When you think of Vietnam, you think of coffee, something that is ingrained into its rich and vibrant culture. There are so many amazing cafes in Hanoi to try and this was the first thing on my mind when I arrived in the city on a Sunday afternoon.
Read on for your ultimate guide to Hanoi for coffee lovers with everything you need to know about the five best rooftop cafes in the city.
A break from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi
My expectations were to find hustle and bustle on the streets and roads but not to the extent that I was about to witness… mayhem! I know that a lot of travellers touch on this but the roads are crammed with scooters, motorcycles and cars, constantly beeping and coming from all directions.
The irony is that the beeping is used to make everyone aware and they’d soon become a constant soundtrack to life here.
Now, don’t get me wrong, like many people that visit this city, at times it was completely overwhelming. I found myself in desperate need of an escape and the best way to do this was to go up.
This was when I discovered Hanoi’s huge range of tranquil rooftop cafes and bars, that whisk you away from the busy city below.
Many of the cafes have their own little niche, whether that’s outdoor greenery or even vehicles on the roof. After touring around the city, I found many little corners of peace and some very hip hang outs, so I thought that I’d collate some of my faves!
Five must-visit rooftop cafes in Hanoi
Meer Coffee
This is the first coffee shop I visited and it’s exceptionally peaceful. Overlooking Hồ Tây (West Lake) which is the biggest freshwater lake in Hanoi.
You can chill, enjoy listening to the jazz playing and watch the dragonflies hover by. Many people choose to fish and swim in the lake and it’s beautiful to watch.
This was also where I was first introduced to a coconut iced coffee which is absolutely heaven and is a must try once you get to Vietnam. There’s also a selection of cake available and I did manage to get my hands on a slice of vegan banana bread too.
Address: 66A Ng. 52 Đ. Tô Ngọc Vân, Nhật Tân, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 10000
Sam Rooftop Coffee
This is by far the funkiest little hangout I found. They have a makeshift VW camper, I’m not sure what the original vehicle was but it looks awesome!
There’s a few different floors, including some slightly precarious platforms that have a fantastic view of the city. I had a peach iced tea here with bits of mango in and it was absolutely lush!
Note for this one you need to go down to the basement of the building and then get the escalator up to the top floor.
Address: 58 Ng. 298 Tây Sơn, Ngã Tư Sở, Đống Đa, Hà Nội
Mermon Coffee
This was a little piece of tranquility for sure. Overlooking Hố Láng (Lang Lake), its rooftop area is full of greenery connecting you with nature within the city.
You can chill and enjoy an iced coffee or delicious fruity tea. Note for this cafe you need to go down to the basement of the building and then get the escalator up to the top floor.
Address: 12 Ng. 80 P. Chùa Láng, Láng Thượng, Đống Đa, Hà Nội
Hidden Alley Coffee
Not too far from the train station, this rustic hideaway is tucked round the back of an alley and up a staircase. Downstairs is nice and chill with a hipster feel to it.
You can climb a metal spiral staircase to get to the secluded rooftop where you can sit back and enjoy.
Address: No. 9B P. Báo Khánh, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000
SkyL Lounge Bar & Cafe
SkyL Lounge Bar & Cafe is definitely one of the pricier places to go as entry costs around £7-8 but it’s definitely worth it for the view. Located on the 67th floor, my ears were popping on the elevator up!
If you want a cheeky cocktail, mocktail, coffee or food, then this is the place to go. There’s also a thrilling glass floor that you can step on, but it’s not for the faint hearted!
Address: 54 P. Liễu Giai, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
So there you have it. If you need a bit of an escape from the city and a decent hit of coffee, then check these places out for sure.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim is currently travelling around Southeast Asia.
