discovering the best egg coffee in Hanoi, a drink that is part beverage, part dessert, and 100% unforgettable. The journey to find the best egg coffee in Hanoi is as much about the atmosphere and history as it is about the taste. For tourists, seeking out the best egg coffee in Hanoi is an essential cultural experience. We’ve scoured the city to bring you the definitive list, ensuring you can confidently find the very best egg coffee in Hanoi and savour every last drop. Prepare to indulge your senses and discover why the best egg coffee in Hanoi is a global sensation.
So, what exactly is this legendary drink? Created in 1946 by a bartender named Nguyen Van Giang during a milk shortage, egg coffee is a stroke of genius born from necessity. He whisked egg yolks with sugar to create a creamy, meringue-like foam and poured it over rich, dark Vietnamese Robusta coffee. The result is a decadent tiramisu-in-a-cup concoction—sweet, thick, and utterly addictive. The foam sits proudly atop the dark coffee, and the traditional way to drink it is to slowly stir the layers together or to scoop the foam first before sipping the coffee below.
Giảng Cafe: The Birthplace of Egg Coffee
Address: 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
No search for the best egg coffee in Hanoi can begin anywhere else. Giảng Cafe is the original, the mecca, the place where it all began. Founded by the inventor himself, Nguyen Van Giang, this cafe is now run by his sons, who meticulously preserve the secret family recipe.
The Vibe: Finding Giảng is part of the adventure. You’ll walk through a narrow, unassuming alleyway that opens into a modest, two-story cafe teeming with history. The atmosphere is authentically local and perpetually busy, filled with the buzz of locals and tourists alike, all huddled over small stools and low tables. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real.
The Coffee: This is the benchmark against which all other egg coffees are measured. Served in a small cup resting in a bowl of warm water to maintain its temperature, the foam is exceptionally thick, airy, and perfectly sweet, without any overpowering eggy taste. It perfectly balances the intensely strong, dark-roasted coffee beneath. They also serve a unique egg rum and egg beer for the more adventurous! This is, for many, the undisputed champion.
Đinh Cafe: The Hidden Gem with a View
Address: 2nd Floor, 13 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
For an experience that feels like you’ve been let in on a local secret, head to Đinh Cafe. Run by the daughter of the founder of Giảng Cafe, this spot offers a similarly authentic recipe but with a completely different atmosphere.
The Vibe: To find Đinh, you have to walk through a narrow bag shop, up a rickety, time-worn staircase, and onto a small balcony overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. The space is small, dark, and filled with a charmingly cluttered, bohemian vibe. It feels less like a cafe and more like you’re having coffee in an artist’s storied apartment. The prime spot on the tiny balcony offers one of the best views in the city.
The Coffee: The egg coffee at Đinh is often described as slightly stronger and less sweet than at Giảng, with a more pronounced coffee kick. The foam is incredibly dense and creamy, almost like a custard. It’s a powerful, rich cup that pairs perfectly with the moody, intimate setting. It’s a top contender for the title of best egg coffee in Hanoi for those who prefer a bolder flavor.
Cafe Phố Cổ: The Rooftop Escape
Address: 11 Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
If you’re looking for egg coffee with a spectacular view, Cafe Phố Cổ is your destination. Like many of Hanoi’s best spots, it’s hidden from plain sight, requiring a bit of exploration to find.
The Vibe: The entrance is through a silk souvenir shop. You’ll walk down a long, narrow corridor past a family shrine and a residential courtyard before climbing several flights of stairs. Your reward is a stunning, panoramic rooftop view of Hoan Kiem Lake and the surrounding city bustle. It’s an urban oasis that feels miles away from the noise below.
The Coffee: The egg coffee here is famously photogenic, often served with a little design dusted in cocoa powder on top. The foam is light and frothy, and the overall taste is well-balanced—not too sweet and not too bitter. Sipping on this creamy delight while watching the world go by from the rooftop is a quintessential Hanoi experience that every tourist should have.
The Note Coffee: A Splash of Colour and Kindness
Address: 64 Lương Văn Can, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
In a city of ancient cafes, The Note Coffee offers something refreshingly different. It’s not just about the coffee; it’s about the unique and heartwarming experience.
The Vibe: Every single surface of this multi-story cafe—walls, tables, chairs, ceilings—is covered in thousands of colorful sticky notes left by visitors from all over the world. The messages are filled with love, travel stories, and words of encouragement. The atmosphere is cheerful, vibrant, and incredibly welcoming. You can grab a pack of notes and a pen to add your own story to the collection.
The Coffee: The Note Coffee serves a fantastic egg coffee that is slightly sweeter and lighter than the more traditional versions, making it very approachable for first-timers. It’s beautifully presented in a clear glass mug, often with a cookie on the side and a handwritten note from the staff. It’s a cup of coffee that will make you smile, both for its taste and its heartfelt presentation.
Loading T Cafe: Vintage Charm in a Colonial Mansion
Address: 2nd Floor, 8 Chân Cầm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
Tucked away on the second floor of a beautiful, decaying French colonial villa, Loading T is a haven of peace and vintage aesthetics.
The Vibe: The journey up the grand but weathered staircase sets the mood. Inside, you’ll find original patterned tiles, antique furniture, and a quiet, romantic ambience. It’s the perfect place to escape the city’s chaos, listen to soft jazz, and relax with a book or a quiet conversation. The balcony overlooks a charming, tree-lined street.
The Coffee: Loading T’s egg coffee is a craft creation. They use a special blend of coffee beans, and you can taste the quality. The foam is wonderfully smooth and delicately flavored with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon, which beautifully complements the rich coffee. It’s a more refined and aromatic take on the classic, appealing to true coffee connoisseurs.
All Day Coffee: The Modern, Third-Wave Approach
Address: 37 Quang Trung, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
For those who appreciate modern coffee culture, All Day Coffee offers a contemporary twist on the Hanoi classic.
The Vibe: This is a stylish, spacious, and beautifully designed cafe with a serious focus on specialty coffee. With its industrial-chic decor, comfortable seating, and excellent Wi-Fi, it’s a popular spot for expats and digital nomads. It’s less about old-world charm and more about a high-quality, modern cafe experience.
The Coffee: While they offer a full menu of espresso-based drinks, their egg coffee—or “Eggpresso”—is a standout. They prepare it with a shot of high-quality espresso instead of the traditional phin-brewed coffee, resulting in a cleaner, less bitter taste. The egg cream is whipped to perfection, creating a sophisticated and delicious beverage that bridges the gap between traditional Hanoi and global third-wave coffee culture.
Café Lâm: A Historic Hideout for Artists
Address: 60 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
One of Hanoi’s oldest and most historically significant cafes, Café Lâm has been a gathering place for Vietnamese artists, poets, and intellectuals for generations.
The Vibe: The cafe is a living museum, its walls adorned with a priceless collection of artwork given by famous artists who couldn’t pay for their coffee with money. The decor is simple and rustic, with low wooden stools and an authentic, lived-in feel. Coming here feels like stepping back in time to a more bohemian era of Hanoi’s history.
The Coffee: Café Lâm is famous for its powerful, robust coffee. Their egg coffee is no exception. It’s a potent, no-frills version of the drink with a very strong coffee base and a simple, perfectly executed egg cream on top. It’s less of a dessert and more of a serious coffee experience, beloved by purists and locals.
Your Adventure Awaits
Hanoi’s coffee culture is a deep and rewarding world to explore. While this list represents some of the city’s most beloved spots, the true joy lies in the discovery. Wander down a hidden alley, climb a mysterious staircase, and you might just find your own personal favorite. Each cup tells a story of history, ingenuity, and the simple pleasure of a perfect coffee. The quest for the best egg coffee in Hanoi is a journey every traveler should happily undertake.
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