Autumn finally arrives, let’s have a coffee!

Vietnam is one of the world’s largest coffee exporters. The variety of beans mainly exported is Robusta, which are almost twice as strong caffeine-wise compared to Arabica, making the taste a tad sharper. The beans are placed into a phin, which sits on top of the cup. A thin lid then compresses the beans and hot water is added to the phin whilst the coffee is slowly filtered into the cup, ready for consumption.

With Vietnamese people say “let’s go drink coffee,” it not only means to enjoy the beverage but is also an invitation to socialise. Vietnamese people go to coffee shops to catch up with friends, enjoy great conversation or just to have a quick escape from daily life.

With the continual entry of well-known international and domestic coffee chains, some cafés have out of the way locations in order to provide a more intimate, personalized experience. These obscure locations can actually be an asset, as customers seek a hidden gem in a relaxed part of town, somewhere they can savour a delicious cup of coffee, a good conversation or a few quiet moments with a book. Furthermore, for coffee shop owners, a low-traffic location has the additional advantage of being cheaper in rent, which is important for a low-margin business like cafes – especially those selling specialty coffee, which is made with high quality, expensive beans.

Savills has chosen a collection of these ‘hidden’ cafes to you to enjoy.

1. Blackbird Coffee

Impossible to spot from the street, Blackbird Coffee is hidden within Chan Cam – a little street in Hanoi’s bustling center. This café has captured the hearts of their by the cozy and quiet atmosphere, which allows them to focus on working or talks with friends. Coffee sold here is “fresh” Vietnamese beans, which are carefully selected by professional baristas with an in-depth understanding of every aspect of coffee. Blackbird Coffee is a destination for serious coffee aficionados.
Location: 5 Chan Cam, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

2. Giảng Café

Giang Café is hidden down a narrow alley on Nguyen Huu Huan Street in the old quarter. It may be difficult to find, but is well worth the effort. The cafe only serves ca phe trung or egg coffee, a creamy soft, meringue-like egg white foam, perched above of dense black Vietnamese coffee. Open since 1940, Giang Café has remained a popular destination for several generations.
Location: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

3. Xofa Café & Bistro

Xofa Café (pronounced ‘sofa’), provides the epitome of comfort for café patrons. The café began with a desire to deliver customer an experience both heartwarming and memorable. Taking from its namesake, the café brings friends and customers closer together on sofas, creating an ideal spot to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Ha Noi.
Location: 14 Tong Duy Tan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.

4. de.Tầm

Located in an ancient French villa on Yen The Street, de.Tầm is ideal place for people seeking a quiet place away from the bustling streets of Hanoi. The café provides cozy living room with wooden furniture setting and a cute décor with a tempting cup of coffee and delicious cakes. de.Tam is the perfect location to have cup of coffee, read a good book or just relax.
Location: 33 Yen The, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

5. Hanoi Time Coffee

Hanoi Time is located on the second floor at the end of a winding, ancient laneway off Dinh Tien Hoang Street. Reaching the café may feel like an adventure as the alley is only wide enough for only one person. However, the adventure is worth it when you find yourself enjoying a cup of coffee on a great balcony overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.
Location: 39 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi