Hoi An Coffee Guide: How to Pick a Café and What to Order
📅 Last updated: 2026/09/21
Many cafés in Hoi An Ancient Town are set in century-old houses or on rooftop terraces. Sipping Vietnamese coffee while looking out over yellow roof tiles and the river is the best way to take a break from exploring the old town. On your first visit, start with Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, egg coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee and then pick a rooftop-view or old-house café to settle into.
- Must-try: Iced coffee with condensed milk, egg coffee, coconut coffee, and salt coffee.
- Café types: Rooftops overlooking the old town, atmospheric old houses, and riverside spots for sunset.
- Best time: 3–5 p.m., to avoid the hottest part of the day and wait for the lanterns to light up.
- Location: The core of the old town, mostly around Trần Phú and Nguyễn Thái Học streets.
- Pair it with: Have coffee in the late afternoon, then release lanterns on the Hoai River after dark.
What to order in Hoi An
| Coffee | Taste | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Iced coffee with condensed milk (Cà phê sữa đá) | Strong coffee with condensed milk and ice, rich and sweet | First-timers to Vietnamese coffee |
| Egg coffee (Cà phê trứng) | Whipped egg-yolk cream on top of coffee, like a dessert | Those who like it sweet and creamy |
| Coconut coffee | Coffee blended with coconut milk and ice, refreshing and cooling | Those who don't like bitterness, or for hot days |
| Salt coffee (Cà phê muối) | Coffee topped with a layer of salted cream, a sweet-and-salty mix | Those who want to try something different |
How to choose a café in Hoi An
| Type | Highlights | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Rooftop view | Overlooks the old town's yellow walls and roof tiles, great for photos | Rooftop cafés such as Faifo Coffee |
| Old-house café | Century-old wooden houses with beautiful light and atmosphere | Old-house cafés on the old town's main streets |
| Riverside café | Faces the Hoai River, for sunset and watching the lanterns come on | Cafés along the Hoai River |
| Quiet teahouse | A good place to slow down and rest | Teahouses such as Reaching Out Teahouse |
Opening hours and menus change often, so check on site. Popular rooftop cafés get crowded in the late afternoon, so arrive early if you want photos.
Where are the old town's cafés?
📍 Trần Phú Street, Hoi An Ancient Town | Open in Google Maps for directions
In the old town's core, along Trần Phú, Nguyễn Thái Học, and the Hoai River, you'll find one café after another, all within walking distance. The old town is small, so whenever you get tired, just find one and sit down.
How to fit cafés into your Hoi An itinerary
| Time | Itinerary |
|---|---|
| 13:30 | Depart from your Da Nang hotel |
| 14:30 | Vietnamese coffee experience |
| 15:30 | Basket boat ride in the coconut forest (Bay Mau) |
| 17:00 | Explore the old town and stop at a rooftop or riverside café |
| 19:30 | Lantern release on the Hoai River |
These are sample times for the Lanytrip Hoi An Basket Boat Day Tour. The tour includes a Vietnamese coffee experience, and you'll still have time to find another café on your own. For actual times, please check the tour page for the latest details.
Tips for drinking coffee in Hoi An
| Item | Tip |
|---|---|
| Payment | Small shops mostly take cash, so carry some Vietnamese dong |
| Ice | If you have a sensitive stomach, order hot coffee or ask for no ice |
| Rooftop stairs | Stairs up to old-house rooftops are often steep, so take care |
| Ancient Town ticket | You need a ticket for the old town's core area, so bring it if the café is inside |
Hoi An Coffee FAQ
What coffee should I try in Hoi An?
On your first visit, try Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, egg coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee. The four taste very different, so share them with friends.
What kind of café should I pick in Hoi An?
Choose a rooftop café for views over the old town's roofs, an old-house café for atmosphere, or a riverside café on the Hoai River in the late afternoon.
Where are most cafés in Hoi An?
Mainly in the old town's core, along Trần Phú, Nguyễn Thái Học, and the Hoai River, all within walking distance.
When is the best time to visit a café in Hoi An?
3–5 p.m., to avoid the hottest hours. By the time you finish, the lanterns are coming on and it's time for lantern release on the Hoai River.
Is egg coffee a Hoi An specialty?
Egg coffee originated in Hanoi and is available across Vietnam, and many cafés in Hoi An serve it too.
How should I plan a coffee trip to Hoi An from Da Nang?
Hoi An is about 45 minutes from Da Nang, so we suggest leaving in the afternoon. The Lanytrip Hoi An Basket Boat Day Tour includes a Vietnamese coffee experience, and you can release lanterns in the evening.
