When you visit Hoi An, you will find there are countless cafes around. Most of them in the old town are really beautiful and charming, and I will cover some of my favourites.
That said, many of them are also filled with tourists. So before that, I want to share a few Hoi An cafes that have less-touristy pricing and are still pretty great. I see more locals in them vs tourists.
Underrated Cafes Near Old Town
For reference, you can find coconut coffee at 35K at some of these cafes when others are charging 50-60K in the old town (Prices will increase but you can see the approx difference). And they are in pretty central locations with nice spaces.
Nang Coffee Hoi An
This is a spacious cafe that covers a whole garden with a refreshing pool in the centre that you can even take a dip in (until 4pm). It’s like an oasis within the town.
The whole environment is beautifully decorated from the natural greenery to the simple wooden furnishings and huts. All the seats come shaded with umbrellas so don’t worry about the Hoi An sun. Even then, there are indoors areas with air conditioning, so you can take your pick on what you like.
Or you can do it like me, and visit in the evening. I reckon it is less crowded at night, and they also open till 10pm.
While it is primarily a cafe, they also do serve food. Despite the unique environment, prices here are fair and standard. I did not try the food since I visited after a super satisfying dinner at one of the popular Hoi An restaurants.
But I ordered the salt coffee and it’s just the perfect conclusion with a thick, creamy top layer. This will perhaps be my pick for favorite salt coffee because of the cream’s texture.
The cafe is also a good option if you want to work on your laptop. The wifi here is super fast.
If you have been around Vietnam, you know short stools and tables are a mainstay in local cafe culture. Many of the outdoor seats here are similar height which is not great for laptops.
But the indoor seatings are a different story, and you will find power sockets around as well. Some of the outdoor tables by the fence are also proper seating.
- They do not take card payment, but TP Bank is right round the corner.
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 169/143 mbps
Hi Phim Cafe
Located near the old town, don’t be deceived by the appearance of this plain looking Hoi An cafe. It might not seem super enticing from out front but this is a quiet, spacious place, credit to the high ceiling.
The internet is super fast here. Several tables are great for working with power sockets next to them. Most of the space is open air, but there are also air-conditioned rooms. The interior is simple but still aesthetically nice.
The coffee here is good, and much cheaper than your old town cafes. I see locals coming here to take a coffee break from work before heading out again. They don’t serve food, only drinks.
A great option whether you want to come and do some work, or chill for a bit. This is the type of place I will come repeatedly if I’m staying long term in Hoi An, and looking to work from a cafe.
- They do not take card payment here
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 283/265 mbps
An’s Coffee & Milk Tea
This is a homestay and cafe that’s right on one of the bustling streets near old town.
Food option is more limited here to breakfast stuff, so I recommend coming mainly for the drinks. They have a lot of drink options, ranging from classic coffee options to different variations of milk teas.
You can even mix and match toppings. I went with a custom order of Bubble Milk Tea with Egg Cream, which admittedly was very sinful :p The bubbles (tapioca balls) here are soft and tangy.
It is rather spacious place with plenty of seats. You have the short lounge chairs and tables by the road which locals love, or you can go indoors with great tables for working. And further in, you have an air conditioned space.
There are many power sockets around the area. I also like the the chairs indoors are cushy, thus comfortable to sit for hours. Also, at 400+ mbps, the wifi is the fastest I have seen in Hoi An.
Easily a place I will come back to work as it’s cheap and well facilitated.
You can even book their homestay. I haven’t stayed here before, so I can’t comment on the rooms, but the location is super convenient.
- They accept card payment here
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 424/320 mbps
Cafes Focused On Coffee
No disrespect to all the other cafes with the header, but these are two places where I imagine a big part of the business is selling coffee beans rather than just operating as a cafe.
Hoa Champa
If I have to pick a favorite for coffee, Hoa Champa will be it with their strong and flavorful coffee. They are not just a cafe but also sells coffee beans, brewing accessories and different tea leaves/flowers. The whole place has rustic and old school vibe that is just charming.
The outside area is a nice spot to just relax and people watch, particularly in the evening when motorised vehicles are not allowed in old town. The cafe is located on what I consider the first street of Old Town. So it is always bustling with people.
The in-store coffee prices here are slightly cheaper than what you will find in most of old town cafes.
If you are into different types of coffee beans, this should be an interesting place to visit. They even have weasel coffee.
The Vietnam Luxury beans smelt really nice (this is the beans for the salted coffee), but I got some Robusta for my parents who just likes super strong taste. They also have decaf beans.
When buying the beans, you can ask them to help you grind them into powder. Just let them know how you are going to brew them. They will grind it to the suitable “size”.
This is not the best place to work at compared to other cafes on the list, but you could still sit and do some work for a short period.
- They take card payment here with a 2% fee.
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 77/76 mbps
XLIII Coffee
If you are on the specialty end of the spectrum, then XLIII Coffee is the place to be. I believe it is the only specialty coffee store in Hoi An when I visited.
The space has a modern minimalist vibe and the staff are very happy to explain and chat with you about specialty coffee since it is still such a niche community in Vietnam.
Of course, you can purchase beans here. For in-store consumption, they serve two formats: Shots (but not espresso) and pour over. The beans they offer might change depending on season and their sources.
They did have decaf beans when I visited, which was a welcomed option after indulging in too many cups of Vietnamese coffees while cafe hopping in Hoi An.
Although the specialty coffee wave is developing, it is still quite small, so the cafe is quiet and chill. It’s quite spacious with huge tables, resembling a coworking space.
There are also power sockets everywhere. So this is a great place to work from if you are looking for somewhere comfortable and quiet.
As you can expect, specialty coffee is a tier more expensive than your typical Vietnamese coffee. But compared to prices globally, it is pretty reasonable.
XLIII Coffee has (at least) three branches across Vietnam, in Da Nang, Saigon and Hoi An.
- They accept card payment here
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 58/58 mbps
Popular Cafes In Hoi An Old Town
There are so many charming and beautiful cafes in old town that I did not even managed to visit all those I marked out. Coffee here is typically more expensive than other districts because of both the popularity and high rental.
Phin Coffee Restaurant
Tucked at the end of a small alleyway, this is one cafe that might be hard to just stumble upon. But they have built quite a reputation and I saw a guide bringing her group here. It is very popular among tourists.
What’s nice here is the ambience and environment which is kind of an enclosed garden surrounded by plants. The staff is very attentive and thoughtful.
Some of the favorites here are the coconut iced coffee, peanut butter coffee and egg coffee. But I went for the dark and strong option of Phim drip coffee for a morning perk-me-up.
You get to choose between 2 mid-roast beans or a mix blend. The drip coffee doesn’t come with an iced option but they offered to bring me ice – good service.
I also tried their signature smoked duck noodles. Taste wise, it wasn’t a super standout for me, but it is quite a substantial bowl, and they did not skimp on the meat.
The cafe also offers a 2-hr specialty coffee tasting session which is a good option if you want to know more about coffee in Vietnam and the specialty coffee trend that is building up. They also have a coconut egg coffee making class.
Most of the seats are outdoors and can be warm, but they strategically move fans around depending on where people are sitting so it’s not a big issue. There’s an elevated patio of sort on the “second” storey, but that area is typically hotter in the day.
If you are not fixated on air-conditioning, this is not a bad space to sit and do some work with the natural air. The internet is very fast. I sat here for an hour or so, and did see people on their laptops.
There’s a few power sockets around but they might be needed to power the fans as they shift them around, so I recommend coming with your devices charged.
- They do take card payment
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 314/127 mbps
Dudu Cafe Hoi An
At the edge of Hoi An’s old town, you will find Dudu Cafe. The storefront has lots of lanterns and, in the interior, shelves of craftworks for sale. It rocks a sorta Asian bohemian vibe – for a lack of better description.
The second floor has an air-conditioned space which is popular during the day time due to the heat. You can also access a small outdoor balcony that overlooks the street. At night, the colorful lanterns light up and people like to sit outdoors to observe the scene.
Similar to many cafes, they serve food from western options like smoothie bowls and toasts to asian dishes like Baos. Prices here are comparable to other cafes in Hoi An. I tried the iced egg coffee and the creamy top layer is just delicious.
There’s lots of power sockets here which is good for working. They have these big tables on the second floor and the internet speed is decent.
Having been spoilt by the enthusiastic staff of many places in Hoi An, the service here admittedly isn’t as proactive but totally fine to get what you need. I only saw 2 staff managing both levels, so it can be quite a task for them.
If you sat on the second floor, I recommend bringing your utensils down when leaving if it’s not too much trouble. Spread some good karma.
- They do take card payment
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 31/88 mbps
Memories Brunch & Cafe
A three-storey cafe with different spaces and seatings for your selection. They also open very early and close late, so quite a versatile spot.
You will find a cafe on the first floor with a courtyard at the back, an air conditioned room on the second floor, and a rooftop space on the third.
During the day, you can see the antique rooftops of the surrounding building as this is one of the (slightly) taller buildings around. But it can be quite warm depending on the season.
At night, the lanterns on the rooftop light up so it is kind of chill and romantic.
Despite being in the main part of old town, it is situated on a less bustling street in the night, so if you don’t want all the noise, this is not a bad area for a peaceful evening.
Prices here are typical old town prices. I visited late at night after dinner, so was not getting any food. But the pastries looked good.
Their beverage recommendation is the memories egg coffee. Since it is best consumed hot and I wanted a cold drink, I went for the iced coconut coffee instead. The coffee is not super strong so it’s great for the evening.
There’s a mix of seating but you will find some proper tables for working. And there are some power sockets around including the rooftop area.
- They take card payment here.
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 55/66 mbps
Ubebe Cafe
As the name suggests, this Hoi An cafe specialises in Ube or Purple Yam as most of us know it. If you have had enough of the coconut, egg or salted coffees, this is an opportunity to try something different.
I had the iced Ube coffee and it was just yummy. The blend mixed kinda well, you still feel a strong flavor to it overall. Prices here are higher than other cafes so I wouldn’t recommend getting anything other than their specialities.
They are known to also have pretty good Banh Mi. However at the price point, it was just hard to bring myself to try it. There’s simply too many good Bahn Mi stalls in Hoi An at much cheaper prices (and I haven’t even been able to try them all).
I did get a taste of their cookie tart that came complimentary with the coffee, the filing was tasty and not too sweet.
Regardless, the place is comfy and nice. On second level, you have both air conditioning and a couple of balcony seats to observe the street below. The tables are great for working and there are many power sockets around.
The third floor has a rooftop view which can be a great spot if it’s not raining or too hot.
This is a great spot if you want to try some of the purple yam stuff. There are many interesting dishes on their menu like peanut noodles, bingsu etc that are not as commonly found in other cafes/restaurants.
- They do take card payment here.
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 216/32 mbps
Hoi An Roastery Espresso
This is a brand that has multiple branches in the old town area. In fact, I know of 2 right in Old town, on the same street; and one just outside of old town.
The thing about Hoi An Roastery is tat they are all beautifully decorated, giving a strong Vietnamese culture vibes. One of them has a balcony (with a long counter table) that gives you a nice view of the street below.
The branch outside old town has 3 stories with huge windows so you can see the bustling main street. That one has a bit of an amazonian vibe, and is fully air-conditioned.
Prices not too different from old town cafes, maybe slightly more expensive. The branch I visited even gave me a cold towel to refresh myself upon sitting down.
Since most of them are beautiful and big, it’s a good standard choice for photos, chilling, or working. There’s usually a variety of seating and power sockets around.
P.S. The outlet at <89 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An> is a pretty good sunset spot.
- Most branches should accept card payment
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 216/264 mbps (Old Town House II)
Scenic Cafes In An My (Rice Fields)
An My is what I considered the village and agriculture region of Hoi An. Well, because that’s the highlight scenery. Cafes here can offer you beautiful views of the nature and agriculture scene, but this also means it can change across seasons.
The cafes here are my favourite for ambience.
Nghe Rice Paddy Café
If you are looking for a quick escape from the city into the vast rice field, Nigh Rice Paddy Cafe is a great one. It’s just a 10mins GRAB Bike ride from the old town or you can even cycle/bike there yourself. My trip there was all on proper pavement so you don’t need to be riding in mud roads.
This is an open cafe where you can sit and watch the wind blow across the rice fields, creating these beautiful ripples. Mellow, chill music plays in the background like a happy morning place.
While there’s no air conditioning, the place is well shaded, and they will place portable fans near you so you won’t feel hot.
Prices here are comparable to other cafes. I tried the cocoa with ice cream and I like that the cream is salted so kinda like your salted coffee albeit not as thick and its cocoa. The blueberry pancakes weren’t particularly special but it came with a good serving of fruits; you can almost never go wrong with fruits in Vietnam.
The internet there is fast and at the outdoor long “counter” tables, which I think are the best seats for views, there are power sockets hidden underneath, just peak below.
Service here is friendly and attentive. The staff are always smiling when approaching you. And I was pleasantly surprised when they served up a generous plate of complimentary coconut crackers to me, which were delicious.
An exceptionally tranquil spot particularly in the morning since you don’t get the hordes of tourists seeking breakfast in the city cafes. Overall great spot to relax or get some work done with an amazing scenery.
Side note: I have sat at many countryside cafes and typically I will say to put on insect repellent, sometimes without much impact. For some reason, I did not experience any flies or mosquitoes here. Just ants which came for the empty pancake honey jar.
- They do not take card payment.
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 122/37 mbps
Miss H.A Cafe
Another beauty surrounded by stunning natural scenery is Miss H.A Cafe. There was more people here than Nghe Cafe when I visited, probably because it is bigger and more prominent on one of the main farmlands roads.
It is a house of 3 stories, each nicely decorated. There’s a whole summer and maybe beach vibe here. The furnishings are primarily wooden with a light, airy feel to the whole place.
Not losing out to other cafes in Hoi An old town, this whole place is super instagrammable. Bright, energetic music plays in the background.
Also with that elevated position, you not only see rice fields but swamp lands and fisheries. The top/third floor is a low ceiling area where you take off your shoes and sit on cushions.
Beverage prices here are comparable, but food is slightly more expensive. There’s not a lot of food options here. They primarily serve panini and fruit bowls – your typical cafe breakfast food options. Nothing caught my fancy so I just got the salted coffee which is good.
The wifi here is incredibly fast and there are power sockets around the building on each level. You can also help yourself to drinking water.
There’s a happy hour every day from 5-7pm (subject to change), and this is a good spot for sunset as well.
- They do not take card payment.
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 272/172 mbps
Chill Cafes In An Bang (Beach Views)
Technically, the district is called Cam An, but most of us will probably know it as An Bang because the most famous landmark here is An Bang Beach.
This is the coastal area of Hoi An. And of course, here we’re talking beach views!
Silence of Sound Coffee Hoi An
Now the beach is a popular area to chill. You will find many restaurants and cafes suitable for that. However, if you want to spend some time on your laptop while admiring the beach view then not every place is suitable. (You certainly don’t want your laptop right ON the beach with all the sand)
Near An Bang beach, I like the Silence of Sound cafe. They have a beautiful elevated porch/garden right above the deck chairs. It is actually part of the guesthouse/homestay on the premise. You can use any of the seats and deck chair as long as you are spending at the cafe.
The porch area is pretty spacious and have different seatings with umbrellas. You can move according to where and when the sun hits. So regardless if you wanna get a tan or shade your laptop from direct sunlight, there are options.
The wifi reception is good since they have a few access points. Plus there are even power sockets around some of these areas so you can charge your devices.
And if you really want somewhere fully shaded and cool, there’s indoor seats right at the front of the cafe. Overall, a great place to chill and watch the ocean, or even take a dip. The beach here is also less busy than the main An Bang area.
If you are at the beach/garden area, you can call or WhatsApp them to add on any orders, and they will bring it over. Good service all round.
The place can get busy though, so you want to come early.
Prices here are also not expensive, comparable to cafes in the city. I had the salted coffee which has a nice, thick salted layer and the club sandwich served with fries.
- They don’t take card payment here
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 87/88 mbps
Rua Beach Coffee & Bar
For great prices, check out Rua Coffee Bar. They are still one of the newer places in the area when I visited.
The primary seating area is all outdoors by the beach front and open air. They do have umbrellas that are opened up during the day So this isn’t exactly the best place for working (although I did while waiting for a friend).
The wifi reception also isn’t great by the sitting area, since the router is in the reception shed at the entrance. So this is really a place to relax and watch the ocean.
Similarly, you can use their deck chairs on the beach if you are spending here.
Staff here are super nice, and prices here are the cheapest I have seen around the beach area. Rua Cafe Is located near one edge of An Bang beach so it’s not too crowded.
If you read my other articles on An Bang beach, you’ll know to avoid the center area. I don’t know why people like to gather there. It’s crowded, chaotic with more touting. Go to the edges. Better yet, go towards Tan Thanh Beach area where the Silence of Sound cafe is at. Waaay more peaceful.
- They don’t take card payment here
- Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 10/2 mbps (from the beach area)
A Growing Hoi An Cafe Scene
Vietnamese coffee is pretty well-known and it is not surprising that the cafe scene in the country is developing rapidly, especially in cities like Hoi An where tourism is huge.
While there are highlight activities around Hoi An, one of the signature things to do here is to simply enjoy a slow and chill day. Spend some time just cafe hopping around town and you are bound to find many interesting spots… and beautiful photos for memories!
